A trademark is any word, phrase, symbol, or design that identifies and distinguishes the source of goods or services. For technology companies, trademarks protect product names, company names, logos, taglines, and other brand identifiers that customers use to distinguish one company's products from another's. Federal trademark registration provides nationwide protection, a legal presumption of ownership and exclusive rights, and enhanced remedies against infringers.
Trademark Clearance
Before adopting a new brand name, product name, or logo, a clearance search identifies existing trademarks that could create a conflict. We conduct comprehensive clearance searches that go beyond the USPTO database to include state registrations, common law use, domain names, and business name registrations. The clearance opinion assesses the risk of a potential challenge and informs the decision to proceed with the mark, modify it, or select an alternative.
Federal Registration
We prepare and file federal trademark applications at the USPTO, manage the examination process including responses to office actions, and guide marks through opposition periods to registration. Registration strategy includes selecting the appropriate filing basis (use in commerce or intent-to-use), identifying the correct goods and services classifications, and drafting the description of goods and services to provide the broadest defensible protection.
Trademark Portfolio Management
For companies with multiple marks, we manage the portfolio lifecycle including registration renewals, declarations of use, monitoring for potentially conflicting filings by third parties, and maintaining records that support enforcement. A well-maintained trademark portfolio retains its value; a neglected one can lose rights through abandonment or failure to police.
Enforcement and Opposition
When a third party adopts a mark that is confusingly similar to a client's registered mark, we pursue enforcement through cease-and-desist correspondence, opposition proceedings at the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and, where necessary, coordination with litigation counsel. We also defend clients against opposition and cancellation proceedings brought by others.
Get Started
To discuss trademark protection for your brand, schedule a consultation.