Written by Arabella Chen and Matthew S. Johnston You thought of it. You created it. Your business depends on it. It is your business. It is likely intellectual property. Intellectual property (IP) ranges from artwork, inventions, designs, brands and logos to music, medical drugs, and more. IP laws...
This is the fifth, and final, post in a five part series on Essential Contract Terms for Consultants, Independent Contractors, and Freelancers. This post will focus on protecting your intellectual property. A contract is not only an agreement regarding the exchange of goods or services for...
For new start-up companies or small business, establishing a brand is necessary. Establishing a brand takes time, effort, and probably a bit of money. But when it comes to establishing a brand that may be trademarked, it is vitally important to consider whether your potential...
Filing an application for a trademark registration with the United States Patent & Trademark Office is surprisingly easy in terms of the actual process itself if you are prepared with your materials. There are services out there that will help you file a trademark registration...
Congratulations! You got your trademark registered with the US PTO. You have an officially registered trademark blessed by the United States government. If you think that was the hard part, it is not. Now comes the hard part of policing, protecting, and maintaining your trademark. Let’s...
One of the most common questions I get when discussing trademarks is when is an appropriate time to submit an application for a registration of a trademark. It is a good question that involves a number of factors. But the trademark office breaks things down into...
This month Matt returned to speak with the Design Domination podcast, offering advice to graphic designers who do branding work for their clients. What do designers need to know about registering a trademark? Let’s dive in. The truth of the matter is that if graphic designers knew...
When an examining attorney is reviewing a trademark application at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), they must determine whether or not a trademark application should be moving forward. The examination process is as much an art as it is a science. But, let’s...
Many small and creative businesses are interested in trademarking their business name or logo. While it may seem like a daunting task and does take some time (approximately six months without any bumps in the road), registering a trademark is something that can be done...