The process to register a trademark can take eight to ten months on average, but occasionally, it can take a year or more before approval. In order to ensure a smooth, efficient process, it is up to you, the applicant, to check the status of your trademark and follow up as needed. Failure to do so could lengthen the process […]
If your company filed an “intent to use” application and received a “Notice of Allowance” then, congratulations, the USPTO has initially approved the application for registration and no third-parties have opposed the application during the Opposition Period. The final step is to file proof of use in the form of a ‘Statement of Use’ filing. However, before your company files […]
Today is our very first video from our new studio here at the office. I hope you are going to enjoy some of the videos we will be producing about trademark issues that come up in the future. For our very first video, I wanted to discuss how important registering for a trademark in China has become for U.S. businesses. […]
Your trademark is a valuable asset to your business. It represents your brand and distinguishes you from your competitors. The legal rights that come with having a registered trademark are essential to your long-lasting success in the marketplace. Consider how to protect your trademark with these 6 strategies. Choose a Strong Mark from the Start Your trademark is often the first […]
Filing for trademark registration in another country may seem like a daunting task, but it could be one of the most critical decisions you make as a business owner. Your U.S. trademark offers you protection from infringement and counterfeiting in the United States, but those same protections do not apply in China unless you register your trademark there as well. Whether […]
Many business owners know that names, slogans, and logo can act as trademarks and can give the owner exclusive rights to use that phrase in connection with their products and services. But how can business owners protect the design and look of their product or product packaging to stop competitors from making similar packaging? Protecting the “look and feel” of a […]
In today’s digital world, board games are still thriving. There has been a boom in the board game industry over the past ten years and with new funding streams as well as a growing consumer base, the board game industry looks to continue its renaissance. At the heart of the boom has been new game designers and companies exploring new […]
Brand protection should be one of the highest priorities for both new and existing businesses. But what happens when the product that you are selling is legal in your state, but illegal at a federal level? As more and more states legalize recreational and medical marijuana, it seems like the nationwide approval of marijuana and cannabis-derived product sales is inevitable. […]
The Madrid Protocol is an international filing system that allows members of the Protocol to file in multiple jurisdictions using the same, streamlined system. Although this system is often cheaper and easier than filing in each country individually, there are a number of common issues that a Madrid Protocol applicant can run into when it files to extend its protection […]
Production companies for television and movies often use short animations to represent their companies. These are typically called production logos or vanity cards. Many of the production logos have become instantly recognizable. Whether it’s Disney’s animation of a star slowly arching over the Disney castle as “When You Wish Upon a Star” plays, or the iconic roaring of a live […]
Once you have completed the process of applying for and being granted a trademark registration with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), a trademark owners’ responsibilities are not over. Requirements exist for keeping your trademark registration valid once the registration has been issued by the U.S. government. There are several important things to remember to properly use, maintain, and […]
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection division of the Department of Homeland Security has a program that allows U.S. trademark registration owners to provide information to border agents to identify and stop counterfeit goods from entering the country. This program, called the Intellectual Property Rights e-Recordation program, can give brand owners a powerful shield against counterfeiters. If a US trademark […]