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 Northampton, Northamptonshire.
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 Northampton, Northamptonshire, 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 Northampton, Northamptonshire.
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 Northampton, Northamptonshire 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 Northampton, Northamptonshire, 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 borough's children's care service that had previously been struggling has improved, according to inspectors.Ofsted carried out a visit to North Northamptonshire's children's services at the beginning of October, to examine the arrangements for care leavers aged 18-25.The service is delivered by Northamptonshire Children's Trust (NCT) which was rated as "requires improvement to be good" in 2022.Ofsted inspectors found th...
A borough's children's care service that had previously been struggling has improved, according to inspectors.
Ofsted carried out a visit to North Northamptonshire's children's services at the beginning of October, to examine the arrangements for care leavers aged 18-25.
The service is delivered by Northamptonshire Children's Trust (NCT) which was rated as "requires improvement to be good" in 2022.
Ofsted inspectors found the service for those leaving the trust's care had "significantly improved", but more work was needed.
Inspectors examined the preparation and support given to the young people to transition them into adulthood, and the service's ability to keep in touch with them.
The service's support offered to former unaccompanied asylum-seeking children was also examined.
Inspectors in their report noted that children worked with personal advisers "well in advance of their 18th birthday", which helped lead to "meaningful relationships" which lasted years ahead of them leaving the care system.
A small number of children, however, were found to have left the service when "further work with them was still required or should have been offered".
Processes to prevent this occurring again have been put in place, the report said.
The report stated that support was "provided according to need, resulting in most young people making good progress towards independence".
Many of these young people were then able to successfully manage their own living tenancies.
Yet securing permanent housing for care leavers was "hampered by the poor communication and relations between the house department and care leaving service".
Another issue raised was around the care leavers hub in Northampton.
While many young people told inspectors it help provide them with a safe space, some had to travel long distances to get there.
However leaders have secured funding to open a hub in Kettering, Northamptonshire, with plans for it to be operational within 12 months, the report stated.
Some concerns were raised by inspectors around former unaccompanied asylum-seeking children who had dropped out of the educational courses available to them, which would impact their future employment.
Julian Wooster, the chair of NCT, said it was "heartening" to hear that young people within the service felt supported by the workforce.
He added that by working with the council, the trust would be able to "take forward and implement" Ofsted recommendations to achieve the "best possible outcome" for those using the service.
Scott Edwards, North Northamptonshire Council's executive member for children, families, education and skills, said the council recognised there was "still work to be done" and it had taken on board the inspectors' feedback.
The council would provide bus passes for those travelling to the Northampton hub, he added.
Ex-players relish 'showcase' of county's footballDean Thomas (right) scored the only goal past Kevin Shoemake (left) when Northampton Town and Kettering Town last met in the FA CupThe first meeting between Northampton Town and Kettering Town in almost 35 years will be a "showcase for Northamptonshire football", according to two players who featured in the last match between the sides.League One Northampton Town, known as the Cobblers will host the seventh-tier Poppies in the FA Cup first round proper o...
Dean Thomas (right) scored the only goal past Kevin Shoemake (left) when Northampton Town and Kettering Town last met in the FA Cup
The first meeting between Northampton Town and Kettering Town in almost 35 years will be a "showcase for Northamptonshire football", according to two players who featured in the last match between the sides.
League One Northampton Town, known as the Cobblers will host the seventh-tier Poppies in the FA Cup first round proper on Saturday in what will be only the third competitive game between the sides.
They last met on 18 November 1989, when Northampton won 1-0 at Kettering's Rockingham Road ground in the same competition.
Dean Thomas, who scored the only goal that day, said: "It’s a great chance for these players to do something special."
Thomas struck the winner from distance to beat Kettering goalkeeper Kevin Shoemake in the 69th minute and said he had "dined out" on it ever since.
"That goal was 35 yards, but it gets longer with every story!" he said.
"It was an opportunist goal. The conditions were wet and greasy. I thought I would get lucky. Luckily for me it went in.
"We had to keep the crowd quiet; we couldn’t let Kettering get a head of steam. We thought our fitness would show. We had to win the Northants bragging rights."
Thomas, 62, played more than 70 games for the Cobblers between 1988 and 1990 and also counts Wimbledon, Fortuna Dusseldorf and Notts County among his former clubs.
"As non-league footballers you want one game you can remember for the rest of your life," he said.
"If they can beat Northampton Town, what a wonderful memory that would be."
Shoemake, 59, who played for a host of clubs including Peterborough United and Rushden & Diamonds, said Thomas's goal had "haunted" him, but recalled the "friendly rivalry" between the sides.
He said: "There was a great build-up to the game... all players and coaches knew each other. There was no needle and good camaraderie off the pitch."
Shoemake, who now works as the chief executive of the Birmingham FA, said he had been sent "loads of messages" after the sides were again drawn together last month.
"The two [towns] are 17 miles away, and Kettering fans will travel in number… the build-up back then [in 1989] was exceptional and the players will be right up for it.
"It’s good for the county. The gulf between the two sides is bigger than it was back then but it’s a showcase for Northamptonshire football that can only be good for the game locally."
While Northampton remain a third tier side 35 years on, Kettering have dropped from the former Football Conference - now known as the National League - to Southern League Premier Division Central
Northampton were also victorious in the only other previous competitive meeting between the sides - also in the FA Cup - winning 3-0 at their former County Ground home.
The 2024 match will be shown live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two from 17:15 GMT on Saturday, with kick-off at 17:30. The match will also be live on BBC Radio Northampton and BBC Sounds.
Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565Visit Shots! nowNorthampton Town Council passed a motion at its meeting of Full Council this week.It's calling for West Northampt...
Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Northampton Town Council passed a motion at its meeting of Full Council this week.
It's calling for West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) to reconsider its plans to remove the Town Council from its current offices in the Guildhall and to repurpose the building as the Coroner’s Court and additional WNC offices.
The unitary council’s proposals could also see the removal of several statues of prominent Northamptonians which are currently sited in the Guildhall courtyard.
The motion was suggested following a heritage partnership meeting earlier in October, which brought together prominent local heritage groups including the Guild of Freemen, the Friends of Northampton Castle, Northampton Transport Heritage, along with community leaders and local MPs.
The meeting was chaired by the Mayor of Northampton, Cllr. Paul Joyce and Father Oliver Coss, Rector of All Saints’ Church, debated the future use of Northampton’s historic Guildhall and considered how it should be preserved for future generations as the town’s most prominent civic space.
The Mayor of Northampton, Cllr Paul Joyce, said: “There was overwhelming support at the heritage meeting to work together and make the case for respecting Northampton’s rich heritage and civic traditions.
“The Guildhall is the civic centre of Northampton as well as the administrative home of the town council, and as a heritage partnership, we want work with WNC to ensure that the building is as accessible as possible and remains the civic heart of the town”. In proposing the motion, Cllr Jane Birch, Chair of the Community Services Committee at Northampton Town Council, said: “This motion passed by the town council seeks to build on the overwhelming support demonstrated at the heritage meeting.
“Participants in that meeting called for positive intent to partnership working, collaboration and consultation with residents, heritage organisations and the town council over the future use and preservation of our historic places. We hope we can work with WNC to ensure that this happens.”
Martin HeathBBC News, NorthamptonshireThousands of people are expected to descend on a town for its annual Diwali Festival of Light.It will be the first cultural event staged at Northampton's newly refurbished Market Square since its official opening.The celebration on Saturday includes a light parade featuring magical lanterns made by school children.Neelam Aggarwal-Singh, chair of the Northampton Indian Hindu Welfare Organisation, said: "The festival of Diwali lights gets bigger and better eve...
Martin Heath
BBC News, Northamptonshire
Thousands of people are expected to descend on a town for its annual Diwali Festival of Light.
It will be the first cultural event staged at Northampton's newly refurbished Market Square since its official opening.
The celebration on Saturday includes a light parade featuring magical lanterns made by school children.
Neelam Aggarwal-Singh, chair of the Northampton Indian Hindu Welfare Organisation, said: "The festival of Diwali lights gets bigger and better every year."
Northampton's Diwali festival, now in its 24th year, has grown to become one of the biggest in the area.
The event will start at 10:00 BST on Saturday on the Market Square, with henna painting, saree dressing and stalls.
There will also be live stage entertainment and food and drink.
The light parade starts at 18:00 and makes its way through the town centre from Dychurch Lane to the Market Square.
Local school children will show off the lanterns they made during workshops supported by Northampton College.
The giant puppets telling the story of Prince Ram and his wife, Sita, which is central to the Hindu religion, have been popular in previous years and are returning for 2024.
Harminder the puppet elephant will also be in attendance, with all the puppetry being operated by Route Canal Arts, external and Rost Productions, external.
Ms Aggarwal-Singh said: "It's wonderful to see so many partners coming together to make it such a great experience for everyone.
"I am looking forward to welcoming visitors to this special event back on the Market Square and joining the popular Diwali lights parade, which will light up the streets of Northampton town centre."
Anna King, from West Northamptonshire Council, added: "Diwali in Northampton is a true reflection of the wonderful communities we serve.
“It's a time for celebration and everyone can get involved in this most glorious show of lanterns and lights displayed through the story of Rama and Sita."
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