Can You Trademark a City Name?
Yes, you may trademark a city name if it is used as a brand name for your products or services.
For example, “NEW ORLEANS” is a registered trademark for a line of doors and window guards. Trademarking a city name does not mean that you own the city name, nor does it mean that you own the city. Trademarking that city’s name will prevent other companies from using the city’s name in association with a product or service similar to yours.
If you wish to trademark a city name, you should contact a trademark attorney to conduct a search of current trademarks. It is possible that someone already owns the trademark for your desired city name as it is very common for local businesses to include these city names in their promotional slogans or business names.
A Current Example
One current example of a trademark that incorporates a city name is "Chicago Bar Shop". This mark was granted in April of 2018, specifically covering:
Providing classes, workshops, seminars and camps in the field of bartending; Providing classes, workshops, seminars and camps in the field of mixology.
Learn More:
The Steps to Getting a City Name Trademark
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About the Author
Xavier Morales, Esq.
Mr. Morales founded his trademark law practice in January 2007 with the goal of providing intellectual property expertise to entrepreneurs and businesses around the country. Since then, he has filed more than 6,000 trademarks with the USPTO. You can learn more about Xavier here.