News & Insights

FAQ

How Long Does It Take To Get A Trademark?

Jan 23, 2019 Adam Blaier, Esq. 0 Comment

The question, “how long does it take to get a trademark,” comes up quite often during our initial brand protection consultations. The short answer is; it depends. Perfect applications are rare. While we have filed applications that were registered in less than 7.5 months, the norm is closer to 9 months.

Each Examiner reviews an application subjectively, so it’s impossible to predict how they will scrutinize any individual application. Trademark law is a niche field and trademark applications are technical. An application could have any number of minor defects that are easily curable, such as:

an insufficient specimen;
insufficient identification of the goods/services; and/or
filing an application in the wrong class.

Alternatively, an application filed by an inexperienced individual could be flawed in a way that would force the individual to abandon their application altogether.

U.S. citizens do not need to work with a trademark lawyer to apply for a trademark. However, it is highly recommended to do so. Additionally, a USPTO regulation from August 2019 requires foreign applicants to work with a U.S. licensed attorney. Trademark law is always changing. Using a lawyer who’s up-to-date on the latest trends and guidelines could help you save time and money.

How Long Does It Take To Get A Trademark?

Blog

What is International IP & Why Do You Need It?

Jan 4, 2019 Adam Blaier, Esq. 0 Comment

The United States has certain registration requirements for copyrights, patents, and trademarks. These requirements make protecting your Intellectual Property (IP) straightforward with good legal representation. However, when you want to operate in a global market, you need to understand international IP protection and registration requirements, which will vary based on the type of IP involved.

Blog

Independent Contractors vs. Employees

Jul 26, 2018 Adam Blaier, Esq. 0 Comment

Throughout various stages, your startup or small business may work with independent contractors (“I.C.s”) to meet the ever-changing needs of your company. Using I.C.s allows you to pay for services, such as software/app development and sales, without the need to have a fixed employee salary or providing benefits, and thus, potentially saving your business money. However, the IRS has specific guidelines for determining if the people who work for you are I.C.s or if they are really employees.

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Protect Yourself From Personal Liability

Jun 26, 2018 Adam Blaier, Esq. 0 Comment

As a startup or small business owner, you have endless decisions to make for your company. One of the most important is how you can protect yourself from personal liability. While many business owners like the freedom of operating as a sole proprietorship, this business structure leaves your personal assets unprotected from your business liabilities. If your business struggles to pay its debts, your creditors may go after your personal assets.

FAQ

Trademarks vs Copyrights; What’s The Difference?

Jan 23, 2018 Adam Blaier, Esq. 0 Comment

Trademarks and Copyrights are two of the big four U.S. intellectual property rights. While they overlap in some areas, it’s important to make a distinction between trademarks vs copyrights.

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A Startup Checklist: What You Need to Complete

Mar 9, 2017 Adam Blaier, Esq. 0 Comment

When you have a new business idea, going from concept to revenue generation can seem overwhelming. This startup checklist takes you step-by-step through the process of forming your startup and preparing your business for its first client.