When applying for a logo or combined mark in the USA, should you include color as a feature of the mark?

When deciding whether to include color in a logo application in the USA, think about how much protection you want and how important the colors are to your brand.

If you don't claim color, your logo will be filed in black and white, meaning it's protected in all colors. This gives you more flexibility to use your logo in different colors while keeping it protected. This is a good choice if the colors aren't essential to your brand.

However, if your logo's colors are key to your brand, claiming them can be helpful. This limits protection to those colors but strengthens it against similar marks using the same colors. If you claim color, specify where each color appears in the logo. Black, white, or gray can be claimed or used for non-mark elements like backgrounds or shading.

For the best protection, like some big companies do, consider filing two applications: one in black and white for broader protection, and another with color to protect the specific hues.