If you're an entrepreneur, you know that protecting your intellectual property should be high on your list when it comes to safeguarding your company. However, as a successful business owner, you also know the steps and costs of filing a trademark in the U.S. can be expensive and arduous.
This conundrum can be even more overwhelming for new business owners who want to do everything possible to minimize the price of securing trademarks. They try to handle complicated tasks like trademark registration on their own, which can be a big mistake - especially when juggling the day-to-day tasks of running a business. You may be thinking, "But what about those set-it-and-forget-it services you can find online? All you have to do is plug in your info, and you're done." Using pre-made templates for trademark filing can be tempting, but doing so can leave you with inadequate protection and hurt you in the long run.
So, what is the easiest, most cost-effective route to consider that also minimizes legal risk? The truth is, before you spend money on an online filing service, it's best to consult with a trademark attorney working with clients in Chicago, IL.
At Sausser Summers, PC, our experienced trademark attorneys can help you understand the trademark process step by step. We can even help with U.S. trademark filing, U.S. trademark responses, and U.S. trademark renewals at a price you can actually afford. That way, you can make an informed decision regarding your business without having to break the bank.
Hiring an attorney can be a daunting task, but at Sausser Summers, PC, our goal is to make the process as simple and seamless as possible for you. That's why we offer a straightforward checkout service. First, you choose your flat fee trademark service and fill out a short questionnaire. Then, we will contact you within 24 hours to discuss the details of our service. From there, one of our experienced trademark attorneys will get to work on your behalf.
Using a trademark attorney for filing in Chicago, IL, can significantly increase your chances of a successful registration. The U.S. government recommends hiring a trademark attorney to help with your application, and our team of trademark lawyers is dedicated to meeting your needs. In fact, we help ensure your application is filed correctly the first time so you can get on with your life and avoid legal risks.
At Sausser Summers, PC, we work closely with our clients to understand their needs and provide them with sound professional advice. We never offer incomplete services, such as simply filing for registration, because that would leave you open to legal risks. You can rely on us to handle your intellectual property matters, and our flat fee services can help protect your business in a simple, straightforward, and affordable way. It's really that simple.
In terms of filing a U.S. trademark, we provide an easy three-step process to protect your intellectual property:
1. You provide your trademark info to our team via an online form.
2. Our team performs a comprehensive trademark search. This search ensures that no other marks will prevent you from registering your trademark in the U.S. Once performed, we'll send you a legal opinion letter that details our findings.
3. Sausser Summers, PC, files your U.S. trademark application. We are then listed as your Attorney of Record on file. From there, we'll provide ongoing updates regarding the status of your trademark as it works through the registration process.
The bottom line? At Sausser Summers, PC, we give both new and seasoned business owners an easy, efficient, cost-effective way to protect the one asset that sets them apart from others: their name.
At Sausser Summers, PC, we give both new and seasoned business owners an easy, efficient, cost-effective way to protect the one asset that sets them apart from others: their name.
It's not necessary to be a lawyer in order to apply for a trademark. Anyone can submit a trademark application to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). However, registering a trademark involves more than just filling out a form. It's essential to conduct thorough research, accurately identify and clearly explain your trademark to ensure it receives adequate protection. And even after securing a trademark, you've got to monitor it consistently to make sure it's free from infringement.
The big takeaway here is that it's always a good idea to work with a trademark attorney to protect the intellectual property that you've worked so hard to establish. According to the Wall Street Journal, applicants are approximately 50% more likely to secure their trademark than people who file applications on their own. If your trademark application is rejected by the USPTO, you will need to revise and refile it, incurring additional filing fees. To avoid delays and extra costs, it is best to have a trademark lawyer help you get it right the first time.
Great trademark attorneys (like those you'll find at Sausser Summers, PC) will help with every step of filing and enforcing your trademark. Some additional benefits include the following:
Check to see if your proposed trademark is registered by another entity.
Conduct research to see if another business is using the trademark for which you're applying.
Provide advice and guidance on the strength of your trademark.
Draft and submit your trademark applications and application revisions.
Advice and guidance regarding trademark maintenance and protection.
Monitor the market for unauthorized use of your trademark.
Trademark enforcement to protect you against infringement.
Curious whether our trademark attorney services are right for you and your business? Contact Sausser Summer, PC, today. Let's talk about what you need, and how we can help.
Online services, can provide you with basic assistance in filing your trademark. However, they will never be a legitimate substitute for an experienced trademark attorney helping clients in Chicago, IL.
Although online filing services offer a step-by-step process, they take a one-size-fits-all approach to preparing legal documents. Even their advanced service only provides basic attorney assistance in completing your paperwork and helping with minor roadblocks. Online filing services' disclaimer highlights the many limitations of its services, including the fact that communications are not protected by attorney-client privilege. In addition, online filing services cannot provide advice, explanations, opinions, recommendations, or any kind of legal guidance on possible legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, selection of forms or strategies.
In other words, online filing services can offer you the necessary forms and point you in the right direction, but they cannot customize their services to your specific needs or help you with serious complications that may arise.
For the most comprehensive trademark service and protection, it's always wise to work with highly rated trademark lawyers, like you'll find at Sausser Summers, PC.
Trademarks in the U.S. can last indefinitely, but did you know that clients in Chicago, IL can file a trademark online, only to lose protection in some circumstances? Trademarks differ from patents and copyrights in that they do not have an expiration date. However, to prevent the cancellation of a trademark, you must maintain it. To ensure that your trademark remains protected, you must actively use it in commerce and renew it with the USPTO every ten years.
The Lanham Act tells us that "use in commerce" is the legitimate use of a trademark in the ordinary course of trade. In other words, you cannot register a trademark solely to reserve the rights to it in the future. In most cases, a trademark must be used continuously in connection with the goods or services it is registered for.
Trademarks are registered with the USPTO and generally need to be renewed every ten years. However, there is one crucial exception that you should be aware of. Within the first ten years of owning a trademark, you must file for renewal between the fifth and sixth year from the date of your initial registration.
During this renewal period, you are required to submit a Section 8 declaration, a specimen that shows how the mark is being used, and pay the required fee. You can also apply for Section 15 Incontestability status, which can strengthen your trademark rights. This application, although not mandatory, can make it harder for others to challenge your ownership of the mark.
After the first renewal, which falls between the fifth and sixth year of ownership, the next renewal filing is due between the ninth and tenth year, and then every tenth year thereafter. In the ninth year you will need to file a Section 8 declaration, attesting to your use of the mark or excusable nonuse. You've also got to file a Section 9 renewal application before the end of the tenth year to keep your registration active.
It is worth noting that the USPTO provides a six-month grace period if you fail to renew your mark within the required time frame, but it is best not to rely on it. If you don't file within the grace period time limits, the USPTO will cancel and expire your mark.
By hiring trademark attorneys helping clients in Chicago, IL, you can avoid the pitfalls and mistakes that can arise and cause you to lose your rights to the mark that represents it.
In the event that you stop using your trademark and have no plans to resume using it in commerce, it may be considered abandoned by the USPTO. This could result in the loss of your protective rights to the mark. Typically, a trademark is assumed to be abandoned if it has not been used for three years. However, you may be able to refute this presumption by providing evidence that you intend to use the mark again in the future.
In addition to trademark abandonment, you should also be wary of improper licensing. It's important to remember that once you allow someone else to use your trademark, you must keep an eye on how they use it. You should monitor the products or services that feature your trademark to ensure that they meet consumers' expectations in terms of quality. Failure to do so can lead to a "naked" trademark license and the loss of your protective trademark rights.
If you're wondering how you can avoid refiling your trademark, the answer is simple: file it correctly the first time around. Filing a trademark isn't inherently difficult, but when doing so, it's very important that certain aspects are filled out accurately in your application. If any information is missing or incorrect, the trademark application may be considered "void ab initio" or void from the beginning, requiring you to file again.
To avoid this, make sure that the information you provide in the application is accurate and complete, including the ownership of the trademark. For instance, if a corporation has multiple shareholders, it should not file under the President's personal name. The rightful owner should be the one/entity that ultimately controls the trademark and the associated goods/services.
It is also important to ensure that the goods and/or services description is precise. For example, if you sell electronic products, you should not file for research and development services despite having a research and development department. The goods/services description should reflect the goods/services you offer to customers, not the departments within your business.
Additionally, providing accurate dates of first use when filing for a trademark is crucial. The USPTO requires two dates to be specified - the date of first use anywhere and the date of first use in interstate commerce. Contact our trademark law office today to learn more about having accurate dates on your filing paperwork.
At Sausser Summers, PC, we often get questions about how to distinguish run-of-the-mill consultants and others from great trademark attorneys. After all - when you're looking for an attorney to file or prosecute your business trademark, you should know their qualifications. Here are three ways you can separate the proverbial wheat from the chaff when it comes to trademark attorneys.
It's crucial to seek legal advice from a licensed trademark lawyer rather than relying on advice from non-professionals like trademark consultants. The USPTO even recommends hiring an attorney to help with the trademark process. Although trademark consultants may provide advice on trademark availability or name marketability, they cannot file the trademark for you or offer legal advice. According to the Rules of Practicing in trademark cases, "Individuals who are not attorneys are not recognized to practice before the Office in trademark matters." This rule applies to individuals who assist trademark applicants.
When searching for a trademark attorney, it's important to find someone with a strong background in trademark law. Look for an attorney who specializes in this area and has significant experience handling trademark-related cases. Avoid lawyers who don't have expertise in this field, as they may not be able to provide the guidance and support you need.
Ensure your attorney provides updates throughout the trademark registration process to avoid missing deadlines, including responding to any Office actions within six months. Failure to do so can result in trademark abandonment. The USPTO will only correspond with the listed attorney of record, so make sure your attorney keeps you informed.
In summary:
Building your brand and gaining recognition for it is a significant achievement, and it's important to protect it. However, there are certain pitfalls and mistakes that can arise, causing you to lose your rights to the mark that represents it. By working with knowledgeable trademark attorneys, you can avoid these issues and file your trademark successfully.
With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Sausser Summers, PC, offers comprehensive guidance, strategic advice, and reliable representation for a variety of trademark matters. Our attorneys have years of real-world experience and, having registered countless trademarks with the USPTO, provide our clients with individualized representation when they need it most.
If you're looking for skilled, adept, and experienced counsel, look no further than our trademark law firm. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation and learn how we can help you safeguard your brand.
CHICAGO (CBS) -- With President-elect Donald Trump having pledged to stage a sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration immediately after he takes the oath of office on Monday, local leaders and immigrant rights groups in Chicago met Saturday morning in the Pilsen neighborhood to make sure the community is prepared.The incoming Trump administration is planning to ramp up operations ...
CHICAGO (CBS) -- With President-elect Donald Trump having pledged to stage a sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration immediately after he takes the oath of office on Monday, local leaders and immigrant rights groups in Chicago met Saturday morning in the Pilsen neighborhood to make sure the community is prepared.
The incoming Trump administration is planning to ramp up operations to arrest unauthorized immigrants across major U.S. cities next week after President-elect Donald Trump takes office, targeting "sanctuary" jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration officials, two sources familiar with the plans tell CBS News.
Sources tell CBS news sanctuary cities like Chicago will be targeted as early as Tuesday.
ICE officials in the Chicago area recently put out a request for agents to participate in the post-inauguration arrest operations, unbeknownst to top agency leaders in Washington, a U.S. official familiar with the developments told CBS News.
Many immigrant rights groups in the Chicago area have been reaching out to undocumented immigrants ahead of Trump's inauguration, in an effort to get ready for what might be coming.
Mari Rodriguez said "there are good days and there are bad days," but she's grateful for every day she works selling tamales to the Pilsen community.
"We came to work. We came to work," she said.
She migrated from Venezuela, and has been in Chicago just a year.
"Yes, I live here in Chicago," she said.
Rodriguez said she's fearful about what might happen on Tuesday if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrive in Chicago as promised by President-elect Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, who has said Chicago will be "ground zero" for their mass deportation efforts.
"We're going to start right here in Chicago, Illinois," Homan said during a visit to Chicago last month.
U.S. Rep. Chuy Garcia (D-IL) said such threats are nothing new to the migrant community.
"This community has been the subject of attacks and immigration raids going back to the 1960s," he said.
Garcia and other local elected leaders joined immigrant advocates on Saturday to reassure and remind the undocumented community of their rights.
"You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to not open the door. You have the right to ask to speak to an attorney," said Ere Rendon, vice president of immigrant justice for The Resurrection Project, a local nonprofit.
The reminder comes a day after a Wall Street Journal report cited sources claiming up to 200 ICE agents are coming to Chicago as early as Tuesday to carry out large-scale deportation efforts.
"Right now, there is no official statement or order that raids are going to be taking place. Do we expect additional agents to be sent here? Of course. Starting perhaps on Tuesday? We don't know," Garcia said. "It's going to take time. The important thing is to remain calm, as Chicago has done when tested in other times as well."
ICE raids happened in Chicago in 2018, but in 2022 the American Civil Liberties Union settled a lawsuit with the Department of Homeland Security, requiring changes in how ICE can operate in Illinois.
"ICE should not be going up to random people on the streets and asking to see their documentation, and that's why it's important that people that they have the right to remain silent if ICE does do that," Rendon said.
The message migrant advocates wanted to send is not to be afraid, but to be prepared.
"Regardless of your legal status, you have rights," U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-IL) said.
The Resurrection Project set up a hotline to help families if they're affected by an ICE raid and they wanted to make sure everyone had it: 855-435-7693
Sat, Jan 18, 2025 at 4:00 PMKitchen + Kocktails By Kevin Kelley - Chicago 444 North Wabash Avenue Chicago, IL 60611More info here❄️ Crawl Into Comfort With US this January! ❄️Get your tickets, grab your crew and s...
❄️ Crawl Into Comfort With US this January! ❄️
Get your tickets, grab your crew and snuggle up in your comfiest onesie for a night of cozy bar-hopping fun! ????
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???? Join The Comfiest Party of the Year!
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This Onesie Bar Crawl will take you through some of Chicago's most exciting bars, where you'll meet new friends and enjoy a cozy atmosphere like no other. With fun music, laughter, and a whole lot of onesie-wearing joy, it’s the ultimate way to embrace the winter season in style.
Throw on your coziest, wildest, or funniest onesie and join us for a night of bar-hopping, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Whether you're rocking a cute animal onesie, a holiday-themed getup, or something completely unexpected, this is your chance to drink, dance, and create memories that will keep you smiling all winter long.
Don’t miss out on Chicago's coziest night of the year! Grab your tickets today and get ready for a night of warmth, laughter, and unforgettable fun in your best onesie! ????????
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????️ VOUCHERS ????️
Vouchers Are Only Valid At The Venues Posted Below!
GREEN VOUCHER = VOUCHER ITEM @ TBA 4PM-6PM
YELLOW VOUCHER = VOUCHER ITEM @ TBA 7PM-9PM
RED VOUCHER = VOUCHER ITEM @ TBA 10PM-12AM
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???? CHECK IN 4PM - 6PM ????
KITCHEN + KOCKTAILS
???? CRAWL LOCATIONS 4PM - 10PM ????
???? MID PARTY 7PM - 9PM ????
???? AFTER PARTY 10PM - 12AM ????
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100% CANCELLATION REFUND GUARANTEE:
????If the event is cancelled for any reason, all tickets will be refunded in full! No vouchers, no credits, just your money back in your bank! Guaranteed!
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✔️ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ✔️
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???? DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE ????
We Highly Suggest Using Uber or Lyft To And From The Bar Crawl!
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㉑ ATTENDEES MUST BE 21+ ㉑Due to the nature of our events, all attendees must be 21+ with a valid government issued ID.
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.Chicago|Local EventColin Barnes, NeighborThu, Jan 16, 2025 at 7:00 PMThe Original Mother's, 26 W Division St, Chicago, IL, 60610...
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.
Chicago|Local Event
Join us for the ultimate date night at Mother’s with an intimate “Paint & Sip” from 7-10pm. Couples will enjoy candlelit tables adorned with roses while capturing each other’s portraits. Begin your evening with a complimentary glass of house wine, then explore our specialty cocktails as you create lasting memories together.
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