Louisiana Trademark Registration

If your business uses a brand name, logo, or service mark in Louisiana, a state registration can create a formal public record of your rights within the state. It does not replace federal registration, but it can still be useful for businesses operating mainly in Louisiana.

In Louisiana, trademark and service mark registrations are handled through the Secretary of State. Louisiana uses a class-based filing system for trademarks and service marks, so the filing strategy should match the goods or services actually being used in business.

Key Facts (Louisiana)

• Authority: Louisiana Secretary of State
• Application type: State trademark or service mark registration
• Filing fee: $75 for each class registered
• Use requirement: The application asks for first-use dates generally and first-use dates in Louisiana
• Term: 10 years from registration
• Renewal: File within the 6 months before expiration for successive 10-year periods

What is a Louisiana state trademark?

A Louisiana state trademark registration helps document rights in a mark used for goods within Louisiana. A Louisiana service mark registration serves the same function for services.

State registration can strengthen a local brand position, but it does not create nationwide rights. If a business sells across state lines, markets online nationally, or plans regional expansion, federal registration is usually the stronger long-term option.

Step 1: Search existing marks before filing

Before filing, it is important to run a careful search. Louisiana itself encourages applicants to check availability before filing, and the state distinguishes marks by class.

A practical search should include Louisiana records, federal trademark records, including the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), business names, and common-law uses found online. A state filing that appears available can still conflict with an earlier federal filing or prior use elsewhere.

Step 2: Confirm the correct class and current use

Louisiana trademark and service mark filings are tied to one or more classes. If goods or services are registered in more than one class, the filing cost increases for each class.

The application also asks for the date the mark was first used by the applicant and the date the mark was first used in Louisiana. That makes it important to file only after the mark is actually being used in a real business context that matches the filing.

Step 3: Prepare the Louisiana application

A clean Louisiana filing should identify the owner, the mark, the goods or services, the proper class, and the relevant first-use dates. If a logo is part of the registration, Louisiana requires the filer to upload a PDF showing the logo.

Descriptions should be specific and consistent. A vague or overly broad filing can create problems later, especially if the mark is used in only a narrow commercial context.

Applicants may also review the official Louisiana trademark application requirements to ensure all required fields and class information are prepared correctly.

Step 4: File with the Louisiana Secretary of State

Louisiana accepts trademark and service mark filings through the Secretary of State. The filing fee is $75 for each class registered.

Because the state filing is class-based, applicants should confirm that the filing covers the goods or services that matter most, rather than overreaching into classes that are not actually being used.

Step 5: Use and renew the registration properly

A Louisiana trademark or service mark registration lasts 10 years. It may be renewed within the 6 months before expiration, and it may then be renewed for successive 10-year periods.

Renewal should not be treated as a clerical afterthought. The owner should confirm continued use in Louisiana and make sure the mark is still being used in the same business context that supports the registration.

Louisiana vs Federal Trademark Registration

When to choose a Louisiana trademark: The Louisiana route can make sense for a business focused mainly on Louisiana. But if the brand is used across state lines or online nationwide, federal registration is usually more valuable.

Common mistakes to avoid

Filing in the wrong class can weaken the value of the registration. Filing before the mark is actually in use in Louisiana can also create risk. Another common mistake is describing the mark or the relevant goods and services too broadly.

For class-based states like Louisiana, accuracy matters more than trying to claim everything at once.

How Bonamark can help

Even a state filing can create problems if the search is incomplete or the class strategy is wrong. Bonamark helps businesses evaluate availability, organize applications more carefully, and decide whether state or federal registration is the better fit.

Contact Bonamark to ensure your trademark registration is filed correctly. Our consultants can guide you.can guide you.