Partner
Intellectual property law (IP) is a complex and constantly changing area of the law. If you need assistance with any legal issues related to your intellectual property, it’s important to work with an experienced Traverse City intellectual property attorney.
At Revision Legal, we have over a decade of experience helping Traverse City businesses protect their IP and enforce their intellectual property rights. We understand the complex legal landscape of IP law, and we’re equipped to help you with all of your intellectual property needs. We have represented some of Traverse City’s largest companies and most iconic brands.
Our intellectual property lawyers have litigated matters in state and federal courts around the country, including in the Western District of Michigan and the Eastern District of Michigan. We also manage over 1,000 trademarks and, through our partners overseas, including in the European Union, Mexico, Canada, Japan, and China, we can provide intellectual property services around the world.
And we are local. Our founding partner has served on the Traverse City Downtown Development Authority, the board of the tech incubator 20 Fathoms, and the Traverse City History Center.
Some of the services that we offer include:
Traverse City’s economy is rich with brands — wineries, outdoor lifestyle companies, technology startups, hospitality businesses, and retail shops whose entire market value is tied to their name recognition. Federal trademark registration under the Lanham Act is the legal foundation of brand protection. It converts the goodwill you have built into an enforceable property right: nationwide priority of use, a presumption of ownership, the right to sue in federal court, and access to statutory damages up to $2,000,000 per mark in counterfeiting cases under 15 U.S.C. § 1117(c).
Revision Legal has registered trademarks for some of Traverse City’s most recognizable names and manages a portfolio of over 1,000 marks for clients ranging from small lifestyle brands to publicly traded companies. We handle clearance searches, USPTO prosecution, Office Action responses, TTAB oppositions and cancellations, and trademark enforcement litigation.
Copyright protects original works of authorship — software, written content, photographs, music, film, and graphic art — from the moment they are fixed in a tangible form. But timely registration with the U.S. Copyright Office is essential: under 17 U.S.C. § 412, registration before infringement (or within three months of first publication) is required to recover statutory damages and attorney’s fees. Revision Legal’s copyright attorneys handle registration, licensing, DMCA enforcement, infringement litigation, and fair use counseling for Traverse City creators, technology companies, and media businesses.
Not all intellectual property can be registered. Formulas, processes, business strategies, customer lists, and other proprietary information may qualify for protection as trade secrets under the Defend Trade Secrets Act (18 U.S.C. § 1836) and the Michigan Uniform Trade Secrets Act (MCL § 445.1901 et seq.). To maintain trade secret protection, businesses must take reasonable steps to keep the information secret — including confidentiality agreements, access controls, and employee training. Revision Legal advises Traverse City businesses on trade secret protection strategies and represents clients in trade secret misappropriation litigation.
Michigan law permits non-compete agreements that are reasonable in scope and duration and designed to protect a legitimate business interest. Under MCL § 445.774a, courts will enforce non-compete provisions to the extent they are reasonable. A well-drafted non-compete agreement identifies specific protectable interests — such as trade secrets, confidential customer relationships, or specialized training — and limits geographic scope and duration to what is necessary to protect those interests. Revision Legal drafts non-compete agreements for Traverse City employers and advises employees on their enforceability and their options when facing a restrictive covenant.
If you’re looking for a Traverse City intellectual property attorney, contact Revision Legal today at 231-714-0100 or through our online contact form for a review of your matter.
Revision Legal is a national internet and intellectual property law firm with deep roots in Michigan. Founded in Traverse City, the firm has grown to serve clients across the United States — from individual entrepreneurs and independent creators to mid-size companies and publicly traded corporations. We focus exclusively on intellectual property, internet law, and technology law, which means our attorneys develop deep expertise in these areas rather than spreading themselves thin across unrelated practice areas.
Our attorneys have litigated trademark, copyright, trade secret, and internet law matters in federal district courts and courts of appeals across the country, including the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the Sixth Circuit, and the Ninth Circuit. We have handled proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and the U.S. Copyright Office. We have also represented clients in ICANN UDRP proceedings before WIPO and the National Arbitration Forum.
For our Traverse City clients, Revision Legal combines the depth and resources of a national intellectual property practice with the responsiveness and accessibility of a local law firm. We understand Traverse City’s business environment and the legal issues that Traverse City’s businesses face. Whether you are a startup protecting a new brand for the first time or an established company managing a large IP portfolio, Revision Legal’s attorneys have the expertise and the tools to serve you effectively.
How long does trademark registration take? USPTO trademark registration typically takes 12 to 18 months from the filing date for straightforward applications. Applications that receive Office Actions, opposition proceedings, or other complications may take longer. Revision Legal will keep you informed of your application’s status throughout the process.
What is the cost of trademark registration? Government filing fees per class of goods or services range from $250 to $350 per class depending on the application basis and form. Attorney fees vary based on the complexity of the mark and the number of classes. Revision Legal offers flat-fee trademark registration packages that include the government fee, clearance search, application preparation, and one standard Office Action response.
Do I need to register my trademark before I start using it? No — trademark rights arise through use. But registration provides significantly stronger legal protection and should be initiated as early as possible. You can file an intent-to-use application before your first commercial use, which establishes a priority date from your filing date.
What if someone is already using a similar name? Whether a similar existing use creates a legal problem depends on: how similar the marks are; how similar the goods or services are; whether the existing use is registered; and the geographic scope of each use. A trademark clearance opinion from Revision Legal will assess these factors and give you a practical risk assessment.
One of the most common and costly mistakes businesses make is delaying intellectual property protection until after a problem arises. A trademark that is not registered can be lost to a competitor who files first. A copyright that is not registered before infringement occurs cannot support a claim for statutory damages or attorney’s fees. A trade secret that is not protected by adequate confidentiality agreements may be disclosed without remedy.
The cost of early, proactive intellectual property protection is a fraction of the cost of reactive enforcement after rights have been compromised. Trademark registration, copyright registration, and basic contractual protections for trade secrets are modest investments relative to the value of the brand equity, creative works, and proprietary information they protect. Revision Legal makes these protections accessible through flat-fee service packages that give clients the professional representation they need at a predictable, budgetable cost.
Early protection also creates business value beyond pure legal defense. Registered trademarks and copyrights are balance sheet assets that increase the value of a business in sale, merger, and financing transactions. Investors, acquirers, and lenders conduct IP due diligence as a matter of course, and a well-organized, properly documented IP portfolio signals that a business is professionally managed and its core assets are secure.
Do not wait for a cease-and-desist letter or an infringement lawsuit to make IP protection a priority. Take action now, while the cost is manageable and the available protections are still fully intact. Contact Revision Legal today at 855-473-8474 or through our online contact form to discuss your intellectual property needs.
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