If you run an Etsy store, or are considering starting one, you already know how popular that online marketplace is. The demand for, and supply of, the kind of handmade, unique products sold on Etsy are both so high that the site has grown from one million members in 2008 to nearly 44 million as of January 2015. What does that […]
For businesses just starting out, once you’ve got your initial idea in mind, the next step is usually coming up with a company name. And that makes sense: it’s how you’ll talk about your business, but more importantly, it’s the primary way your customers and prospective clients will identify you. Your company’s name is the linchpin for your brand and your […]
It’s a good idea to start the process of registering a trademark for your business name, company name, product name, or service, as soon as you identify the name you plan to use. This is because the first step in obtaining a federal trademark registration for a name is conducting a search to ensure no one else owns trademark rights […]
In this new feature, Before the Board will look at the notable TTAB opposition and cancellation proceedings initiated at the Trademark Trial & Appeal Board. A lot of attention is paid to the “final” decisions of the TTAB, but here is a taste of the day to day workings of the TTAB. Pirelli opposes ‘MARTHA’ trademark for tires Italian tire company […]
The protections and benefits of a registered U.S. trademark come with a series of responsibilities of ownership. One of your most important responsibilities is to maintain and renew your trademark at the required intervals set by the United States Patent & Trademark Office. Upon the initial registration of your trademark, it is important to make note of the first renewal […]
In 2021 the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted 367,945 trademark registrations. But what happens if the USPTO approves a trademark that is too similar to your own? When someone files a new trademark application, an “examining attorney” at the USPTO is responsible for reviewing the application and determining if it can be approved for registration. The examining attorney […]
The cost to register and renew a trademark is going down. As of January 17, 2015, the USPTO is changing the filing fees for trademark applications by lowering (yes, lowering) them by $50. TEAS applications will now cost $275 per class (down from $325), while the less common TEAS Plus application will cost $225 per class (down from $275). The new standard […]
As a business owner or individual filing for a trademark, you will pay all of your fees and patiently wait several months for a trademark examining attorney to review your application. At the end of the examination process, if your application meets all of the criteria for registration, the examiner will publish your application for “opposition.” But what does this […]
There’s more to your company’s identity than just your name and logo. When you think of some of the biggest brands out there, they almost always use some kind of phrase to supplement and summarize their identity: a slogan, tagline, catchphrase, or company motto. Done effectively, these phrases can contribute as much to the perception and selection of a particular […]
PROTECTING A CATCHPHRASE Want to protect your company’s catchphrase or slogan? Contact our experience trademark attorneys for a free consultation. Contact Our Attorneys A good catchphrase can go a long way toward establishing a recognizable brand for an individual, a character, and/or a business. For a business, a catchphrase is typically thought of more as a slogan, but what about […]
As an entrepreneur, you know that it’s important to be concerned with every aspect of your business, from your product or service to your brand to your balance sheet. Often, in the interest of the latter, owners will take stock of the costs and benefits of every expenditure, and may wonder whether a trademark for their business name is really […]
A legally strong trademark can end up being just as important to your business as offering a strong, high-quality product or service – if not more so. Therefore, it’s worth taking the time to learn more about what constitutes a legally strong trademark. The Lanham Act, which is the name of the federal trademark law in the United States, rewards […]