Many small business owners assume that if they didn’t intend to copy someone else’s trademark, they can’t be sued for infringement. Unfortunately, intent doesn’t matter.
To avoid these pitfalls, aim for names that are suggestive, arbitrary, or fanciful:
• Suggestive: Hints at what you do without being too obvious
Sometimes, a mark that suffers from the ailment of being generic, descriptive, or primarily a surname (or some other problems) can be registered on the
Many businesses are named after their founders, but if your business name is primarily a surname, you could run into trademark challenges. The USPTO generally
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) won’t grant trademark protection to business names that are purely generic (e.g., “The Coffee Shop” for a café)
When starting a business, choosing the perfect name is one of the most exciting and crucial decisions you’ll make. You want a name that tells
When starting a business, choosing the perfect name is one of the most exciting and crucial decisions you’ll make. You want a name that tells
A trademark clearance search isn’t just “seeing if the domain is available” or typing a name into Google. A thorough clearance search involves using artificial
A trademark clearance search isn’t just “seeing if the domain is available” or typing a name into Google. A thorough clearance search involves using artificial
A trademark clearance search isn’t just “seeing if the domain is available” or typing a name into Google. A thorough clearance search involves using artificial
Many small business owners try to do a search themselves. And look, I understand it. Bootstrapping is often part of the entrepreneurial journey. But in
A trademark clearance search isn’t just “seeing if the domain is available” or typing a name into Google. A thorough clearance search involves using artificial
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific situation, consult with a licensed attorney.