How do you become the sole owner of your business name?Do you also need to do it for your logo?

Rugged, I would search the secretary of state's website in Georgia. Follow the link below.

http://www.sos.georgia.gov/corporations/name_reserve.htm

Per the website, it states "Pursuant to O.C.G.A. 10-1-490 trade names are registered with the Clerk of Superior Court of the county where the business is principally located. A trade name is also known as a “DBA” or “fictitious name.” " You also should be able to find all pertinent documentation on their website. If you need assistance, feel free to contact the Superior Court of the County where your business is principally located. They should also be able to assist you. Hopefully this information will help you out! Good luck!

Dave

That is an answer to a different question (based upon the subject of the thread)...

It will give a place to start the search. It may not be the specific answer you want.
Found this info below.
Dave



http://www.dmlp.org/legal-guide/georgia/becoming-sole-proprietor-georgia

I can tell you all the advice you have gotten in Georgia is correct & where to start locally in your own state .File a dba and start from there.

But if you want a federally protected trademark go here http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/index.jsp and better yet hire a attorney.

On a side note I find it funny you are asking a bunch of trappers and businessmen and not an attorney legal advice on protecting your business name.

Robb-i have heard it brought up in podcast and it really got me thinking about it.I haven't got that far with my business yet just thinking ahead for the future -pi.cking brains.Thanks everyone-i would type more if I wasn't trying to respond on a smart phone.

What you need is a servicemark not a trademark. In most, if not all cases, you can get the servicemark through your Secretary of State's office. Generally the name you want to get a SM on will have to be unique and used in the course of business for a period of time before you file and you have to verify this. Follow the link provided by Robb and make sure no one else is using the name as well as doing a state dba/corporation search. Then file a dba with your state and use the name on your business cards, print advertising, domain name and website to document the use of it. Then file as directed by your state.

Rugged got any questions feel free to call and glad to hear you listen to our podcasts.

10-4 Metro thanks,I will Robb thanks

Here you go > http://sos.georgia.gov/corporations/trademarks.htm

Acceptable "service mark" specimens - For a service mark, the specimen should be in the form of advertising, such as a newspaper ad, leaflet, brochure, pamphlet, or any material which shows or depicts the mark and denotes the services rendered to the public. To determine whether a service mark specimen is appropriate, consider whether or not a consumer would clearly understand what services are being offered.

The mark MUST ALREADY BE IN USE IN GEORGIA for registration. Goods must already be offered for sale or in distribution in this State in order to register a trademark. Services must already be sold or otherwise rendered in this State in order to register a service mark. (O.C.G.A. 10-1-442) If a name, logo, device, etc. is not already in use, it does not meet the definition of trademark or service mark and cannot be registered. This office does not search records of Federal registrations and cannot guarantee availability of marks. Registration of your mark provides public notice of YOUR claim to the mark. All questions on the application must be answered, specimens submitted and the fee attached. PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS.

Mike, we've registered our name in the counties we do business, but outside of your area, it's a waste of time. Google our company, Advanced Wildlife Control and you will see what I mean.

I good friend of mine asked me why I took his company's's name and I didn't know what to say. I had no idea. Everything I do, I think is original, until I find out that someone already did it B.C.

Well a DBA doesn't prevent someone from using the same name but a service mark violation is enforceable. There is someone here in Missouri that recently registered a DBA using my service mark and I'm waiting for the right time to clamp down on him and his pocketbook.

Mike, I won't tell him that he's working for you and doesn't know it.

Shhh... that's the seceret part. ;-)

Go to formacorp

Here guys...your understanding is all wrong.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trademark

My post is concerning a service mark in relation to a business name or brand. I agree that a trademark is needed for the LOGO.

I am not commenting on you specifically on that post.....but tm and sm can be used interchangably.

I realize that Dave. I just needed to clarify my post. I went through this when I got my service mark and and will be applying for three more in a few months.