Why Trademarks Should Be Front of Mind When Starting a Business

You're excited. Your idea is fresh, your brand’s looking good, and maybe you’ve ordered merch before even launching. But here’s the thing: if someone swipes your name, or a phrase you love, you might be in trouble. That’s exactly why trademarks deserve serious attention and shouldn't be overlooked as an unnecessary cost.

1. Owning Your Name (and Everything That Makes You, You)

Taylor Swift’s branding is iconic—and tightly protected. She’s filed over 300 trademark applications in the U.S. alone, and over 438 across at least 16 countries covering her name, album titles, song lyrics, tour names, apps, and even her cats' names. When you trademark your name or signature phrase, you're essentially saying, “Hey world, this brand identity belongs to me,” and you have the legal backing to prove it.

2. Saying More Than Just Words: Broad, Smart Coverage

It’s not just about the name. Taylor also trademarked iconic song lines like “This sick beat” or “The old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now". She even protected her brand’s live experiences: the Eras Tour, Fearless Tour, 1989 World Tour, and more WIPO.

Moral of the story: don’t limit your protection. Plan ahead for merchandise, shirts, online presence, apps, or anything else you might dream up. Your brand today shouldn't be stifled by limited protection, because you're potentially hindering your own growth.

3. Go Global Without Losing Your Mind (Or Your Money)

Want to expand internationally? The Madrid System (or Madrid Protocol) lets you file one trademark application and cover multiple countries: over 130 of them, through WIPO. It streamlines things, saves money, and keeps you organized.

4. Don’t Forget Your Digital Turf

Owning your brand also means owning your website or at least protecting it. Domain names are “first come, first served,” so wise brands register their domains early. WIPO's UDRP process helps resolve disputes if someone registers a confusingly similar domain.

5. When Things Go Wrong: Be Ready to Defend

Even Taylor isn’t immune. After her album Evermore, she faced a dispute over the name with Evermore Park, which she countered effectively. That’s why being proactive and vigilant is everything. Big global brands often have large teams behind them, consisting of lawyers an IP attorneys, watching what's being filed on a wide scale international level.

6. What You Can Do Right Now

Step	What to Do	Why It Matters
Search First	Make sure no one else is using your name or slogan	Avoid costly legal issues down the road.
Register What Counts	™ your name, logo, tagline, product names, and any merch ideas	Prevent knockoffs and build brand consistency
Think Global	Use tools like the Madrid Protocol to cover key markets	Simplifies international protection
Secure Your Domain	Lock down domain names now; consider UDRP if disputes arise	Preserve your digital identity
Monitor & Enforce	Keep an eye out for misuse; act fast when needed	Brand dilution is real
Get Help	A trademark attorney can save you headaches	Each market has its own rules so you'll need local IP attorneys

Final Thoughts

Here’s the bottom line: If your brand matters to you, you need to protect it. Taylor Swift isn’t just talented, she’s legally savvy. Every lyric, image, tour, even her cats, are part of a master plan to defend her creative identity.

You might not have Taylor’s budget, but you do have her example. Be smart, plan ahead, and treat your brand like the valuable asset it is. Don't let someone snatch it from you.