Trademark Filing Timing: Should You File Early or Wait? Deciding when to file a trademark is a critical step for startups, small businesses, and entrepreneurs. Filing too soon or waiting too long can impact brand protection, marketing investments, and brand priority and enforceability under US trademark rules. Understanding the right timing helps you avoid costly […]
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Trademark Lessons from the LAS VEGAS ATHLETICS The name “Athletics” has been part of American sports history for over a century. From the Philadelphia Athletics to today’s Oakland A’s, the brand has moved cities, built generations of fans, and become synonymous with sports identity. Recently, Athletics Investment Group LLC filed trademarks for LAS VEGAS ATHLETICS
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Trademarks in 2026: What to Watch 2025 brought change, lessons, and opportunity for brands navigating the trademark landscape. Several trends and events are setting the stage for 2026. Faster, Smarter Filings The USPTO reduced its backlog to under 350,000 applications, improving pendency for first actions and final dispositions. Streamlined claim sets and AI-assisted tools made
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Trademark Your Thanksgiving Brand Thanksgiving isn’t just about gratitude, turkey, and pumpkin pie —it also serves as a great reminder that creativity can be deliciously seasonal. Even the most playful or quirky ideas for products, services, or marketing campaigns deserve careful attention to ensure your brand is protected. Seasonal branding can be fun, but without
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How to Trademark Your Real Estate Brand Building a strong real estate brand takes vision, strategy, and hard work. But protecting that brand is just as important as creating it. A well-chosen name, logo, or slogan can set you apart in a competitive market, but without a trademark, your brand could be at risk. Here’s
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Quick Guide to USPTO Trademark Description of Mark When you apply for a trademark in the U.S., one of the key things the USPTO looks at is a section called “Description of Mark.” This section explains what your mark looks like, especially if it’s more than just plain text. According to 37 C.F.R. §2.37, “a
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How to Spot Red Flags When Choosing a Trademark Company Hiring a trademark company should make the process of protecting your brand easier—not riskier. But not all trademark services operate with the same level of expertise or integrity. Some promise unrealistic results, use automated tools with no real analysis, or charge hidden fees that can
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Trademark Dilution Explained for Small Businesses When building a brand, most small business owners focus on creating a unique name, logo, or slogan. But even without intending to, your brand could unintentionally affect someone else’s well-known mark. This is where trademark dilution comes into play. Understanding trademark dilution is crucial—not just for protecting your own
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Trademark Tips for Veteran Entrepreneurs On this Veterans Day, we honor your service and dedication — and recognize the unique strengths you bring to entrepreneurship. Transitioning from military service to business ownership is a bold move — one you’re uniquely suited for. The same discipline, leadership and mission‑focus that served you in uniform can serve
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How to Spot Fake Trademark Specimens Imagine preparing to trademark your business name, only to find it blocked by a suspicious trademark. The listed owner appears to run a generic online store with unrelated products, the contact info looks fake, and the mark itself is gibberish. You may have stumbled upon a specimen farm—a
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Trademark vs LLC When launching a new business or brand, one of the most common questions entrepreneurs ask is: Should I get a trademark or form an LLC first? It’s a smart question — and the answer depends on what kind of protection you need. This guide breaks down the difference between a trademark and
Can You Trademark a Scent? Yes, it’s possible to trademark a scent—but only in rare cases. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) allows scent trademarks when the smell serves as a source identifier rather than a functional feature of the product. So, what does that mean? According to the Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure
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Trademark Class 8 When filing a trademark, understanding which class your products belong to is crucial. Trademark Class 8 covers a wide range of tools and implements, and knowing what fits in this category can help you protect your brand properly from the start. Understanding Trademark Classes Before diving into trademark class 8, it’s important
How to Use the USPTO Trademark ID Manual When you’re ready to protect your brand with a trademark, one of the most critical steps is accurately describing what you’re selling. Too vague, and the USPTO might reject your application. Too narrow, and you might not get the protection you need. That’s where the USPTO’s Trademark
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What Is a Trademark Specimen Farm? You’ve chosen the perfect name for your business. You’ve designed a logo. Now you’re ready to file a trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). But here’s something many entrepreneurs don’t realize: submitting your application is only the beginning. The USPTO requires proof that you’re
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How the USPTO Reviews Your Trademark Application When you submit a trademark application, a USPTO examining attorney will review it to answer one main question: Might your trademark confuse customers in the marketplace? Understanding how this review works can help you make better branding choices and avoid trademark application problems. The Big Question: Will Customers
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Trademark Application Mistakes to Avoid You’ve spent months perfecting your brand name, designing your logo, and building your business around a trademark you believe is yours to protect. But one simple mistake on your trademark application could derail everything—forcing you to start over, rebrand, or worse, face legal challenges down the road. While some trademark
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Trademark Drawing Types: Standard vs. Special Form When filing your trademark application, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing between a standard character drawing and a special form drawing. This choice directly impacts the scope of protection your trademark receives—and many business owners don’t realize the long-term implications until it’s too late.
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Understanding the Trademark Publication Process Congratulations! Your trademark application has cleared the initial USPTO examination hurdles and is now approved for publication. But here’s what many business owners don’t realize: you’re not registered yet. In fact, you’re entering one of the most critical phases of the entire trademark process—the publication period. Understanding what happens next
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Collective Membership Trademarks Ever notice those special logos or symbols that professional association members display on their websites, business cards, or office walls? Those aren’t just fancy graphics—they’re likely collective membership trademarks, a powerful branding tool that helps organizations build credibility while giving members a way to showcase their professional affiliations. Understanding Collective Membership Trademarks
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