Guides and information about trademark law.
People often ask me how often you have to renew a trademark in the United States. I wish the answer were simple. I could say “every ten years” and technically be correct, but that would be misleading because it doesn’t actually answer the question people are asking. Yes, it’s true that you don’t need to file a Section 9 renewal for your U.S. trademark until 9 to 10 years after your trademark is registered, and […]
When you file a trademark application, you have to file for specific goods or services within one or more of the 45 trademark classes. A software trademark can fall under class 9 or class 42, depending on what type of software it is. Many trademark applicants file for software in the wrong class. This mistake is very easy to make. In this guide, I’ll go over the differences between the two main trademark classes for […]
It can be easy to overlook legal matters that seem unnecessary while developing your business. More importantly, hiring lawyers and filing paperwork may seem like a financial luxury you can’t yet afford. However, avoiding legal matters could lead to issues with compliance, contracts, or stolen intellectual property down the road. Not hiring lawyers because of financial concerns is one of the most common legal mistakes that startup founders make. In addition, some business owners also […]
As an affordable trademark attorney, I occupy a strange niche. JPG Legal has just hit $5 million in total revenue since I launched the firm online in mid-2017. In that time, I’ve developed a clear picture of our target client. Or rather, both of our target clients, because the members of our target audience approach us from two very different perspectives. Some of our prospective clients see us as a cut-rate “budget” law firm. Others […]
Most business owners are worried about cash flow and sales. After all, regardless of your industry, the main goal is to earn profits. However, protecting those profits is also essential. Legal issues, cybercrimes, and other problems can wreak havoc on a small business. It is vital to adopt practices that protect your business. Failure to have the proper protections in place can lead to a wide range of legal and security problems. Even companies that […]
Only 50% of companies with employees survive beyond the first five years. Though these numbers may appear intimidating, you can work to overcome them. The most successful businesses put a premium on talent, customer focus, strategy, and networking while maintaining core beliefs and practices. Furthermore, it’s vital to discern what legal mistakes every startup company should avoid making. When first establishing your startup, there are several key steps you’ll need to take to help ensure […]
Updated January 5, 2022 When appraising a business, the valuation is typically based on revenue, profit, and assets. The calculations can be similar if you’re appraising a popular trademark that generates high revenue. Generally, the revenue of that brand will travel with sale of the trademark. But for the owner of a little-known or dormant trademark, a totally different process is required to figure out how much your trademark is worth. With an “unused” trademark, […]
You may not be surprised that clients frequently ask me how to come up with a brand name that they can successfully register as a trademark. Sometimes they ask after we give them a negative legal opinion about the name they wanted to register. Other times they ask after they get a major refusal from the USPTO and have to think of a new name. Over the years, I’ve refined and augmented my answer to […]
