Gardnerville Trademark Attorneys & Lawyers

What is the Madrid Protocol?

The Madrid Protocol is a treaty that gives U.S.-based corporations a worldwide alternative to regional or local trademark registration systems. The protocol allows a trademark to be registered in multiple countries beginning from the application's original submission date at the local trademark office.

The body of legislation governing international trademark laws is known as the Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks. The system is gov

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Updated November 4, 2020:

How to Trademark Something

How to trademark something requires several steps to take in order to trademark your intellectual property.

1. Select a Non-Generic Trademark

You cannot legally trademark something that is generic. The stronger your mark is, the easier it will be to prevent people from using it. Every mark falls into at least one of these categories.

• Fanciful: This is something like an invented word that has no real meaning.
• Arbitrary: This is an actual word that has a known meaning, but is not in any way related to the product or service that you are offering. For example, the company Apple is arbitrary because although apples are a type of fruit, the company Apple sells computers.

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What is Likelihood of Confusion?

Likelihood of confusion is a part of a proving trademark infringement. It means that the public is likely to confuse your mark and the mark of another business. Trademarks are a valuable business tool. They brand your products and help to grow your name. If another business uses your mark unfairly, it can cause you a great deal of damage. A trademark infringement lawsuit can help to protect you from this damage. However, you must prove likelihood of confusion.

In a court case, confusion is reviewed several ways:

• How strong i

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What Are Certification Marks?

Certification marks are names, symbols, or devices used by groups or persons that show compliance to a set of standards. A certification mark does not distinguish between producers. In addition, the user of the mark is not the registered owner, and the owner is not permitted to use the mark. These marks can show geographic origin, standards met with respect to quality or manufacture, or work performed by a person that meets certain standards. The party that applies for a certification mark must also be considered competent to certify the products in question.

Why Are Certification Marks Important?

Certification marks are important for businesses that want to demonstrate the quality of their products. Trade associations and centralized commercial groups are the most common owners of these marks. To get the rights to use a given mark, the business's go

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Updated June 24, 2020:

What Is Product Licensing?

Product licensing is a streamlined way to turn an idea into a product that's ready for sale. Here's how to license a product:

• Come up with a great idea.
• Protect your intellectual property through the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
• License a company to manufacture and distribute your product.
• Collect royalties.

Product Licensing: What Is It?

Product licensing is one of the easiest ways for inventors to bring their ideas to life. Inventors simply rent, or license, their ideas to a company, which manufactures and distributes the product quickly and easily. This process tends to be faster, more affordable, and more lucrative than other options, such a

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