Long Beach, California Businesses Use Cohn Legal for Trademark Services
Cohn Legal, PLLC specializes in intellectual property protection and corporate law for startups, entrepreneurs, and small business owners. Serving clients in Long Beach, California, our trademark attorneys absolutely love helping companies protect their brand names and logos. On the most fundamental level, our goal is to provide our clients with exceptional legal guidance and support at cost-effective rates.
Top 8 Questions Long Beach Businesses Have About Obtaining a Trademark
Who needs a trademark?
Any current business owners or anyone in the process of starting a business should register their trademarks with the USPTO. A trademark will protect your brand from infringement.
Why should I work with an attorney to register a trademark?
There is no requirement that you work with an attorney to register a trademark, but doing so has many benefits. First, your trademark attorney will conduct a comprehensive trademark search to ensure that no one has already registered a mark that’s similar to your desired mark. Then, your attorney can submit a complete and accurate trademark application to the USPTO on your behalf. Any inquiries from the USPTO about your mark after the application submission will be handled by your attorney.
Best of all, with your attorney handling these tasks, you’ll have more time to focus on growing your business.
Is a Google search the best way to determine if the trademark I want is available?
Google searches, or any online search for that matter, should not be used to determine if someone else has the name or logo you want. Online searches will usually only reveal exact matches to your business name, product name, or slogan, but you also want to know who out there has a trademark that is very similar to the name you want, which may not come up in a search. Also, an online search won’t reveal which trademarks are pending approval with the USPTO. Contact a trademark attorney who can help you conduct a thorough search of existing and pending trademarks and give clear guidance on the availability of your desired trademark.
Will the USPTO let me know if a third party is infringing on my registered trademark?
It is up to the trademark applicant to monitor his/her trademark for infringement by competitors. The USPTO’s sole job is to evaluate the eligibility of an applied-for-mark but it does not proactively contact existing trademark holders and advise them of prospective trademark infringement.
What is a fanciful trademark?
Fanciful trademarks are marks that are typically made up and only have meaning when applied to a specific product or service. Examples of fanciful trademarks include Netflix, Exxon, and Pepsi.
Can generic terms receive trademark protection?
The USPTO won’t allow anyone to trademark generic terms. For example, you can’t register the word “jeans” as the brand name of your jeans company. If you were allowed to do that, it would prevent all other jeans manufacturers from using the word, which is unfair and unreasonable. All jeans manufacturers should have the right to use the generic term.
You can however use a generic term as part of a larger trademarked name. For example, “Gino’s Jeans” or “New Generation Jeans” may be acceptable trademarks.
What is an examining attorney?
An examining attorney is an individual at the USPTO who thoroughly evaluates trademark applications and searches the USPTO database for similar marks. The examiner will accept the application and approve it, reject it outright, or request additional information and details before making a final decision.
What should I register first: the name of my business or my logo?
If you can, try to trademark both your business name and logo using separate trademark applications at the same time. If you have to prioritize, then trademark the name of your business first. Then, register the logo.
Some business owners try to save money by registering just the logo, especially if it contains the name of their business. However, we don’t recommend this because if you want to change the design of your logo, then you risk losing trademark protection for the name of your business.
When in doubt, consult with a trademark attorney who can advise you on an appropriate trademark strategy.
Why Trademark Registration Matters for Long Beach Businesses
Long Beach can be a great location to start a new business. However, many new business owners in Long Beach make the mistake of overlooking the trademark registration process as they prepare to open shop. Trademark registration may seem like a detail that small businesses don’t need to concern themselves with, but in reality, it’s an essential part of creating a successful business.
Imagine the following: Ellen is a native of Long Beach and enjoys hiking and going on snowshoe expeditions. She has decided to turn her passion into a business by offering guided tours of some of Long Beach’s most beautiful trails to tourists.
She settles on the name Alaskan Adventures. Ellen gets to work creating a logo, promoting her business on hiking websites, and even leasing a small storefront. Ellen knows a bit about trademark registration but didn’t pursue it thinking that her venture was too small.
After a few months, Ellen’s business is going great. She gives tours almost every day of the week and is ready to hire some help. However, one day she gets some bad news in the mail. It turns out there’s a similar business in Juno, Alaska that has owned the trademark to Alaskan Adventures for the past 10 years.
This Juno business has asked Ellen to stop using the name and take down her website. Now, Ellen has to spend time and money rebranding her business.
If Ellen had contacted an experienced trademark attorney right from the start, she wouldn’t be in this situation. Don’t skip the trademark registration process. If you have a question about trademark registration, then contact Cohn Legal today
** Cohn Legal, PLLC is not located in Long Beach and yet it can assist businesses from California in registering a federal Trademark because trademarks are governed under federal law.
Trademarks Services for Long Beach 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.