Learn how trademark law firms help protect your intellectual property.
Trademark law firms understand how important it is for you to keep the rights to your intellectual property. A variety of federal and state laws protect intellectual property. This includes any creative property, such as art, music, photography, or film. In this competitive world, it’s often difficult to keep your creative ideas safe and sound. People will do anything to make a quick dollar, even if that means stealing your intellectual property. A trademark lawyer will make sure this doesn’t happen to you. Here are some surprising reasons you may need to call a trademark attorney:
Domain Name Recovery
Cybersquatters buy many domain names with the hopes of selling them for a profit. However, some domain names may infringe upon a trademark. Any domain that sounds very similar to a company that already exists may turn into a legal battle. A trademark lawyer will prove that this domain violates trademark law. If the domain in question could confuse potential customers, it will more than likely get shut down by a judge.
Business Name Trademarks
Imagine starting a business, only to have another company of the same name open up down the block. This frustrating situation does happen. If you registered a trademark, you might have a viable case. Your trademark will prevent other companies from operating under the same name in most instances. However, the trademark may not matter if the other business does not directly compete with your company. For example, a florist shop named A Fresh Cut may not infringe on a barber shop of the same name. But, if both companies compete for the same or similar customers, a trademark lawsuit may force the other business to change their name.
Seizing Counterfeit Goods
Some businesses purposely copy another person’s intellectual property to make money. This is illegal. Counterfeit goods are easy to find. Walk in any major downtown area, and you’ll likely see vendors selling designer handbag “replicas.” Although it may seem like a small thing, counterfeit goods cost companies billions of dollars each year. If a company discovers that someone is selling fake copies of their products, they have grounds for a trademark case.
Protect Your Intellectual Property
Whenever you invent or create something, you should consider getting a trademark, patent, or copyright. A trademark lawyer can help you fill out the necessary paperwork to protect your ideas and products. Some of the biggest trade secrets remain hidden from the public eye thanks to intellectual property laws. This includes the tightly-guarded recipe for Coca-Cola!Intellectual property is valuable, and others will try to find a way to make money off your ideas. Trademarking your brand and creative property is always in your best interest. It’s also wise to consult with a lawyer to make sure you’re not infringing upon an existing trademark. Find out what you need to know about trademark law firms by calling the Wilbanks Law Firm, P.C. at [nap_phone id=”LOCAL-REGULAR-NUMBER-2″].