Trademark Registration For YouTube Channel

Youtube is one of the popular social media platforms viewed by millions of people across the world. Any person having a Google+ account may start their own Youtube channel on the Youtube platform. Many companies utilise Youtube as a marketing tool for their business.

A Youtube channel can be started through a personal account or a business account. The name from which the channel is established or a logo attached with a Youtube channel can be registered as a trademark to protect it from unauthorised usage by others on social media platforms.

Trademark of YouTube Channel Logo or Name

Anyone with a Youtube channel can obtain a trademark for the same. Since Youtube is considered an entertainment service, standard protections under the trademark law are provided. A person/company can get trademark registration for the name, slogan or logo that they are using to promote their Youtube channel. 

Trademark registration of one’s Youtube channel ensures that the channel name is protected and prevents contenders from utilising or taking a comparable form of the channel name. Trademark registration builds the worth of the Youtube channel image since the value of the Youtube business is its image.

The trademark of a Youtube channel will amount to goodwill, especially for business Youtube channels. It permits the Youtube channel owner to sue somebody if they utilise a similar or identical Youtube channel name that is likely to cause confusion among the public.

The trademark registration of the Youtube channel permits the owner to use the ® symbol signifying its registration for securing the channel and brand. It helps to build a specific brand identity for the channel. However, to obtain the trademark registration for a Youtube channel, the channel owner must prove that the channel logo or name is specifically associated and distinct to the channel.

Trademark Infringement on YouTube

Youtube policies restrict the channels as well as videos that infringe trademark registration. Thus, if another Youtuber uses the trademarked Youtube channel name or logo for his/her videos in such a way that is likely to cause confusion to the viewers, the owner of the trademarked Youtube channel has the right to take action for trademark infringement. 

However, Youtube only restricts the channels or videos that infringe on trademark. It does not provide a system for reporting and taking action on infringement. The owners can sue the Youtuber for infringement under the trademark act and restrain the Youtuber from creating content with the trademarked Youtube channel name or logo.

Limits of Trademark Registration of YouTube Channel Name or Logo

A trademark of a Youtube channel will not prevent a competitor from making similar videos. The trademark of a Youtube channel will not protect the content but rather protects the way the content is promoted and identified. 

A trademark of a Youtube channel will only prevent the public or direct competitors from using the branding materials, i.e. the channel name or logo that misleads consumers. Thus, even though someone else cannot use the registered trademark without the owner’s permission, it will not prevent them from making similar videos.

Benefits of Trademark Registration of YouTube Channel Name or Logo

The following are the benefits of trademarking a Youtube channel name or logo:

• Trademark protects the channel name or logo and prevents competitors from using a similar version of the Youtube channel name or logo.
• Trademark increases the value of the Youtube brand, especially when the owner wants to sell the Youtube channel business.
• Trademark allows the youtube channel owner to sue someone using the Youtube channel name or logo.
• Trademark prevents another Youtuber from using a similar brand without permission.
• Trademarking a Youtube channel will give exclusive rights to use the channel name or logo on all social media platforms.
• Trademark prevents any third party from using a similar name or logo to mislead and gain viewers, thus allowing the trademarked channel viewers to trust the brand.

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