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 Kingswood, 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 Kingswood, 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 Kingswood, 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 Kingswood, 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 Kingswood, 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.
A new Kingswood Family Hub is now open to provide support for older children, young people and their families to understand and manage their emotional wellbeing and promote better mental health.Established in the old caretaker’s house in the grounds of the King’s Oak Academy, the pilot project is a collaboration between South Gloucestershire Council, Cabot Learning Federation, which runs the King’s Oak Academy, Kingswood Town Council and partners who provide support services on site. The building will be known as &ls...
A new Kingswood Family Hub is now open to provide support for older children, young people and their families to understand and manage their emotional wellbeing and promote better mental health.
Established in the old caretaker’s house in the grounds of the King’s Oak Academy, the pilot project is a collaboration between South Gloucestershire Council, Cabot Learning Federation, which runs the King’s Oak Academy, Kingswood Town Council and partners who provide support services on site. The building will be known as ‘Martin’s House’ in recognition of the former caretaker whose home it was when employed by the school.
The type of support which young people and their families can access will include advice, guidance and services focused on all aspects of emotional wellbeing and strengthening relationships between young people and their parents and carers and help to build the resilience required by young people as they develop into young adults.
The council recognises that many young people and families are facing more challenges today than say, before the pandemic and due to financial hardship. So, it is important to create opportunities for young people and families to share concerns at the earliest stage, and for services to be able to respond in a timely way.
The Family Hub is part of the South Gloucestershire Council Children’s Partnership Early Help Offer. By locating services closer to the community, teachers and other professionals will be able to point those who need help towards it more easily and support will be available in a familiar environment.
In addition to the councils and the school, partners include:
• Creative Youth Network, which employs a wellbeing practitioner and youth worker funded by the Town Council • The local Mental Health Support Team, which will provide drop-in services and other support • School nurses, who will offer support and guidance to young people and their parents • Off The Record a mental health social movement by and for young people aged 11-25 who will provide support and guidance to young people and their parents • Compass the Council’s Early Help navigation team who make sure we can provide the right help, in the right way at the right time to help families understand other services designed to help them • South Gloucestershire Care Leavers will also support and guidance on a drop-in basis for young people who are care experienced.
South Gloucestershire Council Director of Education, Skills and Learning, Hilary Smith, said: “Family Hubs are part of the Children’s Partnership Early Help Offer and there are three key elements: Access, Connection and Relationships. The new Kingswood Family Hub puts these elements into action.
“It will make support accessible to families in their communities. It will help families to connect to services and services will be connected to each other. By sharing this space together, all the organisations can help meet families’ needs without them needing to repeat their stories.
“By working together, all of the agencies involved will be able to build relationships with families, and with each other to meet young peoples’ needs better.
“We know that working in partnership makes a big difference and the range of organisations that are part of this pilot demonstrate our commitment to making that difference together.”
Principal of King’s Oak Academy, Katherine Ogden, said: “We are delighted to open this hub as a space where families and young people can access the support they need.
“Our aim is to bring people together and strengthen our community while also improving access to early help support services.”
A NEW family hub has opened in South Gloucestershire to support young people's mental health.The Kingswood Family Hub, based in the old caretaker's house at King's Oak Academy, is a pilot project aimed at helping older children, young people, and their families manage their emotional wellbeing.The initiative is a collaboration between South Gloucestershire Council, Cabot Learning Federation, Kingswood Town Council, and other support service partners.The building, now known as Martin's House, is named after the former car...
A NEW family hub has opened in South Gloucestershire to support young people's mental health.
The Kingswood Family Hub, based in the old caretaker's house at King's Oak Academy, is a pilot project aimed at helping older children, young people, and their families manage their emotional wellbeing.
The initiative is a collaboration between South Gloucestershire Council, Cabot Learning Federation, Kingswood Town Council, and other support service partners.
The building, now known as Martin's House, is named after the former caretaker who lived there while working at the school.
The hub offers a range of support, including advice, guidance, and services focused on emotional wellbeing and strengthening relationships between young people and their parents or carers.
The aim is to help build the resilience required by young people as they develop into young adults.
The hub team recognise the increased challenges faced by young people and families today, particularly in the wake of the pandemic and financial hardships.
The aim is to create opportunities for young people and families to share concerns at the earliest stage, allowing services to respond in a timely manner.
The Family Hub is part of the South Gloucestershire Council Children’s Partnership Early Help Offer.
By locating services closer to the community, teachers and other professionals can more easily direct those in need towards help.
Hilary Smith, South Gloucestershire Council's director of education, skills, and learning, said: "Family Hubs are part of the Children’s Partnership Early Help Offer and there are three key elements: access, connection, and relationships.
"The new Kingswood Family Hub puts these elements into action.
"It will make support accessible to families in their communities.
"It will help families to connect to services and services will be connected to each other."
Katherine Ogden, principal of King’s Oak Academy, said: "We are delighted to open this hub as a space where families and young people can access the support they need.
"Our aim is to bring people together and strengthen our community while also improving access to early help support services."
The hub is supported by several partners, including Creative Youth Network, the local Mental Health Support Team, and Off The Record.
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A new family hub has launched in Kingswood, offering vital support for young people and their families navigating emotional wellbeing and mental health.A new community hub in Kingswood has officially opened to provide early support for older children and teenagers, along with their parents and carers, in managing emotional wellbeing and strengthening mental health.Located in the former caretaker’s house at the King’s Oak Academy, the newly named Martin’s House honours the man who once called the buildin...
A new family hub has launched in Kingswood, offering vital support for young people and their families navigating emotional wellbeing and mental health.
A new community hub in Kingswood has officially opened to provide early support for older children and teenagers, along with their parents and carers, in managing emotional wellbeing and strengthening mental health.
Located in the former caretaker’s house at the King’s Oak Academy, the newly named Martin’s House honours the man who once called the building home during his time working at the school. The project is a joint initiative between South Gloucestershire Council, Cabot Learning Federation, Kingswood Town Council and a number of partner organisations that will deliver services on-site.
The pilot is designed to provide timely advice, guidance and direct support to young people and their families, covering a wide range of emotional challenges and aiming to build stronger relationships at home. The hub also seeks to foster resilience among young people as they transition to adulthood.
The council acknowledged that many families are experiencing increased pressures due to post-pandemic struggles and financial hardship. The hub, as part of the South Gloucestershire Children’s Partnership Early Help Offer, places support within the local community, making it easier for teachers and professionals to direct those in need to help quickly and effectively.
Service partners at Martin’s House include:
Hilary Smith, director of education, skills and learning at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “Family Hubs are part of the Children’s Partnership Early Help Offer and there are three key elements: access, connection and relationships. The new Kingswood Family Hub puts these elements into action.
“It will make support accessible to families in their communities. It will help families to connect to services and services will be connected to each other. By sharing this space together, all the organisations can help meet families’ needs without them needing to repeat their stories.
“By working together, all of the agencies involved will be able to build relationships with families, and with each other to meet young peoples’ needs better.
“We know that working in partnership makes a big difference and the range of organisations that are part of this pilot demonstrate our commitment to making that difference together.”
Katherine Ogden, principal of King’s Oak Academy, said: “We are delighted to open this hub as a space where families and young people can access the support they need.
“Our aim is to bring people together and strengthen our community while also improving access to early help support services”.
An "invaluable" hub has opened to offer support services to anyone in the community still struggling with the impact of the pandemic.Staff at King's Oak Academy in Kingswood, South Gloucestershire, converted the former caretaker's house into the hub after he retired.The inclusive provision offers coffee mornings, parenting classes and mental health support among other services and activities to residents, whether they are connected to the school or not.Katherine Ogden, senior principal at the school, said the h...
An "invaluable" hub has opened to offer support services to anyone in the community still struggling with the impact of the pandemic.
Staff at King's Oak Academy in Kingswood, South Gloucestershire, converted the former caretaker's house into the hub after he retired.
The inclusive provision offers coffee mornings, parenting classes and mental health support among other services and activities to residents, whether they are connected to the school or not.
Katherine Ogden, senior principal at the school, said the hub helps to "create that feeling of belonging and community spirit together".
The school came up with the idea to open the hub in a bid to reduce the lasting impact of isolation from Covid-19 lockdowns five years ago.
The Cabot Learning Federation raised funds to redevelop the building, with additional support from South Gloucestershire Council and the town clerk.
Andy Marhsall-Aherne, the assistant principal, said the lack of interaction and normality has had a "massive" impact on students and their attendance levels.
"We saw a massive issue with the younger years because they haven't had that normal school provision before Covid hit," he said.
"For them to then start back into school was a really big struggle.
"Our older years have recovered a bit better to some extent because they knew what it was like before, but those that already had the struggles have just deteriorated with their attendance even more."
Tamasyn has a daughter at the school and a young son who was born during the pandemic.
She said the hub has been "invaluable" in helping her open up about her mental health and building relationships with other parents.
"There used to be a stigma around talking about mental health," she said.
"There's no judgement [at the hub] and it's just nice to be able to be open and honest about how you're feeling."
Kas said the hub is a "brilliant" place for adults to discuss how the pandemic affected them and their families.
"I didn't realise how much Covid impacted my children until we went to a big event... they were so anxious," she said.
"You might sit there and think 'this is just my child that's doing this' and it's nice to hear it's not just me."
George said being able to meet with other parents makes her feel "less alone".
"Things don't seem as bad as when you're stuck at home on your own," she said.
"Everything seems so stressful, but once you rant about it and someone else says 'I know how you feel', then you feel validated."
SUPERMARKET chain Lidl has been ordered to pay more than £17,000 for receiving deliveries during anti-social hours at a store in South Gloucestershire.Lidl was prosecuted by South Gloucestershire Council for breaching planning conditions at its Kingswood store in Halls Road.Council officials say deliveries were being made at "anti-social hours," both late at night and early in the morning - causing a disturbance to neighbours.This was in breach of the delivery hours condition attached to the planning perm...
SUPERMARKET chain Lidl has been ordered to pay more than £17,000 for receiving deliveries during anti-social hours at a store in South Gloucestershire.
Lidl was prosecuted by South Gloucestershire Council for breaching planning conditions at its Kingswood store in Halls Road.
Council officials say deliveries were being made at "anti-social hours," both late at night and early in the morning - causing a disturbance to neighbours.
This was in breach of the delivery hours condition attached to the planning permission granted to build the store - which opened in 2018.
Lidl pleaded guilty to breaching planning conditions at Bristol Magistrates Court on Monday, March 17.
The court heard that South Gloucestershire Council’s planning enforcement team first received a complaint in May 2024.
The store was contacted by council officers and advised to stick within their conditioned hours.
However, investigators found that they continued to breach these and receive deliveries at all hours.
A Breach of Condition Notice was then issued to ensure that the conditioned delivery hours were adhered to.
However, the council found that deliveries were still being made early on a Sunday morning, outside of the conditioned hours, so a prosecution case was progressed.
Lidl was fined £14,500 and ordered to pay costs of £973.66 plus a £2,000 surcharge - a total of £17,473.66.
Speaking after the hearing, Cllr Sean Rhodes, cabinet member responsible for environmental enforcement said: “I’m delighted to see the courts find the supermarket guilty of making out of hours deliveries.
“Conditions attached to planning consent are there for a reason, and when they are ignored, we will take enforcement action.
“Deliveries taking place late at night and early in the morning can be very disruptive for nearby residents, so I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to bring this prosecution and ensure the supermarket meets its obligations.”
A spokesperson from Lidl said said: "We are committed to ensuring that our stores are fully stocked for our customers and always strive to adhere to restrictions in place relating to deliveries.
"It is always our aim to keep disruption to an absolute minimum and we would, therefore, like to apologise for the inconvenience caused to our neighbours on these occasions.
"We would like to provide reassurance to the Council that several measures have been implemented to help prevent this from occurring again in the future."