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 Wolverhampton, West Midlands.
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 Wolverhampton, West Midlands, 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 Wolverhampton, West Midlands.
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 Wolverhampton, West Midlands 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 Wolverhampton, West Midlands, 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.
It’s that time of year again, where dark nights are illuminated by spectacular bursts of colour and it’s time to gather round bonfires, toasting marshmallows and sipping hot chocolate.Bonfire Night is fast approaching and, with plenty of spectacular events scheduled to take place across the West Midlands, there is something for everyone to enjoy.If you need some inspiration to spark your firework night plans, here is a guide of some events taking place across the region.It’s worth remembering that Novem...
It’s that time of year again, where dark nights are illuminated by spectacular bursts of colour and it’s time to gather round bonfires, toasting marshmallows and sipping hot chocolate.
Bonfire Night is fast approaching and, with plenty of spectacular events scheduled to take place across the West Midlands, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
If you need some inspiration to spark your firework night plans, here is a guide of some events taking place across the region.
It’s worth remembering that November 5 falls on a Tuesday this year, meaning many of the large, organised celebrations will be taking place over the weekend instead.
Himley Hall and Park, Saturday, November 2
The Bonfire night extravaganza at Himley Hall is the largest council-run fireworks show in the whole of the UK.
The event will feature a 30 minute firework display choreographed to aptly-named songs (think what it would be like to see actual purple rain!) as well as a giant funfair, live entertainment and a night market offering delicious food and drink stalls.
Tickets can be purchased from their website.
West Park, Friday, November 1
Being brought to life by award-winning firework “champions”, Komodo Fireworks, will feature something for firework lovers of ages to enjoy.
The evening will feature two displays – an earlier children’s show as 7.15pm, which is designed to have fewer ‘bangs’ for more delicate ears, and a regular display at 8.30pm.
Both displays will be choreographed to music, with a licenced bar and funfair being open throughout the evening.
The fun doesn’t stop with the fireworks, with a Queen tribute band set to end the night with a different kind of bang!
Tickets can be purchased from their website.
Stourbridge Rugby Club, Friday, November 1
The family friendly bonfire night extravaganza at Stourbridge Rugby Club is returning, with ticket sales raising funds for the club.
There will be an impressive 30ft bonfire and dazzling firework display as well as live music to enjoy.
If you’re after a bite to eat, there will be a great selection of food vendors at the event as well as three licenced bars.
You can buy your tickets from Skiddle.
Walsall Arboretum, Saturday, November 2
This annual event will deliver its usual stunning firework display, however this year brings an even bigger (and hotter!) surprise.
You will be able to enjoy a special flame show, choreographed to music from classic films.
There will also be a funfair and a number of stalls selling food and beverages to enjoy throughout the evening.
For more information and to buy tickets, head to their website.
The Woodman at Netherton, Sunday, November 3
With firework displays getting bigger and better every year, so often do the prices of tickets.
However, The Woodman pub in Netherton is hosting a family-friendly firework display, with free entry for the local community.
There will be a spectacular firework display, as well as hot food and drinks on offer and fun fair activities for kids to enjoy.
Although free of charge, donations to the display are being encouraged.
For more information, head to the pub’s Facebook page.
These are just a handful of the many bonfire night celebrations that are set to take place across the West Midlands which are sure to light up the night skies over the coming days.
Wolverhampton commuters have branded the new single-journey fares on their local buses as a 'joke' after the Government announced price cap change. CommentsWatch more of our videos on ShotsTV.comand on Freeview 262 or Freely 565Visit Shots! nowThe new policy, w...
Wolverhampton commuters have branded the new single-journey fares on their local buses as a 'joke' after the Government announced price cap change.
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The new policy, which Prime Minster Sir Keir Starmer announced on Tuesday (October 29), will see the £2 bus fare cap scrapped and prices hike to £3.
Bus operator, National Express West Midlands, have confirmed that fares on their single travel tickets will rise across the West Midlands when their £2 cap is scrapped by the Government.
The axing of the popular bus cap means operators will again be able to hike prices – with local bus companies already announcing that they will change theirs.
National Express West Midlands, who run the majority of the buses in the area, have confirmed a price hike to £2.90, with transport bosses pointing out that the £2.90 fare was cheaper than the new £3.
The move spells a potentially tighter bottom line for those commuters who are financially struggling, with many saying that the 90p spike will further impact their 'already dented pockets'.
A National Express West Midlands spokesperson said: "In the West Midlands, outside of the £2 single fare cap, the single bus fare is £2.90, so it is already cheaper than the Government's proposed £3 scheme.
"It is important to not that fares in the West Midlands remain among the cheapest in the country. we are exploring what the options are from January and will update customers as soon as possible."
Kevin Hubbard, 45, of Wolverhampton, said: "I can't believe it. For a lot of people, money is already tight as it is. It might seem like 'just' 90p, but that's 90p a day that many people travelling to work won't have for food or electricity. It adds up.
"They may have well just made it £3. I actually think it's a bit of an insult to act like we are better off because we are 10p cheaper. It's a joke."
Transport bosses pointed out that £2.90 was cheaper than the new £3 cap, however, some residents said that 10p goes a long way for those in need.
Julie Leighton, of Wolverhampton, a disabled commuter, said: "It's an utter disgrace. There are a lot of people who don't have a lot of money. An extra 90p, you add that to a whole family and it adds up.
"The prices should be going down, not up. It only just recently went up. I think it is wrong."
The increase is set to come into effect in the new year. With the changes expected to take place following December.
Tom Jefferies, of Wolverhampton, said he thinks the older generation will be the most affected, he said: "To be honest, they have upped them a lot after COVID, It doesn't really affect me because I get my bus pass through the college, but my mate's mom has to catch the bus and she will be affected.
"It really puts the older generation in a hard position because they may have to travel a lot just on the buses. Some people are on universal credit and need to go to the job centre, so they might have to rely on bus services. To a big company, it might not matter, but you are affecting a lot of people just for the profit margins."
Glynn Hughes, a former coach driver, said it's only a pound extra per journey, but understands that some may not be able to afford the price hike.
He said: "I have to be honest, it's not really that bad, it's only a pound or 90p. At least it's keeping the services going.
"It's right that it might affect those people on lower incomes, but I do think they may well have just made it £3 instead of leaving it at £2.90."
Following Starmer's announcement National Express bosses pointed out that the new price is still cheaper than the new cap.
A spokesperson said: "In the West Midlands, outside of the £2 single fare cap, the single bus fare is £2.90, so it is already cheaper than the Government's proposed £3 scheme.
"It is important to note that fares in the West Midlands remain among the cheapest in the country. We are exploring what the options are from January and will update customers as soon as possible."