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 Liverpool, Merseyside.
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 Liverpool, Merseyside, 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 Liverpool, Merseyside.
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 Liverpool, Merseyside 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 Liverpool, Merseyside, 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.
Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League after a dramatic 2-1 win against Brighton & Hove Albion.A fantastic Mohamed Salah striker in the second-half secured all three points for the Reds with Arsenal and Manchester City both losing to ensure Liverpool reclaimed top spot in the Premier League standings after ten games played.With ...
Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League after a dramatic 2-1 win against Brighton & Hove Albion.
A fantastic Mohamed Salah striker in the second-half secured all three points for the Reds with Arsenal and Manchester City both losing to ensure Liverpool reclaimed top spot in the Premier League standings after ten games played.
With Arne Slot in awe by Salah’s ‘special’ Liverpool goal, it was a great win for the Anfield side, who look like real Premier League title contenders having come from behind to beat a good Brighton side at home.
And Seagulls manager Fabian Hurzeler has now shared what English clubs need if they’re to beat Liverpool on Merseyside.
Speaking to the press after yesterday’s game, the German coach noted how luck is needed if a team is to beat Liverpool on Merseyside, with Hurzeler noting that the Reds had plenty of it themselves in their win against Brighton.
With Liverpool already suffering a historic defeat against Nottingham Forest this season at Anfield, the Reds have shown they can be vulnerable at home against the right team, something Brighton failed to show on the weekend.
Hurzeler said after the loss to Liverpool: “We could have been more ruthless and, to be honest, you need a bit more luck. To win at Anfield, sometimes you need the luck and when we saw the cross for the first goal, the luck was on their side.
“On the other side, in the right moments, the referee gives the 0-0 duels to you and that’s all part of the game when you want to get the result. In the end, we lost.”
Liverpool have made Anfield one of the hardest grounds for any club to visit in European football, with defeats in all competitions few and far between during and since the Jurgen Klopp era.
Although Liverpool have lost once already this season at home, there’s a real chance that the Reds could go the rest of the campaign not tasting defeat again at Anfield, such is the presence the Merseyside giants have at Anfield.
Indeed, Liverpool’s stadium is the stuff of legend in the world of football, and the Reds know they can use Anfield’s atmosphere and energy to get results on a weekly basis.
You can save money using this forecourtThe cheapest place in Merseyside to fill up your car with petrol is at a ASDA garage in St. Helens. According to the latest data supplied by retailers, a driver in an average family car could save up to £5 by filling up at this forecourt, compared to the most expensive petrol station.The ASDA garage at A580 East Lancashire Road, St. Helens is charging motorists 128.7p per litre, which me...
You can save money using this forecourt
The cheapest place in Merseyside to fill up your car with petrol is at a ASDA garage in St. Helens. According to the latest data supplied by retailers, a driver in an average family car could save up to £5 by filling up at this forecourt, compared to the most expensive petrol station.
The ASDA garage at A580 East Lancashire Road, St. Helens is charging motorists 128.7p per litre, which means it would cost £71 to fill up an average 55 litre tank. This is based on a feed of live petrol prices which was set up by the government's Competition and Markets Authority last September.
The average price for a litre of petrol across the Merseyside region this week is 132.0p. Here are the cheapest places to top your car with petrol in Merseyside this weekend:
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128.7p - ASDA, A580 East Lancashire Road, Haydock, St. Helens128.7p - ASDA, 102 St Helens Linkway, Peasley Cross & Fingerpost, St. Helens128.9p - Tesco, Cables Retail Park Steley Way, Prescot, Knowsley128.9p - Tesco, Store 2 Bellerophon Way, Haydock, Haydock, St. Helens128.9p - Tesco, East Lancashire Rd, Windle, St. Helens128.9p - Tesco, St Helens Linkway, Peasley Cross & Fingerpost, St. Helens129.7p - ASDA, Kirkland Street, St Helens Town Centre, St. Helens129.7p - ASDA, 126 Smithdown Road, Arundel, Liverpool129.7p - Morrisons, Boundary Road, Town Centre, St. Helens129.7p - ASDA, Welton Road - Croft Business Park, Bromborough, Wirral
The most expensive filling station in Merseyside is a BP station at Liverpool Road, Sefton. The cost of standard petrol at this station is 136.9p, meaning it would cost a total of £75 to fill up an average family car at this forecourt.
For the owners of diesel cars, the cheapest place to fill up is the ASDA garage at St. Helens. The cost of a litre of standard diesel at this forecourt was 132.7p, according to prices supplied by retailers.
Here are the cheapest places to fill up your car with standard diesel in Merseyside this weekend:
132.7p - ASDA, A580 East Lancashire Road, Haydock, St. Helens132.9p - Tesco, Mather Ave, Allerton, Liverpool132.9p - Sainsbury's, 112 East Prescot Road, Sandfield Park, Liverpool132.9p - Tesco, Store 2 Bellerophon Way, Haydock, Haydock, St. Helens133.7p - ASDA, 102 St Helens Linkway, Peasley Cross & Fingerpost, St. Helens133.7p - Morrisons, 1 Besford Road, Belle Vale, Liverpool133.7p - ASDA, Kirkland Street, St Helens Town Centre, St. Helens133.7p - ASDA, 126 Smithdown Road, Arundel, Liverpool133.9p - Tesco, St Helens Linkway, Peasley Cross & Fingerpost, St. Helens133.9p - Tesco, Cables Retail Park Steley Way, Prescot, Knowsley
UK drivers are currently paying 134.4p per litre of petrol, while people who own diesel vehicles are forking out 139.3p on average. In Merseyside owners of petrol cars are currently being charged 2.6p less than the national average of 134.4p.Diesel car drivers in Merseyside are paying 2.2p less than the national average. The cheapest place to buy petrol in the country is at a Tesco garage in South Lanarkshire where a litre of standard petrol is 100.9p. The most expensive petrol station in the country is a ASDA garage in Malvern Hills where motorists are charged 169.9p a litre.
The deal is set to be completed this month and jobs have been securedA Merseyside family business which has served customers for decades is to be sold. The Harrison family, which runs Maghull-based Mortons Dairies, are retiring from the industry and their doorstep milk delivery business is being sold to other dairies in the North West.Southp...
The deal is set to be completed this month and jobs have been secured
A Merseyside family business which has served customers for decades is to be sold. The Harrison family, which runs Maghull-based Mortons Dairies, are retiring from the industry and their doorstep milk delivery business is being sold to other dairies in the North West.
Southport-based family company Bates Farms & Dairy has confirmed it is in the process of acquiring four of Mortons' sites. The acquisition is set to bring the operations of three depots - Maghull, Speke and Belmont Road (Anfield) - and one vehicle maintenance site in Knowsley - under Bates' control.
Eighty seven staff and eight franchisees will move into the existing Bates business, securing jobs. Bates Farms & Dairy and Mortons exchanged contracts last week and, following a successful consultation process, the deal is set to complete this month.
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A letter delivered by Mortons to customers with their milk this week confirmed the news. Signed by company director Julian Harrison, the letter detailed his family's retirement and that jobs will be transferred to Bates.
Mr Harrison wrote: "After decades of being proud to serve our local communities, we wanted to share the news with you, our valued customers, that we have made the difficult decision to retire from the industry and to sell our local doorstep milk delivery business to Bates Farms and Dairy Limited. Bates is a family-run company which shares our values of community, quality and heritage, and we are pleased to let you know that they will continue to provide you with the high-quality locally sourced milk and produce you have been enjoying from us.
"Our employees will become part of Bates, so you will continue to be served by your current roundsperson. We have truly appreciated the loyalty that you have shown us over the years, and we know that your relationship with Bates will be a successful one."
In a statement sent to the ECHO, the Bates family said: ‘’We’re extremely excited about this potential deal and the opportunity to offer our products and services to a wider customer base in an area where we are already well established. The values of Mortons dairy, including community, quality, service and heritage align with our own and because of this, we as a family are really positive and confident that this will be a successful venture.
"We have celebrated becoming 85 years old this year which we are extremely proud of. And along with the new faces coming into the business and the extended customer base we hope to have many more birthdays to come. We’d like to take this opportunity to reassure Mortons’ customers that we’ll be keeping them updated, and that we will be challenging ourselves to continually improve on the fantastic service they’ve come to expect from their team at Mortons.
"There are exciting times ahead. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Harrison Family for this opportunity, and wish them all the best for the future."
Bates was founded in 1939. Three generations of the family are engaged in managing the dairy and work with customers and suppliers every day.
The ECHO understands that Mortons' Ashton, Blacon and Saughall Massey depots are being taken on by another North West dairy.
The new facility is said to be a "major milestone"NewsA first of its kind is coming to Merseyside as Soul Padel prepares to launch courts in St Helens. Set to take over Queens Park Recreation Ground, Boundary Road, the facility will feature fo...
The new facility is said to be a "major milestone"
A first of its kind is coming to Merseyside as Soul Padel prepares to launch courts in St Helens. Set to take over Queens Park Recreation Ground, Boundary Road, the facility will feature four canopy-covered courts and a modern clubhouse - “marking a major milestone in the regeneration of the area”.
Played on an enclosed court about a third the size of a tennis court, your padel shots are hit off the surrounding walls, like in squash, to find wicked angles and creative shots to beat your opponents. The innovative sport, is said to be one of the fastest-growing sports in the Northwest, thanks to the social side of it.
This will be Soul Padel’s second site in the UK. The new facility, opening in partnership with the local authorities, is located just off the M6, making it easily accessible to all.
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Founder Mark Hewlett told the ECHO: "We are thrilled to bring padel to St Helen’s and be part of the town’s ongoing regeneration efforts. This site will be the only covered padel club in Merseyside, and we’re excited to welcome players from across the region and beyond."
The project, which will see underutilised basketball courts transformed into a sporting hub, highlights St Helen’s investment in community recreation. With the leisure centre just a stone’s throw away, the new facility promises to integrate closely with the town centre and offer a fun, social, and physically engaging experience.
St Helens Borough Council cabinet member, Cllr Kate Groucutt, said: "We are delighted to see a business like Soul Padel choosing to invest here in St Helens Borough. As a borough, we see higher participation rates in team sports than anywhere else in the country, and with a strong sporting heritage.
“It is great to see new opportunities to encourage more people to get active, particularly with Soul Padel’s mission to make this growing sport more accessible and affordable, coming to our borough.
The facility is expected to open in early Spring 2025. The news comes after Soul Padel recently announced its partnership with Liverpool’s sports brand, Applied Nutrition. Being the company’s official hydration and nutrition partner means Applied Nutrition will provide products designed to support the performance and well-being of padel players across the UK.
The city will light up in just a few daysA spokesperson for Liverpool City Council has confirmed the appearance of Christmas street lights is only a few days away. Every year the city is awash with festive decorations, from warm fairy lights strung across the streets to Christmas trees popping up in key areas.Now we're over the Halloween hurdle, Christmas is finally on its way. Grab your big coat and gloves because the Live...
The city will light up in just a few days
A spokesperson for Liverpool City Council has confirmed the appearance of Christmas street lights is only a few days away. Every year the city is awash with festive decorations, from warm fairy lights strung across the streets to Christmas trees popping up in key areas.
Now we're over the Halloween hurdle, Christmas is finally on its way. Grab your big coat and gloves because the Liverpool city centre Christmas street lights will switch on from Tuesday, November 5.
Although there's no longer an official switch-on event to mark the occasion, there's still plenty to enjoy across the city centre. Liverpool ONE kicks off its festive season on Friday, November 8, with the return of the neon Christmas tree that will sit on top of Chavasse Park.
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There will be children’s rides including a carousel, along with a festive authentic German grill offering visitors a host of traditional Christmas flavours. Also launching on the same evening is the festive food and drink venue Bar Hütte, which can be found directly beneath the tree.
Liverpool ONE has planned weeks of entertainment, including a "snowfall" over the shopping complex, live performances, and character takeovers. You can see Liverpool ONE's Christmas schedule in full here.
The annual Christmas Markets are also back from Saturday, November 16, until Tuesday, December 24. Every year the markets bring a massive helping of festive fun and atmosphere with something for all ages to enjoy.
Visitors can shop to their hearts' content or chow down on exotic food from all over the world. While kids enjoy the entertainment, rides and carousels, adults can pull up a seat at Alpine Bar or Karaoke Huts.
And if that isn't enough, Liverpool City Council has confirmed four new markets are across Liverpool and the city centre. Check out the full list of Christmas markets here.