Don’t let that trademark certificate fool you. It might declare that you own trademark rights to a logo or name, but you can lose those rights just as easily as you acquired them. A trademark registration certificate from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is really just a single step in the journey … Read more
Once your trademark is registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), it is vitally important to take action against any potentially infringing uses of your trademarks. Early detection of potential trademark infringement is critical because the failure to properly defend your trademark rights could lead to a loss of distinctiveness, which is … Read more
Most people have heard of both trademarks and patents, but most people don’t often know the difference between the two. Trademarks and patents share some similar features, such as both being considered intellectual property. With both of them, the exclusive rights of ownership and use are tied to whoever registers them first. But beyond this, … Read more
If you aren’t careful about your trademark, it can cost you, both literally in the wallet, and mentally in stress and time. There are several things you need to know about when it comes to protecting your company’s valuable name and/or logo. If you’re thinking about going through the trademark registration process in the near … Read more
The trademark registration process is not necessarily a difficult one. It can, however, prove exhausting. From the time you file an application it takes about 10 months to receive approval–if everything goes smoothly. If you make a single mistake on your application, the registration process could take longer than a year. Since the United States … Read more
Sleep.com is an online wellness resource and community that operates as an arm of Mattress Firm, a subsidiary of furniture giant Steinhoff international holdings, and a USA-based mattress chain store. Sleep.com Domain The domain sleep.com was registered in 1995 and will expire in 2032 unless renewed before then. The Sleep.com trademark was registered in 2020. … Read more
Each trademark you file incurs a separate application fee. For example, if you wish to trademark your business name, your logo, and a product name, you will pay the application fee three times. Additionally, you might be subject to greater legal fees if you’ve chosen to work with an attorney on top of the filing fee with … Read more
Styrofoam is a popular material that’s used for home insulation and craft supplies. Despite popular belief, however, it is not the material used to make disposable cups, coolers, packing peanuts and carry-out containers. Styrofoam is a registered trademark for a particular type of closed-cell, extruded polystyrene foam. Those other products may look like Styrofoam, but … Read more
Are you stuck on Band-Aid brand? The catchy jingle was a TV and radio favorite for decades. Band-Aid may not be the top seller in the adhesive bandage market – private label brands have the top spot – but it is undoubtedly the most famous. Newlywed Invention How did Band-Aid get started? It began in … Read more
Table tennis has been around for a long time. British soldiers and aristocrats played it, and it is now an official game in the Olympics. If you call it Ping-Pong, however, you should know you’re using a registered trademark. First Came Tennis Before there was table tennis, there was court tennis. There’s evidence that people … Read more
The Ford Motor Cars logo is one of the most iconic corporate symbols in the world, right up there with the Coca-Cola logo and McDonald’s golden arches. What’s interesting is how long the simple, memorable design has lasted. The logo has remained virtually untouched for over a century. Henry Ford started Ford Motor Company in … Read more
When applying for a federal trademark, you do not, repeat, do not need an attorney. The U.S. Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) is freely available to anyone. You can file your trademark application online at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website. Everything you need is available for free, without the need for … Read more
The idea of a superhero is longstanding in books, paintings, movies and, of course, comic books. When you think of a superhero, you might think of Captain Marvel, or you might think about someone who is unusually brave. If you’re going to write about a superhero, however, you will have to be sure you don’t … Read more
For better or worse, TASER is one of the most famous names in stun guns. Many people routinely use the terms “to taser” or “tasering” when talking about the use of nonlethal force by police officers. But it’s not a generic word. TASER is an acronym and a trademarked brand for a particular type of … Read more
Would you submit a job application without first researching the company? In the same way, you shouldn’t file a trademark application without first researching the process. Understanding the steps involved will make the process much smoother, giving you an easier, and cheaper, path to a federally registered trademark. (Research is the first of the four … Read more
In this article, we explain the process of renewing a trademark registered with the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO), which is essential to maintain federal trademark rights. It covers the two essential forms: Declaration of Use under Section 8 and Application for Renewal of Registration under Section 9, as well as the timelines … Read more