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 Long Beach, CA.
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 Long Beach, CA, 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 Long Beach, CA.
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 Long Beach, CA 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 Long Beach, CA, 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.
Long Beach began distributing N95 respirator masks to eligible residents at all of its library branches and various community centers on Friday, Jan. 10, to help protect at-risk people from the impacts of bad air quality caused by the ongoing fires in the region.Masks will be available for residents over 18 years old who are at high risk of negative health impacts from the poor air quality, the city said in its Friday announcement, including older adults, people with disabilities, and people with underlying health conditions or who ar...
Long Beach began distributing N95 respirator masks to eligible residents at all of its library branches and various community centers on Friday, Jan. 10, to help protect at-risk people from the impacts of bad air quality caused by the ongoing fires in the region.
Masks will be available for residents over 18 years old who are at high risk of negative health impacts from the poor air quality, the city said in its Friday announcement, including older adults, people with disabilities, and people with underlying health conditions or who are immunocompromised.
“These face masks will be distributed at all Long Beach Public Library locations,” the city said, “as well as various community centers and senior centers across Long Beach.”
Air quality has significantly worsened across the region since the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth and other fires have broke out earlier this week.
The Eaton fire, affecting areas in Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre and La Cañada Flintridge, has burned more than 14,000 acres as of Friday morning.
The Hurst fire in Sylmar has grown to more than 700 acres since Thursday, and the devastating Palisades fire — which started in Pacific Palisades Tuesday, Jan. 7, and has burned into Malibu — had charred more than 20,000 acres as of Friday morning.
There’s also the Kenneth fire, which has burned 1,000 acres in the Hollywood Hills area since it started on Thursday, Jan. 9.
As of Friday afternoon, the four fires had burned more than 36,000 acres combined — and produced heavy smoke that has traveled throughout Los Angeles County.
Though fire crews have achieved some containment of each fire as of Friday, the blazes continue burning and spreading pollution throughout the region.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District, the government body charged with monitoring and protecting the region’s air quality, extended and expanded its existing wildfire smoke advisory on Friday through Saturday, Jan. 11.
“Smoke from the Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, and Hurst Fire is expected to most heavily impact coastal, central and southern Los Angeles County on Friday and Saturday,” the AQMD said. “(Particulate matter) levels due to smoke may remain at the Unhealthy AQI category or higher in Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Pasadena, Downtown Los Angeles, Long Beach, and areas nearby the fires.”
The N95 respirators that will be available at Long Beach Public Library branches, according to the city, filter fine particles from smoke, alongside coarse particles from ash, helping to protect the mask-wearer from health impacts caused by the pollution, which can cause coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing.
“It should be noted that masks do not reduce exposure to other potentially harmful constituents of wildfire smoke such as toxic gases or vapors,” Long Beach’s announcement said. “The most effective action the public can take to reduce the risk of health effects from the inhalation of wildfire smoke is to stay indoors in cleaner air and minimize the amount of time spent outdoors in smoky conditions.”
Residents are encouraged to stay inside if they can see or smell smoke in their areas.
Long Beach also advised residents to avoid vigorous indoor or outdoor exertion, turn on air conditioners, and avoid using whole-house fans or wood-burning appliances, including fireplaces, if their areas are impacted by wildfire smoke.
Besides library branches, N95 masks will be available at the following locations during business hours:
For information about air quality conditions in your area, visit aqmd.gov.
CALIFORNIA — This week in California business news, a California tech giant is laying off more than 3,000 "underperformers"; a craft store chain has declared bankruptcy... again; and where you should stay on your next Golden State staycation.Rent prices soar in Los Angeles in the wake of deadly wildfires that leveled entire neighborhoods.Check out this week's top headlines for California business news on Patch:Quote Of The Week"Tragically, lives have been changed fore...
CALIFORNIA — This week in California business news, a California tech giant is laying off more than 3,000 "underperformers"; a craft store chain has declared bankruptcy... again; and where you should stay on your next Golden State staycation.
Rent prices soar in Los Angeles in the wake of deadly wildfires that leveled entire neighborhoods.
Check out this week's top headlines for California business news on Patch:
Quote Of The Week
"Tragically, lives have been changed forever in just a matter of minutes. Many families may not be able to afford to rebuild or repair and return," - AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter
The Bottom Line
Freebie of the Week
Anyone who purchases a $3 Frosty Key Tag from Wendy's will be able to get a free Jr. Frosty with any purchase at participating Wendy's locations. Proceeds from the key tags ware used to support the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.
Repair Cafe Coming To Walnut Creek
Community members can bring items that need fixing, from clothes to small appliances, and volunteers repair them.
Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg To Attend Trump's Inauguration
According to Forbes, they are the three richest people in the world, worth an estimated $850 billion combined.
Newly Built Affordable Housing Opens In Castro Valley
The 72-unit development includes solar panels, a centralized heat pump hot water heater, and on-site electric vehicle charging.
Campbell Relaxes Laws For Building Duplexes
"Generally, we have no choice whatsoever. It's not something that we necessarily want to do, but we're required to do."
FDA Bans Red Dye 3 In Food: How It Could Impact CA Products
The Food and Drug Administration banned the dye used in many candies and cakes due to potential cancer risks.
San Ramon Walmart Begins Major Remodel
Renovations will include new flooring and signage, expanded departments, a community mural, and more.
Bay Area Businesses, Residents Organize Relief Efforts To Help Los Angeles Fire Victims
"Everybody came together--community, faith communities, engaged citizens, trucking folks," said local pastor Finny Abraham.
California Abandons Diesel Truck Ban And 3 Other Clean-Air Rules Before Trump Is Sworn In
Because Trump is unlikely to approve them, California has no choice but to abandon its groundbreaking rules for zero-emission trucks.
The Stoneridge Mall location was one of 27 around the country slated to close due to "underperformance."
New 4-Story Hotel Coming To Morongo Casino Resort & Spa
The hotel is scheduled to open in early 2026.
GoFundMe Aid Could Stymie Wildfire Victims From Getting FEMA Funds
FEMA warned wildfire victims this week that receiving funds from GoFundMe could affect eligibility. What to know.
Rancho Army Navy Store To Close Shop After 40 Years In Business
The store that served SW RivCo's outdoors fans, Girl & Boy Scout troops, high school ROTC, firefighters and military is shuttering for good.
Man Admits To $65M COVID-Fund Scheme With Fake Beverly Hills Farm: DOJ
A man applied for $65 million in pandemic relief for his agriculture business. But the Beverly Hills farm doesn't exist, prosecutors said.
Wildfire Price Gougers Who Refund Victims Could See Leniency: DA
The LA district attorney has vowed to come after "despicable" price gougers. But he's giving them a last warning to refund their victims.