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File a Trademark for $399 + $250 Government Filing Fee

Trademark Attorney Working With Clients in Montreal, Quebec

If you're an entrepreneur, you know that protecting your intellectual property should be high on your list when it comes to safeguarding your company. However, as a successful business owner, you also know the steps and costs of filing a trademark in the U.S. can be expensive and arduous.

This conundrum can be even more overwhelming for new business owners who want to do everything possible to minimize the price of securing trademarks. They try to handle complicated tasks like trademark registration on their own, which can be a big mistake - especially when juggling the day-to-day tasks of running a business. You may be thinking, "But what about those set-it-and-forget-it services you can find online? All you have to do is plug in your info, and you're done." Using pre-made templates for trademark filing can be tempting, but doing so can leave you with inadequate protection and hurt you in the long run.

So, what is the easiest, most cost-effective route to consider that also minimizes legal risk? The truth is, before you spend money on an online filing service, it's best to consult with a trademark attorney working with clients in Montreal, Quebec.

At Sausser Summers, PC, our experienced trademark attorneys can help you understand the trademark process step by step. We can even help with U.S. trademark filing, U.S. trademark responses, and U.S. trademark renewals at a price you can actually afford. That way, you can make an informed decision regarding your business without having to break the bank.

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Sausser Summers, PC: Simplifying the U.S. Trademark Process

Hiring an attorney can be a daunting task, but at Sausser Summers, PC, our goal is to make the process as simple and seamless as possible for you. That's why we offer a straightforward checkout service. First, you choose your flat fee trademark service and fill out a short questionnaire. Then, we will contact you within 24 hours to discuss the details of our service. From there, one of our experienced trademark attorneys will get to work on your behalf.

Using a trademark attorney for filing in Montreal, Quebec, can significantly increase your chances of a successful registration. The U.S. government recommends hiring a trademark attorney to help with your application, and our team of trademark lawyers is dedicated to meeting your needs. In fact, we help ensure your application is filed correctly the first time so you can get on with your life and avoid legal risks.

At Sausser Summers, PC, we work closely with our clients to understand their needs and provide them with sound professional advice. We never offer incomplete services, such as simply filing for registration, because that would leave you open to legal risks. You can rely on us to handle your intellectual property matters, and our flat fee services can help protect your business in a simple, straightforward, and affordable way. It's really that simple.

In terms of filing a U.S. trademark, we provide an easy three-step process to protect your intellectual property:

1. You provide your trademark info to our team via an online form.

2. Our team performs a comprehensive trademark search. This search ensures that no other marks will prevent you from registering your trademark in the U.S. Once performed, we'll send you a legal opinion letter that details our findings.

3. Sausser Summers, PC, files your U.S. trademark application. We are then listed as your Attorney of Record on file. From there, we'll provide ongoing updates regarding the status of your trademark as it works through the registration process.

The bottom line? At Sausser Summers, PC, we give both new and seasoned business owners an easy, efficient, cost-effective way to protect the one asset that sets them apart from others: their name.

Online Trademark Attorney Montreal, Quebec
The bottom line?

At Sausser Summers, PC, we give both new and seasoned business owners an easy, efficient, cost-effective way to protect the one asset that sets them apart from others: their name.

Do I Really Need a Trademark Attorney for Protecting My Business in Montreal, Quebec?

It's not necessary to be a lawyer in order to apply for a trademark. Anyone can submit a trademark application to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). However, registering a trademark involves more than just filling out a form. It's essential to conduct thorough research, accurately identify and clearly explain your trademark to ensure it receives adequate protection. And even after securing a trademark, you've got to monitor it consistently to make sure it's free from infringement.

The big takeaway here is that it's always a good idea to work with a trademark attorney to protect the intellectual property that you've worked so hard to establish. According to the Wall Street Journal, applicants are approximately 50% more likely to secure their trademark than people who file applications on their own. If your trademark application is rejected by the USPTO, you will need to revise and refile it, incurring additional filing fees. To avoid delays and extra costs, it is best to have a trademark lawyer help you get it right the first time.

Additional Benefits of Using a Trademark Attorney

Great trademark attorneys (like those you'll find at Sausser Summers, PC) will help with every step of filing and enforcing your trademark. Some additional benefits include the following:

Check to see if your proposed trademark is registered by another entity.

Conduct research to see if another business is using the trademark for which you're applying.

Provide advice and guidance on the strength of your trademark.

Draft and submit your trademark applications and application revisions.

Advice and guidance regarding trademark maintenance and protection.

Monitor the market for unauthorized use of your trademark.

Trademark enforcement to protect you against infringement.

 Online Trademark Lawyer Montreal, Quebec

Curious whether our trademark attorney services are right for you and your business? Contact Sausser Summer, PC, today. Let's talk about what you need, and how we can help.

What About Online Filing Services?

Online services, can provide you with basic assistance in filing your trademark. However, they will never be a legitimate substitute for an experienced trademark attorney helping clients in Montreal, Quebec.

 Trademark Attorney Montreal, Quebec

Although online filing services offer a step-by-step process, they take a one-size-fits-all approach to preparing legal documents. Even their advanced service only provides basic attorney assistance in completing your paperwork and helping with minor roadblocks. Online filing services' disclaimer highlights the many limitations of its services, including the fact that communications are not protected by attorney-client privilege. In addition, online filing services cannot provide advice, explanations, opinions, recommendations, or any kind of legal guidance on possible legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, selection of forms or strategies.

In other words, online filing services can offer you the necessary forms and point you in the right direction, but they cannot customize their services to your specific needs or help you with serious complications that may arise.

For the most comprehensive trademark service and protection, it's always wise to work with highly rated trademark lawyers, like you'll find at Sausser Summers, PC.

Understanding Trademarks Over Time

Trademarks in the U.S. can last indefinitely, but did you know that clients in Montreal, Quebec can file a trademark online, only to lose protection in some circumstances? Trademarks differ from patents and copyrights in that they do not have an expiration date. However, to prevent the cancellation of a trademark, you must maintain it. To ensure that your trademark remains protected, you must actively use it in commerce and renew it with the USPTO every ten years.

The Lanham Act tells us that "use in commerce" is the legitimate use of a trademark in the ordinary course of trade. In other words, you cannot register a trademark solely to reserve the rights to it in the future. In most cases, a trademark must be used continuously in connection with the goods or services it is registered for.

 Trademark Law Firm Montreal, Quebec

Steps to Renew Your Trademark

Trademarks are registered with the USPTO and generally need to be renewed every ten years. However, there is one crucial exception that you should be aware of. Within the first ten years of owning a trademark, you must file for renewal between the fifth and sixth year from the date of your initial registration.

During this renewal period, you are required to submit a Section 8 declaration, a specimen that shows how the mark is being used, and pay the required fee. You can also apply for Section 15 Incontestability status, which can strengthen your trademark rights. This application, although not mandatory, can make it harder for others to challenge your ownership of the mark.

After the first renewal, which falls between the fifth and sixth year of ownership, the next renewal filing is due between the ninth and tenth year, and then every tenth year thereafter. In the ninth year you will need to file a Section 8 declaration, attesting to your use of the mark or excusable nonuse. You've also got to file a Section 9 renewal application before the end of the tenth year to keep your registration active.

It is worth noting that the USPTO provides a six-month grace period if you fail to renew your mark within the required time frame, but it is best not to rely on it. If you don't file within the grace period time limits, the USPTO will cancel and expire your mark.

By hiring trademark attorneys helping clients in Montreal, Quebec, you can avoid the pitfalls and mistakes that can arise and cause you to lose your rights to the mark that represents it.

Losing Your Trademark Rights Through Abandonment

In the event that you stop using your trademark and have no plans to resume using it in commerce, it may be considered abandoned by the USPTO. This could result in the loss of your protective rights to the mark. Typically, a trademark is assumed to be abandoned if it has not been used for three years. However, you may be able to refute this presumption by providing evidence that you intend to use the mark again in the future.

Losing Your Trademark Rights Through Inappropriate Licensing

In addition to trademark abandonment, you should also be wary of improper licensing. It's important to remember that once you allow someone else to use your trademark, you must keep an eye on how they use it. You should monitor the products or services that feature your trademark to ensure that they meet consumers' expectations in terms of quality. Failure to do so can lead to a "naked" trademark license and the loss of your protective trademark rights.

How to Avoid Having to Refile Your Trademark

If you're wondering how you can avoid refiling your trademark, the answer is simple: file it correctly the first time around. Filing a trademark isn't inherently difficult, but when doing so, it's very important that certain aspects are filled out accurately in your application. If any information is missing or incorrect, the trademark application may be considered "void ab initio" or void from the beginning, requiring you to file again.

To avoid this, make sure that the information you provide in the application is accurate and complete, including the ownership of the trademark. For instance, if a corporation has multiple shareholders, it should not file under the President's personal name. The rightful owner should be the one/entity that ultimately controls the trademark and the associated goods/services.

It is also important to ensure that the goods and/or services description is precise. For example, if you sell electronic products, you should not file for research and development services despite having a research and development department. The goods/services description should reflect the goods/services you offer to customers, not the departments within your business.

Additionally, providing accurate dates of first use when filing for a trademark is crucial. The USPTO requires two dates to be specified - the date of first use anywhere and the date of first use in interstate commerce. Contact our trademark law office today to learn more about having accurate dates on your filing paperwork.

 Trademark Lawyer Montreal, Quebec
 Trademark Firm Montreal, Quebec

What Makes an Online Trademark Attorney Great?

At Sausser Summers, PC, we often get questions about how to distinguish run-of-the-mill consultants and others from great trademark attorneys. After all - when you're looking for an attorney to file or prosecute your business trademark, you should know their qualifications. Here are three ways you can separate the proverbial wheat from the chaff when it comes to trademark attorneys.

It's crucial to seek legal advice from a licensed trademark lawyer rather than relying on advice from non-professionals like trademark consultants. The USPTO even recommends hiring an attorney to help with the trademark process. Although trademark consultants may provide advice on trademark availability or name marketability, they cannot file the trademark for you or offer legal advice. According to the Rules of Practicing in trademark cases, "Individuals who are not attorneys are not recognized to practice before the Office in trademark matters." This rule applies to individuals who assist trademark applicants.

When searching for a trademark attorney, it's important to find someone with a strong background in trademark law. Look for an attorney who specializes in this area and has significant experience handling trademark-related cases. Avoid lawyers who don't have expertise in this field, as they may not be able to provide the guidance and support you need.

Ensure your attorney provides updates throughout the trademark registration process to avoid missing deadlines, including responding to any Office actions within six months. Failure to do so can result in trademark abandonment. The USPTO will only correspond with the listed attorney of record, so make sure your attorney keeps you informed.

In summary:

  • Be sure you're using a licensed trademark attorney helping clients in Montreal, Quebec.
  • It's best to work with a trademark lawyer who has years of experience filing trademarks.
  • Ensure that your trademark lawyer is willing to provide ongoing notifications relating to your trademark application process.
 Trademark Registration Lawyer Montreal, Quebec

Trademark Attorneys Working Hard for You

Building your brand and gaining recognition for it is a significant achievement, and it's important to protect it. However, there are certain pitfalls and mistakes that can arise, causing you to lose your rights to the mark that represents it. By working with knowledgeable trademark attorneys, you can avoid these issues and file your trademark successfully.

With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Sausser Summers, PC, offers comprehensive guidance, strategic advice, and reliable representation for a variety of trademark matters. Our attorneys have years of real-world experience and, having registered countless trademarks with the USPTO, provide our clients with individualized representation when they need it most.

If you're looking for skilled, adept, and experienced counsel, look no further than our trademark law firm. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation and learn how we can help you safeguard your brand.

Latest News in Montreal, Quebec

Canada's oldest hat store still going strong after 90 years

Since 1932, Montreal's Henri Henri has been filled to the brim with every possible kind of hat, from newsboy caps to feathered fedoras.Until 16 years ago, Francis Bissonnette-Gilker didn't know much about hats, but during a resume run in the city's Latin Quarter, a friend dared him to apply to Henri Henri."I guess they liked the cut of my jib since they told me to get a suit and come back tomorrow," he said.Now, he has an encyclopedic knowledge of hats and uses it to help customers find their perfect match....

Since 1932, Montreal's Henri Henri has been filled to the brim with every possible kind of hat, from newsboy caps to feathered fedoras.

Until 16 years ago, Francis Bissonnette-Gilker didn't know much about hats, but during a resume run in the city's Latin Quarter, a friend dared him to apply to Henri Henri.

"I guess they liked the cut of my jib since they told me to get a suit and come back tomorrow," he said.

Now, he has an encyclopedic knowledge of hats and uses it to help customers find their perfect match.

"We also look at what people like, what they wear and we try to find the best style, the best balance," he said.

The store was founded by hat salesmen Jean-Maurice Lefebvre and Honorius Henri in 1932.

At first they only specialized in a few brands and styles, but over the years their collection and clientele expanded.

Today, many celebrities, musicians and hockey players stop by Henri Henri when they're in Montreal.

Shows like Yellowstone and Peaky Blinders have also created more hat interest in young people.

But it's also the old-school glamour that attracts them, according Bissonnette-Gilker.

"They like the fact that we have the same furniture for 90 years and that we have the same cash register," he said. "They love that we still serve them kind of old school."

The hats aren't cheap, but they are made to last.

The store also offers cleaning, reshaping and repair services.

Sylvain Labbe is one of the few hatters or "chapeliers" in the country.

Trained in France, and having spent 18 years with Cirque de Soleil, he does all his work by hand.

"It's an ancient art," he said. "The tools and methods haven't changed much."

The throughline at Henri Henri is tradition.

The business has always been family fun, and today, father and son duo Joel and Yannig Plunier are at the helm.

Lately, Joel has been working on taking Henri Henri to a wider audience.

"We're putting a lot of energy in our e-commerce," he said. "that's the future."

Their stockrooms are filled with the latest bowlers, porkpies, Stetsons and even kangaroo-leather caps, but the most prized is a Borsalino panama hat.

Each one takes three months to weave and costs $1,400.

"They are more than just fashion accessories," Bissonnette-Gilker said. "Yes, they look good. But they also serve a purpose, especially if you're balding."

More seniors are using Montreal's Metro thanks to free fare program

A costly program offering free public transportation fares to Montreal seniors is paying off, the city said in a recent report as it documented a spike in transit use among people age 65 and older.In the six months since the program launched on July 1, 2023, the city said the number of trips taken by those in the target age group surged between 15 and 20 per cent. The findings were contained in a 2025 budget planning document the city published Tuesday.Forty-seven per cent of eligible Montreal-area residents had signed up for t...

A costly program offering free public transportation fares to Montreal seniors is paying off, the city said in a recent report as it documented a spike in transit use among people age 65 and older.

In the six months since the program launched on July 1, 2023, the city said the number of trips taken by those in the target age group surged between 15 and 20 per cent. The findings were contained in a 2025 budget planning document the city published Tuesday.

Forty-seven per cent of eligible Montreal-area residents had signed up for the program by the end of 2023, the city said.

"The measure has therefore resulted in both savings and increased mobility for seniors," the document reads.

First announced in late 2022, the program allows residents of the Montreal agglomeration — comprised of the city of Montreal and suburbs on Montreal island — who are 65 or older to use the metro, buses, commuter and light-rail trains for free within the jurisdiction. Paratransit, or specialized rides for people with disabilities, is also free for program beneficiaries.

Montreal dedicated $24 million to the initiative in its 2023 budget and earmarked another $34.3 million to continue it in 2024. Over the same period, the city's financially beleaguered public transit agency, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM), has cut nearly $140 million from its own budget.

But several metro riders said Saturday that the program has myriad benefits for older adults.

"I think that for low-income people its a way to break isolation, to get out," Huguette Bergeron, 74, said outside of the Place-d'Armes Metro station downtown.

Anne Chenot, 70, said she sees the program as "little compensation" for high local taxes.

Both women said they're taking advantage of the offer even though they would have been able to afford the regular $97 monthly fare. They hope to see similar programs targeting residents who might benefit from the financial relief, such as students.

Robert Martin said the program's broad eligibility criteria are likely boosting participation. A program that limits eligibility by income, he said, might create barriers for prospective participants who would have to prove their financial situation.

Martin plans to register for the free fare when he turns 65 next March. As someone who has never owned a car, he expects the program will increase his mobility.

"Does everyone need it? I'm not sure," he said. "But it's easier for [the city] than just asking for proof that you're, let's say, poor or middle class."

Beloved Verdun natatorium slated to be demolished

The natatorium pavilion in Verdun has been closed for renovations since 2017 and now the 86-year-old-building will likely be torn down.Growing up, Wendy Duncan spent her summer's swimming at the Verdun natatorium."You might come for a couple of hours and end up staying the whole day, and at the end of it you'd be ravenous, and then you'd go upstairs to the rooftop where there was a small snack bar and you could pick up potato chips, five cents a bag," said the LaSalle resident.The natatorium was inaugurated in ...

The natatorium pavilion in Verdun has been closed for renovations since 2017 and now the 86-year-old-building will likely be torn down.

Growing up, Wendy Duncan spent her summer's swimming at the Verdun natatorium.

"You might come for a couple of hours and end up staying the whole day, and at the end of it you'd be ravenous, and then you'd go upstairs to the rooftop where there was a small snack bar and you could pick up potato chips, five cents a bag," said the LaSalle resident.

The natatorium was inaugurated in July 1940. It was the first outdoor pool in Montreal and the largest in Canada at the time.

"Everyone came to the natatorium if you wanted to swim … this was the spot. This was the big pool," she said.

The pool is still open in the summer months but its art deco pavilion is closed. Verdun's former mayor says his sources tell him the building is set to be torn down.

The city is expected to make an official announcement during a public meeting at city hall Tuesday.

"I was really surprised and I said no, no, no it's not possible," said Jean-François Parenteau, Verdun's former mayor.

Parenteau isn't the only person opposed to the project.

"That's totally insane. This is part of the history of Montreal in particular for Verdun," said Yasmine Amraoui.

"It would be a loss not just to this community but to a lot of other communities, too," Duncan added.

The building, with change rooms and showers inside, has been closed for renovations since 2017.

Work on the building stopped the same year when major structural problems were found.

Parenteau says elected officials can stop the demolition.

"They asked me to demolish this building and I said no. They stopped the project for seven years," he said.

Heritage Montreal says given its age degradation of concrete is an issue and is urging officials with the City of Montreal to get involved.

"There have been examples where they found ways to repair it without damaging the heritage value in some other places they had to to reproduce it. So these are different strategies," said Dinu Bumbaru, Heritage Montreal's policy director and spokesperson.

The City of Montreal did not reply to a request for comment by publication time.

Part of downtown Montreal has magically morphed into 1980s San Diego (PHOTOS)

Springtime in Montreal usually doesn't feature palm trees, but for the next few weeks, Sainte-Catherine East near Beaudry metro will. Part of the Montreal Village is now doubling as a sunny Californian city from decades ago. A slice of San Diego circa the 1980s has mysteriously sprouted in the neighbourhood near downtown.Trees are covered in fake leaves ziptied onto branches that look real at first glance. And ginormous tropical trees line...

Springtime in Montreal usually doesn't feature palm trees, but for the next few weeks, Sainte-Catherine East near Beaudry metro will. Part of the Montreal Village is now doubling as a sunny Californian city from decades ago. A slice of San Diego circa the 1980s has mysteriously sprouted in the neighbourhood near downtown.

Trees are covered in fake leaves ziptied onto branches that look real at first glance. And ginormous tropical trees line the sidewalks — not your typical Montreal flora.

A close-up of the fake leaves ziptied to real branches. Right: Otherwise bare trees now look realistically full.Sofia Misenheimer | MTL Blog

"Welcome to the Gaslamp Quarter, The Historic Heart of San Diego" signs began dotting the area late last week, marking a nostalgic transformation that now spans several city blocks.

Shop fronts along the street have flipped back a few decades. Neon signs, retro fonts, and window displays now adorn the facades of places like the "Mirage Bookstore" and the "Heath Hotel."

Mirage Bookstore more than lives up to it's name, borrowing the facade of a local restaurant for a few weeks.Sofia Misenheimer | MTL Blog

Playful new business names like "Rebel Rita Tattoo" and "Lampshade Labyrinth" can be spotted near these vintage setups. Even the new Korean restaurant, "La Table de Jo," has been transformed into a "Fresh Press" laundry service.

You can bet the language watchdogs at the Office québécois de la langue française are having a field day with all the English shop names popping up.

Massive palm trees by the side of Sainte-Catherine Street East.Sofia Misenheimer | MTL Blog

The Village revealed in a Facebook post just how extensive the transformation has been: "Magically, leaves have appeared on trees, a dozen businesses boast new facades, retro signage, and 30-foot tall palm trees... A film set is taking over our neighbourhood… for another week or two. Who knows, you might even bump into a Hollywood star!"

The film set is likely part of the new Ryan Reynolds movie set in 1987, Mayday, filming under the working title "Blackbird." Signs in the area indicate the project as "BB."

Korean restaurant "La Table de Jo" is now "Fresh Press" laundry, while "Table Village" Indian restaurant is "Mireya's Tacos."Sofia Misenheimer | MTL Blog

For those looking to see the action, yellow signs along the road not only alert passersby to the ongoing filming but also reassure that all businesses are open during the shoot.

Whether you're looking for a trip back in time, a peek behind the scenes of Hollywood magic, or a cool spot for some Instagram-worthy shots, the Village promises a fun detour.

A retro blue sign for fake storefront, "Lampshade Labyrinth."Sofia Misenheimer | MTL Blog

"Here's hoping the palm trees stay all summer," quipped one person on social media, clearly enjoying the change of scenery.

The faux-San Diego scene is scheduled to vanish by May 10, but fortunately you still have time to enjoy the slice of the '80s in Montreal.

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