Can I Trademark My Business Name and Logo Together?

Your business name and logo are often the most recognizable elements of your brand. Naturally, you want to protect them; but should you file a trademark for them together or separately? And what does it mean to trademark both in the same application?

In this article, we break down the pros and cons of combining your business name and logo in a single federal trademark application, explain when separate filings are recommended, and walk you through the best strategy to maximize legal protection and brand flexibility.

What Does It Mean to Trademark Your Name and Logo “Together”?

When people ask about trademarking a business name and logo “together,” they usually mean filing a single trademark application that includes both elements in one design or image. This is called a “composite mark”: a trademark that combines text (the name) and a graphic element (the logo) into a unified design.

For example, if your business name is “Cedar & Sage” and your logo includes stylized lettering plus a leaf graphic, filing them together means submitting that combined image as a single mark.

The USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) allows composite marks to be registered—but there are tradeoffs.

What Are the Pros of Filing a Composite Trademark?

There are a few reasons you might choose to trademark your name and logo together in one application:

1. Cost Savings

Filing a single application means paying only one government filing fee per class of goods or services (currently $350, depending on the application type). This can be appealing for startups or small businesses with limited budgets.

2. Simplicity

If you always use your name and logo together, a composite mark might reflect how your brand actually appears in the market. This can make the application process feel more intuitive.

3. Initial Brand Protection

A composite registration provides some legal protection for both elements, especially if your goal is simply to prevent copycats from mimicking your overall branding.

What Are the Downsides of Filing a Name and Logo Together?

While a composite trademark gives you some coverage for both elements, it’s not always the most strategic choice.

1. Limited Flexibility

If you ever update your logo—or decide to use the business name without the logo, or vice versa—you won’t be protected under the original trademark. USPTO protection only applies to the exact version of the mark as filed.

If your business name and logo evolve over time, you could be left unprotected or forced to file a new application from scratch.

2. Weaker Legal Protection for Individual Elements

A composite mark doesn’t give you strong standalone protection for either the name or the logo. That means someone could use a similar name with a different logo, or copy your logo without the name, and potentially avoid infringement, especially if you haven’t filed separate marks.

3. Office Action Risk

The USPTO may issue an “office action” rejecting or delaying your application if any part of your composite mark raises a red flag, such as a name that’s too descriptive or a design that’s confusingly similar to an existing mark. In those cases, you’d have to fight the refusal for both elements, not just the one causing the problem.

When Should You File Separate Trademarks?

In many cases, the best long-term strategy is to file separate applications: one for the standard character word mark (just your business name in plain text), and another for your logo or design mark.

This approach offers:

Stronger Protection

Registering your business name as a standard word mark gives you broad rights to use the name in any font, style, or layout.

Brand Flexibility

You can redesign your logo later without having to refile your name mark, and vice versa.

Clearer Enforcement

If someone infringes only part of your branding (just the name or just the logo), you’ll have the right tools to pursue enforcement.

Better Positioning for Licensing or Franchising

If you ever license your brand or franchise your business, having separate trademarks makes it easier to control and license different elements.

Can You File Both Together and Separately?

Yes, and in some cases, that’s the ideal strategy.

Many businesses choose to file both a composite mark (name + logo together) and separate registrations for the name and logo individually. This gives you layered protection:

• The word mark protects the name broadly.
• The design mark protects the logo on its own.
• The composite mark protects the specific way they’re used together.

This multi-pronged approach is especially recommended for growing brands, franchises, or companies entering competitive markets.

How Much Does It Cost to Trademark Your Name and Logo?

USPTO filing fees are typically $350 per mark per class. So if you file a name, a logo, and a composite mark across one class (like clothing or software), expect to pay:

• Name only: $350
• Logo only: $350
• Composite mark: $350
  Total: $1,050 (plus legal fees, if using an attorney)

Filing across multiple classes (e.g., apparel + cosmetics) increases the cost accordingly.

Many law firms, including ours, offer flat-fee packages to manage multiple filings efficiently.

How Do You File a Trademark for a Name and Logo?

Here’s a step-by-step overview:

1. Conduct a Trademark Search
   Look for existing marks that may conflict. This includes direct matches and similar names/logos in related industries.
2. Decide What to File
   Will you file a word mark, design mark, or both? Will you file them separately or together?
3. Choose Your Classes
   Identify what goods/services your brand covers. Each class requires a separate filing fee.
4. Prepare Specimens
   For “use in commerce” applications, gather screenshots, labels, or packaging showing the name/logo in real-world use.
5. File with the USPTO
   Submit your application online via uspto.gov. Include ownership details, specimen, and drawing of the mark.
6. Respond to Office Actions (if needed)
   The USPTO may issue questions or refusals. A trademark attorney can help craft responses.
7. Wait for Registration
   Once approved, your trademark will be published and—if unopposed—registered.

Conclusion: Should You Trademark Your Business Name and Logo Together?

Filing a trademark for your name and logo together can be a cost-effective starting point, but it limits your protection to that specific layout and design. For serious brand protection, especially for companies planning to scale, separate trademark filings for your name and logo are the smarter long-term investment.

If you’re unsure how to proceed, or if you’ve got a plan and you’re ready to safeguard your branding at a national level, Daniel Ross & Associates LLC is here to help. We offer flat-fee, full-service trademark solutions tailored to your business, whether you need help filing a single application or building a full trademark portfolio.

Ready to protect your brand? Schedule a consultation today.