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intellectual property in china

Find Out How to Protect Your Intellectual Property from Your Chinese Manufacturer

Any business with one eye fixed on the future knows that they can’t afford to stay out of China, one of the four largest emerging markets in the world. Unfortunately, businesses also know that they can’t afford to stay in China either, as China accounts for at least half of all intellectual property theft from… READ MORE

infringing upon a trademark

What You Should Do if Someone is Infringing Upon Your Trademark

Do you have a registered trademark that is being infringed upon? Check out this helpful guide to put a stop to it immediately. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office receives half a million applications every year. About three-quarters of them get registered. That leaves a lot of people and companies without trademark protection. It also… READ MORE

how to sell your business

How to Sell Your Business: 6 Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your Online Business

Did your online business receive success, and now major corporations want to buy your business? Before you agree, know how to sell your business and avoid these 6 mistakes. Do you own an online business that’s turned into a massive success over time? If so, you might currently be fielding offers from major corporations that… READ MORE

trademark infringement test

Is Someone Illegally Using Your Trademark? The 8 Factor Trademark Infringement Test

The trademark infringement test is an umbrella term for several factors that courts use to assess confusion. The court will analyze and weigh each factor, determining if consumers in the marketplace are likely confused by both brands’ marks when they compete with one another–marketplace context being key here because it varies depending on case facts!… READ MORE

9 Steps to Business Success

So, you have a great business idea. Great! What now? Below are 9 steps that will help guide your idea from light bulbs to a profitable business. Step 1: Identify a Brand Name Branding is important and any new idea needs a name. There are many details that come into play when choosing a brand… READ MORE

intellectual property tips for architects

Intellectual Property: 3 Tips For Architects

As an architect your designs combine creativity, technical skill, experience and your unique style. You provide your clients with a customized experience and your work product is one-of-a-kind. Whether you focus on residential or commercial, custom design or license plans in bulk, your work and your business need to be protected. Below are three intellectual… READ MORE

How Strong is Your Trademark? 5 Levels of Distinctiveness [Infographic]

Picking a mark to represent your brand can be one of the most important decisions you make. Think about the brands we see everyday. Apple. Coca Cola. Microsoft. These are immediately identifiable both with the company and the products they produce. Just how strong is your trademark? On one end of the spectrum, are descriptive… READ MORE

post-registration opposition

International Trademark Law: Thoughts on Japan’s Post-Registration Opposition Proceedings

Most nations with fully-developed trademark legal frameworks allow for opposition proceedings with regard to newly filed applications for trademarks. Most jurisdictions, like the United States, provide that opposition proceedings shall occur during the registration process, prior to issuance of the relevant Certificate of Registration. However, about 10 jurisdictions allow for opposition proceedings ONLY post-grant of… READ MORE

trademark priority

Trademark Priority: Risks of Too Much Secrecy and “Use in Commerce”

Trademark protection in the United States is based on “use in commerce.” Sometimes, competing businesses arrive at the same branding concept at about the same time, raising questions of trademark priority. With respect to trademark priority, as discussed below, too much secrecy can be risky. Many businesses legitimately want to shroud in secrecy various aspects… READ MORE

Lessons in Trademarking Trade Dress: Apple vs. Samsung

Lessons in Trademarking Trade Dress The long-running legal battle between Samsung and Apple over the shape of their respective smart phones provides some interesting lessons regarding trade dress law and how common law trade dress rights work. See news article here. Apple vs. Samsung: Design Patents and Trademarks for Apple’s iPhone In 2007, Apple, Inc…. READ MORE

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