Beginning tomorrow, June 13, 2009 (at 12:01 a.m. EDT), Facebook users will be able to select a unique username that will serve as a direct URL to their page (e.g., www.facebook.com/trademark). This presents both an opportunity and potential issue for trademark owners.
Because the selection process is unmonitored, your trademarks may be at risk for registration as a username by others (e.g., www.facebook.com/ trademark). Once a username is registered, no one else may use that name, so it is important that you take the steps below to make sure that your trademark is protected.
- Prevent the use of your trademark by others (even if you do not currently use Facebook)
To address potential infringement, Facebook has set up an online form for businesses to prevent their trademarks from being adopted by others as their personalized URL. The form can be accessed at:
Facebook Username Protection Form
It is important that you complete this form by today, June 12, 2009, because registration begins tomorrow!
- Register your trademark as a username
If your business currently has a Facebook account, you can claim a unique username beginning tomorrow, June 13, 2009 at 12:01 a.m. EDT. To select a username, visit the following link:
Facebook Username Registration Form
- Report trademark infringement
Facebook does reserve the right to remove and/or reclaim a username. If you discover that a username infringes on your trademark rights, Facebook provides an online form for you to submit a notice of intellectual property infringement to Facebook. The form can be accessed at:
