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 Richmond, VA.
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 Richmond, VA, 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 Richmond, VA.
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 Richmond, VA 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 Richmond, VA, 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.
Commonwealth Fusion Systems, a start-up founded by scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said on Tuesday that it planned to build its first fusion power plant in Virginia, with the aim of generating zero-emissions electricity there in the early 2030s.The proposed facility is among the first to be announced that would harness nuclear fusion, the process that powers the sun, to produce power commercially, a long-elusive goal that scientists have pursued for the better part of a century.In theory, a fusion react...
Commonwealth Fusion Systems, a start-up founded by scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said on Tuesday that it planned to build its first fusion power plant in Virginia, with the aim of generating zero-emissions electricity there in the early 2030s.
The proposed facility is among the first to be announced that would harness nuclear fusion, the process that powers the sun, to produce power commercially, a long-elusive goal that scientists have pursued for the better part of a century.
In theory, a fusion reactor could generate abundant electricity without releasing planet-warming carbon dioxide, and with no risk of large-scale nuclear accidents. But moving the concept out of the lab and onto the power grid has proved immensely difficult.
Commonwealth is the best funded of a crop of start-ups that are hoping to realize fusion’s potential soon. The company is first building a pilot machine in Massachusetts, one it says will demonstrate the feasibility of its technology in 2027.
The new plant it intended to build near Richmond, Va., would be designed to provide electricity to paying customers, though the company hasn’t yet signed up any customers or secured regulatory approval to deliver power through the grid.
“We still have plenty of work to do, obviously,” said Bob Mumgaard, Commonwealth’s chief executive. But picking a site helps the company start working with local power customers to figure out how a fusion plant can be designed and operated to best meet their needs, Dr. Mumgaard said.
Read more about the quest for fusion energy:
The Quest to Build a Star on Earth
The company has agreed to lease the land, in the James River Industrial Park in Chesterfield County, from Dominion Energy, a power utility. Dominion currently doesn’t have plans to invest in the plant, nor does it have an agreement to buy the electricity it produces, said Tim Eberly, a spokesman for the utility.
Rick Needham, Commonwealth’s chief commercial officer, said it intended to make a “substantial” investment to build the plant, though he declined to say how much. The plant would have a peak capacity of 400 megawatts. That would be enough energy to power about 150,000 homes, Mr. Needham said, though the electricity would most likely go to large industrial customers.
“Our customers’ growing needs for reliable, carbon-free power benefits from as diverse a menu of power generation options as possible,” said Edward H. Baine, president of Dominion Energy Virginia, in a statement.
Electricity demand is starting to surge in the United States, after staying flat for more than a decade. Booming power use by data centers, electric vehicles, battery and solar factories, and more has led utilities across the country to propose building dozens of gas-fired power plants.
In Virginia, data centers are the main driver of rising energy needs, according to a new report commissioned by the state government. Last year, data centers accounted for more than a quarter of electricity consumption in Virginia, a higher fraction than in any other state, according to a report from EPRI, a nonprofit energy research organization.
“Finding solutions to problems requires us to embrace thinking out of the box and embrace trying something new,” Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia said on Tuesday, hailing Commonwealth’s announcement. “This will add to our existing infrastructure in a way that I think will provide a new frontier: a new frontier for Virginia businesses and Virginia residents.”
Big science and engineering challenges remain before fusion power plants can be built and run safely, reliably and affordably. And Commonwealth isn’t the only start-up aiming to overcome the hurdles by the 2030s. Helion Energy, a company with headquarters near Seattle, has said it would provide Microsoft with electricity from its first fusion power plant starting in 2028. Helion also has an agreement with the steel producer Nucor to build a fusion plant for steel manufacturing.
Since being spun out of M.I.T. in 2018, Commonwealth has raised more than $2 billion from investors including Bill Gates, Google and Eni, the Italian oil and gas giant. The company is developing a power plant that generates energy with a tokamak, or a doughnut-shaped machine that heats gas to temperatures well beyond those in the center of the sun.
Government labs worldwide have been building and running tokamaks for decades. Yet constructing a tokamak that can act as a real-world power supply is likely to require technologies that have yet to be mastered, and even materials that have yet to be invented.
Dr. Mumgaard, Commonwealth’s chief executive, said he was confident about how quickly the company was making progress. So much so, in fact, that he hopes to sign deals to sell electricity even before the company demonstrates the feasibility of its pilot reactor in 2027, he said.
Table of Contents Things to do in Richmond, VA Restaurants and bars Hotels In the nearly 300 years since its founding in 1737, Richmond has teetered between periods of great prosperity and utter hardship. Today, it boasts a colorful “capital city” vibe like so many pint-sized capitals around the U.S. But there are plenty of things to do in Richmond, VA, beyond visiting historical monuments and statues, despite the area’s deep roots in the country’s ancestry. Think natural wonders like ...
Table of Contents Things to do in Richmond, VA Restaurants and bars Hotels
In the nearly 300 years since its founding in 1737, Richmond has teetered between periods of great prosperity and utter hardship. Today, it boasts a colorful “capital city” vibe like so many pint-sized capitals around the U.S. But there are plenty of things to do in Richmond, VA, beyond visiting historical monuments and statues, despite the area’s deep roots in the country’s ancestry. Think natural wonders like enjoying the fall foliage or a night on the town enjoying live music.
I spent three weeks in the area, and there was never a shortage of things to do, diverse neighborhoods to explore, and most importantly, extremely friendly folks who could point me in the right direction as I navigated the Richmond scene. I can confirm that boutique hotels, gallery spaces, and nouveau chefs are finding their groove in previously forgotten corners of the city. After spending a month in this RVA region, here are my top recommended restaurants, bars, hotels, and things to do in the quirky capital.
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A cemetery might seem an odd place to “play,” but Richmond’s Hollywood Cemetery is arguably one of its most relevant and fascinating historical monuments. The 150-year-old graveyard is the final resting place for two (three, if you prefer to count Jefferson Davis, the only president of the Confederate States of America) U.S. presidents, more than 18,000 Confederate soldiers, purported vampire W.W. Pool, and thousands of the city’s elite and proletariat.
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It’s a beautiful park in its own right, one where cycling locals mix with curious tourists among the sprawling tree-lined grounds along the James River. Walking tours are available on select days, April through November, and they’re recommended as you’re all but guaranteed to get lost among the more than 135 acres.
The music and culture scene in Richmond is — and has long been — far more interesting and notable than it gets credit for. The city was the birthplace of Aimee Mann, D’Angelo, and even GWAR (you’re welcome). Modern-day Richmond is home to a diverse music scene, from block parties to touring acts at The Camel to the creative oddities at Gallery 5 (a one-time firehouse that now hosts gallery exhibits and live shows).
For a true taste of the city’s African-American culture, head to The Hippodrome, a speakeasy and theater with live music. Don’t miss the RVA First Fridays, a year-round art walk featuring dozens of the city’s best restaurants, galleries, shops, and organizations in the Arts District.
Richmond has firmly earned the title of a food city, and there are so many options here, that it’s hard to make a choice on where to dine. Happy hours are abundant and prices are fair, making it easy to try anything your heart desires. Many of these hidden gems are on track to be named the best restaurants in America, so get in before the word gets out.
If you’re looking for fresh seafood from the nearby ocean shore, East Coast Provisions is a great choice, featuring ultra-fresh surf and/or turf options paired with boozy-yet-balanced cocktails. Speaking of libations, The Emerald Lounge is not to be missed. This moody and comfortable lounge offers colorful and creative cocktails with quality snack pairings, ranging from wings to oysters.
In the 1980s, a burst of Asian influence entered Richmond, leading to the establishment of rich cultural institutions that reflected this heritage. And of course, this means that there is plenty of tasty food coming into the city in the form of burgeoning restaurants. The Nami Japanese Restaurant has as much ambiance as it does flavor, offering fresh sushi rolls, filling entrees, and delicious cocktails. Japanese videos and nostalgic ephemera dot the walls bringing visitors into another time and place near the city’s downtown.
Penny Lane Pub is a fantastic, proper British pub in the heart of Richmond. The dark wood bar and high-top tables here are canopied with a 40-year-old blanket of sports memorabilia, celebrity photos, and random bits of Liverpudlian kitsch. It’s an ideal spot to sip a few Fuller’s, fill up on steak and Guinness pie, and catch an afternoon footie match.
We’ve long been fans of Graduate Hotels. The micro-chain leans hard on “back-to-school nostalgia” chic — chalkboards, stodgy university logos, and faded faculty headshots — in a clever way that just works. Like many of its sibling properties in college towns throughout the country, Graduate Richmond (aka Brookfield) is no different. The preppy-meets-mod decor is a unique blend of tartan patterns, mid-century modern furnishings, bold artwork, and quirky, miscellaneous accents that all pay homage to the city’s rich history in a fun, upscale way.
The Brookfield lobby lounge and bar area is a swanky spot for a quick bite or one of a dozen local beers on draft. The adjacent room boasts classic table arcade games, billiards, ping-pong, and shuffleboard. But the real action is on the 16th floor. Here, a rooftop bar sports a deck with panoramic city views and unique pool space for guests only. After noon, the adjacent Byrd House lounge serves snacks and bespoke cocktails amid strings of twinkle lights and cushy outdoor couches. It’s arguably one of the best spots in the city to catch the sunset.
and last updated 1 hour and 19 minutes agoRICHMOND, Va. — There are several ways to watch the 41st annual Dominion Energy Christmas Parade in Richmond on Saturday.WTVR CBS 6 will broadcast the parade, which steps off from the Science Museum of Virginia at 10 a.m, on TV and on the CBS 6 Streaming App. (Just search “WTVR Richmond” in your app store for our Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV or Android TV channels.) It will ...
and last updated 1 hour and 19 minutes ago
RICHMOND, Va. — There are several ways to watch the 41st annual Dominion Energy Christmas Parade in Richmond on Saturday.
WTVR CBS 6 will broadcast the parade, which steps off from the Science Museum of Virginia at 10 a.m, on TV and on the CBS 6 Streaming App. (Just search “WTVR Richmond” in your app store for our Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV or Android TV channels.) It will also be streamed on the WTVR CBS 6 YouTube channel.
Parade coverage will also be rebroadcast on CBS 6 from 9-11 a.m. on Christmas Day.
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This year's parade theme is "Christmas Wishes" and Olympic medal winner Charlie Swanson is the Grand Marshal. The Richmond native earned a gold and silver medal at the Paris games this summer.
"Swanson has made significant waves in the swimming world since graduating from St. Christopher’s School and swimming at NOVA where he earned Virginia Swimmer of the Year in 2016," parade officials said. "He competed for the University of Michigan amassing an impressive record, including a gold medal in the men’s 400-meter individual medley at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru."
This year’s parade lineup features Legendary Santa, colorful balloons, marching bands, dance troupes and much more.
The tradition, which is free and open to the public, attracts tens of thousands of people from across the state and thousands more tune in for the TV and online broadcasts.
Depend on CBS 6 News and WTVR.com for more complete coverage of news in your neighborhood and community. Have a story idea, email our team at [email protected]. Or click here if you are interested in having a CBS 6 anchor, reporter or meteorologist attend or MC an event.
This weekend is all about holiday fun. Countdown with RVA Illuminates on Friday night and then head out to Broad Street on Saturday morning for the Dominion Energy Christmas Parade. Plus, a Richmond holiday favorite, “The Nutcracker,” opens on Saturday.RVA IlluminatesFridayJoin the countdown to light the city skyline with RVA Illuminates at Kan...
This weekend is all about holiday fun. Countdown with RVA Illuminates on Friday night and then head out to Broad Street on Saturday morning for the Dominion Energy Christmas Parade. Plus, a Richmond holiday favorite, “The Nutcracker,” opens on Saturday.
Friday
Join the countdown to light the city skyline with RVA Illuminates at Kanawha Plaza. Celebrate under the stars with live performances from Desirée Roots, Richmond’s singing officer, Mervin Mayo, and music from DJ Lonnie B, plus food trucks and more. Event starts at 4 p.m., lights turn on at 6 p.m. Free to attend. Bring a blanket or chair to sit on the lawn. Seating is first come, first served. Eighth and Canal streets. venturerichmond.com
Dominion Energy Christmas Parade
Saturday
Get ready for marching bands, massive balloons, floats and more as the 41st annual parade returns. Join in as thousands of spectators gather under massive balloon characters and wave to special holiday guests including Legendary Santa. This year’s parade theme is “Christmas Wishes.” Parade will begin in front of the Science Museum of Virginia at 10:15 a.m. 2500 W. Broad St. Free to attend. richmondparade.org
Richmond Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker
Saturday-Dec. 23
Watch the kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy come alive at the Richmond Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker.” Showtimes vary. Dominion Energy Center, 600 E. Grace St. Tickets start at $25. etix.com or (800) 514-3849.
The Bizarre Bazaar’s Christmas Collection
Thursday-Sunday
Make holiday shopping a breeze with over 475 vendors at The Bizarre Bazaar. The 49th annual Christmas Collection features decorative accessories for the home and garden, gourmet cookbooks, fine linens, designer clothing, toys, artwork, furniture and more. Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $10. Richmond Raceway, 600 E. Laburnum Ave. thebizarrebazaar.com.
Saturday and Sunday
Shop handmade gifts from over 70 local artisans on the Carriage House Lawn, visit with Saint Nick, ride on the holiday train, or make your own crafts at Maymont’s Merry Market. Plus warm up with a cup of hot cocoa and grab a spot around the fire pit to enjoy some holiday tunes. Times vary. Carriage House Lawn, 1700 Hampton St. $6-$10; free for members. (804) 358-7166 or Maymont.org.