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 Windsor, 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 Windsor, 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 Windsor, 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 Windsor, 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 Windsor, 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.
Article contentA pizza “fun fact” has resulted in an online debate about the merits of shredded pepperoni, with more than a few converts to what is known in Ontario as Windsor-style pizza.“Fun fact about Ontario (where I live) is that we shred our pepperoni before putting it on pizza,” wrote the user OxfordW0lf on X recently. The comments that followed were a mix of “I’ve never heard of that,” and “What a great idea!”Article content...
A pizza “fun fact” has resulted in an online debate about the merits of shredded pepperoni, with more than a few converts to what is known in Ontario as Windsor-style pizza.
“Fun fact about Ontario (where I live) is that we shred our pepperoni before putting it on pizza,” wrote the user OxfordW0lf on X recently. The comments that followed were a mix of “I’ve never heard of that,” and “What a great idea!”
Article content
Fun fact about Ontario (where I live) is that we shred our pepperoni before putting it on pizza. pic.twitter.com/hqwmjhfHO9
— Oxford ???????????? (@OxfordW0lf) October 28, 2024
Since Monday, the innocuous post with its image of a yummy-looking pizza has a garnish of more than 14,000 likes and a topping of more than 1,500 comments.
Several of those were from the original poster, who quickly confirmed that shredded pepperoni is not a pan-Ontario phenomenon, but specific to Windsor, a southwestern city of 230,000 that sits just across the Detroit River from Detroit, Mich. “My bad apparently it’s just Windsor that does this. I had no idea the city I live in was so unique.”
Detroit has its own pizza style, with a thicker than average crust and a rectangular shape from its steel baking pans.
But despite its proximity to the Motor City, Windsor’s pizza style is all its own, and includes canned mushrooms (which cook better than fresh ones) and, ideally, locally sourced mozzarella from Galati Cheese. And of course shredded pepperoni.
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Comments on the post were of mix of incredulity and I-gotta-try-that. A typical reply: “This seems like an excellent idea. I hate halfway biting into a slice only to pull out an entire disc of pepperoni, and with it drags out everything it was attached to. It takes away from the pepperoni meant for later. It being thinner would allow it to get crispy instead of hard.”
Article content
Not everyone was sold, however, with one user noting: “I feel like I’d miss the little grease puddles too much.” This pizza connoisseur also was also “only like, 2 hours away from Windsor and I’ve never heard of this.”
Of course, those who know know. The National Post’s Laura Brehaut recently embarked on a cross-country tour in search of the best pizza and writes: “Raised on the West Coast, I was unaware of this regional style before watching Windsor-born, Toronto-based George Kalivas’ documentary tribute, The Pizza City You’ve Never Heard Of (2022).”
She adds: “What I experienced in Windsor made me a believer.”
Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our cookbook and recipe newsletter, Cook This, here.
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As the provincial government gears up to give $200 cheques to nearly all residents, an advocacy group says the government needs to double the support it provides to Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) recipients.The Ontario government says it will send a $200 rebate cheque to roughly 15 million people in the province, for every taxpayer, as well as $200 for each child in eligible family.Trevor Manson, the co-chair of ODSP Action Coalition — a grassroots volunteer advocacy group led by people with disabilities on ODS...
As the provincial government gears up to give $200 cheques to nearly all residents, an advocacy group says the government needs to double the support it provides to Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) recipients.
The Ontario government says it will send a $200 rebate cheque to roughly 15 million people in the province, for every taxpayer, as well as $200 for each child in eligible family.
Trevor Manson, the co-chair of ODSP Action Coalition — a grassroots volunteer advocacy group led by people with disabilities on ODSP, is calling for the government to double ODSP rates.
"Right now, every political party in Ontario is calling for rates to be doubled, except for the government.... Except for the party that's in power," said Manson.
Manson says $200 is not sufficient for those on ODSP.
"You might be able to stack up on a little bit of groceries, but really it's not going to provide any sort of long-term relief, which is what people need."
Although he says an increase is needed, Manson believes even a 50 per cent increase wouldn't fully help those on ODSP.
"You're looking at about $1,800 a month for a studio apartment. That's the average in Ontario. Even if you increase rates by 50 per cent, sure it would help, but it's still not going to be bringing people to the poverty line, which in Ontario is up against. It's above $25,000 a year."
When asked by CBC to respond to the call to double ODSP, Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy referenced the steps his government has already taken steps to boost the benefit.
He said there's "always more to do" but said the Progressive Conservatives have made more progress than previous governments.
"Let's remember the previous government, the Liberals and the NDP, they had a chance to index it to inflation, they didn't. Then we increased it one time by five per cent. Actually, we went further, we increased the earnings exemption so people who can and are willing to work on ODSP, that they'll be able to put more money back in their pockets."
Bethlenfalvy says the $200 should help bridge the gap in taxpayers' finances.
"Taxpayers worked hard to earn that money and this going to impact many households who are feeling the pinch on the cost of groceries, cost of gas. The cost of housing that has impacted many Ontarians," he said.
"When those revenues have gone up, we're fiscally very sound to give money back now. Timely relief for families, rather than down the road."
Diwali fireworks aren't allowed without a permit — but these Windsorites think that should change5 days agoDuration 1:56Except on a few special days a year, Windsorites aren't allowed to buy or set off fireworks. But as the city's South Asian community prepares to celebrate Diwali, two local business owners say the Festival of Lights should be added to the list of holidays. Nikunj Khadela and Gurpreet Singh speak with CBC Windsor.Social SharingExcept on a few special days a year, Windsorites aren't ...
Diwali fireworks aren't allowed without a permit — but these Windsorites think that should change
5 days ago
Duration 1:56
Except on a few special days a year, Windsorites aren't allowed to buy or set off fireworks. But as the city's South Asian community prepares to celebrate Diwali, two local business owners say the Festival of Lights should be added to the list of holidays. Nikunj Khadela and Gurpreet Singh speak with CBC Windsor.
Except on a few special days a year, Windsorites aren't allowed to buy or set off fireworks. But as the city's South Asian community prepares to celebrate Diwali, two local business owners say the Festival of Lights should be added to the list of holidays.
According to the Hindu calendar, this year's Diwali begins Oct. 31 continues to Nov. 1 . It's the largest festival celebrated by Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities worldwide.
A handful of southwestern Ontario municipalities, including Chatham-Kent and Sarnia, have exceptions in place that allow for backyard fireworks during Diwali, referencing them as "additional special occasions."
Windsor isn't among the cities with an exception for Diwali, but the owners of a local South Asian grocery store say that so far, it hasn't been a problem and people have been understanding.
"It's the biggest festival ... and in order to celebrate Diwali, people do decorate their houses, they fire up fireworks and they eat good food, sweets," said Nikunj Khadela, co-owner of SK Grocers at the corner of Wyandotte Street West and Cameron Avenue.
Craig Robertson, Windsor's manager of licensing and enforcement, says both the sale and use of consumer fireworks are not allowed — with exceptions for Victoria Day, Canada Day, the 4th of July and New Year's Eve.
"Should any organization or event holder wish to hold a fireworks 'display' they must first obtain permission from the fire chief by means of a permit," he stated in an email.
According to Robertson, any further exemptions to the bylaw would require approval from city council.
While the owners of SK Grocers acknowledge they don't have a permit, they say they're respectful of neighbours and it hasn't been a problem.
Khadela says Windsor's South Asian population that celebrates Diwali is growing, and their store is constantly busy — even more so in the days leading up to Diwali.
In advance, the store goes door to door and notifies neighbours about the fireworks, letting them know what time they'll be starting.
Gurpreet Singh, co-owner of SK Grocers with Khadela, said that in general they haven't had any issues.
"Everyone is co-operating, even they come to our store … and they enjoy the fireworks," Singh said. "Then they get to join a little celebration and we have a good time."They did receive one complaint that prompted a city official to come out, but he said they were just asked to wrap up by 11 p.m., which they were already set to do.
"They know that this is just one day and people are going to celebrate and there are a lot of people," Singh said. "But I would just request them to come with us, enjoy with us, and we'll tell them what a big day it is. So I think we can come [closer] together and have a good time.
"I think we should at least give an exemption for this one day."
A regional Canadian way to put pepperoni on pizza is slicing up the internet – though some say it’s the best way to savor the salty topping.An Ontario resident took to X and shared the innovative way that people in Windsor, Ontario do pep-pizza – drawing millions of views and dividing respondents.X account @OxfordW0lf shared a photo of piz...
A regional Canadian way to put pepperoni on pizza is slicing up the internet – though some say it’s the best way to savor the salty topping.
An Ontario resident took to X and shared the innovative way that people in Windsor, Ontario do pep-pizza – drawing millions of views and dividing respondents.
X account @OxfordW0lf shared a photo of pizza featuring shredded pepperoni as a topping, writing, “Fun fact about Ontario (where I live) is that we shred our pepperoni before putting it on pizza.”
The 18-year-old poster later clarified that the shredded pepperoni method is specific to Windsor, a neighbor of Detroit, separated only by the Detroit River.
The photo shows a layer of thin strips of pepperoni spread across a tasty-looking pizza.
The unconventional pepperoni preparation differs quite a bit from the standard circular pepperoni cups most Americans are used to seeing atop their cheese slices.
The ingenuity drew appreciation from some users online — and hatred from others.
“This seems like an excellent idea,” X user @Daramgar wrote, “I hate halfway biting into a slice only to pull out an entire disc of pepperoni, and with it drags out everything it was attached to. It takes away from the pepperoni meant for later. It being thinner would allow it to get crispy instead of hard.”
“Does this make the pizza taste better or worse?” user @caracatt asked.
To which the original poster responded, “A lot better tbh. It makes it so there’s pepperoni in every bite.”
Another fan agreed.
“I will SCREAM from the rooftops about Windsor pizza being the best pizza you’ll ever eat,” wrote X user @JuiceBoxxQueen.
Other users were not so keen on the iconoclastic presentation.
“Wow I thought I hated Canadians enough, turns out I was wrong,” wrote user @PunishedCHJ.
Windsor-style pizza has its own history that is reflective of the small, niche region where it originated.
Windsor is Canada’s southernmost city and was once the “automotive capital of Canada.” Many immigrants – including Italians and Greeks – flocked to the city seeking well-paying car-making jobs.
Those immigrants left a legacy of Windsor-style pizza which is not seen anywhere else in Ontario or Canada.
But even locals aren’t sure who invented the signature pie.
Local lore says Windsor-style pie originated in one of three restaurants: Sam’s Pizzeria, Volcano Pizzeria, or Mario’s Restaurant, according to Windsor Public Library.
The style is characterized entirely by the shredded pepperoni topping. Its purpose, according to experts, is to give a bite of pepperoni in each mouthful.
Oh, my sweet baby J, do I have something that you're either going to love or hate. We're used to pepperoni pizza looking like this: Well, @OxfordW0lf on X posted a picture of what pepperoni pizza looks like from where they live in Canada, and it's somewhat blowing up the internet:Fun fact about Ontario (where I live) is that we shred our pepperoni before putting it on pizza. ...
Fun fact about Ontario (where I live) is that we shred our pepperoni before putting it on pizza. pic.twitter.com/hqwmjhfHO9
— Oxford ???????????? (@OxfordW0lf) October 28, 2024
This only happens in Windsor, ON.I know this because I went to school there. Windsor also is known to world-class pizza.https://t.co/rVRtqvv1Ll https://t.co/bsR9AxD6La
— Gary ???? (@thaboy6ary) October 30, 2024
Hmm this is an interesting take on pepperoni https://t.co/d4rl4uCqyp
— sivad (@mr_el2you) October 30, 2024
this changes pepperoni from a C tier topping to B or A for me. ???? https://t.co/AuAmzIYnSj
— devi✨️ (@deviruki) October 29, 2024
THIS SOLVES THE DISTRIBUTION PROBLEM HOLY SHIT https://t.co/UTY4TDzJ4c
— stel ???? (@stellularphone) October 29, 2024
i hate EVERYTHING about this https://t.co/BTesnQ4y2u
— fuck this app n free palestine (@nkdubby) October 30, 2024
This is my own personal Vietnam. https://t.co/eDkYUYU0ne
— Evan (@etaylor1000) October 30, 2024
i'll hand it to you this seems reasonable https://t.co/wLE25JmaDb
— gale na (@poisonjr) October 29, 2024
Honestly I might try this method https://t.co/xS6E3cJBX2
— Vinnie (@VinnieArtzAlot) October 30, 2024