Using an 'unregistered' mark in commerce by a business for some years in a specific geographic region can develop into a "common-law" trademark.  This term refers to trademarks that have neither been registered federally (USPTO) nor in any state's trademark registry.  Such a designation denotes t...

    Disclaimers in Trademark Law: Protecting Your Brand and Avoiding Pitfalls In the competitive world of business, trademarks serve as vital shields, protecting your brand identity and safeguarding consumer trust. However, even the strongest shields have limitations, and disclaimers can pla...

Is your Logo in color? So, let's say you have a great logo that is very unique and you are proud of. You invested in a professional graphic designer to get that logo just right and to your liking, and now you are ready to protect your valuable brand by seeking trademark protection for your shiny,...

Do you know what an Office Action is? For first-time trademark applicants, the process can be daunting and confusing, especially when unfamiliar terminology is utilized. Very often, when considering which attorney to hire, a small business owner is confronted with a variety of fee packages from l...

In today's highly competitive marketplace, trademarks have become vital assets for businesses seeking to differentiate themselves and build brand recognition. Securing a trademark not only protects a company's unique identity but also establishes ownership rights, ensuring legal remedies against ...

When can I expect my Trademark to issue? A very frequently asked question by trademark clients is, "How long will it take?" Invariably, obtaining a trademark for their precious Brand is of the utmost importance to every small or medium business owner. Many are misled by the promises of online sit...

Don't just roll the dice on your trademark registration. The trademark registration process can be very complicated and confusing for brand owners who want to protect their brand and/or register their brand on Amazon by filing for a federal trademark. One of the first things you hopefully learn i...

Mistakes with Trademark Registration can be costly. A trademark is a valuable asset for your small to medium business, no matter what that business does. Unless you know exactly what you are doing, it can be risky to try and register a Federal trademark in a "do it yourself" manner. Your Brand is...

Why does everyone say I should Trademark my Brand? If you find yourself asking that very question - take the time to consider this short article and information. Your Brand Name represents your business identity, reputation and is your most important business asset. Just think of how much time, ...

A trademark can be any word, phrase, symbol, design or combination of these that a business uses to define and set its goods and services apart from those of competitors. Trademarks can be registered with either a state or with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (as well as internation...

I have heard people, even my own family members, insist that you do not need a lawyer if you are simply buying or selling your home in Illinois. The reasoning is that these transactions are commonplace and that the bank, real estate agent, and title company provide sufficient protection for eithe...

Very often people will ask me "Do I really need a Lawyer?" In the modern era, where online services like "Google" and a host of others are readily available to everyone, it seems like people are more prone than before to take a shot at a "Do it Yourself" solution to everything, including their le...