Intellectual Property Law

COVID-19 and Your Trademark

Posted on March 20, 2020
The coronavirus has penetrated nearly every aspect of our lives and the world of trademarks is not immune.You can read the entirety of the USPTO?s message here: https://www.uspto.gov/coronavirusPractically speaking, the pandemic shouldn?t affect the average trademark application filer...

LeBron James & A Tale of Two Taco Tuesday Trademarks

Posted on September 05, 2019
Photo by Christine Siracusa on UnsplashIt may not be the best of times ahead for LeBron James? recent trademark filing for Taco Tuesday.On August 15, King James? company LBJ Trademarks, LLC has filed for a Federal trademark for ?Taco Tuesday? within four different classifications of goods and services...

Trademark 101: State Trademark or Federal Trademark?

Posted on May 04, 2017
Now that you know what a trademark is, what a trademark isn?t, and that you should get a trademark, let?s explore if a State trademark or Federal trademark is most appropriate for your needs.For the USA, trademarks can be obtained either at the State level or the Federal level...

Trademark 101: Should You Trademark?

Posted on April 28, 2017
SourceNow that we know what a trademark is and is not, let?s dive into the next logical question: should you trademark?The easiest way to answer this question is to look at your business and your plans for it. -          Is the name, logo, or slogan an integral part of your business? -          Are you doing business on a statewide or nationwide or international level? If you?re only doing business citywide or countywide, do you see potential for geographical growth?-          Would another business in your industry using the same or similar name hurt your business? In other words, is it possible you?d lose customers if someone had the same or similar name in your industry?If you answered yes to any of the above then exploring a trademark is the way to go...

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Trademark 101: What Isn?t a Trademark?

Posted on April 26, 2017
SourceYesterday?s post was all about what a trademark is so today we?re going to talk about what a trademark is not. Knowing both sides of that coin will give you a clear idea if a trademark is right for you or not.Let?s use yesterday?s examples as a jumping off point:·         PEACE is the name of your new clothing line and your logo is the peace sign...

Trademark 101: What is a Trademark?

Posted on April 24, 2017
SourceWelcome to the first day of class! Before we get into the nitty gritty of trademarks, let?s go back to the beginning. And the beginning of the beginning is defining what a trademark is and what a trademark is not.Here?s what the USPTO says: ?A trademark is generally a word, phrase, symbol, or design, or a combination thereof, that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of others...

And we're back!

Posted on April 23, 2017
SourceHello there readers!The blog has been on a bit of a hiatus as we revamped our site (check it out - nice, eh?) and while I specifically re-focused my day-to-day activities.But, I'm back and am here to talk trademark and answer any questions...

$50 Discount: Ends Wednesday, July 20th - Mention the Blog When Ordering

Posted on July 16, 2016
$50 DISCOUNT!Exclusively for youComprehensive Research & Analysis: Federal/State Trademark & Common-LawFederal Trademark ApplicationOrder by Wednesday, July 20! 800-776-0530So, you finally settled on the perfect name for your product or service ? that's fantastic! Finding just the right name is vitally important to the success of any product line or service...

Beware of Official-y Correspondence

Posted on December 08, 2014
Once you get that trademark filed be aware that your information is of public record, which means, unfortunately, some will mine that resource & some of those folks will send you solicitations. These solicitations often look very official, and "may use names that resemble the USPTO name, including, for example, one or more of the terms "United States," ?U...

IP Webinar Series: December 9-11th

Posted on December 04, 2014
"The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will co-host a free webinar series to help business owners understand the intellectual property process, starting on Tuesday, December 9.Register today!This three-part webinar series will provide participants with insightful tips for success on getting a patent or registering a trademark or copyright...

Hello Again!

Posted on December 01, 2014
It's been awhile but we are back! And as Mr. Waving Turtle up there indicates it has taken me a bit to get back here to the old blog watering hole (or wherever turtles congregate so I may continue the metaphor) but I'm here and ready to go so let's talk trademarks! If you've got a topic you'd like addressed please comment and I'll be sure to tackle it in a future post...

Copyrights & Trademarks: How to Protect Your Music

Posted on November 06, 2013
I've written about the difference between copyrights and trademarks before. Yesterday's post focused on literary works, which could certainly have commonalities (e.g. lyrics) with today's subject. From the written word to the spoken - today we're talking about...

Copyrights & Trademarks: How to Protect Your Book

Posted on November 05, 2013
I've written about the difference between copyrights and trademarks before but I thought it a good idea to get into the nitty-gritty of specific works. Today's post is about...LITERARY WORKSWe've had the pleasure of assisting many writers and publishers over the years (need help with both? Check out The 90 Day Author) and this is a group of folks that need both copyrights and trademarks...

Current TradeMark Express Special - Save $100 off your next trademark order!

Posted on November 04, 2013
Order by tomorrow, Tuesday, November 5th and take $100 off your next trademark order!TradeMark Express is currently running a post-shutdown special. If you've been holding off on getting started on your research and application filing perhaps taking a hundred bucks off of our Premium Package will entice you!You may call us to order -OR- just order online...

The Government Shutdown and Your Trademarks

Posted on October 15, 2013
                            Since several clients have asked how the government shutdown may affect their trademarks, we here at TradeMark Express decided it?d be a good idea to provide all of our clients an update...

The Trademark Information Network

Posted on February 14, 2012
Awhile back the USPTO launched a media component to their trademark page, namely, the Trademark Information Network. From this page you can watch a number of different videos that discuss the basics of trademarks and all the way up to post-registration issues...

Election Trademarks 2012

Posted on February 13, 2012
As discussed before any time there's an event that stirs the nation trademark applications follow. Nowhere is this more obvious than during an election season. Not surprisingly, most of the presidential-themed filings revolve around Obama. And even less surprisingly, the USPTO is refusing registration...

Friday Fun Day!

Posted on February 10, 2012
Rather than devote every post to some legal-y aspect of trademarks, I thought it'd be fun to devote Fridays to the lighter side of the trademark world. So...Welcome to Friday Fun Day!Today's post is dedicated to that fun-loving bunch - Hipsters!Okay, so they've been skewered to death, yes, but still hipsters are everywhere (I live in Portland OR, trust me)...

What Do I Do If...

Posted on February 09, 2012
someone is infringing on my trademark?Let's assume you've taken our advice to have comprehensive research conducted every 2-3 years and lo and behold, someone is infringing on your mark!While, yes, it can be maddening to see someone using your good name regardless if done intentionally or on accident (though the intentional misuse is certainly far more annoying)...

What Do I Do If...

Posted on February 08, 2012
someone wants to sue me, sue me? Eek! If you're asking yourself this question, you likely received a very scary letter demanding that you cease and desist the use of your name. First, take a breath! Yes, this can be a very harrowing experience but there are steps you can take to maneuver through this...

Protect Your Mark, Part Two

Posted on February 07, 2012
Yesterday's post was about recording your trademark with Customs, which will prevent the importation of infringing goods. However, you'll want to be sure to take the necessary steps to protect your mark within the U.S. as well.Straight from the horse's mouth: "You are responsible for enforcing your rights if you receive a registration, because the USPTO does not 'police' the use of marks...

Protect Your Mark, Part One

Posted on February 06, 2012
One of the many advantages to owning a Federal trademark on the Principal Register is the ability to record your mark with U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP). Why is this important? "CBP officers monitor imports to prevent the importation of goods bearing infringing marks...

Our Facebook PageCheck out the

Posted on February 03, 2012
Our Facebook PageCheck out the TradeMark Express facebook page - like us for access to handy articles as well as coupons.Speaking of coupons, we're currently running a special. Get your trademark AND save $50!Does your business have a facebook page? There are 5 good reasons why you should.

More Changes Coming to the USPTO's

Posted on December 13, 2011
More Changes Coming to the USPTO's Online PresenceThe USPTO issued a press release on December 7th. Here are the details:On or about December 16, 2011, the USPTO will introduce a new system, Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TSDR 1.0). TSDR 1...

Occupy TrademarkThe Occupy Wall

Posted on December 02, 2011
Occupy TrademarkThe Occupy Wall Street movement has moved into the trademark arena with a number of new trademark application filings.There are currently two filings for Occupy Wall Street both of which were filed on the same day:* Occupy Wall Street, which appears to be owned by those directly involved with the movement...

Nominate Your Favorite Charity

Posted on May 07, 2010
Nominate Your Favorite Charity for a Free Branding Makeover!TradeMark Express is so proud to be one of the sponsors of this amazing offer. Here are the details:The word is out! From now until May 31st, Tungsten Branding will be receiving nominations for a complete branding makeover for America?s most deserving charity...

Need a trademark pronto? Check

Posted on March 24, 2010
Need a trademark pronto? Check out Urgent Trademark's unique services: Expert free consultation - We will make sure we are the service you need.Comprehensive research - Know for sure your proposed name or logo is legally available. Estimated 4 hours...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!I hope

Posted on March 17, 2010
Happy St. Patrick's Day!I hope all of you out there have a fun AND safe St. Patrick's Day! Let's take a look at some St. Patrick themed trademarks:Here's a film production company named Saint Patrick, which, quite appropriately is located in Ireland. Check out their fun site here...

Want not to worry about your trademarks

Posted on March 17, 2010
Want not to worry about your trademarks for an entire decade? Check out Decade Trademark. Detail of Services Comprehensive US Federal & State Trademark Research & Analysis; Comprehensive US National Common-Law Research & Analysis...

Organic Trademarks With all

Posted on March 17, 2010
Organic Trademarks With all the rage about Organic products and services weighing on our minds recently, I thought it would be a good time to address how this applies to trademarks. While the label of a product or the website for a service may say ORGANIC, does this mean they really ARE organic? Well, the USPTO is taking issue with that as well with their clause on ?Deceptive Matter?...

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