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 Oshawa, Ontario.
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.
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 Oshawa, Ontario, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Oshawa, Ontario.
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.
Trademarks in the U.S. can last indefinitely, but did you know that clients in Oshawa, Ontario 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.
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 Oshawa, Ontario, you can avoid the pitfalls and mistakes that can arise and cause you to lose your rights to the mark that represents it.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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On Saturday the Ridgebacks defeated the York Lions 2-1 at Lions Stadium in north Toronto to win their first ever provincial championships.
This Thursday, back home at Vaso’s Field, Ontario Tech will host its first ever national championships when the best men’s university soccer teams in the country come to Oshawa.
And if everything falls into place, the school will be celebrating its first ever national title Sunday after the gold medal game.
The team did not strike fear into the hearts of their opponents during the regular season with an ordinary 4-4-2 record but the players got hot at the right moment, downing Nipissing 4-1, Toronto 5-2 and McMaster on penalties to set up the Ontario final, where the Ridgebacks got a pair of first half goals from Erion Metaj and some key saves from Kevon Grant to capture their first provincial crown.
“Absolutely unreal feeling this team, this group, this coaching staff. Second to none,” said scoring star Metaj. “Honestly one of the best teams I’ve ever been a part of. Hard work gets you there. We deserve it.”
“It’s just that Ontario Tech DNA in us,” he added. “People can take us down, beat us down, but that’s OT – we come back up.”
The Ridgebacks, fourth-ranked nationally, take on fifth-ranked McGill University Redbirds Thursday at 7 p.m. in the quarter-final, with the winner taking on the winners of the top-ranked UBC Thunderbirds (14-1-3) and the New Brunswick Varsity Reds (#8) game the following day, also at 7 p.m.
The other matches have #3 St. Francis Xavier X-Men vs York (#6) and #2 Montreal Carabins vs (#7) Mount Royal Cougars on Thursday, with the winners playing at 4 p.m. Friday.
The championship game is scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m., with the bronze medal match at 11 a.m. All games will be played at Vaso’s Field at the north-end of the Ontario Tech campus at Conlin Road and Simcoe Street.
Ontario Tech, which launched its varsity soccer program in 2009, has hosted several provincial championships, but this will be the school’s first national championships.
“Being awarded the 2024 men’s soccer championship has our campus and community buzzing,” enthused Ontario Tech Athletics and Recreation Director Scott Barker last year when the school was awarded the U Sports tournament, adding that the school and the city is “looking forward to welcoming the nation’s best players” to Ontario Tech to help celebrate Oshawa’s 100-year anniversary.
In case you needed more reasons to fall in love with spooky season, we have you covered. The leaves are changing, temperatures are dropping and pumpkin spice is everywhere (as it should be). Though the fall season brings comfort with warm drinks and cozy sweaters, there's also something spooky that happens after dark...Is Durham Region the most haunted place in Ontario? York Durham Headwaters thinks so! Check out their ...
In case you needed more reasons to fall in love with spooky season, we have you covered. The leaves are changing, temperatures are dropping and pumpkin spice is everywhere (as it should be). Though the fall season brings comfort with warm drinks and cozy sweaters, there's also something spooky that happens after dark...
Is Durham Region the most haunted place in Ontario? York Durham Headwaters thinks so! Check out their list of spooky settings across Durham Region with haunted stops like Ghost Road in Scugog and the Whitby Centennial Building.
From haunted forests to ghost walks, the month of October has plenty of frightful and fun activities for all ages!
Brawley Woods Haunted Halloween Walk is a premier haunted walk with movie production props, some of the biggest animatronics in North America, and the most animatronics in one single haunt. Explore the spooky walk inside a real forest. Are you ready to face your fears? Will you survive Brawley Woods this Halloween season? Or, will you be the one who takes the chicken lane exit? This is a cash only venue.
Don’t miss one of the spookiest, scariest events in Durham Region! Every year, a ravenous beast rises from its yearly slumber to satisfy its hunger at the Cannington Haunted Attraction! Only when it has gorged itself on the sound of screams and the uncomfortable laughs of false bravado, can it return to its slumber and wait for next October! Tickets are available online only and include all scare attractions, including two outdoor wooded trails and an indoor barn maze, all of which are transformed into immersive horror-themed environments complete with live scare actors and some shocking surprises. Side attractions include a mini-escape room, food and craft vendors, and a decorated museum.
Not recommended for children under the age of 8.
Firehouse Fright Night returns to Watson Farms with an interactive, story-driven trail that has been engaging the brave for more than 16 years. On this 30-minute journey, become the focus of dozens of creatures spread across more than 20 heart-pounding scenes. Navigate this huge maze and see if you can survive their series of scares!
This is a great event for all ages and offers group discounts.
There's nothing like wandering through a corn maze on a crisp fall day, but have you ever experienced it at night? While this is not a scare maze, it can be a little spooky! Think you can master the 10-acre corn maze at Cooper’s CSA Farm in the dark? You may want to bring a flashlight just in case!
Tickets include one pumpkin from the patch. Children three and under are free.
Something dark is lurking in the shadows of the woods. Grab your family and friends to immerse yourself in your very own horror film by heading deep into the forest. Walk down the Haunted Trail through the field and into the forest where you will encounter multiple frightening scenes, monsters and more.
Tickets are available online only. This attraction is recommended for guests ages 10 and older, but anyone is permitted. Guests ages 15 years and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Thursdays to Saturdays in October | 2365 6th Concession Road, Greenwood
Explore the Pickering Museum Village by lantern-light at the Pickering Ghost Walk experience—a spine-tingling tour that will turn even the toughest cynic into a believer of the supernatural! Learn about the paranormal investigations that have taken place on site, hear the museum’s most infamous staff stories, and uncover the tragedies that have occurred in Pickering’ past. Tours are approximately one hour in length and registration is required. Guests must be ages 12 and up.
In addition to regular operating hours, this spooky experience will also be available on Tuesday, October 29 and Wednesday, October 30.
October 18, 21 to 23, and 25 | 416 Centre Street South, Whitby
Downtown Whitby has an interesting history of vivid ghost stories! Join the Town of Whitby for a ghost walk and listen to some spine-tingling, spooky stories from your guide, as well as re-enactments live in person by Beech Street Theatre Company! Please note, this is a guided walking tour and will have participants walking 2.6 km to nine sites throughout downtown Whitby. This is not recommended for children under the age of 13, as some stories may be sensitive in nature.
Ghost Walks After Dark take place at 8:30 p.m. and are reserved for participants 18 years of age or older.
While you’re experiencing all of the spooktacular events Durham has to offer, tag @DurhamTourism on social media so we can follow along! Looking for more on-farm and fall season experiences? Check out these corn maze experiences and find more reasons to Gather at the Farm in Durham Region this season.
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