You’ve named your venture, sketched a sharp logo, and you’re ready to show the world. Now comes the part many founders search for: how to protect that brand for the long run—ideally for free. The internet is full of promises about “free” filings and instant protection. In...
You’ve named your venture, sketched a sharp logo, and you’re ready to show the world. Now comes the part many founders search for: how to protect that brand for the long run—ideally for free. The internet is full of promises about “free” filings and instant protection. In...
An Important Step Trademarking Your Brand: Waiting on a Trademark ExaminerHow much does it cost to apply for a trademark? One of the major assumptions made in that projection is whether or not the trademark is accepted the first time through. If you have to refile, those application fees can...
The answer: “Can’t” means one thing, is it legal or not? It should not be surprising that people act illegally. People may still attempt to use your trademark regardless of the law and your trademark protection. However, you have legal recourse should someone infringe on your trademark rights. “Use”...
Do You Need to Be Incorporated to Register a Trademark?No, you don't. In most countries, you can register a trademark as an individual whether you have an incorporated business or not, it does not matter. There are some countries out there that may require you to follow a certain...
Whose Name Should I Apply For My Trademark With?Typically, big corporations don't ask this question because they have already figured it out. They already know through their corporate lawyers which of their entities should hold onto their intellectual property. Also if you are a one-man show without a company,...
Trademark Symbol Copy: Look-Alike and Sound-Alike TrademarksLet's say you come up with a brand, research, and see that someone else has already come up with this idea. Not only did they come up with that idea, but they also trademarked that. And the question is, if you changed your mark...
The Microsoft Example: Trademark Services Gone AmuckLet's say I wanted to start a software company, and call it The Microsoft, or replace all O's in the name with zero's and all I's with ones, so it still looks like Microsoft. I could come up with all sorts of, or add...
Considering Your OptionsEssentially, there are just 4 radically different ways to do it. You can use an online trademark filing service. You can use traditional law firms and attorneys. You can go with the company I founded, Trademark Factory®; Or you can file your trademarks yourself. And I'm going to...