What Happens Next, After You File a Federal Trademark Application?   You’ve just taken the very important and wise step to protect your brand by having submitted your federal trademark application to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Congratulations! But what happens next? The trademark registration process can feel complex, overwhelming, and confusing,  especially for first-time applicants. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you understand what to expect after filing your application.

What is the USPTO, and what does it have to do with your quest to attain a Trademark? Small and medium-sized business owners have likely heard that registering their brand as a US trademark is an important step in the process and that a trademark can be the most valuable asset of a company.  However, they likely do not know the ins and outs of the process to attain a trademark and may feel intimidated by a process that seems, at first blush, very technical and daunting.  It does not help that unfamiliar terminology and acronyms are used by resources and attorneys alike, which confuses people.  In addition to legal jargon pertaining to trademarks, one of the most common sources of confusion is when business owners hear about the USPTO.  That acronym stands for the United States Patent and Trademark Office, a governmental entity in charge of both Patents and Trademarks. But for those seeking trademarks, you do not need to be scared off nor concerned about the patent side of things.  The patent side of the USPTO and the trademark side function separately and thus a trademark applicant need only be concerned with the USPTO's Trademark Office.  The USPTO oversees the examination and registration and thus can be a vital ally for entrepreneurs, startups, and small business owners looking to protect their intellectual property.

How E-Commerce Merchants Can Qualify for the Amazon Brand Registry E-commerce has become one of the fastest-growing industries over the last decade.  Consumers are more likely to order items online from the comfort of their homes more so than in prior years.  While the number of e-commerce platforms and marketplaces has grown steadily, the most popular and famous platform and marketplace,  Amazon, has become more or less a household name. From a website selling books, Amazon has now become one of the leading e-commerce platforms for selling any and all types of products online. For an e-commerce merchant, getting their brand on the Amazon Registry and marketplace can be very lucrative (since each year, several billions of dollars in revenue are generated from sales via Amazon). While being on the Amazon Brand Registry is not a guarantee of success, it can catapult merchants in the right direction.  Therefore, it is unsurprising that many merchants desire to get their brands listed on Amazon.  However, the process of getting accepted into the Brand Registry can be confusing, frustrating, and time-consuming for small business owners and e-commerce merchants. This article will explain the process and provide insights into how a trademark attorney can make all the difference in helping you get started with the Amazon Brand Registry.