The Internicola Law Firm, P.C.

What Does A Trademark Do?

A trademark allows you to use words, symbols or sounds to identify your business. Above all else, a trademark gives you the option to do this with the legal protection of United States trademark law.

If you own the trademark for an original word, symbol, or sound, no one else can use that trademark in any type of business transaction without your express permission. If someone does use your registered trademark, they are infringing upon your intellectual property. To stop this from happening, you can issue a "cease and desist letter." If this fails to rectify the problem, or you have suffered economical impact because of their illegal activity, you can sue the perpetrator for financial damages in a trademark infringement lawsuit.

Some popular examples of trademarks include the McDonalds franchise name, the Nike swoosh symbol, and the OREO cookie jingle. All of these things are legally protected by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The first step to registering your own trademark is to submit it to the USPTO.

Once your trademark is officially registered, you must renew it between the 5^th and 6^th year after initial registration. After that, you will only have to renew it once every 10 years. A New York business attorney can help you register or renew your trademark and ensure that you never miss a deadline for registration.  

If you own a business in New York, it's vital that you learn about protecting your intellectual property. To learn more about registering your trademarks, read Trademark Laws And Statutes, found in our article library.

Offering expert help in New Jersey and nationwide, New York business attorney Charles N. Internicola is ready to answer your questions about franchise, national and international trademarks, and any critical business matters that may arise. Contact us today - 1-800-976-4904