Intellectual property (IP) may be one of the most valuable assets a company can possess. However, navigating the complex world of intellectual property protection can be challenging, which is why businesses turn to intellectual property attorneys to safeguard their intangible assets. What Does an Intellectual Property Attorney Do? Intellectual property attorneys help businesses and individuals secure legal rights to their …
Best Practices for Selecting a New Trademark While Avoiding Risks
The trademark selection process can be daunting. There are multiple business, marketing, and legal considerations that can often conflict. Whether an established business is selecting a trademark for a new product launch or a start-up is adopting its first trademark to define its brand identity, it is important to be proactive and adopt best practices. Doing so can help secure …
The Lifecycle of a Brand: From Inception to Use to Maintenance, How Marketing and Product Managers Can Work Together
Marketing and Product Managers both play crucial roles in the lifecycle of a brand. Effective collaboration is essential to ensure a brand evolves in line with market and business needs and is sufficiently protected along the way. The Lifecycle of a Brand The lifecycle of a brand spans several stages: development, growth, maturity, and decline or maintenance. During each of …
Best Practices for Minimizing Future Risks and Enforcing Trademark Rights
When adopting and using a new trademark, knowledge is power. Understanding and implementing best practices for trademark adoption, use and maintenance can help minimize future risks. Use and successful registration of a mark is only the beginning. A trademark owner has a duty to monitor and enforce its trademark or risk narrowing the scope of its rights to the mark. …
Descriptive Marks: Balancing Marketing Needs with Trademark Rights
A strong trademark can be a tremendous asset to a business. Trademarks are generally categorized as fanciful, arbitrary, suggestive, descriptive, or generic, from strongest to weakest. Descriptive marks fall on the weaker end of the spectrum but can be valuable when used after careful consideration of the risks and benefits. When selecting a trademark, one that conveys information about the …
The Importance of Enrolling in a Trademark Watch Service
While trademark registration is a crucial initial step in protecting intellectual property, ongoing vigilance is essential to maintain and enforce these rights. Trademark watch services play a vital role in this continuous protection strategy, offering businesses a proactive approach to safeguarding their brand assets. What is a Trademark Watch Service? A trademark watch service is a monitoring system that actively …
What Are the Different Types of Patent Applications?
Securing patent protection is a crucial step in gaining a competitive edge in the marketplace. But before filing, it’s essential to understand the different types of patent applications available. Each type of patent application serves a specific purpose and the type of patent application filed first is determined by the larger filing strategy. Three different types of patents can be …
A Step-by-Step Guide to the Patent Application Process
Filing for patent protection may be a critical step in securing the exclusive right to obtain revenue from third-party use and commercialization of an invention. The patent application process is complex. This overview walks through the main steps involved in protecting an invention Determine Whether Patent Protection is Appropriate Patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets are different types of intellectual …
Can You Patent a Design?
In today’s competitive marketplace, the visual appeal of a product can be just as valuable as its functionality. Whether it’s the sleek curves of a smartphone, the distinctive shape of a perfume bottle, or the unique layout of a mobile application’s interface, design elements often play a pivotal role in a product’s success. But can these design elements be protected? …
Can You Get a Patent Without a Lawyer?
While the law allows inventors to submit a patent application without legal representation, applying for and prosecuting a patent application without the help of an experienced patent attorney or patent agent carries more risk than reward. In deciding whether to apply for patent protection without legal representation, careful consideration should be given to the complexity of the invention, the ability …