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 Coventry, 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 Coventry, 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 Coventry, 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 Coventry, 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 Coventry, 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.
There was no mention of Coventry's planned gigafactory in the chancellor's budget, despite a promise of investment in green industries.Warwickshire business leader Sarah Windrum said the budget "lacked ambition", adding she was surprised not to see anything about investment zones or freeports.The proposed gigafactory, earmarked for land near Coventry Airport, would manufacture batteries for electric vehicles but is yet to secure...
There was no mention of Coventry's planned gigafactory in the chancellor's budget, despite a promise of investment in green industries.
Warwickshire business leader Sarah Windrum said the budget "lacked ambition", adding she was surprised not to see anything about investment zones or freeports.
The proposed gigafactory, earmarked for land near Coventry Airport, would manufacture batteries for electric vehicles but is yet to secure an investor.
Delivering Labour's first budget in 15 years, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves said a newly created national wealth fund would spur investment and build new infrastructure to the tune of £70bn.
This, she confirmed, would mean money for "industries of the future from gigafactories to ports to green hydrogen".
But Ms Windrum, from the MIRA Technology Park in Nuneaton, noted there was no reference to the local project.
"We've got the gigafactory coming in Somerset for JLR and the investment made there and we've got the Nissan site in the north east," she said.
"But there was no specific mention of a gigafactory in the West Midlands."
While noting the money had been announced previously, Ms Windrum praised a £2bn fund in the Budget for the automotive industry which she said would benefit the West Midlands.
But she was left unimpressed overall, saying: "I felt the Budget lacked a little bit of ambition.
"There was a big commitment to public spending which I think was really important but from a business perspective there wasn't really that sense of ambition of how we're going to grow the economy and what our strengths are going to be globally."
But the West Midlands' Labour mayor Richard Parker insisted the budget would help deliver for people in the region.
Asked if the fiscal event made him more confident Coventry's gigafactory would go ahead, he said discussions with investors and the government were ongoing.
"I’m committed to supporting the city council and our universities in developing those sites in the region and we hope to attract major investment," he said.
"That major investment will be around new major battery driven industries and we plan for those industries to deliver 30,000 jobs.”
New research has revealed the huge cost of missed appointments across the NHS, with no-shows costing NHS trusts across the West Midlands millions since 2019. Freedom of Information requests submitted to NHS trusts across England and Wales discovered an average of 254,741 appointments were missed across 102 NHS trusts over the last five years.The data showed that an average ...
New research has revealed the huge cost of missed appointments across the NHS, with no-shows costing NHS trusts across the West Midlands millions since 2019. Freedom of Information requests submitted to NHS trusts across England and Wales discovered an average of 254,741 appointments were missed across 102 NHS trusts over the last five years.
The data showed that an average of 52,700 appointments were missed across each trust in 2023 - creating an average annual cost of £8.4 million per trust or £1.9 million per year across the 229 trusts in total across the NHS. The research , conducted by business communication specialist, Esendex , calculated the financial impact based on the NHS’s own data which shows that each missed appointment cost £160.
In the West Midlands, that cost came to an enormous £79m for missed appointments between 2019 and 2023. Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust and Manchester University NHS Foundation and Barts Health NHS Trust were the organisations with the highest level of missed appointments, with more than one million each.
READ MORE: Coventry business raided and five people safeguarded after being 'exploited'
Trusts in the West Midlands faced the highest costs of missed appointments, reporting an average of 494,535 missed appointments between 2019 and 2023 - estimated to have cost the NHS a total of £79,125,653.33 each.
The West Midlands was closely followed by London, with trusts in the capital facing costs of more than £60 million due to missed appointments, with eight of the top 20 trusts (40%) based in the capital.
Chris Gorman, Head of Professional Services at Esendex, said: “Missed healthcare appointments are hugely frustrating for everyone in healthcare - not least for organisations like the NHS which has to shoulder the financial and administrative burden of no-shows.
“There are a huge number of reasons which might explain why someone misses a healthcare appointment, whether that’s difficulty in taking time off work, being unable to arrange care at the time of the appointment, or transport challenges that prevent people from getting there.
“Perhaps the most frustrating factor is when patients are unaware of a scheduled appointment, have the wrong information, or simply forget about it. While many healthcare providers rely on letters or emails to update patients about their appointments, these can easily be missed, lost or left unread, so it’s clear providers need to find new ways to reduce no-shows.
“With data showing that most people read a text message within the first three minutes of receiving it, SMS solutions have a huge potential to drive down the number of missed appointments across the NHS. Rich messaging also enables providers to support two-way conversations on devices most of us carry with us at all times, making it a convenient, cost-effective and reliable method of contact.”
University news / Research newsPress contactPress Team press.mac@coventry.ac.uk Coventry University is exploring opportunities to work with the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Hartree Centre to help businesses explore the incredible opportunities offered by technologies such as AI and supercomputing.The two organisations have agreed to explore the development of a Digital and AI Skills Network aimed at ...
University news / Research news
Press contact
Press Team press.mac@coventry.ac.uk
Coventry University is exploring opportunities to work with the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Hartree Centre to help businesses explore the incredible opportunities offered by technologies such as AI and supercomputing.
The two organisations have agreed to explore the development of a Digital and AI Skills Network aimed at understanding and enhancing current levels of adoption of advanced digital technologies in the West Midlands.
Ultimately the network is about exploring the future use of advanced digital technologies related to Data Science and Artificial Intelligence among organisations in the West Midlands.
The Hartree Centre is part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council, one of Europe’s largest multi-disciplinary scientific research organisations and is home to some of the most advanced digital technologies and experts in the UK.
Coventry University is excited to be exploring opportunities to work with the Hartree Centre on this timely project which aims to deliver Digital and AI Skills to create better futures for the West Midlands and wider UK workforce. This activity is intended to bring together the expertise of our colleges and research centres and our track record of skills delivery as exemplified by the Institute of Coding and the Electric Revolution Skills Hub.
Professor Paul Noon Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise & Innovation) at Coventry University
At Coventry University, we believe that AI will be a revolutionary force for the benefit of all parts of society. We are well positioned to deliver cutting-edge AI training and digital expertise to both the public and private sectors, building on a deep multi-sectorial understanding of AI.
It is hoped this collaboration will enable us lead the charge in equipping the next generation with the skills needed to harness AI’s full potential, ensuring that UK organisations stay at the forefront of digital transformation - today and tomorrow.
Professor Elena Gaura, Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor Research at Coventry University
It’s great to be starting this journey with Coventry University to look into creating a knowledge sharing network dedicated to upskilling UK industry and the public sector, starting with the West Midlands. As the UK’s only supercomputing centre dedicated to supporting industry, I believe strongly in our ability to collaborate with Coventry University to provide high quality training, add real value to UK organisations and help to address a national digital skills gap.
Professor Kate Royse, Director of the STFC Hartree Centre
Digital products and services make a significant contribution to the UK economy, but despite this, the UK is still underperforming on the adoption and use of digital technologies compared to some other countries.
While the Hartree Centre has a UK wide mandate, its collaboration with Coventry University could initially bring a regional focus within the West Midlands, with opportunities to expand into other regions as the network develops.
Find out more about studying computing and data science at Coventry University.
Coventry University is exploring opportunities to work with the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Hartree Centre to help businesses explore the incredible opportunities offered by technologies such as AI and supercomputing.The two organisations have agreed to explore the development of a Digital and AI Skills Network aimed at understanding and enhancing current levels of adoption of advanced digital technologies in the West Midlands.Ultimately the network is about exploring the future use of advanced digital tech...
Coventry University is exploring opportunities to work with the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Hartree Centre to help businesses explore the incredible opportunities offered by technologies such as AI and supercomputing.
The two organisations have agreed to explore the development of a Digital and AI Skills Network aimed at understanding and enhancing current levels of adoption of advanced digital technologies in the West Midlands.
Ultimately the network is about exploring the future use of advanced digital technologies related to Data Science and Artificial Intelligence among organisations in the West Midlands.
The Hartree Centre is part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council, one of Europe’s largest multi-disciplinary scientific research organisations and is home to some of the most advanced digital technologies and experts in the UK.
Coventry University is excited to be exploring opportunities to work with the Hartree Centre on this timely project which aims to deliver Digital and AI Skills to create better futures for the West Midlands and wider UK workforce. This activity is intended to bring together the expertise of our colleges and research centres and our track record of skills delivery as exemplified by the Institute of Coding and the Electric Revolution Skills Hub.
Professor Paul Noon Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise & Innovation) at Coventry University
At Coventry University, we believe that AI will be a revolutionary force for the benefit of all parts of society. We are well positioned to deliver cutting-edge AI training and digital expertise to both the public and private sectors, building on a deep multi-sectorial understanding of AI.
It is hoped this collaboration will enable us lead the charge in equipping the next generation with the skills needed to harness AI’s full potential, ensuring that UK organisations stay at the forefront of digital transformation - today and tomorrow.
Professor Elena Gaura, Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor Research at Coventry University
It’s great to be starting this journey with Coventry University to look into creating a knowledge sharing network dedicated to upskilling UK industry and the public sector, starting with the West Midlands. As the UK’s only supercomputing centre dedicated to supporting industry, I believe strongly in our ability to collaborate with Coventry University to provide high quality training, add real value to UK organisations and help to address a national digital skills gap.
Professor Kate Royse, Director of the STFC Hartree Centre
Digital products and services make a significant contribution to the UK economy, but despite this, the UK is still underperforming on the adoption and use of digital technologies compared to some other countries.
While the Hartree Centre has a UK wide mandate, its collaboration with Coventry University could initially bring a regional focus within the West Midlands, with opportunities to expand into other regions as the network develops.
Find out more about studying computing and data science at Coventry University.
Professor Richard Dashwood Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Professor Paul Noon Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Enterprise and Innovation, Professor Elena Gaura Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor Research and James Shuttleworth Associate Director of Digital Insight and Future Skills Unit at the signing event this week.