How to Check if a Logo Already Exists?

If you are beginning to create a logo for your brand, a common concern is that you may be copying from copied artists. Accidental discoveries of one copying from the other can happen unintentionally, and there could be legal troubles that could potentially arise from that. However, there are ways to ensure whether your logo already exists or not to avoid any complications.

To check if a logo exists, conduct a reverse image search, speak with a lawyer, look at other competitors for similarities, or trademark search for any logo similarities. However, after you’ve determined that your logo doesn’t exist, it is essential to look into various forms of logo protection.

Throughout this article, we will learn about how to check if a logo already exists, how to protect your logo from being copied, and determine if it is better to copyright or trademark your logo.

How to Check If a Logo Already Exists?

Creating anything artistic can often be overwhelming and exhausting. It ensures that your logo is original and not a copy of anyone else. Luckily, there are different ways to check if the logo that you’ve created already exists.

These different ways include:

  1. Reverse image search
  2. Look at the competition for any similarities
  3. Trademark search for any similarities
  4. Speak with a lawyer

Let’s continue to read more about how to check if a logo already exists.

Ways to Check If a Logo Already Exists

Ensuring that your logo is original is important, so it is good to check if your logo already exists or not. Let’s continue reading to learn about four ways to check if a logo already exists.

1. Reverse Image Search

A reverse image search is an easy and quick way to see if your logo already exists. By adding your logo on a reverse image search, you will be able to tell if your logo already exists or not online. By seeing if it exists, you can further research later to ensure the logo is trademarked or copyrighted.

2. Speak with a Lawyer

It is often recommended that you speak with a lawyer if a logo you’ve created is already taken. If you feel like you and another business have the same logo, which could interfere with your brand, then speak with a lawyer about steps you may have to take to avoid any further possible legal trouble.

3. Look at the Competition for Any Similarities

Research your niche competition’s logos to determine any similarities. Color schemes, designs, etc. This can digress any concerns that you may have that your logo and your competition’s logos can seem identical or misleading. Searching for other companies’ logos will encourage you to stand out more and help consumers tell the difference between the various logos.

4. Trademark Search for Any Similarities

Search a trademark database engine to look for various trademark similarities. Websites such as uspto.gov will allow you to search for trademarks or pending trademarks that have been applied that could be similar to yours by searching for words or design marks. If you cannot find similarities between your logo and other logos, you can trademark or copyright your logo.

If you find that your logo does not exist, then to protect it and your brand, there are ways to protect it legally. Let’s continue reading to learn how to protect your logo from being copied.

How to Protect Your Logo From Being Copied?

To protect your logo from being copied by anyone else, you will need to copyright or trademark it.

Copyright or trademark prevents your original artwork from being replicated by anyone else, and you are allowed to take legal action if it does. This also makes it easier for those wanting to ensure they are not copying from others.

To complete either of these options, you will need to complete an application and pay a fee to have your logo trademarked or copyrighted legally. It will typically take several months for it to become finalized. As long as your logo is unique and not stolen, nor shares any outright similarities, it is justifiable to have copyrighted or trademarked.

People with a business, or a unique logo, often wonder whether the best route is to have their logos trademarked or copyrighted. So, as we continue forward, we will read whether it is better to copyright or trademark your logo.

Is It Better to Copyright or Trademark Your Logo?

Copyright and trademarking a logo, or anything of the sort, have some significant differences.

An essential difference between the two is that if you are looking to copyright your logo, this prevents your logo from being copied but does not protect anyone from selling any products by others. Trademarks protect the original logo and legally stop anyone from selling products that compare directly to your products.

When determining which route is best when protecting your logo, the answer is entirely up to you. However, a trademark is the most common route people will go to protect their entire brand, and it is recommended that you consult a legal attorney who will guide you with the best course of action.

Closing

Now that you know how to check if a logo exists, you will know how to create your original logo. You’ve also learned how to protect your logo from being copied and how to copyright and trademark your logo. Also, you’ve discovered whether it is better to copyright or trademark your logo.