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If your home business incorporates a particular brand — even if it is you — and you want to control that brand and your image, a trademark can be a valuable tool. The trademark basically says that you are the only one to have the right to use a particular name brand. Spelling isn't important with a trademark; violation of the trademark comes when customers are confused, thinking that something is yours when it isn't.

You can apply for a trademark at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The cost is a non-refundable $325 fee. But if you want to be able to protect yourself from other claiming your home business brand — and maybe offering products and services of dubious quality — it might be worth it to trademark your brand.

The Street offers one more piece of advice regarding getting a trademark:

trademark is that you should begin using it immediately, prior to the formal

And keep detailed records regarding the date the mark is first used in

commerce; this is of critical importance when filing the trademark

application paperwork. One important thing to know about ais that you should begin using it immediately, prior to the formal application process And keep detailed records regarding the date the mark is first used incommerce; this is of critical importance when filing thepaperwork.

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