Much like traditional assets such as machinery or real estate, trademarks are assets that can be bought, sold, and transferred. Unlike physical assets, however, trademarks must be transferred in a purposeful way to ensure that the underlying meaning, or “goodwill”, is also transferred. A trademark could be a word, a phrase, a symbol, or even a shape. However, one thing all […]
When you begin the process of protecting your brand assets and intellectual property, it can be difficult to understand which of your trademarks you should protect with a trademark registration. Filing trademark applications for unique aspects of your brand can deter competitors from using similar names and designs. The following list covers the five most important trademarks you should consider […]
From deciding on a name to submitting a trademark application with the USPTO, branding your company and protecting its intellectual property is an exciting, yet complicated process. It’s critical to ensure you understand how to choose a trademark and register it before jumping into the process. As a trademark law firm, we frequently have businesses come to us for advice […]
Before you even begin drafting a trademark application, there’s a crucial step that needs to first take place: a trademark search. While some applicants may believe their path to a registration is clear simply because a quick search of the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s database did not show any trademarks that conflict with theirs, this is unfortunately not […]
As many industries’ marketplaces move online, more and more businesses are realizing that domain names utilizing their company’s name and information are already taken. While this occurs with mixed intentions, it can come at a great cost for a business looking to house their website under the domain name that best fits their established name that is unavailable. Virtually, a domain […]
If you are a future Philly-business owner, you have almost certainly put time and effort into understanding your company’s new marketplace and the changes you may face in your industry environment upon relocation. When making a big move, it is even more important than ever to make sure that your branding, the key elements that represent your business and its reputation […]
What should you do if someone files a trademark that is too similar to yours? One often overlooked option is filing a Letter of Protest with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (the “USPTO”). A Letter of Protest is an effective and inexpensive method of trademark enforcement. The filing essentially requests that the USPTO deny the offending trademark application. […]
If you are a business owner in a small town like Lancaster, you have a personal understanding of the importance of building a recognizable, long-lasting brand narrative that speaks to your consumer audience. As your business grows beyond the borders of Lancaster County, it is crucial that steps are taken to protect your name, slogan, and logo that serve as […]
Unlike some other forms of intellectual property, patents cannot be renewed for an indefinite period of time. Most notably, trademarks have a different process for renewals. Instead, patents have an expiration date and the length of a patent varies based on a range of factors. Calculating the term of a patent can be difficult and can involve a number of factors, […]
The United States Patent and Trademark Office has enacted a new program that requires some trademark registrants to go beyond the normal requirements of renewing their trademark and prove continued use of the items listed in their trademark applications. The USPTO’s audit program requires trademark registrants and their attorneys to be extra vigilant when renewing their trademarks and ensure that […]
The U.S. Supreme Court held that the addition of “.COM” to a generic word could function as a protectable trademark, despite the generic word being incapable of acting as a protectable trademark. While this decision opens the door for brands like BOOKING.COM to potentially qualify for trademark protection, proving those rights could be incredibly difficult and any resulting rights with likely […]
The protections that trademarks supply to the owner’s business and brand are extremely advantageous. They have become even more valuable in a marketplace that is increasingly present online, removing regional and industry boundaries that may have previously been in place. Additionally, companies that take part in this virtual exchange use their websites as platforms to offer their goods and services for […]