Tips On Consistency For Trademark Owners
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Feb 25, 2021 in Intellectual Property
Consistency in the use of a trademark is extremely important to building a strong brand in commerce. It helps consumers immediately identify your business, products, and services. It creates the impression of a professional, well-organized, trustworthy company. In short, it is absolutely something you want to do. But how exactly do you do it? Consistency Starts with the Creation and Registration of the Trademark Itself When you develop a trademark – either on your own […]
Continue ReadingA Valuable Task: Trademark Clearance Searches
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Feb 11, 2021 in Intellectual Property
One of the first questions I ask a new trademark client is “Did you conduct a trademark clearance search?” Sometimes the client will say they searched on Google and found no one using the mark on the internet. Other clients will tell me they went onto the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) trademark database and searched for the word mark they want to use. Unfortunately, these types of searches alone are not enough. […]
Continue ReadingWhat Exactly Does “Failure to Function as a Trademark” Mean?
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Feb 4, 2021 in Intellectual Property
“Failure to function as a trademark” is one of the reasons the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) may refuse to register an applicant’s proposed trademark. What does it mean? How can this happen? Quite simply, not all words, designs, or symbols used by business owners in commerce to sell goods or services function as trademarks — regardless of the trademark applicant’s intent. A word, design, or symbol does not function as a trademark […]
Continue ReadingHow Will Brexit Impact International Trademark Applications and Registrations?
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Dec 17, 2020 in Intellectual Property
“IP Completion Day”, when the Brexit Transition Period for the United Kingdom leaving the European Union (EU) officially ends, is December 31, 2020. Many businesses in the United States have registered their trademarks in the EU or have international registrations that are awaiting grants of protection from the EU. After IP Completion Day, how will the protection of international trademark registrations in the EU and the UK be impacted? New Protections from the UK… If […]
Continue ReadingGet Your Submissions in Now — Trademark Fees are Going Up in 2021
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Dec 10, 2020 in Intellectual Property
On January 2, 2021, many fees for trademark applications and maintaining trademark registrations are going to increase according to a recent announcement from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Which fees are going up? There are quite a few, including applications for trademark registration, maintenance filings, and some Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) filings. Additionally, there will be a number of completely new fees. Below, we’re going to cover some of the […]
Continue ReadingThe Bold Business of Bold City
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Sep 24, 2020 in Trademark
“Managing a business through a pandemic is not for sissies.” That is what Susan Miller with Bold City Brewery told me when I interviewed her for this article. Susan and her son, Brian Miller, started Bold City Brewery in 2008 during the recession. They survived that economic downturn and built a successful family business brewing beer and distributing it throughout Florida. Over time, they developed a strong brand and registered the trademarks for several of […]
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