Sometimes your business does not need to register a mark to make headway in its marketing – sometimes it is more beneficial to file a Petition for Cancellation of a trademark before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). This action may help if ownership of the...
We have talked about the Lanham Act previously in regards to how it helps define the U.S. trademark registration system. A recent case involving a U.S. company and its European distributor brings up a specific question about the Lanham Act: does it apply to...
What is the value of your company’s trademarks? What about the patents or copyrights you hold? Is the value of those intangible assets reflected anywhere on the company balance sheets? Trademarks, patents, and copyrights are often used as collateral for loans that...
Franchise business operations are heavily governed by rules. These rules make it possible to both protect and share the intellectual property of the central business’s marks. When the rules are violated, the mutual commercial relationship breaks down. In Seattle, WA,...
Hershey Co. has threatened a trademark infringement lawsuit against a California keto-cookie brand known as The Cookie Department. The alleged infringement stems from a shape that most of us know (and some of us love), the iconic teardrop shape of a chocolate chip. As...
Trademark scammers abound in the marketplace. Their aim: to defraud legitimate trademark owners who have taken the time to register their trademarks with the USPTO. I have warned clients and potential clients for years about these scams. Recently, one scammer was...
More states throughout the country are legalizing cannabidiol (“CBD”), a chemical component of the cannabis plant used for medicinal and recreational purposes. You can find it in balms, supplements, drinks, and food. A question regarding trademark has come up in the...
Your brand name is valuable. A brand name that has been registered as a trademark is even more valuable. Here are a few reasons why. A Certificate of Registration from the USPTO Provides Powerful Legal Protection By registering your trademark, you will be able to seek...