Ah, the dreaded Office Action, every trademark applicant’s worst nightmare (that might actually be an opposition, but I digress). What does it mean? What can be done about it? Trademark applications have to meet certain requirements or they will be refused registration by USPTO. Many times, if counsel is engaged to prepare the trademark application, […]
How to Buy An Existing Business
A lot of people want to be business owners, but they don’t want to go through all of the hassle of a start-up. They’d like to buy an existing business that’s already proven and turn key. In that instance, what are your options for buying a business? In this video, I discuss starting your own […]
Trademark Symbols
People always ask when, why and how they can use different trademark symbols. In this post, we’ll review the different trademark symbols and their use. First, as soon as one uses a name or logo, common law trademark rights kick in, and “TM” for goods or “SM” in the event of services can be used […]
Where to Get Money to Start A Business
So many people want to start a business, but are afraid of how much it might cost. Make no mistake, you can’t start a business without any money. That being said, there are some businesses that can be started with very little money and in this video, I talk about typical sources of where people […]
How to Get Out of a Business Partnership
Just as I get a lot of questions about setting up a business partnership, I always get a ton of questions about getting OUT of a business partnership. Unless business owners have done the right work on the front end, such as setting up a proper Operating Agreement and Buy Sell Agreement, partners may find […]
How to Set Up A Partnership
I get questions about forming a partnership all the time. Even if the legal structure is a Limited Liability Company (LLC), the members will create an Operating Agreement, which is the agreement among the members as to how they will run the business. This agreement is absolutely critical, and needs to have a number of […]
Should I Trademark My Business Name?
So many business owners wonder if they should trademark their business name or logo. It’s one of the most common questions I get. Particularly if you are looking to expand your business, license or franchise, getting the proper trademark protection in place is critical. What is involved, how do you submit an application, how long […]
Partner Up or Go Solo?
Bringing on a business partner or partners is a big decision. So many times I’ve seen business partnerships implode, threatening to destroy an entire business. The most critical thing when entering a partnership is proper planning. Here are some basic tips for what to include in a partnership agreement: 7 Things That Should Be In […]