What legal steps can I take to prevent someone from using my company's name or logo without permission?
In order to protect your company's name and logo, the first step is to register them with the relevant government office in your jurisdiction. This will provide legal protection against any unauthorized use of these marks and create a public record that they belong to you. You should also be sure to monitor for instances of infringement or misuse, as this can help prevent further violations from occurring. Additionally, if you discover someone using or misusing your company's marks without permission, it is important to take swift action by sending them a cease-and-desist letter or initiating other legal proceedings when necessary. This could involve filing an injunction or lawsuit seeking monetary damages depending on the specific situation. However, please note that such actions may not always succeed since there are instances where another party may have legitimate grounds for using similar marks (e.g., prior user rights). In these cases, alternative resolutions may need to be explored in order to resolve the dispute amicably.