Category: Trademarks

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...

“How to trademark a business name?” is a question I hear from my clients quite frequently.  To a trademark attorney’s ear the client is asking to register their business entity (Widgets, Inc.). 

What the client is really saying is that they want to “federally register my company’s brand.”  The...