In today’s digital world, intellectual property is a complicated topic. It can be hard to determine what belongs to whom. It is especially challenging if there’s no registered patent or trademark. What is intellectual property? Intellectual property refers to original...
When you sell goods or services, you want your customers to recognize that they came from you and no one else. This is exactly what a trademark does. As explained by the US Patent and Trademark Office, your trademark can consist of virtually anything, including the...
If you want to protect a phrase, word or symbol of your business's service or product, you will need a trademark. Having a trademark can make a big difference in a competitive market because it distinguishes your brand from others. However, applying for a trademark...
Cost-conscious leaders of small, growth-oriented businesses sometimes take undue comfort in the legal concept of a "common law trademark". Here's why that's a risky proposition, and why business owners should instead take advantage of the United States Patent and...
In essence, a trademark is a slogan, design, word, symbol or a combination of these elements that denotes and differentiates the services and goods of one particular entity from others. A number of identifiers of origin, such as trade names, certification marks,...
A registered trademark can be an important step in bringing a product or service to market, and it is a vital asset to protect. Acquiring a trademark prevents other companies from selling their goods or services using a mark that closely resembles yours. This...
Defending trademarks can be an important part of business, but it’s also important to know how far to go. Going past sensible boundaries could mean unnecessary costs and long-lasting reputational damage. Duke University has been branded a “trademark bully” by two of...
Symbols and designs can find solace in United States trademark laws, but new evolutions in assigning value may push ownership boundaries. Nonfungible tokens (NFTs) are taking the internet by storm, netting values into the millions. But their new take on tagging...
Protecting a trademark can be an intricate process where you can convert a brand name into a valuable asset, but missteps can cost you dearly. You’ve probably seen the symbol of a trademark before—™ or ®—but you are likely unfamiliar with everything the registration...