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Providing U.S. trademark services throughout the U.S. and across the globe.
  • Lower Cost
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File a Trademark for $399 + $250 Government Filing Fee

Trademark Attorney Working With Clients in Richmond, VA

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.

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Sausser Summers, PC: Simplifying the U.S. Trademark Process

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.

Online Trademark Attorney Richmond, VA
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.

Do I Really Need a Trademark Attorney for Protecting My Business in Richmond, VA?

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.

Additional Benefits of Using a Trademark Attorney

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.

 Online Trademark Lawyer Richmond, VA

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.

What About Online Filing Services?

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.

 Trademark Attorney 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.

Understanding Trademarks Over Time

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.

 Trademark Law Firm Richmond, VA

Steps to Renew Your Trademark

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.

Losing Your Trademark Rights Through Abandonment

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.

Losing Your Trademark Rights Through Inappropriate Licensing

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.

How to Avoid Having to Refile Your Trademark

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.

 Trademark Lawyer Richmond, VA
 Trademark Firm Richmond, VA

What Makes an Online Trademark Attorney Great?

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:

  • Be sure you're using a licensed trademark attorney helping clients in Richmond, VA.
  • It's best to work with a trademark lawyer who has years of experience filing trademarks.
  • Ensure that your trademark lawyer is willing to provide ongoing notifications relating to your trademark application process.
 Trademark Registration Lawyer Richmond, VA

Trademark Attorneys Working Hard for You

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.

Latest News in Richmond, VA

Election preview + how to vote in Richmond

Election Day is Nov. 5, 2024. Here’s our guide on how to cast your vote and what’s on the ballot.Mark these days in your calendar.March 5 Presidential Primary ElectionJune 18 Primary ElectionNov. 5 General Election*Important: You can actually register all the way up through Election Day, but you’ll have to vote using a provisional ballot if you miss the deadline.Virginians can ...

Election Day is Nov. 5, 2024. Here’s our guide on how to cast your vote and what’s on the ballot.

Mark these days in your calendar.

March 5 Presidential Primary Election

June 18 Primary Election

Nov. 5 General Election

*Important: You can actually register all the way up through Election Day, but you’ll have to vote using a provisional ballot if you miss the deadline.

Virginians can register to vote on the Citizen Portal of the Virginia Dept. of Elections website. You’ll need a valid Virginia driver’s license or a state ID card to register.

Pro tip: If you are 17, you can register and vote in primary elections if you will be 18 before the general election.

Not sure if you’re registered? Check your status on the Citizen Portal. Once you input your information, it’ll tell you your status, precinct, and district information.

Registered voters can cast their ballot early in-person starting 45 days before Election Day. Go to your local registrar’s office — for Richmond, that’s 2134 W. Laburnum Ave. — to vote early.

Richmonders can also vote early at City Hall and Hickory Hill Community Center. Check the hours for early voting before you head out.

Find your polling place to vote on Election Day. Polls are open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. Bring an acceptable form of ID to vote.

This year’s elections include races for the President, US Senate, US House, Mayor of Richmond, Richmond City Council, and Richmond School Board. To see what elections you’ll be voting in, check your district.

Several candidates have filed paperwork or publicly announced their candidacy for Mayor.

Golf ball-sized hail, toppled trees reported in Virginia as storms pounded mid-Atlantic

WASHINGTON – Powerful storms that moved across the mid-Atlantic on Monday, dropping large hail and produced damaging winds along the way.Several Severe Thunderstorm...

WASHINGTON – Powerful storms that moved across the mid-Atlantic on Monday, dropping large hail and produced damaging winds along the way.

Several Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were issued along the line of storms that stretched from West Virginia through the Delmarva Peninsula and into southern New Jersey. Damaging wind gusts and large hail were the primary threats with any severe storms that developed.

WATCH VS. WARNING: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

Large hail, damaging wind reported

Hail was reported in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania on Monday afternoon and evening. Most of the reports showed hail the size of quarters had fallen.

A FOX Weather viewer shared an image of "gumball-sized" hail that had fallen in Alexandria, Virginia. Others shared images of quarter-sized hail that fell in buckets in Brambleton, Virginia.

7 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT HAIL

A video showed the hail falling like snow in Brambleton. According to M Roussey on X, formerly Twitter, the hail was the size of gumballs.

Stormy weather led to a ground stop at Washington's Dulles International Airport near Arlington, Virginia. Isaac Harris recorded a video showing hail that was reportedly dime-sized falling at the airport.

According to storm reports from the National Weather Service, the largest hail reported was in Arcola, Virginia, where golf ball-sized hail fell in Hanson Park.

Winds of more than 50 mph were reported around the Richmond, Virginia, area. That's where the NWS received several reports of trees being knocked down.

About 15,000 power outages were reported as of Monday evening, according to PowerOutage.us.

More than just fun and games for Veterans

Many Veterans find staying active a rewarding and challenging part of their treatment. When you add-in competition, comradery, and entertaining activities, you have a recipe for successful rehabilitation and a good time.Adaptive sports recreation therapists at the Richmond VA Medical Center hosted the 2nd Annual Richmond Tournament of Champions here September 25-27, 2023. Veterans competing in the games tested their skills at 9-ball billiards, cycling, air rifle marksmanship, bocce ball, disc golf, and bowling.Richmond VA recreation t...

Many Veterans find staying active a rewarding and challenging part of their treatment. When you add-in competition, comradery, and entertaining activities, you have a recipe for successful rehabilitation and a good time.

Adaptive sports recreation therapists at the Richmond VA Medical Center hosted the 2nd Annual Richmond Tournament of Champions here September 25-27, 2023. Veterans competing in the games tested their skills at 9-ball billiards, cycling, air rifle marksmanship, bocce ball, disc golf, and bowling.Richmond VA recreation therapists, Jennifer Vass, Nicole Shuman, and other rec therapy team members organized the multi-day event. The idea originated when many of the games VA patients were accustomed to attending were cancelled during the COVID pandemic.“We have a group of Veterans who love to travel to national Veterans' events,” Vass said. “During COVID, that stopped.”The logistics of getting Veterans and staff to these events during this period became much more complex and, in many cases, ceased altogether.Veteran athletes who were unable to travel for their beloved games became disheartened.Having gained ample experience working and attending many VA national games, Vass and Shuman decided to take matters into their own hands by organizing an event on their home turf.“It’s exciting to be able to have this here, and it’s good practice for our Veterans who are going to the big games,” Shuman said.She also stated that these games provide an opportunity to those Veterans who are not able to travel to compete, as well as introducing new patients and many of the facility’s inpatients to enjoy the experience.With just three months of preparation, the therapists were set to kick off the three-day tournament with 28 competitors and six separate events.One of the main goals of these games is to help those Veterans who are recovering from injury to regain independence and quality of life. Vass and Shuman both remarked that one such person who participated in the games is competitive recumbent racer, Mike Brooks. Brooks was injured in a cycling accident and did physical rehabilitation at the Richmond VA hospital.“I think it was four or five years ago that we gave him his first trike through the equipment program,” Shuman said. “He put 8,000 miles on it.”Through hard work, treatment and physical therapy, Brooks was able to return to a sport that he loves.“Being part of helping someone get that ability back is extremely exciting and rewarding,” Shuman added.This year’s event concluded with a fellowship dinner and awards ceremony for participants and their families. The ceremony included special guest speakers and awards for the top three competitors in each sport.Matthew Reed competed in five of the six events and took home the coveted Triple Threat Championship crown for being the top competitor in three events.“I’m legally blind,” Reed said. “Through Nicole’s [Shuman] assistance, and the whole team’s assistance, it truly became an adaptive experience for me.”Reed appreciated the opportunity to be able to compete with his friends at the VA.“The team here is just fantastic,” he said. “It’s so much fun to be part of this adaptive sports program.”Vass, Shuman, and the rest of their team already have their sights set on next year's games. Their goal is to expand the Tournament of Champions with more participants, more fellowship, and more fun.

3d printing model sharing site extends reach of assistive technology devices

The Office of Advanced Manufacturing (OAM) within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is revolutionizing healthcare for Veterans using 3D printing and other advanced technologies.By creating customized solutions for Veterans in need of assistive technology (AT), OAM helps individuals maintain, increase, or improve their functional capabilities. AT helps Veterans perform a variety of tasks, from complex movements like driving and playing sports to everyday tasks like using a phone or turning on a light.A new library of VHA ...

The Office of Advanced Manufacturing (OAM) within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is revolutionizing healthcare for Veterans using 3D printing and other advanced technologies.

By creating customized solutions for Veterans in need of assistive technology (AT), OAM helps individuals maintain, increase, or improve their functional capabilities. AT helps Veterans perform a variety of tasks, from complex movements like driving and playing sports to everyday tasks like using a phone or turning on a light.

A new library of VHA OAM hosted on the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) 3D page currently contains a collection of design packages, which include CAD files and detailed instructions available for use within a clinical setting. Specific areas of interest include Assistive Technology, empowering individuals with disabilities to improve their independence.

“The website is a design library of files for assistive technology devices that we've created here at Richmond [VA Medical Center] that came out of two things:” said Melissa Oliver, assistive technology program director at Richmond VA Medical Center. “One, a patient need, a Veteran need, but then we were hearing from people across other VA sites that said, ‘hey, we would love to be able to have this Item.’”

The idea for the library began as a link on Shopify through VA’s Innovation Spark, Seed, Spread project where someone could order the actual AT product before moving to the current setup before the proliferation of 3d printers became widespread.

“When everybody Started getting 3D printers, they just wanted the files and so then that's how we got to the design library, and we partnered with NIH,” said Oliver. “We already had a platform for the design files and so we partnered with them to have a place to manage it and house it for us.”

There are currently 31 designs on the site with plans to expand and grow the number of design packages available for download, according to Oliver. The library's second goal of connecting VA clinicians with engineers is also incredibly important. By fostering collaboration between these two groups, the VHA OAM Design Library is helping to drive innovation in the field of assistive technology. These innovations have the potential to greatly improve the quality of life for Veterans with disabilities.

“That covers the primary goal of it, but I think it also serves as a sort of a portfolio of or starting point of ideas for other VAs to look at and say, hey, if we, you know, modify this existing design a little bit, you know maybe we could meet the need for another Veteran,” said Brian Burkhardt, Richmond office of advanced manufacturing hub site lead. “So, it's a nice way to not only share the designs, but to be a jumping point of, you know, for creativity.”

The impact of OAM's AT digital library is profound, with many Veterans experiencing life-changing benefits. For example, 3D-printed toothbrush holders aid in independent personal hygiene, while 3D-printed stylus palm grips make it easier for Veterans to write. These tailored solutions make a significant difference in the lives of Veterans, enabling them to perform tasks that were previously difficult or impossible. OAM's innovative approach to healthcare transforms the way VA approaches patient care and sets a new standard for the industry.

The VHA OAM Design Library is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in assistive technology. Its commitment to providing detailed instructions and fostering collaboration between clinicians and engineers is helping to drive innovation and improve the lives of people with disabilities.

“The traditional method for sharing out things that we produce in VA is tech transfer. So that's great and works for many things, but this is a way to share things that either maybe aren't appropriate for tech transfer, or there's just not a big enough market for,” said Burkhardt. “So, we're sharing something that might help a few people out there but there's just not a big enough market for.”

The new online library provides access to a vast collection of CAD files for use in clinical settings. The library is primarily focused on assistive technology and improving the independence of individuals with disabilities. By providing detailed instructions on how to uniformly fabricate and use these devices, the VHA OAM Library is helping to ensure that these designs are accessible to as many people as possible.

“Anybody, whether you're a federal employee or Joe Schmoe, can get to the NIH site. It's a public open facing outward facing site than anybody can do that. So, it's not only accessible for our Veterans to be able to utilize, but the public at large,” said Oliver. “It has the general picture, then it has a description, then you also have the PDF here and you also have more pictures too, so they can see what it looks like,” Oliver said.

“I think it's also a way for smaller VA's that are making things to be able to share what they're doing because I think a lot of times, they don't feel like they can get that word out to other people, but it might benefit of a Veteran or any therapist that is looking for a potential solution,” she said.

Check out the collection at:https://3d.nih.gov/collections/oam/at 

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