You might assume you own your logo exclusively, but are you sure?
Here are some things to consider:
☑️ Did you (or a professional designer employed by you) create it from scratch using completely original artwork (i.e. unique lines and shapes)?
☑️ If it contains pre-existing elements like fonts or images, do you own the correct legal usage rights for them?
☑️ If you hired someone else to design it (e.g. a professional designer), do you have a legal document transferring ownership of their creation to you?
If the answer to any of the above questions is “no” then it’s possible you actually do not own your logo.
This could mean:
❌ any other company can use the same assets as you, ending up with similar or the same logo as you, which could make it harder for your brand to stand out or be memorable
❌ you can’t trademark it
❌ you are at risk of copyright infringement (if you have used assets that are not owned or properly licensed by you )
Did you know? You can't Trademark a Canva logo
Popular online design creation platform Canva specifically states the following on their website:
“In creating a unique logo in Canva from scratch, you can use basic lines and shapes from our Free library. You can also use all of our fonts.
However, you can’t use stock content (e.g. photos and graphics) as we only give you a non-exclusive license to this. Other Canva users are free to use the same content which means that using stock content for your logos isn’t suitable for use in a trademark. Elements in a logo need to be exclusive to you.
Purchasing exclusive rights to a graphic from Canva isn’t something we offer at the moment. We recommend reaching out to a local graphic designer or artist instead.”
A reputable professional designer will know how to ensure you have complete legal ownership of your logo, as well as how to design unique, eye-catching branding that is magnetic to your dream clients.
If you’re concerned about any of this or want more information, feel free to reach out and we can discuss your options further.
Comments