Intellectual Property for Business Owners – 10 Things You Should Know
Your business has intellectual property made up of your collective ideas, innovation, and intelligence. Your intellectual property can include trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights, and patents. There is no arguing the fact that intellectual property has value. A trade secret like the recipe for Coca-Cola can give a company a competitive advantage that lasts for a […]
Brand Name, Product Name, Business Name – What’s the Difference?
Did you know that a brand and business are not the same thing? The names could match, but they’re not the same thing. Did you know that a product and a brand are not the same thing? Again, the names could match, but they’re not the same thing. Are you confused? Don’t worry. You’re not […]
5 Looming Disasters if You Don’t Have a Business Succession Plan
As a business owner, you have a lot of responsibilities resting on your shoulders. From your family to your clients, employees, and partners, there are a lot of people counting on you today and in the future. Do you have a business succession plan in place to make sure they’re all taken care of if […]
Starting a Business? You Need a Plan for Success
According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), 414,043 small businesses opened their doors in 2015 (most recent statistics), but 395,602 closed. Wow! The SBA also reports that only half of new businesses survive for five years or more, and only one-third survive for 10 years or more. The statistics prove there is no guarantee that […]
New Trademark Registration Rule Requires Foreign Applicants to Retain U.S.-Licensed Attorneys
Effective Aug. 3, U.S. joins long list of nations that require local counsel In recent years, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has been dealing what it calls “an increasing number of foreign trademark applicants, registrants, and parties … filing inaccurate and possibly fraudulent submissions … that do not comply with U.S. trademark law or […]
5 Brands that Reinvented the Brand Wheel to Stay Relevant
We all strive each day to stay up to date with the latest trends in order to remain culturally relevant. Brands, just like people, also have to adapt their style in order to keep a pace with today’s changing world. Check out these five brands that have demonstrated their ability to respond to consumer preference and […]
5 Common but Deadly Small Business Legal Mistakes
Thousands of small businesses open in the United States each year, but the number that survive and thrive for decades are in the minority. Many of these small businesses fail because small business owners make deadly legal mistakes, particularly in the early days—before and after they open their doors to customers. Don’t be among the […]
Common Reasons that USPTO Rejects a Trademark Application
Claiming your distinction allows your company to stand out in the marketplace. Strong branding is essential, and trademark protection to reinforce your brand is a must. So, if you are trying to develop a distinctive trademark or service mark, it helps to know what makes a mark weak and why the U.S. Patent and Trademark […]
Trademark Scams – Don’t Pay for What You Don’t Need
In a previous blog post, I shared some tips to protect yourself from trademark scam letters, and unfortunately, the number of scammers continues to grow. That means you need to understand how these scams could affect you so you don’t spend unnecessary money or time thinking about them. The Trademark Scam Letter You filed a […]
Trademark Application Refusals on the Grounds of Potential Confusion
The essential requirement of a trademark or service mark is that it be distinctive. When a mark lacks uniqueness, there’s a chance the public could be confused about the identity of the company behind the mark. This defeats the primary purpose of a mark: to alert the public about the source of the goods or […]