Intellectual Property

Be Careful of Trademark ScamsIf you file a trademark application with the US Patent and Trademark Office (the "USPTO"), you may receive a letter in the mail from a private company requesting or demanding that you pay them money and respond back to their solicitation. The letter likely will look...

How To Protect A Registered TrademarkIf you've ever obtained a registered trademark from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), then you've received an official certificate that even has a fancy gold seal on it. It's the type of document that makes you think you've made it to the...

Marijuana Trademarks (Registering a Cannabis-Related Mark with the USPTO)Medical marijuana is currently allowed in at least half of the states and the District of Columbia. Of those, four states and the District of Columbia allow marijuana for recreational use, and it is projected that marijuana initiatives will appear on the ballots of at...

The Five Most Common Reasons for Trademark Registration RefusalsThere are a number of reasons why the United States Patent and Trademark Office may refuse to register your mark. Knowing the five most common reasons why your trademark application may be denied before you begin the trademark registration process will save you a lot...

How to Conduct a Trademark SearchThe United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is responsible for maintaining a database of all registered trademarks in the United States. Performing a trademark search of its database is not a very difficult procedure, but it is helpful to have some background knowledge and...

Protect Your Company TrademarksSo you’ve formed your startup’s business entity, you have a name for your business, you’ve met with a graphic designer who has helped you develop a logo and a website, and you’re on track to make your brand the next Apple or Nike. How are you going...

How To Revive A Vintage TrademarkA recent trend has emerged wherein startups, with little or no relation to nostalgia brands from the past, will obtain the rights to bring a gone-but-not-forgotten product back to the market. From watches to coffee to candy, many new companies have taken dead or expired...

What Is A Non-Disclosure Agreement ("NDA") Non-disclosure agreements (sometimes referred to as "NDAs" or "confidentiality agreements") are contracts to protect a company's valuable intellectual property from being used by actual, or potential, competitors. In other words, the purpose of the agreement is to ensure that one, or both, of the parties...

How to Register a Copyright Registering a copyright is a relatively inexpensive and straightforward task, and it can usually be accomplished without legal assistance. In fact, the U.S. Copyright Office has a lot of helpful information and guides, some of which are mentioned below. This article will focus on explaining why...

Copyright Infringement: Protect Your Brand Online Businesses selling goods online should be vigilant about protecting their brands from counterfeiters and copyright infringement. There are many scams that counterfeiters perpetrate, and the counterfeiters seem to be as quick to innovate as the entrepreneurs themselves. One common scam that I've seen recently concerns...