As your business continues to grow, it is important to evaluate whether or not your brand extends beyond the country in which you are located. Often times, trademark protection in the United States alone is not enough for companies that currently or are planning do business abroad. Trademarks are national…

Marvel Comics and Jack Kirby’s estate reached a settlement this past Friday after a long legal battle over claims to intellectual property rights regarding several popular superhero characters. Kirby, who was responsible for creating the likes of Spider-Man, Captain America, The Hulk and many others, passed away in 1994; however,…

While the Washington “Redskins” name and logo remains a controversial topic of debate, a favorable judgment was entered for five Native Americans who filed a joint petition against the NFL franchise with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) back in 2009. The petition called for the cancellation of six…

Innovation is critical to staying competitive in a global marketplace. It’s what keeps our economy moving—driving the growth of jobs with better wages and creating a higher standard of living for all. For most of the 20th century, the U.S. has been the worldwide leader in innovation. In 2010, however,…

Trademark owners should diligently protect their trademarks from infringement and other misuse (e.g., blurring, tarnishment, unfair competition, passing off, false advertising and cybersquatting) that may harm the owner’s goodwill and business reputation. A trademark owner is not required to uncover all uses that might conflict, or immediately commence a lawsuit…