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 Minneapolis, MN.
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 Minneapolis, MN, 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 Minneapolis, MN.
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 Minneapolis, MN 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 Minneapolis, MN, 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 owners of acclaimed fried chicken restaurant Revival abruptly announced the permanent closure of all four locations Monday, effective immediately."With a heavy heart, we must say goodbye to Revival," the announcement on Facebook reads. "It’s no secret owning a restaurant is one of the toughest journeys, and it truly breaks our hearts to take this step."Revival co-owners Chef Thomas Boemer and Nick Rancone debuted the casual dining fried chicken concept in 2015 ...
The owners of acclaimed fried chicken restaurant Revival abruptly announced the permanent closure of all four locations Monday, effective immediately.
"With a heavy heart, we must say goodbye to Revival," the announcement on Facebook reads. "It’s no secret owning a restaurant is one of the toughest journeys, and it truly breaks our hearts to take this step."
Revival co-owners Chef Thomas Boemer and Nick Rancone debuted the casual dining fried chicken concept in 2015 on the heels of their success with their innovative and beloved tasting-menu restaurant, Corner Table, which closed in 2019.
Revival's fried chicken and other Southern fare garnered widespread critical acclaim, with Boemer being named a semifinalist for the James Beard Award's Best Chef title in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Sunday unexpectedly marked the last day of operations for all four Revival restaurants, which are located in Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, St. Paul and the Market at Malcolm Yards food hall.
"We are heartbroken, please remember to cherish and support your local restaurants, as they thrive on your love and encouragement," the closing announcement reads.
The sudden news comes just weeks after Bar Revival, a revamped concept offering tavern-style pizza and Italian beef sandwiches, debuted at Revival's St. Paul restaurant.
In an interview with the Minnesota Star Tribune, Boemer said Bar Revival was an effort to find a path forever, however, a hard look at the finances led them to ultimately call it quits in order to ensure their vendors and staff would be paid.
“The abruptness is hard. It’s hard, but it’s part of the nature of how these things come and go," he told the newspaper. "Sadly, restaurants are not a forever thing.”
The Star Tribune reports that over 100 workers lost their jobs without notice early Monday.
ExpandThe BriefA new Guinness World Record was set for the largest ice maze at the Minnesota Ice Festival in Eagan.Ice maze breaks Guinness World Record...
A new Guinness World Record was set for the largest ice maze at the Minnesota Ice Festival in Eagan.
What they're saying:
Guinness World Record Official Adjudicator Brittany Dunn was present to make the announcement.
"We did have the proper equipment, and I can confirm, that today, this maze measures 1,686.087 square meters, or 18,148.88 square feet, making this a brand new Guinness World Records title!" Dunn said.
The Guinness adjudicator then presented Minnesota Ice Festival CEO Robert Harrell with a Guinness World Records certificate.
Dunn also pointed out the previous record stood for 15 years at 1,194.33 square meters or about 12,855.68 square feet.
"This was the goal starting 18 months ago when we started on this project before we had to cancel," said Minnesota Ice Festival CEO Robert Harrell. "So we've been staring at this piece of paper of this whole festival map and what the maze would be since last year when we started planning everything."
The Minnesota Ice Festival was canceled last year because of a lack of snow.
"It's gonna be really cool to see people celebrate the Bold North and winter that we all embrace here, which is, you know, why we all are Minnesotans," Harrell said.
Dunn said the record guidelines state that the maze must stand for more than 24 hours, be defined as a network of paths and long obstacles made entirely of ice and designed as a puzzle through which one enters and finds the center or exits.
The Guinness adjudicator added that she did in fact "get lost in the maze", and that it had been standing since Tuesday.
What we know:
The Minnesota Ice Festival opens this weekend! Explore the world’s largest ice maze, go ice skating, slide down an ice slide, grab a drink at the ice bar or a bite to eat from one of the food trucks. Select days will include live music and a chance to meet Victor the Viking.
The event is open on select days from Jan. 10 through Feb. 16. Tickets for adults are $24.99, children between 5-14 are $12.99 and children 4 and under are free. For more information, click here.
“Sadly, restaurants are not a forever thing,” said chef and co-owner Thomas Boemer.The Minnesota Star TribuneRevival, the fried chicken, barbecue and most recently Chicago sandwich and pizza restaurants, has closed all four of its locations effective immediately.A tipster told the Minnesota Star Tribune that employees were informed via email overnight or this morning, and the restaurant posted an announcement ...
“Sadly, restaurants are not a forever thing,” said chef and co-owner Thomas Boemer.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
Revival, the fried chicken, barbecue and most recently Chicago sandwich and pizza restaurants, has closed all four of its locations effective immediately.
A tipster told the Minnesota Star Tribune that employees were informed via email overnight or this morning, and the restaurant posted an announcement via Instagram Monday morning. Revival had locations in Minneapolis, St. Paul, St. Louis Park and Market at Malcolm Yards.
When reached by phone, chef and co-owner Thomas Boemer was resigned. “It’s heartbreaking. All good things come to an end. We had a really good run,” he said.
Boemer and co-owner Nick Rancone founded Revival as a casual fried chicken offshoot of their fine-dining restaurant Corner Table. February would have marked 10 years in business.
It’s also marks the end of the duo’s 14-year restaurant partnership as the Twist Davis Group, which was founded when the two took over Corner Table from its original owner.
In their time together, the restaurants would be celebrated as some of the best in the Twin Cities and receive recognition from the James Beard Awards when Boemer was recognized as a semifinalist in the Best Chef: Midwest category.
Corner Table closed in the summer of 2019. Another one of their restaurant efforts was In Bloom, the original anchor of Keg and Case Market in St. Paul, which officially closed in the summer of 2020 during the pandemic.
Both of those restaurants were fine dining, but Revival was always the more casual outpost built on fried chicken. It was a concept that started as a pop-up, but eventually opened as a full-time restaurant known for long waits and lines out the door.
Locations were added and menu options grew, but a change for the St. Paul restaurant earlier this year, when the menu expanded to add Chicago-style beef sandwiches and tavern-style pizzas, might have been the Hail Mary pass that didn’t catch on with the enthusiasm the company needed to move forward.
“With St. Paul, we were trying to interject some fun and find a path forward,” Boemer said. “The worst part is that our team right now is amazing across the board. That is the hardest thing. Across four restaurants, we were trying to steer the Titanic. That only happens by the hard work and grace by the people you’re surrounded by and they all gave it all.”
And now, in the midst of the slowest season in the industry, more than 100 restaurant workers are — without notice — without jobs.
Co-owner Rancone said the decision came after a hard look at the company’s finances. “Anything but a sudden closure would have put our staff and vendors at risk of not getting paid,” he said.
Boemer added his perspective saying, “It’s been a very difficult few years. We fought through COVID. There are a lot of people in our industry having a really hard time right now. January and February are hard on restaurants. Winter is a difficult time and this one was ferocious.”
As to the nature of the announcement, he conceded: “The abruptness is hard. It’s hard, but it’s part of the nature of how these things come and go. Sadly, restaurants are not a forever thing.”
Food and Drink Reporter
Joy Summers is a St. Paul-based food reporter who has been covering Twin Cities restaurants since 2010. She joined the Minnesota Star Tribune in 2021.
“Sadly, restaurants are not a forever thing,” said chef and co-owner Thomas Boemer.
Controversy over Maple Grove church's tiny home villageThere's pushback over a church's plans for a tiny home village on their property in Maple Grove. The goal of the village is help curb the housing issue. FOX 9's Rob Olson has the story.The BriefA Maple Grove church is planning to add 12 tiny homes to its property for people experiencing homeless, but is facing pushback from neighbo...
There's pushback over a church's plans for a tiny home village on their property in Maple Grove. The goal of the village is help curb the housing issue. FOX 9's Rob Olson has the story.
A Maple Grove church is planning to add 12 tiny homes to its property for people experiencing homeless, but is facing pushback from neighbors.
What we know:
The Church of the Open Door is hoping that by the summer of 2026, 12 tiny homes will be ready for occupancy on the grounds of their Maple Grove campus.
Eight would house people considered chronically homeless, while the other four would house volunteers, who the church calls "intentional neighbors."
The church says residents will be screened and no one with a history of violent or sexual offenses will be allowed.
In a statement to FOX 9, associate pastor Rose Larson writes "as we work on designing a Sacred Settlement at Open Door, we are engaging and inviting conversations with our city, neighbors, local ministries and faith communities to create a beautiful, safe and peaceful community."
The backstory:
Prince of Peace Lutheran in Roseville began their tiny home village in the summer of 2022, gaining approval from the city to house two people. A third tiny home was added for a volunteer to serve as the "intentional neighbor."
Mosaic Christian Community Church in St. Paul also has a small number of tiny homes on their property.
"I’m hoping to inspire others and other communities to do this very thing," said Pastor Peter Christ from Prince of Peace. "Because we need more churches. There’s only so many tiny houses we can put on our property."
"My hope is that people would step back and say here’s a great opportunity to do something deeply impactful."
Dig deeper:
The state law allowing churches to host micro houses took effect in 2024 and does spell out requirements for safety and security, including that at least a third of the homes be occupied by the volunteers who help oversee the community.
The other side:
A group called "No Settlement Maple Grove" is actively opposing the planned tiny village at Church of the Open Door. With several hundred homes next door, they worry about safety and security.
"One of our primary concerns is that this will not be a sober community, despite the presence of schools on the property," the group told FOX 9 in a written statement. "Individuals struggling with addiction deserve access to professional support, yet there will be no on-site professional services available."
The systems "will pass through this weekend and bring the region some light snow late Saturday through early Sunday," the NWS said.William Bornhoft, Patch Staff|Updated Fri, Jan 10, 2025 at 8:11 am CTTWIN CITIES, MN — Between 1 and 3 inches of snow is in the forecast for the Twin Cities metro area this weekend.The systems "will pass through this weekend and bring the region some light snow...
William Bornhoft, Patch Staff
|Updated Fri, Jan 10, 2025 at 8:11 am CT
TWIN CITIES, MN — Between 1 and 3 inches of snow is in the forecast for the Twin Cities metro area this weekend.
The systems "will pass through this weekend and bring the region some light snow late Saturday through early Sunday," the National Weather Service said.
"The steadiest snow is expected across central MN into WI, where a few inches are possible. Much colder air will follow for early next week."
Snow will start falling around 6 p.m. on Saturday for most of the Twin Cities:
The snow will wrap up around 6 a.m. Sunday for the metro.
Here's the full NWS forecast from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport:
Friday: A chance of flurries before 9am, then a slight chance of snow between 9am and 11am, then a chance of flurries after 11am. Cloudy, with a temperature falling to around 22 by 5pm. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday Night: A chance of flurries before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 13. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of snow after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 27. Light south wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 20. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly before noon. Cloudy, with a temperature falling to around 20 by 5pm. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 0. West northwest wind around 15 mph.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 7. West northwest wind around 15 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around -4. West northwest wind around 10 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 8. West northwest wind around 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 0. West northwest wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 21. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15. West wind around 10 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 33. West northwest wind around 10 mph.
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