Intellectual Property

Planning to file a trademark or launch a new brand? Here’s why your application might cost more than you expect. In our latest Candid RE:Marks video, Ryan Swanson Intellectual Property Attorney John Halski breaks down the most common cost drivers, from overlooked clearance issues to USPTO refusals and disputes. He also explains how extensions and multi-class filings can quietly add fees over time. >> WATCH VIDEO <<

New Video Sharing Platforms Are Raising Significant Privacy Concerns—Don’t Be Caught Off-Guard In the post-COVID era, online meetings are the norm for most people, and it is routine for meetings to be either recorded directly or captured by AI programs for future reference. The ease and convenience of online meetings have also opened major opportunities for breaches of privacy. Unfortunately, this is not hypothetical but a reality that many have already experienced. In this alert, we provide a brief overview

Trademark attorney John Halski explains the concept of a “stealth trademark” in this episode of Candid Re:Marks. He breaks down how trademark priority works, including the differences between first-to-file and first-to-use systems and how international filings can help establish early rights. Click below to watch and learn key considerations for businesses planning a future launch. >> WATCH VIDEO <<

In this episode of Candid Re:Marks, trademark attorney John Halski explains the significance of trademark symbols and the differences between them. From the versatile “TM” symbol to the exclusive circle-R ®, John provides a detailed overview of how these symbols are used to protect and identify trademarks. Whether you’re a business owner or simply curious about trademarks, this video breaks down what each symbol means and how to use them properly, including when it’s appropriate to use a trademark or

    Last month, the USPTO announced a round of fee increases for trademark-related filings scheduled to take effect on January 18, 2025. Given these approaching fee increases, it highly recommended that all brand owners consider what trademark filings they may be able to submit now rather than later to avoid the additional costs. The fee increases impact a wide range of trademark filings, for example and most notably: For existing registrations: Declarations to maintain registrations and declare “incontestability” will

Introducing Candid RE:Marks – A video series featuring Ryan Swanson trademark attorney John Halski designed to offer valuable insights and practical guidance on trademark law. In this episode, John explores the expansive world of trademark portfolios, clarifying the differences between trademarks, copyrights, and patents while highlighting various categories of trademarks and their crucial role in brand protection. >> WATCH VIDEO <<

Published March 29, 2023   In March of 2023, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Abitron Austria Gmbh v. Hetronic International Inc., which addressed the extent to which U.S. trademark law extends beyond the country’s national borders. The issue came up in the context of a contract dispute between a trademark owner and a former licensee, which resulted in a substantial damages award to the trademark owner that relied heavily on the former licensee’s foreign sales to foreign customers.

Published October 26, 2022   This month, YouTube announced that it will begin offering its members the option of choosing a handle for their YouTube channels. While some members already have personalized URLs for their accounts (e.g. “youtube.com/YourBrand”), handles go beyond that and also allow users to link to and comment on a member in many different ways. If your company has a YouTube account, keep an eye out for notifications in YouTube Studio letting you know when your company can