INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY BASICS THAT EVERY BUSINESS OWNER NEEDS TO KNOW ***Attorney Advertising***
Intellectual Property (“IP”) is an intangible asset that most businesses create and own. IP consists of patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets law. If you’re running a business or brand and failing to think of and treat your Intellectual Property as an asset (or if you’re not using it properly), you are wasting time and […]
3-D Printing, Copyright, and Trademark Law **Attorney Advertising **
3-D printers have come a long way, and now they’re small enough and affordable enough for individual artists to have their own. This gives the freedom to make two-dimensional computer-assisted drawings (CAD) into three-dimensional resin objects. The IP implications of this, however, are confusing and laws may need to catch up. So until intellectual property […]
Does a Registered Trademark Expire? ** Attorney Advertising **
Obtaining a trademark for your business name, tagline, or logo is not a “one and done” process. Over the years, you will need to renew your trademark and complete a number of maintenance steps in order to keep your trademark active and alive. In general, trademarks are valid for 10 years, but there are additional […]
Can I Copyright My Work by Simply Mailing It to Myself? ** Attorney Advertising**
Copyright is a legal protection for “original works of authorship,” which are types of intellectual property that can be expressed in a tangible form, such as stories, music, film, artwork, fashion, architectural designs, software, dance routines, and dramatic performances. Such copyright protection essentially stops others from misusing or appropriating your work without your permission. You […]
Need a Patent? Step One is a Prior Art Search **Attorney Advertising **
It’s important to the patent process that one does a prior art search to make sure that no one else has patented the same invention or design. A design or invention may serve a purpose and not be obvious, but one can’t patent what has already been discovered and disclosed because it’s not unique or […]
Is Your Virtual Assistant an Employee or Independent Contractor? **Attorney Advertising**
As you grow your company and expand your team, you may find the prospect of hiring “virtual” employees to be an attractive and flexible option. For starters, having remote team members can save thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars per year in overhead expenses. Here we use a virtual receptionist team to […]
Trademarking Mascots and Advertising Characters **Attorney Advertising**
What do Wendy’s, Pillsbury, Arm & Hammer, and Disney all have in common? They all have trademarked advertising characters. Sports teams’ mascots and advertising characters are all intangible things used to distinguish one brand from all others. Mascots and advertising characters, like names, logos, fonts, and even colors, can be protected by federal trademark and […]
Literal vs. Stylized Marks: What You Need to Know Before Trademarking Your Logo **Attorney Advertising **
Thinking of trademarking your logo? You may first want to sit down with a trademark lawyer to talk about your reasons for filing and the elements of your logo that you ultimately wish to protect. Here’s why: Your “Logo” Is More Complex Than You Think Legally speaking, your logo is more than a cool graphic […]
Boutique and Niche Cosmetics: Should You Apply for a Patent for Your Formula? **Attorney Advertising**
Entrepreneurship has its benefits, and for those following their passion and working hard, it’s possible to make a living doing what they love. With sites like Shopify, Amazon, Ebay, and Etsy, it’s easier than ever for a cosmetic formulator to create and sell products to the public. However, there’s a lot of competition out there. […]
Trademarks and Food ** Attorney Advertising **
Food products are subject to steep competition, especially with our culture’s ever-increasing interest in food and cuisine. Producers, manufacturers, and other artisans are continually fighting for shelf space and the attention of the consumer. A great way to make your product stand out in the crowd is to brand smartly and trademark your product or […]
