I'am situated in Kuwait and I would like to know how to register my
companys Trade Name(When only one person is registering a business
name also called a sole proprietorship, a trade name is used) for my
eCommerce business ? As the rules of Kuwait states that the person
starting anything should be a citizen of Kuwait and should be above 18
(I'am not a citizen nor above 18).I've heard that there are private
firms in the silicon valley which registers business name for any
business.Please recommend me these private firms.

 Thankyou

---

Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 20 May 2005 04:21 PDT

Hello iammar-ga,

'Registering' a business name can mean several things, at least from
my experience here in the US.  It can mean:

1.  Getting a domain name, like mycompany.com

2.  Registering a trademark for a service or product you provide.

3.  Forming a formal corporation or some other form of business
organization like a LLC (limited liability corporation).  A company
like this one:


http://www.delawareinc.com/special/details.cfm?id=1013


can handle international incorporations.


Can you let us know which of these you're most interested in.  And
also, where you are interested in 'registering' -- in Kuwait, the US
or somewhere else?

Thanks,

pafalafa-ga

---

Clarification of Question by iammar-ga on 20 May 2005 05:26 PDT

dear sir,
         I would like to Register a trademark for a service or product
I provide and register my companys name so that I alone can only have
the authority to license my company's the name to someone (I would
like to make the name my asset).

And I would like to register the name in Kuwait or USA. Since Kuwait
does not allow minors (age below 18)I think USA is the only option.

                            Thankyou.

Hello again iammar-ga,

Thanks for getting back to me with additional information...it was a big help.


You can certainly file for a trademark in the United States, even
without being a US citizen:


-----
http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/tac/tmfaq.htm#Basic003

Do I have to be a U.S. Citizen to obtain a federal registration? 

No. However, an applicant's citizenship must be set forth in the
record. If an applicant is not a citizen of any country, then a
statement to that effect is sufficient. If an applicant has dual
citizenship, then the applicant must choose which citizenship will be
printed in the Official Gazette and on the certificate of
registration.
-----




You can even expand trademark protection outside of the US via the US
filing process, by following the international procedures listed here:


-----
http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/tac/tmfaq.htm#Basic009

Is a federal registration valid outside the United States? 

No. However, if you are a qualified owner of a trademark application
pending before the USPTO, or of a registration issued by the USPTO,
you may seek registration in any of the countries that have joined the
Madrid Protocol by filing a single application, called an
"international application," with the he International Bureau of the
World Property Intellectual Organization, through the USPTO. For more
information about the Madrid Protocol, click here [you'll need to
visit the site to actually click on the link, though]
-----




As a first step, though, you should search the trademark database to
make sure the name you want to use is not already in use by another
entity.  You can search the database here:

-----
http://patft.uspto.gov/netahtml/search-bool.html

Simply enter your trademark term in the box labeled "Term 1: and hit search.
-----




To get started on the application process, you can use the forms and
instructions provided here:


http://www.uspto.gov/web/trademarks/workflow/start.htm
Where Do I Start?


and general information on the application process is available here:


http://www.uspto.gov/teas/index.html
Trademark Electronic Application System




Lastly, after applying, you can keep track of the progress of your
application, as explained here:


http://www.uspto.gov/web/trademarks/workflow/start.htm
You may monitor the progress of your application through the TARR
database  or our status line at 703-305-8747.




Please note that there are fees for applying, and the fee is variable
depending on what type of mark you eventually apply for.  The fees
start at around $300 per application, but can be higher as well.



I trust this is the information you will need to accomplish your
registration and hopefully get your service or product protected by
the legal status of having a US trademark.

However, please do not rate this answer if there is anything else you
feel you need.  Just post a Request for Clarification to let me know
how I can help you further, and I am at your service.


Best of luck,

pafalafa-ga



search strategy -- Used bookmarked site for USPTO

thanks

Thank you, and all the best,

paf