Laredo, Texas Businesses Use Cohn Legal for Trademark Services
Assisting startups and entrepreneurs in Laredo, Texas, Cohn Legal, PLLC is a legal firm that focuses on trademark and copyright law. Extensive experience in handling complex intellectual property cases has equipped our attorneys with the requisite knowledge and expertise to deliver work of truly extraordinary quality. Whether it’s trademark prosecutions, transactional work, or helping you build a brand from scratch, we’re here to help make your life easier.
Top 9 Questions Laredo Businesses Have About Obtaining a Trademark
Can I conduct a Google search to determine if my desired trademark is available?
You should not conduct a Google search to determine if the trademark you want is available. Online searches will reveal exact matches to your desired trademark, but may not reveal marks that are very similar to the name you want. In addition, an online search won’t reveal which trademarks are in process with the USPTO.
The best way to ensure the mark you want is available is to contact a trademark attorney who can conduct a thorough clearance search.
What is a Trademark Office Action?
An Office Action lists the reasons that your trademark application may have been rejected by the examining attorney. It could be that your application contained inaccurate information or the examining attorney needs more details. It could also be that the examining attorney determined that your desired trademark is too generic or found a trademark in the USPTO databases that was similar to the mark you want.
If you receive an Office Action, then contact a trademark attorney right away who can advise you on the next steps. Never ignore an Office Action because that might lead to your application being rejected outright.
My trademark application was denied. Can I appeal?
If your trademark application was denied, you can file an appeal with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). Although not required for U.S.-based applicants, it is recommended that you hire a trademark attorney to help you with the appeals process.
How does my trademark registration last?
Your trademark registration will last as long as you want it to. Just make sure you submit the proper renewal documentation to the USPTO within the required timeframes. Your first renewal will be due about 5 years from the date your mark was registered. The second renewal will be due 5 years after that. Your third and all subsequent renewals will then be due every 10 years.
Is it possible to apply for a trademark anonymously?
No, you can’t file your mark anonymously. All filings with the USPTO are public and the name of the trademark owner must be disclosed.
What is a merely descriptive trademark?
A merely descriptive trademark is one that simply describes a characteristic or a feature of the product in question. For example, the manufacturer of a new brand of pretzel would not be able to trademark the name “Salty and Crunchy” as their brand name. Those are both terms that describe all pretzels. All pretzel sellers should be able to use those words.
Will my business require multiple trademarks?
Most businesses do need multiple trademarks to ensure they are fully protected. For example, you may submit a trademark application for your logo, another for a product name, and another for your company’s name. The trademark attorneys at Cohn Legal can help you determine which pieces of intellectual property will require trademarks.
What should I register first, the name of my business or my logo?
If you can, you should register the name of your business and your logo at the same time using separate applications. If you have to prioritize, then trademark your business name first.
Some business owners may only register their logo if it contains the name of their business. However, we don’t recommend doing this because if you ever want to change the design of your logo, then you run the risk of losing the trademark for your business name.
What are International Classes?
The USPTO classifies 47 groups of goods and services as “International Classes.” Depending on the goods or services your business offers, you may register in one class or several classes. An experienced trademark attorney can help you draft your list of goods and services to ensure you are filing in the right classes.
Why Trademark Registration Matters for Laredo Businesses
The residents of Laredo, Texas are independent and have a real “do-it-yourself” attitude. That may be the reason that there are so many startups and entrepreneurs in Laredo. These business owners are budget conscious and do whatever they can to ensure they’re not overspending. It’s a good idea for any new business owner to keep costs low, but you shouldn’t take a DIY approach to the trademark registration process.
Imagine the following: Bella is a master baker and wants to follow her dream of opening a cupcake shop in the Belmont Plaza section of Laredo, Texas. She already has the perfect name for her business picked out—The Cupcake Queen.
Bella does a quick Google search to see if anyone in her area is using the name Cupcake Queen. When no matches come up, she figures that she’s good to go. Bella signs the lease on a storefront, creates a logo, orders a sleek sign for the front, invests in a marketing plan, and buys advertising in local papers.
It’s been months of hard work, but Bella is finally ready to open the doors of her new shop. Within a month, business is booming. Residents of Laredo love Bella’s cupcakes and she gets more orders than she can handle.
A year later Bella gets some upsetting news in the form of a cease-and-desist letter. It turns out that there’s a bakery in Dallas called the Cake Queen. They’ve been getting calls from customers asking if they are associated with the Cupcake Queen. The Dallas Bakery is not comfortable with this confusion. As the owners of the trademark, they have every right to ask Bella to cease operations and not reopen until she finds a new name for her business.
Bella is devastated, but she knows she must comply. While there are many tasks that business owners can handle on their own, trademark registration isn’t one of them. Always work with a trademark attorney who can conduct a thorough clearance search on your behalf.
If you have questions about trademark registration, then contact the attorneys at Cohn Legal for a no-cost trademark consultation.
** Cohn Legal, PLLC is not located in Laredo and yet it can assist businesses from Texas in registering a federal Trademark because trademarks are governed under federal law.
Trademarks Services for Laredo Businesses
Submit Your Trademark
Now in 4 Easy Steps
TRADEMARK INFORMATION
Complete the Trademark Registration Form.
PRELIMINARY SEARCH
Our IP Attorneys will run a search of your trademark in the USPTO.
TM APPLICATION
We draft your TM Application and send it to you for your Review.
USPTO
We File the Application with the USPTO.