If you're an entrepreneur, you know that protecting your intellectual property should be high on your list when it comes to safeguarding your company. However, as a successful business owner, you also know the steps and costs of filing a trademark in the U.S. can be expensive and arduous.
This conundrum can be even more overwhelming for new business owners who want to do everything possible to minimize the price of securing trademarks. They try to handle complicated tasks like trademark registration on their own, which can be a big mistake - especially when juggling the day-to-day tasks of running a business. You may be thinking, "But what about those set-it-and-forget-it services you can find online? All you have to do is plug in your info, and you're done." Using pre-made templates for trademark filing can be tempting, but doing so can leave you with inadequate protection and hurt you in the long run.
So, what is the easiest, most cost-effective route to consider that also minimizes legal risk? The truth is, before you spend money on an online filing service, it's best to consult with a trademark attorney working with clients in Birmingham, West Midlands.
At Sausser Summers, PC, our experienced trademark attorneys can help you understand the trademark process step by step. We can even help with U.S. trademark filing, U.S. trademark responses, and U.S. trademark renewals at a price you can actually afford. That way, you can make an informed decision regarding your business without having to break the bank.
Hiring an attorney can be a daunting task, but at Sausser Summers, PC, our goal is to make the process as simple and seamless as possible for you. That's why we offer a straightforward checkout service. First, you choose your flat fee trademark service and fill out a short questionnaire. Then, we will contact you within 24 hours to discuss the details of our service. From there, one of our experienced trademark attorneys will get to work on your behalf.
Using a trademark attorney for filing in Birmingham, West Midlands, can significantly increase your chances of a successful registration. The U.S. government recommends hiring a trademark attorney to help with your application, and our team of trademark lawyers is dedicated to meeting your needs. In fact, we help ensure your application is filed correctly the first time so you can get on with your life and avoid legal risks.
At Sausser Summers, PC, we work closely with our clients to understand their needs and provide them with sound professional advice. We never offer incomplete services, such as simply filing for registration, because that would leave you open to legal risks. You can rely on us to handle your intellectual property matters, and our flat fee services can help protect your business in a simple, straightforward, and affordable way. It's really that simple.
In terms of filing a U.S. trademark, we provide an easy three-step process to protect your intellectual property:
1. You provide your trademark info to our team via an online form.
2. Our team performs a comprehensive trademark search. This search ensures that no other marks will prevent you from registering your trademark in the U.S. Once performed, we'll send you a legal opinion letter that details our findings.
3. Sausser Summers, PC, files your U.S. trademark application. We are then listed as your Attorney of Record on file. From there, we'll provide ongoing updates regarding the status of your trademark as it works through the registration process.
The bottom line? At Sausser Summers, PC, we give both new and seasoned business owners an easy, efficient, cost-effective way to protect the one asset that sets them apart from others: their name.
At Sausser Summers, PC, we give both new and seasoned business owners an easy, efficient, cost-effective way to protect the one asset that sets them apart from others: their name.
It's not necessary to be a lawyer in order to apply for a trademark. Anyone can submit a trademark application to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). However, registering a trademark involves more than just filling out a form. It's essential to conduct thorough research, accurately identify and clearly explain your trademark to ensure it receives adequate protection. And even after securing a trademark, you've got to monitor it consistently to make sure it's free from infringement.
The big takeaway here is that it's always a good idea to work with a trademark attorney to protect the intellectual property that you've worked so hard to establish. According to the Wall Street Journal, applicants are approximately 50% more likely to secure their trademark than people who file applications on their own. If your trademark application is rejected by the USPTO, you will need to revise and refile it, incurring additional filing fees. To avoid delays and extra costs, it is best to have a trademark lawyer help you get it right the first time.
Great trademark attorneys (like those you'll find at Sausser Summers, PC) will help with every step of filing and enforcing your trademark. Some additional benefits include the following:
Check to see if your proposed trademark is registered by another entity.
Conduct research to see if another business is using the trademark for which you're applying.
Provide advice and guidance on the strength of your trademark.
Draft and submit your trademark applications and application revisions.
Advice and guidance regarding trademark maintenance and protection.
Monitor the market for unauthorized use of your trademark.
Trademark enforcement to protect you against infringement.
Curious whether our trademark attorney services are right for you and your business? Contact Sausser Summer, PC, today. Let's talk about what you need, and how we can help.
Online services, can provide you with basic assistance in filing your trademark. However, they will never be a legitimate substitute for an experienced trademark attorney helping clients in Birmingham, West Midlands.
Although online filing services offer a step-by-step process, they take a one-size-fits-all approach to preparing legal documents. Even their advanced service only provides basic attorney assistance in completing your paperwork and helping with minor roadblocks. Online filing services' disclaimer highlights the many limitations of its services, including the fact that communications are not protected by attorney-client privilege. In addition, online filing services cannot provide advice, explanations, opinions, recommendations, or any kind of legal guidance on possible legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, selection of forms or strategies.
In other words, online filing services can offer you the necessary forms and point you in the right direction, but they cannot customize their services to your specific needs or help you with serious complications that may arise.
For the most comprehensive trademark service and protection, it's always wise to work with highly rated trademark lawyers, like you'll find at Sausser Summers, PC.
Trademarks in the U.S. can last indefinitely, but did you know that clients in Birmingham, West Midlands can file a trademark online, only to lose protection in some circumstances? Trademarks differ from patents and copyrights in that they do not have an expiration date. However, to prevent the cancellation of a trademark, you must maintain it. To ensure that your trademark remains protected, you must actively use it in commerce and renew it with the USPTO every ten years.
The Lanham Act tells us that "use in commerce" is the legitimate use of a trademark in the ordinary course of trade. In other words, you cannot register a trademark solely to reserve the rights to it in the future. In most cases, a trademark must be used continuously in connection with the goods or services it is registered for.
Trademarks are registered with the USPTO and generally need to be renewed every ten years. However, there is one crucial exception that you should be aware of. Within the first ten years of owning a trademark, you must file for renewal between the fifth and sixth year from the date of your initial registration.
During this renewal period, you are required to submit a Section 8 declaration, a specimen that shows how the mark is being used, and pay the required fee. You can also apply for Section 15 Incontestability status, which can strengthen your trademark rights. This application, although not mandatory, can make it harder for others to challenge your ownership of the mark.
After the first renewal, which falls between the fifth and sixth year of ownership, the next renewal filing is due between the ninth and tenth year, and then every tenth year thereafter. In the ninth year you will need to file a Section 8 declaration, attesting to your use of the mark or excusable nonuse. You've also got to file a Section 9 renewal application before the end of the tenth year to keep your registration active.
It is worth noting that the USPTO provides a six-month grace period if you fail to renew your mark within the required time frame, but it is best not to rely on it. If you don't file within the grace period time limits, the USPTO will cancel and expire your mark.
By hiring trademark attorneys helping clients in Birmingham, West Midlands, you can avoid the pitfalls and mistakes that can arise and cause you to lose your rights to the mark that represents it.
In the event that you stop using your trademark and have no plans to resume using it in commerce, it may be considered abandoned by the USPTO. This could result in the loss of your protective rights to the mark. Typically, a trademark is assumed to be abandoned if it has not been used for three years. However, you may be able to refute this presumption by providing evidence that you intend to use the mark again in the future.
In addition to trademark abandonment, you should also be wary of improper licensing. It's important to remember that once you allow someone else to use your trademark, you must keep an eye on how they use it. You should monitor the products or services that feature your trademark to ensure that they meet consumers' expectations in terms of quality. Failure to do so can lead to a "naked" trademark license and the loss of your protective trademark rights.
If you're wondering how you can avoid refiling your trademark, the answer is simple: file it correctly the first time around. Filing a trademark isn't inherently difficult, but when doing so, it's very important that certain aspects are filled out accurately in your application. If any information is missing or incorrect, the trademark application may be considered "void ab initio" or void from the beginning, requiring you to file again.
To avoid this, make sure that the information you provide in the application is accurate and complete, including the ownership of the trademark. For instance, if a corporation has multiple shareholders, it should not file under the President's personal name. The rightful owner should be the one/entity that ultimately controls the trademark and the associated goods/services.
It is also important to ensure that the goods and/or services description is precise. For example, if you sell electronic products, you should not file for research and development services despite having a research and development department. The goods/services description should reflect the goods/services you offer to customers, not the departments within your business.
Additionally, providing accurate dates of first use when filing for a trademark is crucial. The USPTO requires two dates to be specified - the date of first use anywhere and the date of first use in interstate commerce. Contact our trademark law office today to learn more about having accurate dates on your filing paperwork.
At Sausser Summers, PC, we often get questions about how to distinguish run-of-the-mill consultants and others from great trademark attorneys. After all - when you're looking for an attorney to file or prosecute your business trademark, you should know their qualifications. Here are three ways you can separate the proverbial wheat from the chaff when it comes to trademark attorneys.
It's crucial to seek legal advice from a licensed trademark lawyer rather than relying on advice from non-professionals like trademark consultants. The USPTO even recommends hiring an attorney to help with the trademark process. Although trademark consultants may provide advice on trademark availability or name marketability, they cannot file the trademark for you or offer legal advice. According to the Rules of Practicing in trademark cases, "Individuals who are not attorneys are not recognized to practice before the Office in trademark matters." This rule applies to individuals who assist trademark applicants.
When searching for a trademark attorney, it's important to find someone with a strong background in trademark law. Look for an attorney who specializes in this area and has significant experience handling trademark-related cases. Avoid lawyers who don't have expertise in this field, as they may not be able to provide the guidance and support you need.
Ensure your attorney provides updates throughout the trademark registration process to avoid missing deadlines, including responding to any Office actions within six months. Failure to do so can result in trademark abandonment. The USPTO will only correspond with the listed attorney of record, so make sure your attorney keeps you informed.
In summary:
Building your brand and gaining recognition for it is a significant achievement, and it's important to protect it. However, there are certain pitfalls and mistakes that can arise, causing you to lose your rights to the mark that represents it. By working with knowledgeable trademark attorneys, you can avoid these issues and file your trademark successfully.
With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Sausser Summers, PC, offers comprehensive guidance, strategic advice, and reliable representation for a variety of trademark matters. Our attorneys have years of real-world experience and, having registered countless trademarks with the USPTO, provide our clients with individualized representation when they need it most.
If you're looking for skilled, adept, and experienced counsel, look no further than our trademark law firm. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation and learn how we can help you safeguard your brand.
Plans have been revealed to build a battery storage farm next to a former Black Country quarry earmarked for 270 new homes. The move would see the facility built on nearly two acres of land at the former Edwin Richards Quarry in Rowley Regis.A move to fill the quarry and build 270 new homes on the land was first approved in 2018 and signed off by Sandwell Council last y...
Plans have been revealed to build a battery storage farm next to a former Black Country quarry earmarked for 270 new homes. The move would see the facility built on nearly two acres of land at the former Edwin Richards Quarry in Rowley Regis.
A move to fill the quarry and build 270 new homes on the land was first approved in 2018 and signed off by Sandwell Council last year. The planning application by Downing Renewable Developments submitted to Sandwell Council asks for permission to install 56 storage containers and other infrastructure as part of the 100MW battery energy storage system (BESS).
The facility, which would store surplus energy for later use, would be in place for 40 years before being removed.
A statement included with the application said: “The development will make a significant contribution to meeting international, national and local policy objectives and legislative targets in relation to energy and climate change, as well as diversifying the energy mix, promoting security of supply and facilitating the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Read more: Restaurant ordered to tear down kitchen after building it without permission
Read more: Black Country homes next to M5 rejected over 'cancer fears' might still be built
Read more: Plan to clamp down on 'concerning' parking habit in Sandwell
Read more: Plans for 38-bed HMO opposite Wednesbury primary school withdrawn
Read more: No to new Oldbury flats over 'concerns' at lack of parking in cramped street
Read more: Special measures Black Country care home could re-open as supported living flats
“Due to careful and robust site selection and design the development will have no significant residual adverse impacts whilst achieving these benefits.” The work would result in a biodiversity net gain (BNG), which is in place to improve wildlife habitats, of more than 700 per cent, the application states.
Planning permission to build 278 homes at the quarry was granted by Sandwell Council in February 2018 and then a detailed application, which set out the design of the new homes and the layout of the new estate, was backed by councillors last year. The homes should be built in the next six to eight years, applicant and landowner FCC Environment said. The proposals included a mix of one-and-two-bed flats and two-to-four-bed homes – of which just 11 would be ‘affordable’ homes.
A planning application to build 14 one-and-two-bed flats off Portway Road next to the former quarry was approved earlier this year. Last year, David Molland from quarry owners FCC Environment said that the work to fill the quarry would continue for at least another 25 years but the work was separate from the housing plans.
A multi-million-pound plan to transform the former Edwin Richards Quarry was revealed a decade ago – a scheme that included hundreds of new homes, a waste plant, and a promise to fill the quarry with 12 million tonnes of imported materials across at least 30 years – and the land has long been touted by Sandwell Council as a site for future housing.
The quarry had a more than 100-year history of extracting dolerite, known famously as Rowley Rag and used extensively for building roads, before closing in 2008.
Multi-million-pound funding for a major plan to build 190 homes, a new primary school and a park on the site of a former golf course in Oldbury will be discussed by cabinet this week. The huge plans for the former Brandhall golf course in Oldbury have already been backed by Sandwell Council but councillors will be meeting to decide how the project will be funded.The con...
Multi-million-pound funding for a major plan to build 190 homes, a new primary school and a park on the site of a former golf course in Oldbury will be discussed by cabinet this week. The huge plans for the former Brandhall golf course in Oldbury have already been backed by Sandwell Council but councillors will be meeting to decide how the project will be funded.
The controversial work for the former golf course includes 190 new homes, a replacement Causeway Green Primary School and a new 67-acre public park. Sandwell Council’s cabinet is expected to endorse plans to enter into a partnership with a developer to build the new homes at a meeting on Wednesday.
The cost of borrowing the £800,000 for the rest of the work on the new estate, dubbed Brandhall Village, would equal £1.4m, the council said. Demolishing the former golf course’s clubhouse and the new park will cost £187,000 with the park budget amounting to £613,000. As much as £310,000 from the council’s reserves would also be used to help further the work.
Read more: Go-ahead to transform Tipton 'eyesore' that has been home to cannabis farm and stables
Read more: 'Backyard barbershop' built illegally loses battle to remain open
The foundations for the first of the 190 proposed homes will not be laid for at least another 18 months, with Sandwell Council still needing to find a developer for the new estate.
The cabinet report, which will be discussed at a meeting in Oldbury on November 13, said that a decision on an ‘appropriate’ developer was not expected until next summer, and work on the homes would not begin until summer 2026 “at the earliest.” The replacement primary school is not expected to open until early 2027.
Read more: Special measures Black Country care home could re-open as supported living flats
Read more: Unusual plan to transform front room into pharmacy rejected
The former golf clubhouse has remained empty since closing in 2020 but incurs ongoing security costs for the council. The building has continued to deteriorate and was vandalised over the summer. The clubhouse should be demolished as an “urgent priority” to cut the council’s maintenance bill and reduce the risk of further vandalism, the cabinet report advised.
Sandwell Council said the existing Causeway Green Primary School in Penncricket Lane was in “poor condition” and regularly flooded. A ‘carbon neutral’ school would be built as a replacement in the new Brandhall Village.
The local authority originally looked to build 550 homes on the land but slashed its plans by two-thirds after a backlash from campaigners. A planning application to build 190 homes on the land was approved nearly a year ago despite receiving more than 200 objections including those from the Brandhall Green Space Action Group, which was formed to fight off the threat of building on the green space.
Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565Visit Shots! nowExplore Birmingham's most festive Christmas light events, featuring spectacular displays and exciting activities across the city.Here’s our round-up of local switch-on events:1. Jewellery QuarterDate: November 15Highlights: Over 100 jewellery-themed Christmas lights, a giant 3m by 3m diamond ring, two 30-foot Christmas ...
Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Explore Birmingham's most festive Christmas light events, featuring spectacular displays and exciting activities across the city.
Here’s our round-up of local switch-on events:
Date: November 15
Highlights: Over 100 jewellery-themed Christmas lights, a giant 3m by 3m diamond ring, two 30-foot Christmas trees, and 25 festive window displays.
Advertisement
Activities: Street food, festive drinks, live music from 5pm, with a 6pm light switch-on followed by fireworks.
Date: November 16
Highlights: Known as one of Birmingham’s most beautiful Christmas displays.
Activities: The Harborne Market runs from 10am-3pm, followed by family-friendly entertainment from 4pm. The big switch-on happens at 6pm, with food, drink, and local performances throughout.
Date: November 25
Advertisement
Highlights: A Santa’s Grotto, Christmas tree trail, and live carolling by the Bournville Carillon.
Activities: Festive stalls, choir performances, and a switch-on at 5pm. Don't miss the handmade Christmas Craft Fair at Selly Manor Museum!
Date: November 13 to December 22
Highlights: Located in Pigeon Park, this is a bustling Christmas market separate from the main one on Victoria Square.
Advertisement
Activities: Light switch-on from 5:30-8pm on November 13, with live music, choir performances, and warming holiday drinks.
Dates: Various from November 15 to November 30
Highlights: Nine different switch-on events across Sandwell, each with unique performances and Christmas stalls.
Key Locations & Times: Crankhall Lane: November 15, 4-7:30pm (Switch-on at 5:15pm) Oldbury: November 15, 3-6:30pm (Switch-on at 6pm) West Bromwich: November 23, 3-6pm (Switch-on at 5:45pm) More dates for Langley, Smethwick, Bearwood, Blackheath, Tipton, and Wednesbury.
Date: November 16
Advertisement
Highlights: Held on the castle grounds, this event offers a picture-perfect Christmas experience.
Activities: Festivities start at 2pm, with a big switch-on at 5:30pm, perfect for capturing the town’s magical holiday vibe.
Date: November 25
Highlights: A festive market and a family-friendly funfair.
Advertisement
Activities: Food stalls, live entertainment, and a Santa Sleigh parade. The lights switch on at 5pm, led by the Mayor and Santa’s elves.
Dates: Various from November 16 to November 24
Highlights: Each neighbourhood event has its own unique local charm.
Key Events: City Centre: November 16, 3-7pm (Switch-on at 6pm) Wednesfield: November 21, 4:30-7pm (Switch-on at 6:30pm) Bilston, Tettenhall, and Bantock all host events with festive cheer.
Date: November 25
Advertisement
Highlights: Enjoy balloon modeling, street performances, and a pantomime show.
Activities: Festivities kick off at midday, with a Nativity play, choir performances, and a 5pm light switch-on.
Date: November 29
Highlights: Perfect for families with entertainment, food, and children’s rides.
Advertisement
Activities: Head over from 5-8pm, with the main lights turning on at 6pm.
Date: November 17
Highlights: Celebrates both Christmas and Diwali in a grand event on The Parade.
Activities: A Yuletide market from 10am, fairground rides, and local performances lead up to the 5:30pm light switch-on outside Town Hall.
Date: December 7
Highlights: Special guest JLS star Aston Merrygold will be performing.
Activities: Runs from 12-7:30pm with seasonal food, drinks, artisan gifts, and a family-friendly fun fair.
Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565Visit Shots! nowA new short-term funding deal to stop the risk of bus services across the West Midlands being cut is set to be agreed.The current Bus Network Support Grant, which provides financial support to operators in the region, is due to expire at the end of this year.Advertisement...
Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
A new short-term funding deal to stop the risk of bus services across the West Midlands being cut is set to be agreed.
The current Bus Network Support Grant, which provides financial support to operators in the region, is due to expire at the end of this year.
Advertisement
And now members of the West Midlands Combined Authority board are asked to give the green light for a short-term extension to be put in place between January and March 2025.
Talks on a new longer-term deal from April are expected to take place early next year.
A report to the meeting on Friday, November 15 said that operators have said around 30 per cent of services in the West Midlands would be at risk if the grant was not in place.
Get the latest updates - follow us on our Facebook page
Advertisement
The value of the short-term grant is to be discussed in private due to commercial sensitivity but officers said it would be funded within existing budgets.
The report said since that start of the Covid-19 pandemic, local bus operators have been financially supported through national and local funding to maintain their commercial bus networks.
Without that funding, operators warn up to 30 per cent of all local bus services could be at risk and the current agreement is due to run out on December 31, 2024.
Advertisement
“To prevent operators from registering service reductions to take effect from January 1, whilst negotiations continue, the WMCA Board is requested to approve an extension of this Network Support Grant to continue for three months from January 1 to March 31, 2025,” it said.
“The extension is anticipated to be funded within existing approved budgets to the end of the financial year.
“Bus operators are keen to commence discussions on new funding agreements from April 2025 for the continuation of the protection of the West Midlands bus network as soon as discussions for the 3 months from January – March 2025 funding are concluded.
“The outcome and implications of these discussions, and any subsequent approvals, will be put before this board in the first quarter of 2025 calendar year.”
Alex McIntyreBBC News, West MidlandsThe BBC's investment in the West Midlands will bring £282m to the region by 2031, according to a report.The published study suggests the corporation’s commitment to the area will help to create more than 900 jobs and 200 companies over the next decade.Investment includes the decision to move the BBC's regional headquarters to a new state-o...
Alex McIntyre
BBC News, West Midlands
The BBC's investment in the West Midlands will bring £282m to the region by 2031, according to a report.
The published study suggests the corporation’s commitment to the area will help to create more than 900 jobs and 200 companies over the next decade.
Investment includes the decision to move the BBC's regional headquarters to a new state-of-the-art broadcast centre at The Tea Factory in Digbeth, Birmingham.
Primetime TV shows Silent Witness and MasterChef have also gone into pre-production from new bases in Digbeth, while BBC Asian Network will be consolidated in the area by April 2025.
BBC Studios Drama Productions, which produces titles including Silent Witness, Shakespeare and Hathaway, Father Brown and Sister Boniface, is also setting up a regional hub and post-production facility in Digbeth.
Three shows for the new BBC Radio 1 Anthems stream on BBC Sounds will also be made in Birmingham.
BBC Director-General Tim Davie said the independent study, by BOP Consulting in partnership with University of Birmingham's City-REDI, external, highlighted the "scale of the opportunity" for the BBC and the region.
"We believe in making world class content from Digbeth, putting the people and the place at the epicentre of the creative industries while reflecting their stories," he said.
The BBC in the West Midlands report comes as the organisation prepares to air the last episode of long-running Birmingham-based soap Doctors after almost 24 years.
It was cut due to inflated costs in drama production, the BBC said, but the corporation was criticised for the decision and a petition launched to save the show gathered more than 8,000 signatures.
The BBC said the funding for the programme would be reinvested into new programming in the region and to support the retention and development of scripted skills.
West Midlands mayor Richard Parker said the BBC's investment would "bring even more global attention" to the region.
"I want the West Midlands to become the beating heart of the UK's creative economy, and the BBC's commitment to our region is a powerful step toward that vision," he said.
"We’re dedicated to equipping local people with the skills they need for exciting roles in film, TV, gaming, and other creative industries, opening doors to meaningful careers."
Tell us which stories we should cover in Birmingham and the Black Country
Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, external, X, external and Instagram, external.