Publisher's Synopsis
While over 314,000 trademark applications were filed by U.S. residents in 2008, only slightly more than half were successfully registered, according to the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Donâ_Tt be disheartened â_" although there is a rather strict process to adhere to, if you are armed with the right resources registering your company or personal trademark can be headache-free. Do not a let a minor misstep in paperwork leave you without protection, and do not spend thousands in unnecessary legal fees: You can register your trademark without a lawyer with the step-by-step guidance in this helpful book and companion CD-ROM. How to Register Your Simple Trademark Without a Lawyer is a simple, straightforward introduction to trademark law written in laymanâ_Ts terms. To begin, you will learn the difference between a trademark, a copyright, a trade secret, and a patent â_" terms that are easily confused but important to distinguish because they provide different levels of protection. This book presents a comprehensive overview of trademarks, including the different levels of protection, types of federal registration, forbidden trademarks, and what happens when a trademark is diluted. You will learn how to navigate through the USPTO Web site and how the Internet has changed the trademark registration process. You will learn how to choose your trademark from the different types and how to use a stylized trademark. Once you choose your trademark, you will learn how to do a thorough search of your mark using resources beyond the USPTO. Even if you plan to hire a lawyer, this book helps you become a more knowledgeable client so you know the process your attorney will take, what questions to ask, and what to expect. You will learn when and how to file an â_ointent to useâ__ application and an application for a mark in use. You will then discover what happens after you file and what is expected of you while you wait for the results. You create a successful trademark by using it, not just registering it, and in this book, you will learn how to effectively use and protect your mark, as well as how to publish it. Just because your mark is registered does not mean it will be free from opposition, and this book details what to do if people oppose it. This book is written for everyday people who want to save thousands on legal fees to protect their prized ideas. It is filled with advice from trademark attorneys and people who have successfully registered their mark. The companion CD-ROM contains all of the necessary filing forms needed to register your mark, as well as charts and checklists to make this somewhat lengthy process easier for you. While registering your trademark is not required, it is necessary to fully protect your ideas, and How to Register Your Simple Trademark Without a Lawyer is your best guide to bypassing those legal fees and helping your ideas get protected.
