You have a great idea for a new business, product, service, or method of doing something. You’ve developed a way to turn that idea into a tangible item, but you can’t actually make that item until you get some money. You approach investors with the hope that one of them will understand your vision and…
11 Questions to Ask Before You Start a Business
Are you ready to start a business? Before you dive (or dive again if this isn’t your first rodeo) into the entrepreneurial world, make sure you’re prepared for the realities of business ownership. There are many things to consider when you’re trying to decide if you should become a business owner. Here are just a couple…
Employee or Independent Contractor? How to Stay Out of Expensive Trouble
If you hire independent contractors to work for your business, you need to make sure that they aren’t actually considered employees in the eyes of the IRS. As many large and small companies have discovered (most recently Google, Amazon, and Uber), misclassifying workers can be expensive. In fact, it could destroy your business entirely, which…
When Should I File For International Trademark Protection?
Trademark rights are territorial, which means they’re granted on a country-by-country basis. There is no such thing as a “global” trademark. This means that you have to file a trademark application in each country (or region, such as the European Union, in some cases) where you seek legal protection. Where Should I File? Determining where…
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How Long Does It Take to Register a Trademark? [Infographic]
The federal trademark application and registration process isn’t quick. Take a look at the Trademark Timeline infographic below, and you’ll see that the total time from application filing to registration could vary—anywhere from seven months to two years or more! The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) processes all federal trademark applications, and according…
Is Your Brand Name Strong Enough to Protect with a Trademark?
A trademark is one your most valuable business assets that you absolutely need to protect, but you can only get full legal protection it if it’s distinctive, not descriptive. Descriptive vs. Distinctive: An Inverse Relationship A trademark is distinctive if the meaning of the words used in the mark do not describe the products or…
Demystifying Trademark Symbols
I get a lot of questions about using the TM, SM, ®, and © symbols. Trademark symbols can be confusing, but don’t them intimidate you. Here are four things you should know about how to use trademark symbols to protect your brand and business. 1. What the Trademark Symbols Are There are three commonly used…
3 Biggest Differences Between the Principal Register and Supplemental Register for Trademarks
You have a business and you want to protect your brand with a trademark so no one else can use it. After all, if another company in your industry starts to use the same brand name as you, consumers could be confused. You don’t want them to think a competitor’s inferior products and services come…
How to Minimize Risk to Your Trade Secrets When Employees Leave
I’m sure you’ve worked very hard to build your business, and you’ve probably spent a lot of time, energy, and money into developing processes, policies, and strategies that enable you to create and sell your products or services. But what happens when a key employee who knows the ins and outs of those processes, policies,…