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 Gloucester City, Gloucestershire.
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 Gloucester City, Gloucestershire, 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 Gloucester City, Gloucestershire.
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 Gloucester City, Gloucestershire 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 Gloucester City, Gloucestershire, 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.
Gloucester City boss Mike Cook was a proud man on Saturday afternoon as he reached his 100th game as the club's manager.Despite being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Basingstoke Town, the result didn’t downplay the importance of such a milestone in Cook’s career.He said: “100 games, I’m really proud of that, really pleased. Someone like my granddad, who used to support Gloucester City, to have his grandson managing them is brilliant.“It's a bit of a shame we didn’t quite get that win tha...
Gloucester City boss Mike Cook was a proud man on Saturday afternoon as he reached his 100th game as the club's manager.
Despite being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Basingstoke Town, the result didn’t downplay the importance of such a milestone in Cook’s career.
He said: “100 games, I’m really proud of that, really pleased. Someone like my granddad, who used to support Gloucester City, to have his grandson managing them is brilliant.
“It's a bit of a shame we didn’t quite get that win that we wanted. We didn’t take our chances, they didn’t take theirs, so in the end I suppose a draw is a fair result.”
Basingstoke took the lead just three minutes in thanks to a brilliant run by Nnamdi Nwachuku, cutting in from the left wing to strike straight past Jared Thompson.
The referee’s decision to play on after a rough challenge on Daniel Leadbitter in the build-up to the goal was met with uproar from City, who couldn’t believe the goal was given.
The only thing the Tigers could do was not let the decision affect them too much, and that is certainly what happened.
Cook said: “We said to Leads at half time that he was definitely pushed but we’re not going to moan about the refereeing.
“I thought the referee wasn’t too bad in the end, he definitely evened a couple of things up as the game went on.
“We just need to go and engage because when someone is cutting in from the wing and they get into the centre, there is a great chance of a goal.”
Just three minutes later, City instantly bounced back from a corner kick, with Ben Richards-Everton towering above the opposition to head in the equalising goal.
The big defender thought he had scored in the previous corner which produced a great save from Simon Grant, but he could do nothing to prevent Richards-Everton from heading in his second attempt.
The Tigers had a flurry of chances throughout the rest of the match but somehow were unable to convert any of the various one-on-one opportunities they had.
Cook said: “We focus quite a lot on when the defenders have maybe not done something great and then they score from that, but we haven’t said about the three one-on-ones and missed chances we had.
“Once we equalised, there was a 15-minute spell where we had three great opportunities and didn’t put them away.
“We could’ve been sat here 4-1 up at half-time and then it’s a different story, I thought their goalkeeper played well, my man-of-the-match for them.”
One thing that this City side showed above all was resilience, something that the Tigers have clearly gained in abundance in comparison to last season.
While last season the players might have looked down and out the moment they conceded a goal, this year they seem mentally undefeatable.
Cook said: “This time last year when I first came in and we were at looking at the first four games, we would definitely have lost that game.
“It is good to see a bit of resilience, there are a few players in there that are angry at not hitting the target and scoring goals.
“I think they are right to be because they were good chances that should’ve been put away.”
Looking ahead to the next match against Sholing, Cook had one thing for the team to work on above all else.
He said: “Well we are definitely going to do some shooting practice, we’ve already said that.
“I think Tuesday is a good day for us to assess where we are now after these games, for sure we could do a little bit better.
“If I was a school teacher and I was marking us, at the moment I would say we are at a seven, we haven’t quite hit where we need to be, but we can’t have everything.”
Gloucester City: Thompson, Duffus, Richards-Everton, Leadbitter, Reckord (Hundt 90+3), Hanks (Robinson 68), Emmett, Grubb, Phillips (Ball 89), Williams, Smalley (Crosbie 62). Subs not used: Thompson.
Basingstoke Town: Grant, Johnson-Schuster, Angell, Allen, Ball, Upton, Peart (Dunn 74), Brown (Smith 82), Nwachuku (Kokoszka 40), Ferdinand, Deadfield. Subs not used: Clark.
Attendance: 954.
Cheltenham and Gloucester councils are seeking to sell their airport asset amid local government “financial pressures”.Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council have jointly appointed real estate advisor Savills to market freehold interest in Gloucestershire Airport.Room151 understands that the airport is currently being marketed with a guide price of £25m.Both councils established the original site in 1930, originally named Staverton Airport. In 1993, the authorities set up a subsidiary co...
Cheltenham and Gloucester councils are seeking to sell their airport asset amid local government “financial pressures”.
Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council have jointly appointed real estate advisor Savills to market freehold interest in Gloucestershire Airport.
Room151 understands that the airport is currently being marketed with a guide price of £25m.
Both councils established the original site in 1930, originally named Staverton Airport. In 1993, the authorities set up a subsidiary company, Gloucestershire Airport Limited, to take over the day to day running of the airport.
A spokesperson from Cheltenham Borough Council told Room151: “With the financial pressures that councils across the UK are under, both Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council have decided that the time is right to pass the mantle on to a new investor, to bring in the additional investment, expertise and resources.”
The latest research by the County Councils Network (CCN) has revealed that local authorities face a cumulative funding gap of £54bn over the next five years, which could result in 16 councils issuing section 114 notices by 2026/27. The sale decision also comes at a time when lending options outside of the Public Works Loan Board are limited for authorities and borrowing costs are high.
Commenting on the sale, Jeremy Hilton, leader at Gloucester City Council, acknowledged that the “airport needs a capital injection to deliver on its strategy and business plan”.
Room151 understands that the capital receipt generated from the sale of Gloucestershire Airport will be used to deliver Cheltenham’s corporate priorities, including the Golden Valley Development.
Rowena Hay, leader at Cheltenham Borough Council, said: “Along with Gloucester City Council, we’ve worked hard to enhance the airport, making it the UK’s busiest ‘General Aviation’ airport in 2023. Now, it’s time for a new owner to drive the airport forward, ensuring growth for the business and the wider economy.”
Between 2021 and 2022, the airport received £10m of capital investment funded by the Gloucestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, Gloucester City and Cheltenham Borough Councils, which was used to develop runways and associated infrastructure.
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Assize Of Ale 2024 The chance to watch a man in leather trousers have beer poured over his rump has once again seen a quite 'mad' Gloucester tradition return for another year. Known as the Sheriff's Assize of Ale, it sees ...
Assize Of Ale 2024
The chance to watch a man in leather trousers have beer poured over his rump has once again seen a quite 'mad' Gloucester tradition return for another year. Known as the Sheriff's Assize of Ale, it sees pubs in the city centre and Gloucester Docks put through their paces to test the drinking quality of the beer.
The city’s Sheriff, together with an army of followers dressed in medieval clothing, tour the pubs collecting cash for charity but also with an "Ale Conner". The Conner dresses in leather breeches and sits on a wooden stool onto which a small amount of ale has been poured, a volunteer does a little inspection to hopefully 'find' no magnets or contrivances and if after three minutes the trousers stick to the stool, the ale does not pass the test.
But if the Ale Conner can move freely at the end of that time, the ale's OK to drink. Once again in 2024 the event has been a barrel of laughs after the tradition was reintroduced in 2003 by former Gloucester City Council leader Paul James during his year as Sheriff.
Mr James continues to organise the event with Town Crier Alan Myatt, with a group of other ‘characters’ taking part including this year's City Sheriff Cllr Pam Tracey. Alzheimer's Society, Sue Ryder and Teckels Animal Sanctuary are the chosen charities for 2024.
"The fact that this has been running now for over 20 years is great and whenever we go out there are always some people who have never heard of the Assize of Ale," Paul said. "This year we've had some people from the US in one of the pubs who didn't expect this on their trip! This is quirky, we like a bit of dressing up and on a serious note this is for the Sheriff of Gloucester and our chosen charities each year."
The very Sheriff to talk to is Cllr Pam Tracey, Gloucester’s longest continually-serving councillor, having represented the Westgate ward on the City Council since 1992.
Speaking about the event, Cllr Tracey said: "It's tradition, it's history and hopefully we can keep the Sheriff's office in the city too and some people have been following us because they didn't know where Gloucester's pubs were! It's a wonderful occasion to take part in."
The planned sale of a council-owned airport has sparked serious concerns over the economic impact it would have.Property advisor Savills was appointed to market Gloucestershire Airport on Thursday, almost a year after plans to sell the asset were announced.The 350-acre site in Staverton, jointly owned by Cheltenham Borough Coun...
The planned sale of a council-owned airport has sparked serious concerns over the economic impact it would have.
Property advisor Savills was appointed to market Gloucestershire Airport on Thursday, almost a year after plans to sell the asset were announced.
The 350-acre site in Staverton, jointly owned by Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council, has been put up for sale as the authorities do not have the "commercial investments" it needed.
However, opposition councillors have called for a full economic impact assessment to be carried out before the airport was sold.
The airport, which was established in the 1930s, has two primary tarmac runways and advanced navigation systems.
It also has two business parks spanning approximately 65,032 sq m (700,000 sq ft), in addition to 29,729 sq m (320,000 sq ft) of business space on development land, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
Councillor Terry Pullen said he was "seriously concerned" about the long term future of the site and the local economy.
“There are many businesses located in and around the airport and we must ensure their future security and the employment they provide.
He also insisted that any decision regarding the sale of the site should be brought to a full council meeting.
Councillor Alastair Chambers hoped the airport would be able to offer scheduled European passenger flights in the future - a suggestion which Gloucester City councillors previously rejected.
He said the venture would "attract tourists, generate business revenue and create exciting new opportunities for the county".
However, Councillor Ashley Davies from Cheltenham Borough Council said the move would create noise and air pollution and felt the site could be used to better benefit local communities with housing or a solar energy park.
Councillor Tabi Joy, overview and scrutiny committee chair at Cheltenham Borough Council, said both shareholders were working to ensure the sale of the site was conducted in a "responsible way that's sensitive to area needs".
“I would really welcome the engagement of local people in sharing ideas for how the site could be managed in the future as we have an opportunity to influence the outcome.
"A citizens assembly would be a terrific way to do it, and very forward-thinking," she added.
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'Vital' airport being sold to help site grow1 day agoA "vital" council-owned airport is being sold to help the site continue to grow.Plans to sell Gloucestershire Airport, which is jointly owned by Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council, were announced at the end of 2023.The authorities have now confirmed that real estate advisor Savills has been appointed to market the 350 acre site in Staverton.Rowena Hay, leader of Cheltenham Borough Council, said they are selling the airport ...
1 day ago
A "vital" council-owned airport is being sold to help the site continue to grow.
Plans to sell Gloucestershire Airport, which is jointly owned by Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council, were announced at the end of 2023.
The authorities have now confirmed that real estate advisor Savills has been appointed to market the 350 acre site in Staverton.
Rowena Hay, leader of Cheltenham Borough Council, said they are selling the airport as they do not have the "commercial investments" it needs.
Ms Hay said the site could potentially sell for about £25m.
"There will be provisions and restrictions against development that could be detrimental to the running of the airport itself," Ms Hay added.
"That includes restricted covenants against building houses but also, most of the airport site sits within the greenbelt and there are strict planning policies regarding that, some of which are specific to protecting the airport."
The site has been run by Gloucestershire Airport Ltd since 1993, and both councils have a 50% shareholding.
Established in the 1930s, the airport has two primary tarmac runways and advanced navigation systems.
It has two business parks spanning approximately 65,032 sq m (700,000 sq ft), in addition to 29,729 sq m (320,000 sq ft) of business space on development land.
Almost £10m was invested into the airport's runways and associated infrastructure by the Gloucestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, Gloucester City and Cheltenham Borough Councils.
Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester City Council, said the council is "fully committed" to the airport's future success.
"The council is looking for a buyer with an exciting and robust plan to deliver aviation-based growth at Staverton," he said.
"The airport needs a capital injection to deliver on its strategy and business plan.
"We need a buyer who shares our confidence in the potential of the business to grow and grow to remain the premier general aviation airport in the south west.”
He previously described the airport as being "vital for the economy of the county".
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