INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

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YOU CREATED IT, WE PROTECT IT.

The intellectual property team at Marks Gray has the experience, professionalism, and attention to detail needed to handle your toughest intellectual property law cases.

Our team provides personalized service to individuals, entrepreneurs, and established businesses to help navigate the risk and understand the opportunities in starting and growing a business.

At Marks Gray, we take pride in protecting your intellectual property – regardless of industry, size, location, or stage of business success.

Areas of practice include:

  • Trademarks
  • Copyrights
  • Trade Secrets and Unfair Competition Litigation
  • Domain Name Disputes
  • Licensing Agreements
  • Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Infringement

WHY DO I NEED AN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ATTORNEY?

The creation of your intellectual property took valuable time, knowledge, and skill. Because of this, you should properly protect your intellectual property from the beginning by consulting with an intellectual property attorney.

Many creative entrepreneurs and startup businesses run into IP issues during the startup phase. They get a great idea, put it online without following all the steps to protect their creation, and someone steals it.
This happens every day on the internet.

These issues range from situations like authoring and self-publishing a book that needs copyright protection to creating a trademark for a newly formed business.

Advice columns and articles exist that cover bits and pieces of the in-depth process required to complete a trademark search, trademark application, or copyright application – but how do you know if a key piece specific to your creation has been addressed?

If every small detail is not covered, you open up yourself – and your business – to a number of problems you may not be equipped to handle.

Incomplete trademark search results or an unsuccessful copyright application could result in your business receiving a cease and desist letter – or even another person accusing you of plagiarism and copyright infringement.

How a Knowledgeable Intellectual Property Attorney Can Help

An intellectual property lawyer can help you avoid these problems before they arise.

  • A trademark lawyer will conduct a proper trademark search and review the search report to help you determine if your trademark can be registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
  • A lawyer knowledgeable on preparing and filing copyright applications with the U.S. Copyright Office can help you identify and resolve issues that may prevent you from obtaining a copyright registration.

The preparation of a trademark application or copyright application requires knowledge of the law, rules, and procedure to make sure you obtain complete protection for your intellectual property asset.

Phrases like “merely descriptive,” “likelihood of confusion,” and “geographically descriptive” appear often in correspondence from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and you may not know how to respond. An intellectual property lawyer can help you understand those phrases and advise you on how to avoid them.

Marks Gray’s lead IP attorney, Crystal T. Broughan, is experienced in all kinds of intellectual property matters:

  • Obtaining federal trademark and copyright registrations
  • Providing legal counsel on Notices of Opposition to trademark registrations and Petitions for Cancellation of trademarks before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board
  • Advising clients on the acquisition of intellectual property during the purchase of a business
  • Licensing agreements
  • Confidentiality agreements
  • Non-compete agreements

Additionally, Ms. Broughan has managed the litigation of a wide variety of intellectual property disputes in state and federal courts, which include trademarks, trade secrets, domain names, patents, copyrights, breach of contract issues, unfair competition, and deceptive trade practices.

Her experience will help protect your creation.

Testimonials & Reviews

In the grand scheme of things, the Copyright matter that Crystal advised me on was minor, but it was definitely outside of my comfort zone. Crystal was the first person that I thought of, when I realized I needed advice… Should you need advice with any Copyright or Intellectual Property matter, I wholeheartedly recommend that you think of her, too. Thanks for your help, Crystal!

Crystal is a very sweet, professional, and intelligent woman. She makes sure your intellectual properties are fully protected. I am very pleased thus far with MarksGray. Best wishes to you on your continued success. Protect yourself with MarksGray!

As far as I am concerned, all conversations about copyrights and trademarks begin and end with the words, “Crystal Broughan at Marks Gray.”

I have had Mitch file two patents and a trademark. Everything was flawless. He is very responsive and answered all my questions. I have worked with him now for over 6 years. I would recommend him to anyone I know. The best part about working with him, is that he is personable and that made the process so much better.

Mitch went above and beyond to help out with our legal matters. He was more than fair with his hourly charges and we always felt our interests came first. Mitch is very thoughtful and always thinks one step ahead to look out for us. By far the best experience we've had with an attorney.

FREE E-BOOK DOWNLOAD

Trademark Basics and Best Practices for Businesses

This ebook will help you understand the process of creating, registering, and protecting your trademarks, so your business can reap the benefits associated with a successful trademark registration.

You will find information on:

  • What It Means to Register Your Trademark
  • What You Can and Cannot Register As a Trademark
  • How to Create Your Trademark Carefully
  • Costs Associated with Trademark Application
  • The Trademark in the Digital Age
  • Best Practices to Protect Your Trademark
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