So, you’ve got a podcast. You picked a name, you got a cool new, and your audience is growing. You’re putting in the hours—and it’s paying off.
But here’s something most podcasters overlook (and it can cost them big time):
Did you trademark your podcast name?
If the answer is no, you could be setting yourself up for a major headache down the road.
Why Skipping Trademarking Your Podcast Name Is a Risk
Imagine this: you’ve been running your podcast “The Daily Shift” for two years. You’ve built a loyal community, and suddenly, another show with the exact same name pops up on Spotify.
To make things worse, they filed for the trademark—and you didn’t. Now they legally own the name. You’re forced to rebrand, start from scratch, and potentially lose listeners, credibility, and income.
Yes, that really happens.
And yes, it’s completely avoidable.
Your Podcast Name Is a Brand—Treat It Like One
Your podcast name isn’t “just” a name. It’s your brand identity. It’s how people search for you, refer you, and remember you. If your podcast is different from your business brand name you still need to trademark both your podcast name and brand name!
When you don’t file for a federal trademark, you leave that name unprotected. That means anyone can come along, grab it, and potentially shut you down—even if you’ve had the name longer.
A trademark is your legal proof of ownership. Without it, you have almost no ground to stand on in a dispute.
Owning the Domain or Handle Doesn’t Protect Your Podcast
Just because you bought the domain or grabbed the Instagram handle doesn’t mean you legally own the name. Those things help your brand presence, but only a USPTO-registered trademark gives you the exclusive right to use your name nationwide.
In other words:
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Is your name on social media? ✅ Good for visibility.
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Is your name registered as a trademark? ✅✅✅ Crucial for protection.
Without that legal protection, you risk:
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Receiving a cease and desist
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Being forced to rebrand (and rebuild your audience)
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Losing out on sponsorships or monetization opportunities
How a Podcast Trademark Gives You Legal Power
When you trademark your podcast name, you:
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Lock in exclusive rights to use the name for your show
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Appear more credible to sponsors, platforms, and collaborators
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Prevent others from profiting off your brand
You also get listed in the USPTO Trademark Database, which helps deter copycats from choosing a name that sounds like yours.
A trademark gives you peace of mind that your content, your effort, and your brand are protected.
Ready to Trademark Your Podcast?
If you’re serious about growing your podcast, you need to be serious about protecting it.
And that starts with a trademark.
At Griffith Suazo Law, we help business owners and creators lock down their names with real legal protection—so no one can hijack your brand or your momentum.
Got questions? We’re here to help. Let’s talk about getting your podcast trademarked the right way. Book a consult today!
