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 Kansas City, MO.
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 Kansas City, MO, 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 Kansas City, MO.
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 Kansas City, MO 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 Kansas City, MO, 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.
The Kansas City Chiefs are headed back to the Super Bowl. Head coach Andy Reid is the best head coach in the National Football League and now can add another ring to his Hall of Fame career.In this story:The Kansas City Chiefs will face a familiar opponent in Super Bowl LIX. They will be facing off against the Philadelphia Eagles from the NFC East. These two met in Super Bowl 57. That game was a great one and an instant classic. The Chiefs came out on top winning by a field goal in the final seconds. If he sees the same game it...
The Kansas City Chiefs are headed back to the Super Bowl. Head coach Andy Reid is the best head coach in the National Football League and now can add another ring to his Hall of Fame career.
In this story:
The Kansas City Chiefs will face a familiar opponent in Super Bowl LIX. They will be facing off against the Philadelphia Eagles from the NFC East. These two met in Super Bowl 57. That game was a great one and an instant classic. The Chiefs came out on top winning by a field goal in the final seconds. If he sees the same game it is going to be a fun one to watch.
The Chiefs have the best head coach in the National Football League. Andy Reid, since coming over to Kansas City from Philadelphia, Reid has taken this Chiefs franchise to places they could have never imagined. Now Reid is looking to add to his Hall of Fame career by once again defeating his former team the Eagles and adding another Super Bowl ring to his collection.
"Well, you know the kid [Patrick Mahomes], so he is a great kid, he grew up in a locker room, he is humble, what a phenomenal teammate he is always complimenting his guys, kind of knows when to pull on them and when you to back off and compliment," said Andy Reid on The Pat McAfee Show. "He just got a good way about him, and he is smart on top of all that and is a very hard worker."
Reid was asked about drawing up new plays heading into the Super Bowl.
"That is the fun part. So I have these coaches here that have creative minds and they love doing it. And they get the players involved too. It does not matter if it is a lineman or a quarterback. Whoever they got something good, let us put it out on the table and see what you got. I got 51 percent of the vote, but I am still open-minded with it."
Reid also talked about the challenges the Eagles present.
"I cannot get rid of that guy [the Eagles]. He is everywhere and he is tough. He has a great scheme and that defense plays their heart out. That is a tremendous defense. Offense too but that defense, you are asking me about the defense, and Vic [Fangio] is as good as anybody in this league. Everywhere he goes he puts together these tough defenses."
Published Jan 31, 2025
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Patrick Mahomes felt as though he needed to apologize after he helped the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game, punching their ticket to the Super Bowl for the third consecutive season.Not for the outcome, but for quite possibly the worst spike in NFL history.In a back-and-forth tussle between two of the NFL's top teams, the Chiefs were driving early in the fourth quarter last weekend for the go-ahead score. Mahomes took off to the right and powered into the end zone and, wi...
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Patrick Mahomes felt as though he needed to apologize after he helped the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game, punching their ticket to the Super Bowl for the third consecutive season.
Not for the outcome, but for quite possibly the worst spike in NFL history.
In a back-and-forth tussle between two of the NFL's top teams, the Chiefs were driving early in the fourth quarter last weekend for the go-ahead score. Mahomes took off to the right and powered into the end zone and, with his adrenaline amped to the max, scrambled to his feet and attempted to spike the ball -- only for it to squib out of his hand and into the sideline.
"That," Mahomes said, "is why I don't try to spike the ball."
It was a natural outburst of unbridled joy, though, from a quarterback whose fiery will to win has become almost legendary. But on the entire drive leading up to the score, Mahomes had been the complete opposite: calm, poised and under control.
In leading the Chiefs into a matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans next weekend, Mahomes was what those in the Kansas City locker room -- players and coaches alike -- have come to appreciate as "Laid-Back Pat."
"The pressure part of it, when things can dilate you a little bit -- when things are tight -- don't do that to him," Chiefs Coach Andy Reid explained. "He kind of flourishes in those moments when they're the toughest. He's just wired that way."
The best in sports usually are. And make no mistake, Mahomes is among the best. He already has three Super Bowl rings and is chasing a fourth, along with an unprecedented third in a row. He's a two-time league MVP who is shattering records with every season that goes by, and the face of a franchise that has reached the level of bonafide dynasty.
"He's the best player I ever played with," Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins admitted. "I played with J.J. Watt, and J.J. Watt is definitely a Hall of Famer. But Pat is definitely the best player I ever played with."
And he's at his best when the pressure is at its most.
Need proof? How about the fact that the Chiefs have won an NFL-record 17 consecutive games decided by one possession. Or that Mahomes has a winning record -- 27 wins, 26 losses -- in games in which his team trailed in the fourth quarter; the next-best quarterback with at least 25 starts in league history has a winning percentage of just 38.6.
Then consider the postseason, when the pressure is pushed to another level.
When the Chiefs have been within one possession in the fourth quarter or overtime, Mahomes has led them to points on 13 of 14 drives. He's a combined 40 of 56 for 552 yards with five passing touchdowns, no interceptions and a run TD on them.
In nine playoff games in which Kansas City trailed in the fourth quarter, Mahomes merely produced six come-from-behind wins. In two of the three losses, he at least managed to get the Chiefs to overtime.
"Whatever he's got to do to get us to the next level, to win the game," Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said, "Pat's going to do it."
It has been that way since Mahomes was a kid, the son of former big league pitcher Pat Mahomes Sr. The younger Mahomes was always the one who kept an extraordinary calm, whether he was playing baseball, basketball or football.
"I'm sure growing up in a locker room with his dad was a big part of that, or at least a part of it," Reid said, "but some if it is just innate, that's given to you. He's one of those guys, the tighter the situation, the looser he plays."
It's hard to find a tougher situation than the Super Bowl, where Mahomes is about to play for the fifth time.
In his first trip, against San Francisco in 2020, the Chiefs trailed 20-10 with just over 6 minutes left before Mahomes led them to three consecutive TDs and a 31-20 victory. Three years later, against Philadelphia, the Chiefs trailed 27-21 in the fourth quarter before Mahomes helped to set up Harrison Butker's field goal for a 38-35 victory. And last year, the 49ers led twice in the fourth quarter and once in overtime, and each time Mahomes led the Chiefs back in an eventual 25-22 win.
Of course, the Chiefs would prefer to beat Philadelphia in a rout in their Super Bowl rematch on Feb. 9, rather than take another title game down to the wire. But if that happens, they have confidence in their laid-back quarterback to get the job done.
"He has a history of doing those things in his career, in big-time moments," Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said with a smile. "It's usually a critical moment that he makes the play. That's who he is."
Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (58) sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the second half of the AFC Championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes celebrates after defeating the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
FILE- Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, left, and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) shake hands following an NFL football game on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
IKansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) celebrates after defeating the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his wife Brittany Mahomes speak to a fan after the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Kansas City Chiefs will face a familiar opponent in Super Bowl LIX. They will be facing off against the Philadelphia Eagles from the NFC East. These two met in Super Bowl 57. That game was a great one and an instant classic. The Chiefs came out on top winning by a field goal in the final seconds. If he sees the same game it is going to be a fun one to watch.The Chiefs have the best head coach in the National Football League. Andy Reid, since coming over to Kansas City from Philadelphia, Reid has taken this Chiefs franchise to plac...
The Kansas City Chiefs will face a familiar opponent in Super Bowl LIX. They will be facing off against the Philadelphia Eagles from the NFC East. These two met in Super Bowl 57. That game was a great one and an instant classic. The Chiefs came out on top winning by a field goal in the final seconds. If he sees the same game it is going to be a fun one to watch.
The Chiefs have the best head coach in the National Football League. Andy Reid, since coming over to Kansas City from Philadelphia, Reid has taken this Chiefs franchise to places they could have never imagined. Now Reid is looking to add to his Hall of Fame career by once again defeating his former team the Eagles and adding another Super Bowl ring to his collection.
The Chiefs have one, if not the best defensive player in the NFL, Chris Jones. Jones has put up another great season with the Chiefs and has been the best player for the Chiefs in this playoff run.
The Chiefs will need Jones in a big way to stop Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. Barkley has been the best running back in the league this season.
Jones can do a good job in exposing the Eagles offensive line. Especially if the Eagles offensive line remains injured heading into the Super Bowl.
Per PFF:
Jones was his usually dominant self in the AFC Championship game against the Buffalo Bills, earning a 90.6 PFF overall grade and racking up eight pressures from 36 pass-rushing snaps, including a pair of quarterback hits. His 90.4 PFF overall grade this season ranks first among interior defenders, as does his 91.6 PFF pass-rushing grade.
Jones isn’t just an interior defender, though; he can also line up outside the offensive tackles and wreak havoc off the edge. The 30-year-old has played 176 of his 886 snaps this season at edge defender. And when he does kick outside, his numbers show he is among the league's best.
The narrative all season for the Kansas City Chiefs has been the possibility of a potential three-peat. No team had ever accomplished the goal before, so it was obvious what the headline would be after the Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship last Sunday. However, it seems that head coach Andy Reid has his team focused on winning rather than making history.Reid joined "The Rich Eisen Show" this Friday, noting that he wants his team to be locked in on the matter at hand when preparing for the Super Bowl. Reid...
The narrative all season for the Kansas City Chiefs has been the possibility of a potential three-peat. No team had ever accomplished the goal before, so it was obvious what the headline would be after the Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship last Sunday. However, it seems that head coach Andy Reid has his team focused on winning rather than making history.
Reid joined "The Rich Eisen Show" this Friday, noting that he wants his team to be locked in on the matter at hand when preparing for the Super Bowl. Reid wants the three-peat at the back of everybody's minds, to be focused solely on beating the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans next Sunday.
“I haven’t heard one mention of it. I haven’t mentioned it. I don’t plan on mentioning it, but I’m also not naïve enough to know that they’ve heard it," Reid said. "I mean, I’ve heard it a ton up to this point and I’m sure I’ll hear it more this next week down in New Orleans."
The Chiefs have already won back-to-back Super Bowls, the 9th time ever that such a feat has been accomplished. Three-peats however, are much more hard to come by. Many think of Michael Jordan and the Bulls when it comes to three-peats, and how he was able to accomplish it twice in his career. The most recent three-peat in pro sports was the 2000-2002 Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA.
"We all know that’s out there but what matters is how you take care of business," Reid added. "So that's what we've been doing. We've been doing that all season, and I'm sure the guys have been asked that a bunch, but I never hear them mention it. They've just sort of stayed focused."
The Chiefs know what they need to do next Sunday, and don't seem to be bothered by any outside noise. Reid knows how to keep his team on track, and will look to do so up until February 9th.
Winning the Super Bowl is not only a matter of talent, it's a matter of nerves as well. If the Chiefs are able to block out the noise and stay focused on the objective in front of them, they'll be good to go.
The Tennessee Titans have some considerable holes to fill on the roster this offseason.A brutal season on both sides of the field makes that clear. The Titans ranked in the bottom quarter of the NFL for scoring offense and defense, ultimately leading to their demise with a 3-14 regular season record. This Tennessee roster has some work to do, and those steps could start in free agency.CBS Sports' Jordan Dajani pinned a particular fre...
The Tennessee Titans have some considerable holes to fill on the roster this offseason.
A brutal season on both sides of the field makes that clear. The Titans ranked in the bottom quarter of the NFL for scoring offense and defense, ultimately leading to their demise with a 3-14 regular season record. This Tennessee roster has some work to do, and those steps could start in free agency.
CBS Sports' Jordan Dajani pinned a particular free agent who could be a strong fit for the Titans –– Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith.
"Whether it's Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward or Derek Carr playing quarterback for the Titans next year, that new signal-caller will need a boost in protection," Dajani wrote. "Tennessee hopes its left side of the line is solidified with JC Latham and Peter Skoronski, but center Lloyd Cushenberry suffered a torn Achilles in November, right guard Dillon Radunz is a free agent and then the Titans simply don't have a right tackle. Scoring Smith to play at right guard would be a great move for new general manager Mike Borgonzi -- who just came over from Kansas City."
New Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi recently spoke about his biggest priorities for the roster this season, and atop that list was the offensive line. There might not be a better way to bring in that talent through free agency with a player from his former team.
Smith has been a consistent piece of the Kansas City offensive line since arriving four years ago. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2021 draft, then went on to start in each of the 67 games he's suited up for.
This season, Smith went on to make his first Pro Bowl appearance and is eyeing his third-straight Super Bowl win in just four years of being in the league. Getting a signing of his caliber would be a massive addition to Tennessee's offensive line, especially for a front office looking to prioritize that area of the team.
OverTheCap projects the Titans to have just over $35 million in available money before any cap casualties take place, opening up enough room for a big-time signing like Smith.
In doing so, the Titans could plug a much-needed hole for the next season and beyond and act as a major line of protection for whoever 2025's starting quarterback becomes.