January 13, 2025 Hello Reader, We’re writing to inform you of a significant update that could impact your trademark filings. As of January 1, 2025, hundreds of changes have been made to the Nice Classification system, including numerous additions and a few deletions. The Nice Classification system is critical for defining the goods and services associated with your trademark. Staying up-to-date with these changes is essential to ensure that your filings are accurate and aligned with current...
4 days ago • 1 min read
January 6, 2025 Hello Reader, When it comes to protecting your brand, registering your trademark with the USPTO is one of the smartest investments you can make. Here are the top benefits of trademark registration: 1. Exclusive Nationwide Rights Registration gives you exclusive rights to use your trademark across the entire U.S. for the goods and services listed in your application. Without it, your rights may be limited to the areas where your brand is actively in use. 2. Power to Prevent...
11 days ago • 1 min read
December 30, 2024 Hello Reader, Imagine this: You’ve built a strong brand that customers recognize and trust. Then, one day, you discover someone has registered a domain name that looks just like your brand, but it isn’t you. This is called cybersquatting, and it can confuse your customers, hurt your reputation, and cost you time and money to resolve. Here’s the key to staying ahead of cybersquatters: register your trademark before someone else uses your brand name in a domain. Early...
18 days ago • 1 min read
December 23, 2024 Hello Reader, Did you know that registering your trademark isn’t just about protecting your brand? It’s also a powerful way to build trust with your customers. A trademark shows the world that your brand is official, legitimate, and here to stay. Customers associate registered trademarks with quality, reliability, and professionalism. Whether it’s a logo on a product, a slogan in an ad, or your business name on a storefront, your trademark tells your customers, “You can...
25 days ago • 1 min read
December 16, 2024 Hello Reader, When it comes to trademarks, one of the most common questions I hear is: What are trademark international classes, and why do they matter? In short, trademark international classes are a way to categorize the goods and services associated with a trademark. The system, known as the Nice Classification (established by the Nice Agreement), organizes goods and services into 45 distinct classes: Classes 1–34 cover goods (e.g., clothing, electronics, food, etc.)....
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
December 9, 2024 Hello Reader, You asked a great question: "How do I renew my trademark registration?" Here's what you need to know to keep your trademark active and protected: Key Deadlines: Between the 5th and 6th year after your registration date, you must file a Section 8 Declaration of Continued Use. This confirms that you’re still using your trademark in commerce. Optional Section 15: At the same time, you can file a Section 15 Declaration of Incontestability, which strengthens your...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
December 2, 2024 Hello Reader, I am writing to inform you of the upcoming changes to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) trademark fees, which will take effect on January 18, 2025. These adjustments are part of the USPTO's regular biennial review to ensure the agency can effectively administer the U.S. trademark system. Key Changes: Application Fees: The USPTO is consolidating the previous TEAS Plus and TEAS Standard application fees into a single base application fee for...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
November 26, 2024 Hello Reader, My wife and I recently tried something new (to us) —we visited KPOT, a Korean BBQ and hot pot restaurant, for the first time. It was a bit overwhelming at first with all the options and steps, but fortunately, the waiter was incredibly helpful, guiding us through the entire process. By the end of the meal, we felt like pros! That experience got me thinking about how navigating the trademark process can feel just as overwhelming for business owners. Just like...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
November 25, 2024 Hello Reader, I want to inform you about significant changes to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) trademark application process, effective January 18, 2025. USPTO Key Changes: Single Application Option: The USPTO will consolidate the current TEAS Plus and TEAS Standard applications into a single filing option. New Surcharges: Custom Descriptions: Using a custom description of goods and services not found in the USPTO's Trademark ID Manual will incur a...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
November 19, 2024 Hello Reader, I recently had a bit of a nostalgic moment—I saw a DeLorean, the famous car from Back to the Future. If you’ve seen the movie, you know it’s all about time travel and the importance of making the right decisions to protect your future. Seeing that iconic car reminded me how, in business, just like in the movie, the decisions we make today can have a lasting impact on the future of our brands. In Back to the Future, Marty McFly had to fix the past to ensure a...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read