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 CA 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 St. Catharines, Ontario.
At Sausser Summers, PC, our experienced trademark attorneys can help you understand the trademark process step by step. We can even help with CA trademark filing, CA trademark responses, and CA 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 St. Catharines, Ontario, can significantly increase your chances of a successful registration. The CA 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 CA 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 CA Once performed, we'll send you a legal opinion letter that details our findings.
3. Sausser Summers, PC, files your CA 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 CA 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 St. Catharines, 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 CA can last indefinitely, but did you know that clients in St. Catharines, 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 St. Catharines, 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.
St. Catharines will hold a special meeting of council on Monday to discuss governance changes in Niagara.City officials say the purpose of the meeting is to provide an opportunity for residents and members of Council to share their views on the future of regional governance in Niagara.The meeting will take place at City Hall, 50 Church St., and will be open to the public and can also be viewed via livestream at www.stcatharines.ca/youtube.It starts at 6 p.m.Residents who wish to address Council will be provided fi...
St. Catharines will hold a special meeting of council on Monday to discuss governance changes in Niagara.
City officials say the purpose of the meeting is to provide an opportunity for residents and members of Council to share their views on the future of regional governance in Niagara.
The meeting will take place at City Hall, 50 Church St., and will be open to the public and can also be viewed via livestream at www.stcatharines.ca/youtube.
It starts at 6 p.m.
Residents who wish to address Council will be provided five minutes each to make their comments.
At the conclusion of the meeting, a recording of all comments will be forwarded to the Office of the Regional Chair, Bob Gale, as well as to the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for their consideration.
“This meeting is about ensuring that the voices of St. Catharines residents are heard as discussions continue regarding the future of governance in Niagara, said Mayor Mat Siscoe. Regional Governance has significant implications for accountability, alignment of services, and long-term economic competitiveness. It is important that our community has the opportunity to participate in that conversation.”
Siscoe has said he supports a four-city model, which Regional Chair Bob Gale has said he is considering.
Gale has written to the province and Niagara’s mayors calling for urgent governance reform.
Click here for more information on how to participate.
Delegations to Council can be made in-person in Council Chambers or electronically through Zoom.
Residents wishing to provide comment directly to Regional Chair Bob Gale can do so at Bob.Gale@niagararegion.ca.
Residents wishing to provide comment directly to Minister Flack can do so at Minister.mah@ontario.ca.
Story credit: Bonnie Heslop
A new $2.3M fire training tower has been officially opened in St. Catharines.The Fire and Emergency Services Training Tower marks the end of fire fighters from St. Catharines having to train in other parts of Niagara.The tower has been built on the footprint of the former tower decommissioned in 2017 on Renown Road overlooking Twelve Mile Creek and Hwy. 406.The City has been without a training tower for several years.“This new training tower is a critical piece of infrastructure for our training needs,&rdquo...
A new $2.3M fire training tower has been officially opened in St. Catharines.
The Fire and Emergency Services Training Tower marks the end of fire fighters from St. Catharines having to train in other parts of Niagara.
The tower has been built on the footprint of the former tower decommissioned in 2017 on Renown Road overlooking Twelve Mile Creek and Hwy. 406.
The City has been without a training tower for several years.
“This new training tower is a critical piece of infrastructure for our training needs,” Chief Upper said. “This purpose-built, modern training tower is an investment in safety – for our firefighters and for the residents and businesses we serve. Today, we’re not just opening a facility – we’re strengthening our readiness, our resilience, and our commitment to protecting our community for decades to come.” St. Catharines Fire Chief Dave Upper
The project was supported with $1 million in funding by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development and the Government of Ontario.
“Our government is proud to support the brave men and women of the St. Catharines Fire Services through the construction of this training tower,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “In addition, the adoption of NG911 will be a game changer, meaning more calls answered and more lives saved when it matters most. Through our investment in the Fire Protection Grant, we’re also ensuring that those who protect Ontario are protected, with lifesaving equipment, cancer prevention measures, and critical infrastructure upgrades.”
Work on the replacement training tower began last July and was substantially completed on Dec. 31, 2025, with the final stage of completion occurring in recent weeks.
Story credit: Bonnie Heslop
Image Credit: St. Catharines
Transaction marks Richmond’s entry into the Niagara Region and expansion beyond the Windsor-Essex and Sarnia-Lambton regions. TORONTO, Feb. 10, 2026 /CNW/ – Richmond Asset Management (“Richmond”) has completed the acquisition of 20 Bradmon Drive (Capri Apartments), a 79-unit purpose-built rental apartment building in St. Catharines, marking the firm’s entry into the Niagara Region and a key step in its expansion beyond the Windsor-Essex and Sarnia-Lambton regions.The transaction represents a...
Transaction marks Richmond’s entry into the Niagara Region and expansion beyond the Windsor-Essex and Sarnia-Lambton regions.
TORONTO, Feb. 10, 2026 /CNW/ – Richmond Asset Management (“Richmond”) has completed the acquisition of 20 Bradmon Drive (Capri Apartments), a 79-unit purpose-built rental apartment building in St. Catharines, marking the firm’s entry into the Niagara Region and a key step in its expansion beyond the Windsor-Essex and Sarnia-Lambton regions.
The transaction represents a major milestone for Richmond as it scales its platform across Southwestern Ontario.
“The property aligns with our strategy of acquiring properties in great locations, well below replacement cost and with an ability to add value”, said David Barry, Managing Partner. “The Niagara region is well positioned for long-term economic growth, benefiting from a diversified economy, an attractive quality of life, and easy access to the GTHA and the US border” added Aly Somani, Managing Partner.
The acquisition reflects the firm’s disciplined approach to entering new markets selectively while ensuring that Richmond can execute on its value-add program. By pairing local property management expertise with hands-on asset management, they are positioned to deliver an enhanced experience for tenants.
Capri Apartments is a 79-unit residential building featuring large livable suites with a suite mix of 48, 2-bedroom units and 31, 1-bedroom units, private balconies, ground floor patios, covered parking garage, and additional surface parking. The property is located in Port Weller, one of St. Catharines most desirable and quiet residential neighbourhoods, with close access to shopping, green space, and backing on to a ravine with a walking path to the waterfront.
The firm intends to be a long-term owner and a positive contributor to the community as it continues to expand its presence across the Niagara Region and other parts of Southwestern Ontario.
The acquisition further strengthens Richmond’s multifamily portfolio and underscores continued confidence in secondary Southwestern Ontario markets characterized by strong rental demand, limited supply, and favourable demographic trends.
About Richmond Asset Management
Building on a track record of multi-family and retail acquisitions in Southwestern Ontario since 2016, Richmond Asset Management officially launched operations in 2024. Over the last 2 years, Richmond has acquired 15 new properties, grown to $125m AUM and a diverse portfolio of 528 residential units and 100k square feet of retail space.
For more information about Richmond Asset Management, visit www.richmondam.ca
SOURCE Richmond Asset Management
As the Milano-Cortina Olympics approach, athletes from Hamilton, Burlington, and St. Catharines in Ontario are set to showcase their talents on the world stage, giving local fans plenty to cheer about.Among the competitors is Emma Maltais, who returns for her second Olympic appearance representing Canada in women’s hockey. The 26-year-old forward plays for the PWHL’s Toronto Sceptres and is well-known for her playful banter on the ice. She played a pivotal role in securing a gold medal for Canada during the 2022 Beijing Ol...
As the Milano-Cortina Olympics approach, athletes from Hamilton, Burlington, and St. Catharines in Ontario are set to showcase their talents on the world stage, giving local fans plenty to cheer about.
Among the competitors is Emma Maltais, who returns for her second Olympic appearance representing Canada in women’s hockey. The 26-year-old forward plays for the PWHL’s Toronto Sceptres and is well-known for her playful banter on the ice. She played a pivotal role in securing a gold medal for Canada during the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
Making his Olympic debut is 27-year-old Keaton Bruggeling, a men’s bobsleigh athlete hailing from St. Catharines. Bruggeling, who previously showcased his athleticism as a CFL receiver for teams like the Ottawa Redblacks and Hamilton Tiger-Cats, has quickly transitioned to bobsleigh, promising an exciting journey in Italy.
Figure skater Madeline Schizas, a 22-year-old from Oakville currently studying at McMaster University in Hamilton, will also represent Canada. Schizas, who competes in the Environment and Society program, was a member of the Canadian team that finished fourth in the team event during the 2022 Olympics. This marks her second Olympic experience as she aims for a standout performance in Milano-Cortina.
Another noteworthy competitor is Renata Fast, a teammate of Maltais on the Toronto Sceptres and a seasoned veteran on Team Canada. The 31-year-old defender has garnered attention as a finalist for the PWHL’s top defender and MVP award in 2025. Fast has accolades from previous Olympic games, winning gold in 2022 and silver in 2018 in PyeongChang. She actively contributes to the development of young hockey players by conducting an annual youth camp in Burlington.
Also on the women’s hockey roster is Sarah Nurse, a prominent figure in the sport and a two-time Olympic medalist. The 31-year-old, who plays for the PWHL’s Vancouver Goldeneyes, holds a gold medal from Beijing and a silver from PyeongChang. Although she has faced challenges this season due to an arm injury, Nurse remains a celebrated ambassador for women’s hockey, recognized not only for her athletic prowess but also for her representation in popular culture, including Barbie dolls in her likeness and a feature on the cover of EA’s NHL 23 video game.
Fans in Hamilton and surrounding areas are eager to support these remarkable athletes as they embark on their Olympic journeys, each contributing to the rich tapestry of Canadian sports at the Winter Games.