Branding Yourself: Why Freelancers Need a Personal Brand

Freelancers are rapidly taking over a major segment of the American economy. The idea of working in the office from 9 to 5 is giving way to flexible employment opportunities where individuals are free to shape their own schedules and pick their projects. The heady freedom isn’t exclusive to freelancers, though. Employers can now handpick writers, … Read more

The Complete List of Trademark Office Actions and Correspondence

At any point after filing a trademark application you might receive correspondence from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). In some cases this might be an Office Action, which can delay the application process. Others are standard to certain types of applications. After receiving any of these notices, you the applicant will likely have … Read more

Trademark 101: Where To Start

For many business owners, the idea of registering a trademark can be a bit intimidating. In the article below, we’ll provide some basic information about trademarks, explain the benefits of registering a trademark to protect your intellectual property, outline what the first steps are that you need to take in order to get started, and … Read more

Trademarking Principles for Tech Startups

Establishing a trademark is important for any business, but the competition is particularly fierce in the tech industry. With competitors fighting over everyday words that have been in use for centuries, it’s no wonder tech start-ups are so eager to snag trademarks. If you’re just starting out, however, applying for trademark registration isn’t your first … Read more

History’s Biggest Trademark Disputes

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has millions of active trademark registrations. In 2019 alone, they issued just over 201,000 trademarks in the United States. That’s an impressive number, given that each of these marks is unique. But the increased number of marks also creates a problem. With so many companies trying to … Read more

Trademark 101: Next Steps After You Have Registered

Congratulations! You’ve finally received notice that your trademark registration application has been approved by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). So what’s next? In the following article, we’ll discuss what steps you need to take now that your trademark has officially been registered. Add The Trademark Registration Symbol One of the first steps … Read more

Restaurant Trademarks: A Brief Breakdown

Opening a new restaurant can be akin to descending into madness. On your restaurant launch list, there’s probably a million things to do, and registering a trademark for your business might not be at the top. After all, there are many other things to worry about, and chief among them will be working to get everything running … Read more

Common Mistakes When Registering a Trademark

The trademark registration process is not necessarily a complex one. At the same time, it is not an easy one. Many laws and requirements stand between you and a registered trademark. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) takes trademark laws very seriously. It may reject your application for something that to you seems … Read more

71 Notorious Patent, Trademark, and Copyright Infringement Cases

Patent-related litigation made up more than half of all lawsuits filed in America last year, a forty percent increase from three years before. With so-called patent troll lawsuits on the rise in a big way, I thought it’d be a good time to highlight the interesting, funny, and little-known side of American patent, trademark, and copyright law. … Read more

Why Craft Breweries Should Always Trademark Their Beer Lines

In the last 20 years, the U.S. craft brewing industry has grown nearly fivefold. Every year hundreds of new craft breweries join the fray, giving Americans more libation choices than ever before. Go into any bottle shop or liquor store and you’ll find a variety of beers that extend far beyond the basic Budweiser, Coors, … Read more

The Trademark Application Process

Completing the trademark application might seem like an end. You’ve performed research and have settled on a strong mark that will serve your business and its customers. Perhaps you’ve even consulted with a trademark attorney to ensure the strength of your application. In reality, the application commences a months-long process that could include various obstacles … Read more

Trademark Disputes Case Study: Abraham v. Alpha Chi Omega

In this article, we will discuss the trademark dispute between a collection of Greek fraternal organizations and Thomas Kenneth Abraham, a vendor of items bearing the logos of said organizations. The purpose of this case study is to demonstrate the importance of proactive and timely enforcement of trademark rights. In addition, the study will mention … Read more

Donald Trump Trademarks

From his Wikipedia page: Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is the 45th and current President of the United States, in office since January 20, 2017. Before entering politics, he was a businessman and television personality. Trump was born in the New York City borough of Queens. He earned an economics degree from the … Read more

Amazon Brand Registry Trademark Requirements

After a several weeks-long closure, the Amazon Brand Registry reopened in May 2017 with several changes. The Amazon Brand Registry offers protections to private sellers who have registered trademarks. It offers such protections as predictive automation upon Amazon’s receipt of your report about trademark infringers and gives you added control over the listing of products … Read more

Trademark Disputes Case Study: RGIII

In this article, we will discuss the trademark conflict between Research Group 3, an off-road motorcycle racing suspension company, and their shared trademark with Robert Griffin III, “RG3”. The purpose of this case study is to demonstrate how two seemingly conflicting trademarks can reach a coexistence agreement based on the distinct nature of their commercial … Read more

Trademark Disputes Case Study: Pinterest v. Pintrips

In this article, we will discuss ongoing litigation between the social media service, Pinterest, and a travel planning startup, Pintrips. The purpose of this case study is to demonstrate potential avenues for trademark infringement and what complaints the infringed party can bring against violators. Furthermore, the study will demonstrate the need for a trademark search … Read more