A trademark can be a design, logo, name or slogan that identifies your product or service to consumers. These distinctive brand identifiers are property and must be protected as vigorously as any other asset. Once registered, a trademark can be utilized by the owner, sold, or licensed to others, generating a revenue stream for the owner. Only federal trademark registration with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) can protect your mark from use by competitors in all 50 states.

The most effective time to engage a trademark attorney is during the development phase of a new product or service, before its introduction into the marketplace. If a trademark is already being used but is not formally registered with the USPTO, we will provide advice regarding appropriate steps to secure protection.

Once a trademark is registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the owner has exclusive rights to use that mark in connection with the specific products or services. Prior to filing the application, we work with clients to determine whether there are any conflicting marks, make recommendations regarding the most effective product or service description, and counsel clients about which classification(s) to register the mark.

Equally important to trademark registration is the safeguarding of those rights. Our firm manages the enforcement of intellectual property rights in the event a person or company uses a mark in violation of the exclusive rights afforded to our client. Or, if an infringement claim is initiated against our client, we immediately work to devise a defense strategy. Trademarks are valuable assets and can last indefinitely, provided the appropriate steps are taken to protect and renew them.