ASK HN: How to get a Trademark?
pg: I don't know about other countries, but in the US you get trademark protection just by claiming a trademark.  That's when you put a little TM after the name.  You can also go a step further and get a registered trademark, which requires filing paperwork with the government.  If they approve your application, you get to replace the TM with an R in a circle.We usually advise startups we fund that a TM is enough initially.  That's all YC itself has.  Even Google only has a TM in their logo-- though maybe they have a registered trademark, but think the R in a circle would look too stuffy.