basics of trademark rights

Last updated: March 28, 20081

Trademarks - Transactions - TradeTrademarks - Transactions - Trade

Key Practice Areas -1. BusinessBusiness

(Contracts, Business Formation, etc.)

2. Intellectual PropertyIntellectual Property(TMs, copyright, patent licensing, etc.)

3. InternationalInternational(import/export, int’l contracts, etc.)

Chester/Associates, PLLC



Intellectual Property Basics: Trademarks

How to create, protect and defendyour brands and goodwill



got IP?

CopyrightCreate web sites, brochure, write articles,commercials/ads or. . . .design business or planning strategiesfor clients/prospects

Trade Secrets/Patent. . .have client lists. . .have unique ways of doing business. . .create new products or methods

Trademark/Trade NameService Mark

. . .sell products

. . . offer services under a “business name”

. . .have a Logo?

You own the following type of IP:If you:



What is a trademark?Any name, symbol,figure, letter, word, ormark adopted and usedby a business todesignate its goods andto distinguish themfrom those of others.



What is a trademark? (cont.)Ownership of a mark allows -• Exclusion of others from using mark, or one that is“confusingly similar”

• Licensing of mark to others (e.g. for a fee)



A. Trade Names - A name used to identify acommercial product or service

Ex. General Electric, Inc. – legal name GE – Trade name

- Trademark

B. Patents- the exclusive right to an inventor tomanufacture, use, or sell an invention.

Ex. Post-it notes (patent ended)

I. Other Forms of IP



I. Other Forms of IPC. Trade Secrets - A secret formula, method, or

device that gives one an advantage overcompetitors.

Ex. Coca-Cola recipe

D. Copyrights - exclusive right to make copies,license, and otherwise exploit aliterary, musical, or artistic work,whether printed, audio, video, etc.

Ex. Harry Potter books



II. Kinds of TrademarksForms of Trademark

1. Word Marks – text with no protection as tofont or styling

“Triad Hospitals”2. Logos/designs - image only

3. Combination Marks – combination of wordsand images



II. Kinds of Trademarks (cont.)Hierarchy of Trademark Protection

1. Novel/Fanciful - entirely invented

2. Descriptive - merely describes products or services or location �“Lutheran Hospital of Indiana”

“Secondary Meaning”- Descriptive mark acquires distinctiveness through use.- Generally, requires 5 years of use

3. Generic - common name for the products or services “Surgery Center”



C. Trademark Symbols• Trademark - ™

– Goods

• Service Mark - ℠– Services

• Federally Registered Trademark - ®– Federally registered trademarks and service

marks



A. Common Law

• Obtaining Protection– Use the mark “in

commerce”

• Limits of Protection– Geographic area where

the name is used– Industry/class where used

Dallas

III. Trademark Protection

Seattle



B. State Registration

• Obtaining Protection– File registration with the state

• Limits of Protection– The state where the

mark is registered

• Timelines– Fast procedure– Fees & requirements vary by state– Must be renewed every 5/10 years

Texas




C. Federal Registration• Obtaining Protection

– Registration with USPTO• Limits of Protection

– Protected throughout the United States

• Requirements for Registration– File trademark application with

USPTO– Mark cannot be “confusingly

similar” to any other mark– Can be “intent to use”

• Timeline– Approx 18 months from

application to registration– 1st renewal after 5 years

• then every 10 years




IV. Address IP “Events”

Types of events that effect IP interests.

- You design a new logo or program/product name.- You start a new business or change your name or logo.- You invent a new product, new use for a product, or method- Your company hires someone to write computer software.- You are contacted by a 3rd party that allegedly owns a mark you are using.- You notice someone else using a mark that is similar to your mark.



Approximate CostsApproximate CostsCommon Law - $0 (merely need to “use”).

State Registration - @$800 - $1,250.

USPTO/Federal Registration - @$1,250.

Above estimates includes:• TM Search• application preparation, and• government filing fees.

Of course, the cost of not protecting a markOf course, the cost of not protecting a mark(or searching prior to using a new mark)(or searching prior to using a new mark)can be much more.can be much more.



Questions?Questions?Email [email protected] 214.800.2845Toll Free 1.877.34.World

basics of trademark rights

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