When you register a trademark, you are legally ensuring that you have exclusive rights to the use of the thing you are trademarking. In other words, only you are allowed to use the word, phrase, design or business name that you trademark.

A brand image is a competitive advantage. Businesses leverage their branding to earn new business, deepen customer loyalty, raise money, attract talent, and bargain deals, among others. 

Over time, a company’s brand stands not only for its products and services but also for its reputation. That’s why it’s critical that businesses protect their brand and any and all marks that separate their products and services from others. The best way to secure a brand is to trademark it. 

• How do You Trademark a Small Business Name?
• How Much Does it Cost to Trademark a Business Name?
• Should I Copyright or Trademark my Business Name?
• How do I Trademark my Business Name For Free?
• How to Trademark a Business Name in Nigeria?
• Cheapest Way to Trademark a Name
• Requirements For Trademark Registration
• USPTO Trademark Application
• Cost of Trademark Registration
• How to Trademark a Name in California

How do You Trademark a Small Business Name?

While it’s fairly easy to apply for a trademark, you should still consult an attorney. An attorney can help you with a more thorough search of the same or similar names, filling out the often technical and confusing application, and staying on top of your application.

The three basic steps involved in a trademark application include:

• Searching the Trademark Database
  
• Filing Your Application
  
• Staying On Top of Your Application

Search the Trademark Database

Before applying to register your business name for a trademark, you must first search the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database for all registered trademarks. In addition, you should search beyond that database to ensure no other company currently uses your business name with an unregistered trademark.

Read Also: How to Market Your Business

You can conduct this secondary search by using an internet search engine, researching domain databases like GoDaddy or Name.com, and checking with your local government and state database for all registered business names. An attorney can help you conduct a thorough search beyond the USPTO’s database.

File Your Trademark Application

After completing your research to ensure no other company currently uses your preferred business name, you must then prepare and submit your application. You may wish to consult an attorney to ensure your application contains no mistakes and to help you meet filing deadlines and any other important dates.

Stay on Top of Your Application

After filing your trademark application, you should respond to any feedback from the USPTO in a timely manner. An examiner may request corrections to your application, additional documents, or answers to additional questions.

The submission of your application initiates a 30-day period in which other parties may contest your trademark if they believe it would infringe on their existing trademark and cause confusion. If a party files an opposition to your application, you’ll need to work with the USPTO’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to address and resolve the issue.

How Much Does it Cost to Trademark a Business Name?

When filing an application to trademark your business name on a federal level through the USPTO, you should count on paying between $250 and $750.

According to the USPTO website, the trademark fees you’ll pay depend on:

• The number of trademarks you seek
• The class of goods and services you intend to trademark

An applicant may only apply for a single trademark in an application. The cost to file an application is generally $250-$350.

However, if you apply to trademark multiple classes of goods or services, you must file separate applications and pay separate filing fees for each. This process can get expensive.

Filing Cost of a Trademark Application Online

The USPTO prefers that applicants file electronically through the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) or one of the many other online filing services.

The fees for electronically filed trademark applications generally range from $250 to $350 for each class of goods or services.

Filing Cost of a Paper Application Form

While the more popular and suggested method of filing a trademark registration application involves the use of the TEAS, you can also file a “paper” application form with the USPTO.

The cost to file a paper trademark application is normally $750 for each class of services or goods.

No matter which filing method you choose, keep in mind that the filing fee is not reimbursed to you in the event the USPTO denies your application to trademark a business name.

Renewal Costs

After the 10-year trademarking period has expired, the fee for applying to renew your mark can be as high as $300 to file electronically, and $400 to file a paper application.

If, on the other hand, you only seek to trademark your business name in your home state, the cost to file a single trademark application in most states ranges from $50 to $150.

Other Costs

In addition to the filing fees, in the event you decide to retain a licensed patent attorney to assist you with the patent application filing and registration process, you should add another $500 to $2,000 to your budget to cover those fees.

Enforcing your trademark rights is your responsibility. It’s important to monitor your trademark and act promptly if you believe someone is infringing on it.

Should I Copyright or Trademark my Business Name?

Copyrights and trademarks are both important tools in protecting your intellectual property, but knowing what you need can be confusing.

Copyrights and trademarks protect distinct creations. Generally, copyrights protect creative or intellectual works, and trademarks apply to commercial names, phrases, and logos.

Copyrights primarily protect the rights of people who create literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works (like history tests, and software code).

Trademarks protect the use of a company’s name and its product names, brand identity (like logos) and slogans.

In fact, the two protections are so legally distinct they are managed by two different offices within the federal government.

Trademarks fall under the auspices of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, while copyrights are granted by the U.S. Copyright Office.

You certainly don’t have to register the copyright and trademark your company’s name or logo. In the United States, you own the copyright as soon as you put original work on a piece of paper or computer drive, and you win a trademark as soon as you use your name and logo for marketing your business. 

However, taking the extra step of registering both can give you important protection. Registering the trademark protects you from losing your rights to it if some other company uses the same or a highly similar name. By registering your trademark name, you’re declaring exclusive rights to it for your line of business. 

If you own a small online business which you operate in one state and don’t plan on expanding into new markets, you don’t need to register the trademark of your name. You already have the right to use it in your market.

On the other hand, if you plan to expand your business, explore different ways to earn money, and reach out to new markets, it would be wise to register the trademark, so that no confusion arises if another company is using the same or a similar name as yours.

If you start a blog and design a new logo for it, you need to protect it. When it comes to registering your logo, simply by using it, you are creating a trademark. You are creating a visual representation of your brand since your logo is what your customers recognize you by and it’s what distinguishes you from your competitors. However, a trademark does offer more protection, since it prevents others from stealing your logo or using one that’s very similar to yours.

By simply using your company’s mark in commerce, without registration, you are establishing your “common law” rights. However, registering your trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will provide a number of advantages.

Once you create a website, you should register your business name and make your logo. At that time you can pursue copyright and trademark registration because that will protect your name and logo from infringement. It’s important to secure the rights to your intellectual property and ensure that no other company steals your idea and logo design, which is the primary idea behind copyright and trademark.

Both copyrights and trademarks provide you with an excellent way to protect your original ideas from being used as the property of someone else. This is, without question, the most important benefit they offer you.

Trademarks never expire, so as long as you’re using your trademark in commerce to identify the source of your products or services, people will identify your business by it. It’s a valuable asset and a very effective communication tool that can instantly communicate the image of your company and the products or services you offer to customers.

How do I Trademark my Business Name For Free?

You can not register a trademark for free. However, you can establish something known as a “common law trademark” for free, simply by opening for business. The benefit of relying on common law trademark rights is that it’s free, and you don’t need to do any specific work filling out forms, etc.

The biggest limitation to using a common law trademark is your only level of protection is the geographic limit. As I explained in this article, a free/common law trademark only applies to your geographic area

This is the case of Burger King in Mattoon, Illinois. The owners established the BURGER KING mark there before the national (now global) chain appeared. But because the owners didn’t file for a federal trademark, they had rights only in their local area.

The global “BURGER KING” brand cannot enter Mattoon, Illinois, because of the established local trademark. But there is little else the original Burger King owners can do.

How to Trademark a Business Name in Nigeria?

Trademarks are usually registered through the Trademarks, Patents and Designs Registry, Commercial Law Department of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in Nigeria.

Stages of Registration

There are three major stages involved in trademark registration. They include;

1. Application for an item to be trademarked is made to the Registry and a search is conducted for availability check of such a mark to be registered. An acknowledgement letter is issued to the applicant.
2. Upon successful search, an acceptance letter is issued to the Applicant and such letter is an initial evidence that the Trademark has been duly registered.
3. Following the acceptance of the registration, the Trademark is being published on a Trademark Journal (this is to afford anyone with a pre-existing trademarks to oppose the Registrar to stop registration. Such opposition must be made within 2 months of the publication. In the absence of any opposition, to the publication in the journal, or opposition has been made and successfully resolved in favour of the applicant, the Certificate of Registration will be issued for the trademark sought.The Certificate indicates the evidence of due registration and completion of all processes. It confers a right on the proprietor or the owner to use the trademark to the exclusion of every other entity.

It is however important to note that where any other person or entity successfully challenged the applicant in opposing a trademark registration, the Registrar will issue a letter of refusal to the applicant.

What are the Requirements for Trademark Registration in Nigeria?

1. Applicant’s details (I.e, Name of Company, Individual or Firm)
2. Contact detailsof the applicant
3. Power of attorney appointing the trademark agent. (we will draft this and forward to you for execution)
4. A copy of device, logo, word or words proposed for trademarking.
5. Company seal or individual signature (as the case maybe).

Lifespan and Renewal of Trademark in Nigeria

Trademark subsists for a period 7 years and can be renewed upon expiration.. Every subsequent renewal lasts for 14 years. The requirements for a trademark renewal are as follows:

1. Trademark Certificate
2. Power of Attorney appointing the agent and
3. Payment of the prescribed fee

Assignments and Recordings in Nigeria

A trademark titleholder may assign such trademark to another person or entity for usage within a period of time. An Assignee or Assignor of the trademark right may apply to the trademark office for the recording of such title or right in favour of the Assignee. However, it preferably convenient for the Assignee to carry out the recording itself or himself/herself, owing to the fact that only the holder of a trademark title or right may enforce such aright against any infringing third party.

The requirements for trademark recording are as follows:

1. Trademark Certificate
2. Deed or Agreement assigning the trademark
3. Power of Attorney appointing the agent and
4. Payment of the prescribed fee

What are the available Classes of Trademark in Nigeria?

The trademark registration is classified into 45 different categories in accordance with the Nice international system of classification of the Nice Agreement 1957 (amended September 28 1979). It is important for every applicant to understand the classes the registering trademark belongs to or closely align with. However, a trademark may be registered in more than one class where the applicant is seeking protection in both classes. And where applicants seeking protection in multiple classes, separate filing fees must be paid for each of the classes.

List of Trademark Classes is as follows;

Class 1: Chemicals used in industry, science and photography, as well as in agriculture, horticulture and forestry; unprocessed artificial resins, unprocessed plastics; manures; fire extinguishing compositions; tempering and soldering preparations; chemical substances for preserving foodstuffs; tanning substances; adhesives used in industry; unprocessed plastics in the form of liquids, chips or granules.

Class 2: Paints, varnishes, lacquers; preservatives against rust and against deterioration of wood; colorants; mordants; raw natural resins; metals in foil and powder form for painters, decorators, printers and artists.

Class 3: Bleaching preparations and other substances for laundry use; cleaning, polishing, scouring and abrasive preparations; soaps; perfumery, essential oils, cosmetics, hair lotions; dentifrices.

Class 4: Industrial oils and greases; lubricants; dust absorbing, wetting and binding compositions; fuels and illuminants; candles and wicks for lighting; combustible fuels, electricity and scented candles.

Class 5: Pharmaceutical and veterinary preparations; sanitary preparations for medical purposes; dietetic food and substances adapted for medical or veterinary use, food for babies; dietary supplements for humans and animals; plasters, materials for dressings; material for stopping teeth, dental wax; disinfectants; preparations for destroying vermin; fungicides, herbicides.

Class 6: Common metals and their alloys; metal building materials; transportable buildings of metal; materials of metal for railway tracks; non-electric cables and wires of common metal; ironmongery, small items of metal hardware; pipes and tubes of metal; safes; goods of common metal not included in other classes; ores; unwrought and partly wrought common metals; metallic windows and doors; metallic framed conservatories.

Class 7: Machines and machine tools; motors and engines (except for land vehicles); machine coupling and transmission components (except for land vehicles); agricultural implements other than hand-operated; incubators for eggs; automatic vending machines.

Class 8: Hand tools and hand operated implements; cutlery; side arms; razors; electric razors and hair cutters.

Class 9: Scientific, nautical, surveying, photographic, cinematographic, optical, weighing, measuring, signalling, checking (supervision), life-saving and teaching apparatus and instruments; apparatus and instruments for conducting, switching, transforming, accumulating, regulating or controlling electricity; apparatus for recording, transmission or reproduction of sound or images; magnetic data carriers, recording discs; compact discs, DVDs and other digital recording media; mechanisms for coin-operated apparatus; cash registers, calculating machines, data processing equipment, computers; computer software; fire-extinguishing apparatus.

Class 10: Surgical, medical, dental and veterinary apparatus and instruments, artificial limbs, eyes and teeth; orthopaedic articles; suture materials; sex aids; massage apparatus; supportive bandages; furniture adapted for medical use.

Class 11: Apparatus for lighting, heating, steam generating, cooking, refrigerating, drying, ventilating, water supply and sanitary purposes; air conditioning apparatus; electric kettles; gas and electric cookers; vehicle lights and vehicle air conditioning units.

Class 12: Vehicles; apparatus for locomotion by land, air or water; wheelchairs; motors and engines for land vehicles; vehicle body parts and transmissions.

Class 13: Firearms; ammunition and projectiles, explosives; fireworks.

Class 14: Precious metals and their alloys; jewellery, costume jewellery, precious stones; horological and chronometric instruments, clocks and watches.

Class 15: Musical instruments; stands and cases adapted for musical instruments.

Class 16: Paper, cardboard and goods made from these materials, not included in other classes; printed matter; bookbinding material; photographs; stationery; adhesives for stationery or household purposes; artists’ materials; paint brushes; typewriters and office requisites (except furniture); instructional and teaching material (except apparatus); plastic materials for packaging (not included in other classes); printers’ type; printing blocks.

Class 17: Rubber, gutta-percha, gum, asbestos, mica and goods made from these materials; plastics in extruded form for use in manufacture; semi-finished plastics materials for use in further manufacture; stopping and insulating materials; flexible non-metallic pipes.

Class 18: Leather and imitations of leather; animal skins, hides; trunks and travelling bags; handbags, rucksacks, purses; umbrellas, parasols and walking sticks; whips, harness and saddlery; clothing for animals.

Class 19: Non-metallic building materials; non-metallic rigid pipes for building; asphalt, pitch and bitumen; non-metallic transportable buildings; non-metallic monuments; non-metallic framed conservatories, doors and windows.

Class 20: Furniture, mirrors, picture frames; articles made of wood, cork, reed, cane, wicker, horn, bone, ivory, whalebone, shell, amber, mother-of-pearl, meerschaum or plastic which are not included in other classes; garden furniture; pillows and cushions.

Class 21: Household or kitchen utensils and containers; combs and sponges; brushes; brush-making materials; articles for cleaning purposes; steel wool; articles made of ceramics, glass, porcelain or earthenware which are not included in other classes; electric and non-electric toothbrushes.

Class 22: Ropes, string, nets, tents, awnings, tarpaulins, sails, sacks for transporting bulk materials; padding and stuffing materials which are not made of rubber or plastics; raw fibrous textile materials.

Class 23: Yarns and threads, for textile use.

Class 24: Textiles and textile goods; bed and table covers; travellers’ rugs, textiles for making articles of clothing; duvets; covers for pillows, cushions or duvets.

Class 25: Clothing, footwear, headgear.

Class 26: Lace and embroidery, ribbons and braid; buttons, hooks and eyes, pins and needles; artificial flowers.

Class 27: Carpets, rugs, mats and matting, linoleum and other materials for covering existing floors; wall hangings (non-textile); wallpaper.

Class 28: Games and playthings; playing cards; gymnastic and sporting articles; decorations for Christmas trees; childrens’ toy bicycles.

Class 29: Meat, fish, poultry and game; meat extracts; preserved, dried and cooked fruits and vegetables; jellies, jams, compotes; eggs, milk and milk products; edible oils and fats; prepared meals; soups and potato crisps.

Class 30: Coffee, tea, cocoa, sugar, rice, tapioca, sago, artificial coffee; flour and preparations made from cereals, bread, pastry and confectionery, ices; honey, treacle; yeast, baking-powder; salt, mustard; vinegar, sauces (condiments); spices; ice; sandwiches; prepared meals; pizzas, pies and pasta dishes.

Class 31: Agricultural, horticultural and forestry products; live animals; fresh fruits and vegetables, seeds, natural plants and flowers; foodstuffs for animals; malt; food and beverages for animals.

Class 32: Beers; mineral and aerated waters; non-alcoholic drinks; fruit drinks and fruit juices; syrups for making beverages; shandy, de-alcoholised drinks, non-alcoholic beers and wines.

Class 33: Alcoholic wines; spirits and liqueurs; alcopops; alcoholic cocktails.

Class 34: Tobacco; smokers’ articles; matches; lighters for smokers.

Services:

Class 35: Advertising; business management; business administration; office functions; electronic data storage; organisation, operation and supervision of loyalty and incentive schemes; advertising services provided via the Internet; production of television and radio advertisements; accountancy; auctioneering; trade fairs; opinion polling; data processing; provision of business information; retail services connected with the sale of goods.

Class 36: Insurance; financial services; real estate agency services; building society services; banking; stockbroking; financial services provided via the Internet; issuing of tokens of value in relation to bonus and loyalty schemes; provision of financial information.

Class 37: Building construction; repair; installation services; installation, maintenance and repair of computer hardware; painting and decorating; cleaning services.

Class 38: Telecommunications services; chat room services; portal services; e-mail services; providing user access to the Internet; radio and television broadcasting.

Class 39: Transport; packaging and storage of goods; travel arrangement; distribution of electricity; travel information; provision of car parking facilities.

Class 40: Treatment of materials; development, duplicating and printing of photographs; generation of electricity.

Class 41: Education; providing of training; entertainment; sporting and cultural activities.

Class 42: Scientific and technological services and research and design relating thereto; industrial analysis and research services; design and development of computer hardware and software; computer programming; installation, maintenance and repair of computer software; computer consultancy services; design, drawing and commissioned writing for the compilation of websites; creating, maintaining and hosting the websites of others; design services.

Class 43: Services for providing food and drink; temporary accommodation; restaurant, bar and catering services; provision of holiday accommodation; booking and reservation services for restaurants and holiday accommodation; retirement home services; creche services.

Class 44: Medical services; veterinary services; hygienic and beauty care for human beings or animals; agriculture, horticulture and forestry services; dentistry services; medical analysis for the diagnosis and treatment of persons; pharmacy advice; garden design services.

Class 45: Legal services; conveyancing services; security services for the protection of property and individuals; social work services; consultancy services relating to health and safety; consultancy services relating to personal appearance; provision of personal tarot readings; dating services; funeral services and undertaking services; fire-fighting services; detective agency services.

Take Notice that if a trademark is registered in a foreign country who is a member of a Convention to which Nigeria is also a member, the applicant in the foreign country shall have priority over other applicants to register the mark in Nigeria, provided the trademark is registered in Nigeria within 6 months from the date of registration in the foreign country.

However, if in the course of registration of the trademark in Nigeria, it is discovered that another company has already registered the trademark or any mark or name close to it, the subsequent applicant may apply to the Trademark Registrar or institute an action at the Trademark Tribunal for the mark to be struck out in the name of that company and registered in the name of the subsequent applicant on the grounds that the subsequent applicant has long transacted business with the mark and is known all over the world by the mark.

How long does the process take?

1. Acknowledgment letter – 24 hours from submission
2. Acceptance Letter: 4-6 weeks from submission

• Publication in Trademark Journal: 32 weeks from Acceptance Letter stage

1. Grant of Certificate: 12 weeks from publication

Cheapest Way to Trademark a Name

The cheapest way to trademark a name is by filing with your state. The cost varies depending on where you live and what type of business you own. If you are a corporation or LLC, you can expect to pay less than $150 in most cases, while sole proprietors and contractors can pay anywhere between $50 to $150.

While it costs less to file with your state, this kind of trademark will only provide local protection. If your business is extremely small or highly localized, this could be the best fit for you.

Requirements For Trademark Registration

Each application requires the following:

• the applicant’s name, address and entity type;
• the applicant’s signature or verification;
• identification of the relevant goods or services;
• the filing basis;
• a drawing of the mark;
• a description of the mark; and
• payment of the filing fee.

However, there are additional requirements depending on the filing basis. For example, if the applicant is filing based on use in commerce, the application must include:

• a verified statement that the mark is in use in commerce;
• the date of first use;
• the date of first use in commerce; and
• specimens showing use of the mark for at least one good or service in each class.

If the applicant is filing based on a bona fide intention to use the mark in US commerce, the application must include a verified statement to this effect.  Applications based on foreign filing priority under the Paris Convention must supply details concerning the home country application or registration and a verified statement confirming the applicant’s bona fide intention to use the mark in US commerce.

Registration sought through the Madrid Protocol must meet the requirements set out by the World Intellectual Property Organisation, including submission of Form MM 18 (Declaration of Intention to Use the Mark: United States of America), and also include a verified statement confirming the applicant’s bona fide intention to use the mark in US commerce.

USPTO Trademark Application

Applying to register your trademark doesn’t guarantee it will register. Therefore, you should do your best to make sure everything in your initial application meets the requirements for federal registration. Consider each of these items before you start your application.

Application becomes public record

Your trademark application becomes public record once you submit it. Except for payment information, all personal information you submit to us, including your address and email address, will become part of a public record viewable on our website and other websites that index USPTO data, such as Google.

This is required by law. You can use limited options to prevent certain personal information from being made public on our website. Learn more about your personal information in Trademark records.

Determine what type of trademark you want to register

You can apply to register your trademark as a standard character trademark or a special form trademark. The type you choose affects your scope of protection and your submission requirements.

A standard character trademark requires very little information, while a color special form trademark requires you to submit a JPG version of the trademark, a color claim, and a description of the trademark that includes wherein the trademark the colors are located. Once you submit your application, you cannot change to a different trademark or materially alter the trademark you submitted.

Search for a trademark that’s confusingly similar to yours

Complete a comprehensive search to make sure that someone else hasn’t already registered or applied for a trademark that’s the same as or too similar to yours using our Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS).

If someone else already has done so, we may refuse your application because of a likelihood of confusion between your trademark and the other trademark. It’s your decision whether or not to file your application after conducting a search.

Identify and classify your goods or services

You can use the Trademark ID Manual to identify and classify what goods or services you’re offering. The number of classes of goods or services you include in your application affects how much your application costs. Once you file your initial application, you cannot expand the scope of your goods or services. You can only narrow or delete them.

Know your filing basis

A filing basis is a legal or statutory basis for filing an application to federally register a trademark in the United States. You must specify in your application which filing basis you’re using and meet the requirements for the basis you’ve selected. Learn about the different types of filing basis options.

International filer

While the majority of trademark owners file for registration under the use in commerce or intent to use bases, we offer additional filing bases for people with foreign trademarks.

Foreign registration or application bases allow you to use a foreign trademark registration or application as a basis for registering your trademark in the United States. These are often referred to as Section 44 filing bases.

Read Also: 7 Effective Ways to Bootstrap your way back to Business

The Madrid Protocol allows you to extend the protection granted by a foreign trademark registration into the United States. This is known as a Section 66(a) filing basis.

Choose your application form

To apply, use the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) to complete the initial application. The initial application form has two filing options: TEAS Plus and TEAS Standard. Costs differ between filing options because the filing options have a different number of up-front requirements. You must file electronically.

Cost of Trademark Registration

The cost to trademark a name at the federal level ranges from $225 to $400 plus legal fees or $50 to $150 for a state trademark. The average cost to trademark a logo is $225 to $600 plus any legal fees. Get free estimates from trademark attorneys near you.

How to Trademark a Name in California

Applications to file a Trademark or Service Mark registration can be submitted online through the California Secretary of State’s bizfile California portal, in person at the Sacramento office, or through the mail.  

Date received, which will establish priority for the application complying with applicable law, is determined in the following order: 

1. Applications received online through our website, TMbizfile.sos.ca.gov, which will be labeled received at the actual time and date received;
2. Applications received in person over the counter in Sacramento, which will be labeled received at the actual time and date received; and
3. Applications received by mail, which will be labeled as received at 5:00 p.m. on the date received.

Whether you file online or on paper, please note the following:

• The classification of goods and services are those adopted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office and a single application for a trademark may include multiple classifications of goods and an application for a service mark may include multiple classifications of services. The fee is $70.00 per classification;
• Applicants are required to state a declaration of accuracy that the material facts in the application are true. A willfully inaccurate statement is subject to a civil penalty of up to $10,000 to be enforced by a public prosecutor;
• The applicant is required to state whether they previously sought to register the mark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and, if registration was refused, to disclose the reasons why it was refused at the federal level.

The Trademark Unit is also responsible for the registration of various other filings, such as container brands, which could be a name, mark or device impressed or produced on a container (California Business & Professions Code section 14425), laundry marks (California Business & Professions Code section 14480), and the names of farms, ranches, estates, or villas (California Business & Professions Code section 14460).