What are Common Law Trademark Rights? Why are they Important? Common law trademark rights are authorized by federal and state laws. They exist without registration. These unregistered trademarks can cause problems with your registration and use of a trademark. That is, unregistered trademark rights can pop up at any time before, during, or after [...]
What Is the Trademark Process and Timeline for Your Trademark Application? The trademark process and timeline described below sets out the general path a trademark application takes in its lifecycle. Registering a trademark or trademarking a logo is a legal process. As a legal process, the trademark application path can take many turns subject [...]
What Is a Trademark Disclaimer? If you are reading this, you likely have an office action that requires a trademark disclaimer. A disclaimer is a common thing in trademark law. However, the Trademark Office will not approve a trademark application until the applicant disclaims a portion of the mark. A [...]
Trademark Attorney Riddle Comments on the Trademark Dispute a Gettysburg School District. Trademark Attorney Charles Riddle was cited in several articles by the Gettysburg Times about a trademark controversy concerning the Gettysburg Area School District logo. In one Article, Gettysburg Times identified Attorney Riddle as a “Trademark Expert”. Here Are [...]
Trademark Symbol - ™ vs ® Trademark ™ - The TM Symbol - The Trademark Symbol The Trademark symbol (™), "The TM Symbol" is often used on logos, names, phrases, or words. The TM Symbol is used proactively by companies to indicate the mark is their own exclusive property. The Trademark ™ [...]
What is the Section 2(f) or Principal 2(f) Register for Trademarks? Section 2(f) Trademarks are not registrable without providing proof of widespread recognition or long and continuous use. The Principal Register Section 2(f) Register is a trademark designation managed by the trademark office for marks that are generally not protectable as trademarks, but have [...]
What does "primarily merely a surname" mean? Many people believe that they have the right to use their last name as part of their business' name. Why wouldn’t you have exclusive rights to your name? You are likely here because you want to incorporate your name into your trademark. So, can you trademark your [...]
About Podcast Names and Trademark Law Trademark a Podcast Brand This is a presentation provided to educate podcast producers about trademark law as it relates to the podcast industry. Trademark a Podcast Brand. Facts: How Many Podcast Trademarks Are Registered in the United States? At the time of [...]
Benefits of Trademark Registration - Should You Register Your Mark? It’s a fundamental question in trademark law: What are the benefits of a registered trademark? I must discuss this at least three times week with trademark clients. In addition to providing a general sense of security, there are numerous benefits of trademark registration that [...]
What are the Differences Between Standard Character Marks and Design Marks? When submitting a trademark application for your business, it is important to decide whether to submit a Standard Character Trademark (aka Word Mark), or should you register to trademark a logo or design mark. Clients regularly ask which of these they should [...]