Is the USPTO Judging My Creativity? What Trademark Examiners Actually Look At **Attorney Advertising**
Clients ask me some version of this all the time: “Will the examiner like my name? It’s really clever.” And I get why people think this way. You spent weeks brainstorming. The name feels inspired. Surely that counts for something. Here’s the truth: the USPTO is not grading your creativity. There’s no points system for […]
Selling Your Business? Your IP Might Not Be Coming With It **Attorney Advertising**
Here’s a scenario I see more often than you’d expect. A founder builds a business, finds a buyer, agrees on a price, and everyone starts celebrating. Then the buyer’s lawyers start due diligence, and the deal hits a wall. The trademark is registered in the founder’s personal name, not the company’s. The website and product […]
AI Can’t Own Your Work — But You Can: What the Supreme Court’s Latest Move Means for Creators **Attorney Advertising**
If you’ve been following the conversation around artificial intelligence and intellectual property, here’s the latest development: the U.S. Supreme Court has officially closed the door on whether AI can be a copyright author, at least for now. On March 2, 2026, the Court declined to hear Thaler v. Perlmutter, ending Dr. Stephen Thaler’s multi-year effort […]
Patent Trolls vs. Small Inventors: An Insider’s Playbook to Fight Back (Without Breaking the Bank) **Attorney Advertising**
If you’ve developed a great idea, filed a patent, and started building a business around it, the last thing you expect is to be sued by someone who’s never made a product in their life. Yet that’s exactly how patent trolls operate and for small inventors, the threat can feel overwhelming. But “trolls” rely on […]
The Psychology of Copying: Why Imitators Love to Flatter And What You Can Do About It**Attorney Advertising**
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But when someone copies your product, design, or brand name, it rarely feels flattering; it feels personal. Why do people copy, and what can you realistically do about it? Understanding the psychology behind imitation can help you protect your business with both confidence and strategy. Why […]
What Is a Demand Letter? Your Guide to Understanding Cease and Desist Letters **Attorney Advertising**
You open your mail and see an official-looking letter from a law firm. The subject line mentions “demand letter,” “notice of prior rights” or “cease and desist,” and your heart starts racing. What exactly did you receive, and what should you do about it? Take a deep breath. A demand letter isn’t a lawsuit, and […]
From Idea to IPO: How Public Companies Use IP Strategy to Drive Valuation (And What You Can Learn Early) **Attorney Advertising**
If you think intellectual property is just about filing patents or registering trademarks, think again. For large, publicly traded companies, IP isn’t merely legal protection, but it’s a core financial asset that can make or break their valuation on Wall Street. But you don’t need to be a Fortune 500 company to benefit from that […]
The Trademark Application Checklist: What Documents You Actually Need (And When) **Attorney Advertising**
You’ve got your business name picked out, your logo designed, and you’re ready to protect your brand with a trademark. But when you sit down to file that application, you might wonder: what documents do I actually to gather for my attorney? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think. It all depends on […]
How Much Does a Patent Really Cost? The Answer You Don’t Want to Hear **Attorney Advertising**
I know what you’re thinking. You came here looking for a simple number, (maybe a nice, neat range like “$5,000 to $15,000”), so you can budget for your patent application and move on with your life. I hate to be the bearer of frustrating news, but the most honest answer I can give you is: […]
Your Brand Name: Perfect Isn’t Required, But “Legally Available” Is Kind Of Important.
Alright, confession time: I start most mornings with Seth Godin’s daily email. They’re consistently thought-provoking, challenging conventional wisdom in the best way. His recent post, “The name doesn’t matter (that much),” really struck a chord – especially from where I sit in the world of intellectual property. Seth’s point is brilliant and, frankly, a relief […]
