How Do You Check a Brand Name Before Filing a Trademark? Before you spend money on a logo, website, packaging, social media launch, product labels, signage, or a USPTO trademark application, you should conduct a trademark clearance search. A trademark clearance search is the process of checking whether your proposed brand name, logo, slogan, or […]
What Should You Know Before Launching a Kickstarter Campaign? A Kickstarter campaign is not just a marketing event. It is a public launch, a pre-sale strategy, a brand announcement, a customer relationship, and often the first real stress test of whether your project is ready to become a business. And while that’s exciting, it also […]
How Do You Copyright a Board Game? A board game is usually not one single copyrightable thing, but a bundle of creative assets: written rules, card text, board artwork, character illustrations, box art, lore, photos, instructions, icons, graphic design, and sometimes software or companion app content. Copyright can protect the expressive parts of that bundle. […]
What Is a “Petition to Make Special” for a Trademark Application? If your trademark application is facing a time-sensitive business issue, a standard USPTO review timeline may not move fast enough. In certain situations, trademark applicants can request expedited examination through a filing known as a Petition to Make Special (PTMS). A PTMS asks the […]
Can I Trademark My Slogan or Tagline? Your slogan is more than a catchy phrase, it’s part of your brand identity. A well drafted, clever, emotional, or values-driven tagline can set your business apart. But a word of caution: if it resonates with customers, there’s a good chance someone else might try to use it […]
What Do I Do If I Failed to Meet a USPTO Deadline for My Trademark? Missing a deadline with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) can feel like the end of the road for your trademark application or registration; but in many cases, there’s still time to act. Whether you’re late responding to […]
Starting Your Private Practice in Ohio: A Legal Guide for Healthcare Professionals Introduction: Why Legal Planning Is Critical for Your New Practice Starting your own private practice is a major milestone. Whether you’re a physician, nurse practitioner, a dentist, or another type of healthcare professional, launching a practice in Ohio means shifting from a worker […]
Power Couples in Business: What Married Co-Founders Need to Know About Launching a Company Starting a business with your spouse can be one of the most rewarding (and complex) things you do together. You already share a home, finances, and a life. Now you’re sharing a brand, a mission, and a legal structure. Whether you’re […]
Employee vs. Independent Contractor: Legal Differences, Business Risks, and How to Structure the Role You Actually Want Hiring someone to work for your business isn’t just a question of “who”—it’s also a question of how. Whether you classify a worker as an employee or an independent contractor carries major legal, financial, and operational consequences. And […]
5 Surprising Things You Can Copyright (And 5 You Can’t) When most people think of copyright, they imagine books, movies, music, or artwork. But copyright law is broader—and weirder—than many realize. Some unexpected things can be copyrighted, while others that seem original or artistic can’t. Understanding what’s protectable helps business owners, content creators, and brands […]
