Can you trademark a YouTube channel?
In short: Yes, you can trademark a YouTube channel. You can trademark the name, logo, or slogan that you are using to promote your YouTube channel. As a YouTube channel is considered to be an entertainment service, it can be subject to the standard protections under trademark law.
Why Bother Trademarking Your Channel?
A trademark will prevent another YouTube channel from using your name, slogan, or logo. This is an important step in building a specific brand identity for your channel. In order to register a trademark, you must prove that the name or logo is distinct and specifically associated with your channel.
Limits of Channel Name or Logo Trademarks
A trademark will not prevent a competitor from creating videos that are similar to yours. Trademarks do not protect content, but rather the way that the content is identified and promoted. A trademark will not prevent the general public from using the slogan or logo. Trademarks only prevent direct competitors from using your branding materials to mislead consumers.
Current Example of a Trademarked Channel
When discussing trademarks or service marks like this, it's always helpful to have some examples. Let's look at one of the largest channels on YouTube today.
MrBeast
The MrBeast channel on YouTube has, as of June 2023, about 157 million subscribers and has amassed just over a 26.7 billion views.
The MrBeast mark was filed in February of 2019, and covers the following:
IC 025. US 022 039. G & S: clothing, namely, sweatshirts, shirts and hats. FIRST USE: 20190605. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20190605
IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: entertainment services, namely, providing online non-downloadable videos featuring stunts, pranks, challenges and monetary giveaways.
His most viewed videos commonly feature challenges, and giveaways of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Copyright on YouTube
Youtube provides resources for content creators to file copyright complaints, as well as respond to copyright strikes on their youtube account.
- Submit a Copyright Infringement Notification
- Submit a Counter Notification
- Copyright Strike Basics
- Retract a Claim of Copyright Infringement
- Dispute a Content ID Claim
- See Your Youtube Account Status
Trademarks and Other Social Platforms
We've also compiled information on other social platforms and their stance on trademarks and copyright. You can see those here:
Registering Your Trademark
We have a simple, 5 step process we use to help our clients secure their trademark. Check out the video below for an explanation of the process:
More Common Trademark Questions
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.