Our Blogs
Suggestive vs. Descriptive Trademarks: The Difference, With Examples (2026)
Key Takeaways A descriptive trademark directly tells customers what a product is or does. A suggestive trademark only hints at it, so customers need a bit of imagination to connect the name to the product. That small difference has a big effect on registration. ●...
Someone Filed a Trademark Similar to Mine: What Are My Options?
Key Takeaways If someone has filed a trademark application for a name or logo similar to yours, your options depend on where their application is in the USPTO process. The earlier you act, the more options you have, and the cheaper they are. ● Before the mark is...
Trademark Monitoring Software vs. an Attorney Watch Service: Which Do You Need?
Key Takeaways Trademark monitoring software scans trademark databases and the web for marks similar to yours and sends alerts. An attorney-led watch service uses similar tools but adds legal review, deadline tracking, and a recommendation on what to do. The right...
How to Monitor Your Trademark: A Practical Guide for Brand Owners (2026)
Key Takeaways Monitoring your trademark means regularly checking the places where copycats show up: new USPTO filings, online marketplaces, domain names, social media, and the wider web. Most of it can be started for free, but it only works if you check consistently...
How to Check If Something Is Trademarked: Free U.S. Search Guide (2026)
Key Takeaways To check if a name, logo, or slogan is trademarked in the U.S., start with the USPTO's free Trademark Search system, then check state registrations and real-world use online. A name can be protected even if it isn't federally registered. ● The USPTO...
1(b) Intent-to-Use Trademark Applications: How They Work (2026 Guide)
Key Takeaways A Section 1(b) "intent-to-use" application lets you claim a trademark before you launch, as long as you have a genuine plan to use it. You file now, and prove use later. ● Your filing date gives you nationwide priority over anyone who starts using a...
Are Memes Copyrighted? How Copyright Law Handles Meme Culture (2026)
Key Takeaways Most memes are built on copyrighted material, such as movie stills, TV clips, and photos, so they aren't automatically free to use. Whether a meme is legal depends on how it's used. ● Sharing a meme for fun or commentary is low risk and often protected...
Are Logos Trademarked or Copyrighted? Which Protection Your Logo Needs (2026)
Key Takeaways A logo can be protected by trademark law, copyright law, or both, but they protect different things. For most businesses, a federal trademark registration is the protection that matters most. ● Trademark protects your logo as a brand identifier and stops...
20 Landmark Intellectual Property Cases Every Business Should Know (2026)
Key Takeaways Much of U.S. intellectual property law was shaped by a handful of court fights. These 20 cases explain the rules businesses and creators deal with every day: what counts as fair use, when a parody crosses the line, what can be registered as a trademark,...
How to Copyright a Poem in the U.S.: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
Key Takeaways In the U.S., your poem is protected by copyright the moment you write it down or save it. Registering it with the U.S. Copyright Office is optional, but it's what lets you sue for infringement and claim statutory damages. ● Copyright itself is free and...