Trademark Law And Brand Protection Attorneys For Texas Businesses
Your brand is your business’s most valuable asset. It is how your customers identify you. Our intellectual property attorneys at Aaron Wilkerson, PLLC, can advise you on using trademarks to protect your brand.
We help businesses, startups, associations and other clients secure their intellectual property. Our Texas trademark lawyers have more than 40 combined years of experience practicing law.
The Necessity Of Brand Identity Protection
A trademark is a form of intellectual property that identifies and distinguishes a brand. Trademarks can come in the form of:
- Images and designs
- Words and phrases
- Symbols
- Sounds
Trademarks and service marks are the cornerstones of brand identity protection. Without proper protection, your competitors can use similar names or logos, weakening your brand and potentially costing you business.
Our Waco attorneys conduct a thorough trademark search before you file. We handle every step of the federal trademark application USPTO process. We advise you on both securing and enforcing your marks.
What Is The Process For Registering A Trademark In Texas And With The USPTO?
Registration depends on your goals. To protect your brand in Texas, you can file a trademark registration in Texas with the Secretary of State. This is a simple process. For national protection, you must file a federal trademark application with the USPTO. This process is more detailed:
- First, we conduct a comprehensive trademark search to ensure your mark is available.
- Then, we prepare and file the application.
- The USPTO assigns an examining attorney who reviews the application.
- We respond to any issues or objections raised by the USPTO attorney.
- Once approved, the mark is published for opposition before it registers.
Our intellectual property lawyers guide you through these steps to give you the best chance of success.
How Long Does It Take To Register A Trademark And What Are The Common Reasons For Refusal?
The full process for a federal trademark can take six to 18 months. It often depends on the examining attorney’s workload. The time also depends on whether they raise objections.
There are many reasons for refusal. The most common is the likelihood of confusion. This means that your proposed trademark is too similar to an existing registered trademark for related goods or services. Other reasons include the mark being merely descriptive of the product or service, or if the mark is a surname.
What Should I Do If Someone Infringes On My Trademark Or Uses A Similar Mark?
If you suspect trademark infringement, you must act quickly to preserve your rights. The first step is often sending a cease and desist letter. This notifies the infringer of your rights and demands that they stop using your mark. If they refuse, you may need litigation.
Fortunately, we have extensive experience in trademark enforcement. We represent you in court to stop unauthorized use of your logo, trademark or name. As needed, we seek injunctions to halt the use. We also pursue damages to compensate you for the harm caused by the infringement.
Discuss Your Rights With A Waco Trademark Lawyer
Your brand’s integrity is nonnegotiable. Aaron Wilkerson, PLLC, offers the strategic protection you need for your trademark. Contact our office today at 254-313-0841 or send us an email to speak with a trademark attorney in Texas.