When seeking trademark renewal instructions, we ask our clients whether a mark has been in continuous use for 5 years. The answer to this question is very important. In the United States, trademark registrations have to be renewed for the first time between the 5th and 6th anniversary of their registration date. This requirement is … Read more
Clients and colleagues often ask us to provide cost estimates for the preparation and filing of trademark applications in the United States. The answer has always been “it depends,” and now, a year into the USPTO’s implementation of surcharges, the answer is still “it depends.” Factors that impact the cost of an application include: The … Read more
SGIP has an opening for a fully time, remote trademark paralegal. The job description is below. Interested applicants should email a cover letter and resume to hello@sgip.law. We look forward to hearing from you! *** SGIP is a boutique IP firm based in New York, focused on trademark, copyright, publishing and general business matters. We … Read more
Effective January 18, 2025, the United States Trademark Office will be increasing certain fees and imposing new surcharges, the goals of which are to “enhance the quality of incoming applications, encourage efficient application processing, ensure additional examination costs are paid by those submitting more time-consuming applications, and reduce pendency.” The text of the Trademark Office’s … Read more
Be Original Americas is a trade association committed to informing and educating manufacturers, artisans, design professionals, and consumers about the economic, ethical, and environmental value of authentic design. I periodically write articles for BOA, on topics of interest to its members. My most recent article addressed the differences between patents, trademarks, trade dress and copyright, … Read more
As a trademark lawyer who has been both in-house and outside counsel, I have helped clients through hundreds of branding and rebranding projects. When I decided to mark the 10-year anniversary of my law firm with a rebrand, I applied the lessons learned from working with my clients, and also gained a unique appreciation of … Read more
When I hung out my shingle in 2014, I had one client, a box of business cards, and a lot of determination. I called my firm “Law Office of Stacy J. Grossman” and gave myself two years to build a practice. I knew that about 20% of small businesses fail within the first year, and … Read more
To obtain or renew a United States trademark registration, brand owners must file one or more specimens of use.[1]. A specimen is a document that shows the manner in which a trademark is seen by the public. A specimen can be a photograph of a label or hangtag, a screen capture from a website, a … Read more
Once in a while, terms that once functioned as trademarks are so widely used by the public that they lose their trademark status and become generic. At one time, aspirin, escalator, thermos, yoyo and laundromat were all federally registered trademarks. Their owners did not properly enforce these brands, and they became so common that they … Read more
Published by Law360 on January 6, 2023 A recent Rolling Stone article by David Browne called “The Future of Classic Rock Tours: One or Two Surviving Members… Or None?” described how heritage bands like The Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd continue touring — and generating revenue — even when one or more original members … Read more
