Trademark Law in California

Empire Business Law

Establishing legal protection for your brand starts with trademark law—and it’s especially critical in a business-driven state like California. At Empire Business Law, we help businesses throughout California protect the trademarks that form the foundation of their brand. Whether you’re launching a startup in Silicon Valley or managing an expanding business in Los Angeles, our trademark attorneys guide you through the entire federal process—from searches and filings to defending your rights. We know how to apply trademark law effectively to protect your brand in California’s fast-paced and competitive markets.

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Registering your trademark in California shows investors that you mean business. It also protects your brand when competitors try to emulate rather than innovate.

Trademark Attorneys for California Business Owners

Trademarks – The Benefits of Registering a Trademark in California

Trademarks are a vital part of securing your brand identity. Reach out to Empire Business Law at (855) 781-7705. When you hire a trademark attorney in California, you’re putting legal barriers in place to stop others from using anything confusingly close to your brand. With a registered trademark, you have control over how your business is represented and protected. Our California trademark law team makes the process easy, clear, and efficient from start to finish.

Trademark Application Requirements in California

The trademark application process is often longer and more complicated than it seems. Even when things go smoothly, you might wait up to six months for a decision. If issues arise, you could lose valuable time and money on a rejected application.

With our California trademark attorneys handling your case, you can avoid those costly setbacks. We understand the ins and outs of what the USPTO looks for and how to respond if challenges come up. Let us take care of the legal legwork while you focus on growing your business.

Trademark Searches

Running a trademark search is a must before investing in a business name. In a state as large and diverse as California, this step helps you ensure that your brand isn’t already in use by someone else—and that it can be protected under trademark law.

✔ Identifies name conflicts across markets
✔ Lowers risk of legal disputes
✔ Improves your chances of registration success

At Empire Business Law, we know trademarks. We help people every day with trademarking their product or protecting it. Call our office at (855) 781-7705, Schedule an appointment - click here or fill out our contact form and we will contact you as soon as possible. Contact us today.

What Is a Trademark Name?

Trademark names must meet specific requirements to be eligible for protection. These include:

✔ Being clearly distinct from any existing trademarks
✔ Functioning as an adjective—not a noun or verb

Meeting these standards is key to building a brand in California that’s not only memorable but also legally enforceable.

A great example of this is . . . “Do you have a Q-Tip?” Instead, you’d say: “Do you have a cotton swab?” Similarly, you shouldn’t ask someone for a "Kleenex” but instead, for a tissue.

Ideally, a trademark should also be:

  • Easy for people to pronounce
  • Not too long
  • Recognizable or not too complicated
  • Simple by design

What Is an Example of a Trademark in California?

You may be surprised to learn that company and product names aren't the only things you can trademark. You can also trademark a:

  • Symbol (example: McDonald's "M" or Golden Arches symbol)
  • Slogan (example: Burger King "Have It Your Way" line)
  • Colors (example: Target's Red Bullseye)
  • Sound (example: NBC three-note chime)

What Are the Benefits of Trademark Registration in California?

Trademark registration keeps competitors from copying your brand or creating confusion in the marketplace. With so many industries thriving in California, standing out—and protecting that identity—is essential. A registered trademark gives your brand the clarity and strength it needs to hold its place in the market.

When your brand becomes recognized for its quality, a trademark keeps that reputation safe. In California’s competitive business climate, where customer loyalty matters, having legal control over your name ensures your audience continues to trust and identify your brand. It protects your name from misuse and strengthens your brand presence.

Having the official ® (registered trademark) service mark next to your name adds credibility and validity to your brand. Contact Empire Business Law and Get The Help You Need For Your California Business Today!

  • What types of Intellectual Property can not be Trademarked?

    You can't trademark creative works. You can protect the following types of art by copyright instead of a trademark:


    • Written works, including novels or non-fiction books
    • Plays / movie scripts
    • Poetry
    • Art
    • Songs
    • Films
    • Theatrical performances

    You also can’t trademark inventions, machines, business processes, or pharmaceuticals. These are protected by utility patents. You can, however, protect the brand names of these inventions with a registered trademark.


    Finally, you can’t protect designs or plans with a trademark. You can protect these with design or plant patents, respectively. The intellectual property attorneys at Empire Business Law can also help you with the patent application process.

  • Do I Need to Register My Trademark to Protect My Intellectual Property?

    In short, you don't have to register your trademark in the United States to gain protection. A federal trademark filed through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office offers trademark registration rights across the U.S. However, there are numerous advantages to obtaining a federal registration.

  • Do I Need a Trademark Attorney to File My Trademark Application?

    A trademark attorney can save you time and money through the trademark filing application process. Too many times a business will try to apply on its own, causing problems down the road, including a rejected application or the registration not fully protecting the business. This ends up costing the business more in the long run.


    Empire Business LAW can help save time and money through the trademark application process. Call us today at (855) 781-7705 for help getting your trademark application filed.

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If you are looking for a very professional and reliable lawyer do not look any furthermore. Daniel López helped us by answering all of our questions. He made us feel comfortable with the process. I will highly recommend him to my family and friends. Thank you so much, Daniel. You were the best!

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Daniel is amazing! he's helped us get our business restructured right. He's so knowledgeable and extremely responsive. I would highly recommend Daniel and the attorneys at Empire Law for anything you need done with your business.

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We needed some trademark work done. There was another business using our logo. We called Empire and they literally held our hand through the whole process.

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I recommend Daniel Lopez, Esq. due to his knowledge, integrity, and ability to choose what is right for his clients. No upselling or trying to overcharge.

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Great first experience with this Law firm. I had a meeting with Daniel. He was friendly, informative, and straight to the point which I appreciate as a business professional.

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Danny was very helpful and answered all my questions regarding the creating of my LLC. He was very helpful. I would work with his firm again.

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