Here's an intro to the two most common trademark application options. Actual Use When you file an Actual Use trademark application, you are seeking a registration for a mark which you are already using in commerce. Pretty simple, right? With this kind of application, you have to provide two specific things in your application: [...]
Do you know the answer? Are you sure your answer is right? If not, here are some tips to finding the right answer. The Default Rule This part is pretty easy–the person that creates an original work will own the copyright to that work unless one of the exceptions below applies. Three Exceptions There [...]
Trademark application fees can be confusing. Here's a summary to help. Actual Use v. Intent to Use Broadly speaking, there are two types of trademark applications: Actual Use: If you file based on actual use of a mark in commerce, you will usually only pay one filing fee for the application itself. That fee [...]
Our presentation was selected again for WordCamp Kansas City! Join us to learn the Five Legal Issues Every Freelancer Should Understand. You can buy tickets and learn about WordCamp on their website. The presentation: If you are running a freelance business in Kansas City (or even just moonlighting), you should consider how the law impacts what [...]
Do you know what you can protect, how to secure your rights, and what constitutes copyright infringement? If not, then these three posts are for you! Part one covered what you can protect; part two explained how to secure your rights; and this post explores copyright infringement. What Constitutes Copyright Infringement Definition Copyright infringement occurs when [...]
Do you know what you can protect, how to secure your rights, and what constitutes copyright infringement? If not, then these three posts are for you! Part one covered what you can protect; this post explains how to secure your rights; and part three will explore copyright infringement. How To Obtain a Copyright Registration isn’t [...]
Do you know what you can protect, how to secure your rights, and what constitutes copyright infringement? If not, then these three posts are for you! This post one covers what you can protect; part two explains how to secure your rights; and part three will explore copyright infringement. What is a Copyright A copyright is just [...]
Hashtags. Love 'em or hate 'em, they are everywhere. But can you trademark a hashtag and prevent other businesses from using it? Last night during the "Cause if you like it, put a Ⓡ on it, oh oh oh" Trademark presentation, a woman asked this great question. My initial reaction was yes, subject to [...]
Protecting your trade secrets is becoming more and more important for startups and small businesses. Here's what you should know. Unlike the other forms of IP, which are primarily protected through federal laws, trade secrets are primarily protected through state laws. That means every state maintains their own trade secret statutes. However, most of them [...]
If you've invented something new and useful, you should consider seeking patent protection for your new invention. Startups and small businesses are always inventing things. And in certain situations, it makes sense to seek a patent on your invention to prevent others from using it. (Learn more about Intellectual Property: Copyrights 101 | Trademarks 101 [...]