I am trying to put together a new business and I am just about ready to start selling my product. I will be creating my product to start out at home under the Texas Cottage Foods law and selling at Farmer's markets and flea market type events to get started.
The problem is that I need a name. I have chosen a name I really like but a quick search at uspto.gov shows this name was abandoned. Secondly, the equivalent domain name.com is registered but does not have a website and the registration is due in June of this year. Finally, this is a food based business. An Internet search shows no identical business selling this product, however, there are many restaurants, bars, delis, even people using this name.
So what do I do? I understand that by filing for a trademark can take as much as 6 months to get approved. Do I start using the name and file for a trademark in the hopes that I can use it, thinking I may have to completely rebrand down the road if it is rejected? I also don't want to keep wasting time and money filing for trademarks. What about the domain name? Should I just ignore it and go for a .net domain instead, which is not currently registered? Should I attempt to find the owner now and buy it? And what about the fact that others are using this name? Does it matter that they are food related businesses but not selling retail?
I could always try to find another name but picking a name is hard and it seems every time I come up with something I like, I run into similar issues.
Thanks for any help/advice you can offer regarding this issue.
--Kevin
The problem is that I need a name. I have chosen a name I really like but a quick search at uspto.gov shows this name was abandoned. Secondly, the equivalent domain name.com is registered but does not have a website and the registration is due in June of this year. Finally, this is a food based business. An Internet search shows no identical business selling this product, however, there are many restaurants, bars, delis, even people using this name.
So what do I do? I understand that by filing for a trademark can take as much as 6 months to get approved. Do I start using the name and file for a trademark in the hopes that I can use it, thinking I may have to completely rebrand down the road if it is rejected? I also don't want to keep wasting time and money filing for trademarks. What about the domain name? Should I just ignore it and go for a .net domain instead, which is not currently registered? Should I attempt to find the owner now and buy it? And what about the fact that others are using this name? Does it matter that they are food related businesses but not selling retail?
I could always try to find another name but picking a name is hard and it seems every time I come up with something I like, I run into similar issues.
Thanks for any help/advice you can offer regarding this issue.
--Kevin
Dislike ads? Become a Fastlane member:
Subscribe today and surround yourself with winners and millionaire mentors, not those broke friends who only want to drink beer and play video games. :-)
Membership Required: Upgrade to Expose Nearly 1,000,000 Posts
Ready to Unleash the Millionaire Entrepreneur in You?
Become a member of the Fastlane Forum, the private community founded by best-selling author and multi-millionaire entrepreneur MJ DeMarco. Since 2007, MJ DeMarco has poured his heart and soul into the Fastlane Forum, helping entrepreneurs reclaim their time, win their financial freedom, and live their best life.
With more than 39,000 posts packed with insights, strategies, and advice, you’re not just a member—you’re stepping into MJ’s inner-circle, a place where you’ll never be left alone.
Become a member and gain immediate access to...
- Active Community: Ever join a community only to find it DEAD? Not at Fastlane! As you can see from our home page, life-changing content is posted dozens of times daily.
- Exclusive Insights: Direct access to MJ DeMarco’s daily contributions and wisdom.
- Powerful Networking Opportunities: Connect with a diverse group of successful entrepreneurs who can offer mentorship, collaboration, and opportunities.
- Proven Strategies: Learn from the best in the business, with actionable advice and strategies that can accelerate your success.
"You are the average of the five people you surround yourself with the most..."
Who are you surrounding yourself with? Surround yourself with millionaire success. Join Fastlane today!
Join Today