A trademark is defined by the US government as, “any word, name, symbol, or device, or any combination thereof used or intended to be used to identify and distinguish a producer’s goods … from those manufactured or sold by others and to indicate the source of the goods….”1
But what is it really? It’s the face of your business; it’s your brand.
Which brings about the question, what’s a brand? Well, it’s a fancy word for reputation.
For goods, this mark is called a trademark; for services, it’s called a service mark. Regardless of what you call it, it’s your identity and reputation. And just like you take care to safeguard your personal reputation, so should you for your business.
And done correctly, it can potentially last forever.
At Woods & Lonergan, we work with you at every step of the trademark process:
- Developing your mark – what can and cannot act as a mark
- Registering your mark – and performing a comprehensive search of marks already registered in the US Patent and Trademark Office
- Protecting your mark – from cease-and-deist letters to an action in court.
- Leveraging your mark – through licensing and marketing initiatives
- and all the steps in-between.
With the dizzying array of competing trademarks at every turn, creating this brand, this mark, is both difficult and vital. But, with our Advertising, Licensing, & Marketing Practices, we can help you craft and utilize the right brand for your business and protect both throughout the process.
In today’s competitive business climate, creating and protecting a strong, recognizable brand identity is both increasingly difficult and increasingly important. Where brand marketing and trademark law intersect, we also help clients develop and implement intellectual property protection strategies. We partner with our clients in developing and refining strategy for:
- expansion
- extension
of these marks.
Finally, we know that we’re fast approaching a world without borders. As such, we can also file an application internationally, such as through the EU, as well as police any substantially similar marks.
Trademark law allows you to protect your reputation, your brand, and your identity.
Contact us and let us show you how.
Then let us show you how to do even more with your valuable assets.
1 U. S. C. §1127