International brand protection is no longer a luxury for globally-minded businesses – it’s a necessity. If you’re a trademark owner outside the United States, the Madrid Protocol offers a streamlined way to seek protection in multiple countries using a single…
Once a trademark is registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the registration is not necessarily set in stone. Although the USPTO places a premium on the integrity and accuracy of the Principal Register, certain changes to…
In April, we had a major success for a client. I am thrilled to announce it here now. Over the years, I’ve drafted, prosecuted, and granted utility patents, design patents, and trademarks for The Comfy. Recently, a jury awarded them…
Cementing your brand identity in the digital realm requires more than just a catchy slogan or vibrant imagery—it demands legal foresight and strategic planning. Even with social media, businesses still rely on email as the primary mode of communication, and…
A common law trademark is a trademark used with the offer or sale of products and services. Most trademarks start out as common law trademarks and then the owner later decides to register them federally. Until they become federally registered,…
The Trademark Office may send you an office action or notice after you’ve filed maintenance paperwork in your trademark registration. The notice refuses to accept your maintenance filing until the Office is convinced that you are using your trademark on…
A trademark cancellation is one process available at the Trademark Office for clearing trademarks that, for various reasons, should no longer be registered. Filing or defending a trademark cancellation can be complicated and requires knowledge of nuances of both trademark…
If you own a registered trademark for a few years, you will receive notices in the mail warning you of a “Pending Trademark Cancellation” or an “Imminent Trademark Expiration.” Be careful when reading these because they may not be legitimate. …
Trademark applications are essential for protecting the unique branding and identity of businesses and individuals. However, the process is not always straightforward, especially when it involves the use of a person’s name or likeness in the application. In such cases,…
Trademark owners must make periodic filings to keep their trademark registrations alive. These are post-registration maintenance filings, and failure to make them correctly will result in the issuance of a post-registration office action and then potentially the cancellation of a…