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 Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear.
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 Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, 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 Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear.
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 Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear 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 Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, 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.
Hello and welcome to ChronicleLive's live traffic and travel updates for Newcastle and the North East.Stay tuned here to see all the latest on the North East's roads and public transport including ...
Hello and welcome to ChronicleLive's live traffic and travel updates for Newcastle and the North East.
Stay tuned here to see all the latest on the North East's roads and public transport including Tyne & Wear Metro, trains and buses, Newcastle International Airport and any travel disruption.
Early morning has seen "disruption" on the Metro - while there have also been closures on the Northern Rail routes at Darlington.
Email: sam.volpe@reachplc.com
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16:57Adam Foster
Queueing traffic on A167(M) Southbound at A167.
16:44Adam Foster
Usual slow traffic on A1058 Jesmond Road inbound before A167(M).
16:33Adam Foster
Slow traffic on A690 between A1(M) Carville Roundabout and A181 (Gilesgate Roundabout).
16:22Adam Foster
Traffic is easing on the A1(M) Southbound at J63 A167 (Chester-le-Street) after a car was getting a tire changed earlier
16:08Adam Foster
Slow traffic on A19 Southbound at the Tyne Tunnel.
15:48Adam Foster
Usual slow traffic on A167 Newcastle Road Southbound around A690 Neville's Cross Bank. Travel time is five minutes.
15:21Adam Foster
One lane closed due to vehicle having a tyre changed on A1(M) Southbound at J63 A167 (Chester-Le-Street).
15:05Adam Foster
Stop-start traffic on A167(M) Central Motorway Southbound from B1318 Great North Road to A186 City Road (Swanhouse Roundabout).
15:04Adam Foster
Below are a list of planned road closures in the region tonight
15:01Adam Foster
The region's roads are currently clear, with no major incidents to report
14:27Adam Foster
Tyne and Wear Metro are operating a frequent service to all destinations
14:01Adam Foster
Routine overnight maintenance will be taking place in the Tyne Tunnel tonight
13:43Adam Foster
Tyne and Wear Metro have posted on X: "The lift at Fellgate on Platform Two is out of service. For step-free access, please travel to the next station and return on the opposite platform at your destined station. For any assistance please use the station Help Point. We apologise for any inconvenience."
13:19Adam Foster
Slow traffic on A1058 Jesmond Road inbound before A167(M).
13:04Adam Foster
Tyne and Wear Metro are operating a frequent service to all destinations
12:30Adam Foster
Slow traffic on A1018 Wearmouth Bridge Southbound in Sunderland
12:13Adam Foster
The lift on platform one at Park Lane is out of service. Tyne and Wear Metro has advised: "For step-free access, please travel to the next station and return on the opposite platform at your destined station. For any assistance please use the station Help Point. We apologise for any inconvenience."
12:05Adam Foster
The A688 eastbound has reopened following the earlier collision from B2688 (Spennymoor) to A167 (Thinford roundabout, Durham).
11:31Adam Foster
Slow traffic on A19 at A189 / A1171 / B1505 (Moor Farm Roundabout).
11:03Adam Foster
Emergency services have been contacted. We will bring you any updates from them as soon as we get them
11:02Adam Foster
The map below shows where the collision has happened
11:01Adam Foster
A688 Eastbound closed, queueing traffic due to collision from B6288 (Spennymoor) to A167 (Thinford roundabout, Durham).
10:46Adam Foster
Tyne and Wear Metro are operating a frequent service to all destinations
10:22Adam Foster
Network Rail have advised that trains running between York and Doncaster may be cancelled, revised or delayed by up to 25 minutes after earlier overrunning engineering work between Darlington / York and Doncaster
09:24Sam Volpe
Many of the delays have now worked through the system, but the 08:58 LNER train for London Kings Cross is now running at a delay due to a signalling fault.
It is expected to depart Newcastle at 9.23am.
08:40Sam Volpe
From National Rail: "Lines have reopened following earlier overrunning engineering work between Darlington / York and Doncaster. While services return to normal, trains may still be cancelled, revised or delayed by up to 50 minutes.
"This issue is expected to continue to impact services until 09:30."
08:32Sam Volpe
Over-running engineering works in Doncaster have led to a succession of problems on the national rail network. This has affected an number of operators including LNER and TransPennine Express - while there have also been issues on Northern Rail this morning which are likely to last throughout the day.
08:11Sam Volpe
Congestion at the MetroCentre. Busy traffic at the Dunston Interchange. Junction 71.
07:42Sam Volpe
TransPennine Express do not run a passenger service between York and Doncaster,
however trains for our services that run between York and Newcastle are currently trapped in a depot at Doncaster.
The following routes may be delayed, revised, or cancelled:
Between York and Newcastle.
The following services have been cancelled as a result:
The 0618 departure from York to Newcastle has been cancelled.
The 0713 departure from York to Newcastle has been cancelled.
07:41Sam Volpe
As it stands, the next two trains passing Newcastle to be affected are:
More On
James RobinsonLocal Democracy Reporting ServiceNorth East Mayor Kim McGuinness has said the performance of the Tyne and Wear Metro needs to improve after almost two months of significant disruption.Passengers have experienced a massive impact on services since the Gateshead flyover was closed due to structural problems on 15 December.The mayor has decided to postpone annual price increases, usually rolled out in April, until July due to the issues.Operator Nexus said holding back the changes "re...
James Robinson
Local Democracy Reporting Service
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has said the performance of the Tyne and Wear Metro needs to improve after almost two months of significant disruption.
Passengers have experienced a massive impact on services since the Gateshead flyover was closed due to structural problems on 15 December.
The mayor has decided to postpone annual price increases, usually rolled out in April, until July due to the issues.
Operator Nexus said holding back the changes "recognises the exceptional disruption caused to customers at the end of 2024".
From July, the cost of a single journey paper Metro ticket will go up from £2.80 to £3.00 for one zone, from £3.80 to £4.00 for two zones, and from £4.50 to £4.70 for three zones, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
McGuinness acknowledged issues were "in large part" caused by the closure of Gateshead flyover and the impact that had on the tunnels below.
The flyover was closed for 10 days affecting journeys across the whole network.
She said: "Metro performance needs to improve. I've been very clear with Nexus about that but know passengers have not seen that improvement happening.
"With this in mind it would not be the right thing to increase fares in April as has happened in previous years.
"People should not be paying more when they have had less."
Director of finance and resources at Nexus John Fenwick said fares needed to increase "in order to help us address the challenges of higher operational costs".
Mr Fenwick said costs would increase by 5.1% heading into 2025/26, adding: "Metro is a public service and doesn't make a profit so we require Government support, alongside the revenue that we generate from fares, to keep the system running."
Both Nexus and McGuinness pointed to savings available to people who switch to the Pop Pay As You Go option.
The new fare proposals will go before North East Combined Authority's cabinet meeting for approval on Tuesday.
Follow BBC North East on X, external, Facebook, external, Nextdoor and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk