In July, we had the pleasure of celebrating recognition the Expert VA® Training program received through the Forbes feature article: Start a Business. Save Your Life. While that article was a huge testimony to the credibility of the program and this career path, we have attained another huge distinction since then. In August, Virtual Expert ® finally attained its Registered Trademark. 

In simple terms, a registered trademark is a distinctive mark/symbol to which a person or company has declared ownership (the Nike symbol, for example). It’s a type of intellectual property. A registered trademark protects brand names and logos that are used with goods and services on a federal level. This ownership is declared by going through a long and complicated process via the US Patent and Trademark Office (also known as the USPTO).

Not every mark can be registered or legally protected. So the first step in this long process is identifying whether the mark can be. This process involves ensuring there are no other marks competing for similar title/design or goods/services. In short, the USPTO is assessing any likelihood of confusion (to consumers) with other marks, especially those that are already registered or are pending. 

The process also helps to ensure the strength of the mark to prevent easy third-party use. Additionally, during this process, you have to prove how your mark is being actively used. And you have to denote what goods or services this mark represents. After the official registration is obtained, there is then a number of filing requirements that happen on regulated intervals to prove you are still using the mark. These are called maintenance filings.

While you do not have to register your trademark, owning a federal trademark registration provides a number of advantages, including: 

• Legal ownership of the mark and exclusive right to use the mark nationwide
• Public notice of your ownership
• Listing in the USPTO’s online database
• The right to use the federal registration symbol ® 
• The ability to bring legal action concerning the mark to federal court
• The basis for obtaining the registration in countries 

 Having Virtual Expert ® registered gives us a federally recognized and regulated ownership over this mark and its represented services. It means that other virtual assistant programs and titles that look, sound, or serve in a similar manner now have a stiff competition to register themselves as doing the same. That little ‘r’ in the circle, offers status and significance in showing we take our profession as Virtual Experts seriously. It’s legit. It’s reputable. It’s recognized by one of the biggest federal institutions in the United States. 

Ultimately, attaining and maintaining this worldwide recognized designation works to change how the world sees us as Virtual Experts® . It helps us establish our place as the top 1% in what we do and within the businesses we serve through our expertise. It’s a badge of power, honor, and credibility that each of you gets to wear when you complete your certification and are officially dubbed Virtual Experts®. Now you’ll be VEs with an ‘R.’ R for REALLY excellent and super RARE (like Unicorns) at what you provide for your clients and their businesses. I think we can all agree that having Virtual Expert ® as a registered trademark is one powerful step toward being on the national stage.

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