Substantial Increase In US Trademark Fees Effective January 2, 2021

Posted on December 18, 2020December 29, 2020 by mchattie

To all current trademark owners who have a maintenance filing due within the year and those currently considering filing any new trademark applications…get your filing done before 2021! The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will be increasing its fees for filing trademark applications, post-registration maintenance filings, and certain filings with the Trademark Trial Read more about Substantial Increase In US Trademark Fees Effective January 2, 2021[…]

New USPTO Rule Will Require Foreign Trademark Owners To Be Represented by U.S. Attorney

Posted on July 31, 2019August 2, 2019 by mchattie

This week the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued new Rules under Title 37 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 2, 7, and 1. This new Rule[1] is effective August 3, 2019 and requires all foreign trademark owners, including foreign-domiciled trademark applicants, registrants, and parties to Trademark Trial and Appeal Board proceedings Read more about New USPTO Rule Will Require Foreign Trademark Owners To Be Represented by U.S. Attorney[…]

Beware: Misleading Trademark Notices

Posted on March 25, 2019March 25, 2019 by mchattie

We’re always fascinated, not only by the “guile” behind “illegitimate” trademark solicitations, but also by the prices charged. Most of these scam “official looking” solicitations actually quote fees that are higher than we, or your attorneys, would likely charge. Section 8, Combined Section 8 & 15 (worth it in our opinion) and Section 8 & Read more about Beware: Misleading Trademark Notices[…]

Patent and Literature Searches — In Context

Posted on October 20, 2017October 23, 2017 by mchattie

By Christopher McHattie “Is my idea worth pursuing?” That question can be more complex than it may first appear. For example, many ideas are great, but are they feasible, viable, protectable and non-infringing of existing rights? So, while “I have a great idea that will help people” is a great start, it’s just that, a Read more about Patent and Literature Searches — In Context[…]

Trademarks Through the Years

Posted on February 6, 2017February 6, 2017 by mchattie

As the New Year rolls around, let’s take a look back at the year that has passed in Trademarks. As often as not, a company’s most valuable asset is its reputation as embodied in its name and trademarks. A registered trademark can be a logo, a brand name, a symbol, a color, a scent, a Read more about Trademarks Through the Years[…]

A saga, or an epic debacle? A trademark attorney’s perspective on the Candy Crush Saga trademark uproar

Posted on February 11, 2014 by mchattielaw

Anyone out there play Candy Crush SagaTM? I do (I just finished Level 215, thank you very much), and I know a lot of other people that do too. For those of you who aren’t familiar, Candy Crush SagaTM is a puzzle game, originally released for Facebook, but now available for mobile phones and tablets. Read more about A saga, or an epic debacle? A trademark attorney’s perspective on the Candy Crush Saga trademark uproar[…]

Patenting Human Genes: Slam the Brakes

Posted on September 23, 2013 by mchattielaw

Imagine if you could own your DNA. Sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? After all, we’re all born with our own genes and DNA – it’s our own individual blueprint – so why not get to own what is already naturally ours? Seems like one ought to be able to file for a patent for genes Read more about Patenting Human Genes: Slam the Brakes[…]

BEWARE!!! Trademark fee scams update

Posted on February 9, 2012 by mchattielaw

Attention all intellectual property owners and applicants: Several new organizations, including, but likely not limited to, the “United States Trademark Registration Office,” the “World Database of Trademarks and Patents,” and “GBO INC., Trademark and Patent Dep.” are sending invitations for the payment of fees to United States Patent and Trademark Office (“PTO) “Applicants and agents Read more about BEWARE!!! Trademark fee scams update[…]

The Times They Are A’Changing

Posted on December 20, 2011 by mchattielaw

The amount of money companies are prepared to invest on protecting their intellectual property is a fairly good litmus test for the state of the economy. There is concern that the current depression in the economy is showing no sign of improving. In a recent article by the Economist Magazine, the number of patent applications Read more about The Times They Are A’Changing[…]