Category Archives: Intellectual Property

USPTO Introduces Pilot Program To Fight Fake Specimens – What You Need To Know
As more companies have stressed the importance of brand protection, the USPTO has seen an increase in trademark applications. Often, Applicants apply for trademarks with a broad scope of goods and services, as they do not know how they are going to grow and expand as a company. When filing an in-use application, some… Read More »

What Do I Do If My Trademark Has Been Opposed?
A few months after filing your trademark, you will hear from a Trademark Examiner regarding your application. Assuming there are no issues, an Examiner will publish your mark for “opposition.” This blawg will explain what it means to have an application published for opposition, and this process with the Trademark Trial and Appeals Board… Read More »

What is Trademark Incontestability?
A trademark can quickly become a significant asset for a business as it is a source identifier to consumers and competitors of your brand. After obtaining a federal trademark registration, you may think you are finished with the trademark process. Once the mark is registered, you must continue using the mark in commerce, and… Read More »

How do I use Trademark Symbols?
As many companies are using a trademark, they often use the ® or TM symbol following their logo or company name. As a trademark owner, it is important to know when you should use these symbols, and more importantly, how they should be used. To begin, it is necessary to recognize the symbols that… Read More »

What to do if Someone is Using Your Mark as a Domain Name
A growing area of Intellectual Property litigation concerns domain name disputes. Domain name disputes arise when an individual or entity engage in cyber squatting. Cyber squatting can occur when these individuals or entities attempt to register the brand names, trade names or trademarks used by other businesses in which the domain registrant has no… Read More »

Are YOU a “Trademark Bully”?
A trademark serves as a fixed representation of a business’ brand and its goodwill, and conveys a message to consumers of the quality of goods and services offered by the business. However, recently businesses have been taking their exclusive right to use the marks to an extreme. The United States Patent and Trademark Office… Read More »
Non-Compete Reform is Not Dead in Massachusetts
Back in 2016, the Massachusetts House and Senate each passed different versions of non-competition reform bills, seeking to make changes to existing laws allowing employers to restrict its employees from gainful employment after termination. Both bills, however, failed, as the legislature was unable to come to an agreement before the legislative session ended. While… Read More »

How to Lose a Trademark in 3 Ways
Trademarks and Service Marks need to be renewed, maintained, monitored and actively protected from infringement. Doing any of the following can, and most likely will, result in the loss of rights to the mark. Abandonment of the mark. Trademark abandonment occurs when the owner of the Trademark or Service Mark stops using the mark, with no intention to use… Read More »