Category: Trademarks

You want to protect your business name and other intellectual property with a trademark - that’s the perfect place to start.

IP and brand recognition are two of the most important assets that your business has. That means that filing for trademarks where needed is essential! Before you file,...

Developing a brand identity is a rewarding part of starting your own business. You can decide how you want the public to see your company and express that identity through your logo, business name, and color scheme—to name just a few. You’ll also need to trademark some of these elements to guard...

You may think that registering a trademark grants you perpetual rights to that mark. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case. If your company had to discontinue manufacturing or sale of products or if you’ve otherwise limited your business’s scope, you’ll need to check the status of all your registered trademarks. A trademark can...

Can you start a business without a trademark? The short answer is yes. The longer answer is that it depends on what you want for your business. How much protection do you want for the products and services you provide? How much growth do you anticipate and...

When you start a business, you need to make sure it’s protected. A registered trademark is a must if you want to maintain a recognized brand without fear of someone else copying or using it for their gain. Beginning the trademark journey can seem overwhelming and costly. But the process doesn’t have...

If you're new to business, you may be asking, "why trademark a logo?" The trademark process may seem more trouble than it's worth when you have limited value in your branded assets. However, trademarks will be critical for maintaining your brand's reputation and credibility in the long run.  That's especially true...

Non-fungible tokens are a relatively new creation in a world that seems like it's increasingly melding art and technology. These assets can go for millions, meaning NFT trademark infringement is a very serious concern.  When the primary value of something lies in its uniqueness, copycat designs can all but eliminate its...

Social media has proven to be a massive business asset over the past few decades. Brands across industries have used it to connect directly to consumers, earning huge followings in the process. That clout is a currency on social media. Bad actors aren't afraid to borrow a bit to scam consumers or...

As you set your budget for your business, you'll have to incorporate trademark filing fees. A lot of people underestimate this because they don't understand quite how many trademarks they'll need. As a company grows, so does its branded assets; every one of them will require protection. Preparing for ongoing trademark costs starts with...

Keeping track of your trademark renewal timeline is vital to protecting your branded assets. It's not just a matter of paying a fee or submitting an application. There are steps to take to secure your trademark, and they happen at different times in your registration’s lifetime. This can get particularly tricky as many businesses own...

Amazon is one of the largest companies in the world. Whether you need a t-shirt cannon or a duvet cover, the chances are high that Amazon can deliver...and fast. Modern consumers have a myriad of products and services at their fingertips. Ensuring your invention is one of them can be a strategic venture. The...

A suggestive trademark can be highly advantageous and should be the first choice for most businesses. They offer companies two major benefits: a high level of legal protection and inherent marketing value. At times, suggestive trademark examples can be tricky to recognize. This confusion typically arises due to the similarities between descriptive...

When it comes to trademark strength, the arbitrary trademark is a powerful option to consider. It is defined by its familiarity yet considered to be inherently distinctive. Despite this paradox, it’s pretty simple in definition. It helps that arbitrary trademark examples are abundant. This guide will walk you through the strengths, weaknesses, and applications...

A fanciful trademark is one of the commonly accepted types of trademarks. Other categories of trademarks include arbitrary, suggestive, descriptive, and generic. It’s important to note that descriptive and generic trademarks are generally not eligible for trademark registration. Fanciful trademarks are made-up words that have zero relationship between the name and the...

Whether you can change your trademark is going to depend on how big a change you're considering. It's an issue that the trademark office deals with frequently, as companies update their brand’s image. Determining if an amendment can be filed, or a new application submitted, depends on whether your change is classified as material. An...

There are a lot of steps in the trademark process, the most exciting being filling out the application. But to increase your chances of having your trademark application approved, there is legwork that needs to be done before you complete the application.

In this article, we'll break down the process, step by step.

The answer to "can I trademark a word or phrase" is always going to be "it depends." We wind up saying that a lot in the legal industry, but for a good reason! There are a ton of considerations in even the smallest question, and determining whether a word or phrase...

Trademarks in the US have two primary criteria for approval: they must be distinctive and used in commerce. While these two sound straightforward, like any subject in the law, there are many nuances to consider. The requirement of trademark distinctiveness alone has caused a fair bit of confusion over the years....

A trademark attorney is essentially a licensed legal professional qualified to handle matters regarding trademark law. In the U.S., unlike other countries, the term “trademark attorney” is not strictly defined.

A trademark attorney is still considered a general legal professional and may, in fact, offer counsel regarding matters other...

As a consumer, you’re no doubt familiar with the ™ and/or ® symbols. Even if you don’t know what they mean exactly, you’ve probably seen them on enough brands and enough logos to know that they stand for something.

 

Although confusing, a trademark symbol is necessary. In the...