Trademarks
Steps to Follow Before Applying for a Trademark
If you are starting a new business, it is important to be aware of all the required steps to protect your business. One way to do this is to trademark your business name, logo, product, design, or slogan. Some of the biggest companies in the world have trademarked their names, logos, and products. This includes Coca-Cola, Apple, Nike, Ford, and many more. The trademark registration process can be complex, so it is essential to understand the requirements and follow them correctly. This article will provide information on
How to Avoid Trademark Rejection/Refusal
While you might have spent months thinking of a name for your brand, website, or product, it might be too late to realize that registering trademarks have limitations too. Limitations that people don’t consider when they try to come up with a unique name for their venture or property. You can’t obtain a federally registered trademark if your name has three things in it. It has scandalous content in it that is demeaning to something or someone. It has immoral content in it. It has a disparaging
How to Trademark a Phrase or Slogan
Most businesses these days use a distinctive phrase or slogan associated with their goods or services to help create and improve their brand recognition. Customers often think about the company’s name or its products when they hear the phrase. Trademarking a phrase or slogan is a great way to protect your intellectual property and to have exclusive rights over your company’s trademark. Adding a TM symbol to the phrase or slogan, as well as registering it with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will also provide
Copyrights
Getting Permission to Reproduce Copyrighted Images
If you plan to use photographs, videos, drawings, or other images that you did not create, you need to be sure to avoid copyright infringement claims. In most cases, you will need to obtain permission from the person holding the rights to the image. This includes images found online. Copyright protection of images A person who creates a work of art, whether it is a photograph, video, painting, drawing, or other image, has copyright protection for that work. This is true even if the person does not
All You Need to Know About Copyright Licenses
A copyright license gives a person or entity (“licensee”) the authorization to use a work from the copyright owner, usually in exchange for payment. Copyright licenses may be exclusive or nonexclusive, and the rights that come with them vary according to the specifics of each license. One of the most common copyright license situations is when an author licenses their publisher to publish, distribute, and sell their book. In return, the author receives compensation and/or royalties. Generally, if you want to use someone else’s copyrighted work, you
E-publishing and the Importance of Copyright
With the popularity of e-books and growth of the technology to support them, electronic publishing has become a lot easier. Yet with that ease and a wide open marketplace, it becomes even more important you take the necessary steps to protect your creative work with a copyright. The Internet has given book publishers and other content providers an entirely new way to provide content. An independent author with minimal resources can make his or her work accessible to a global audience. But we all know what happens
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Do I Need an LLC to Start a Business?
An LLC, or limited liability company, provides personal liability protection and a formal business structure. You can also get those things by forming a corporation or other type of business entity. It’s also perfectly legal to open a business without setting up any formal structure. You’ll gain simplicity but miss out on some key protections. Here’s a look at the risks and benefits of starting a business without an LLC. Starting a business without an LLC If you don’t form an LLC, there are two types of
How to Apply for an LLC
One of the most important early decisions business owners must make is what business entity to register and conduct business under. There are plenty of business entity types to choose from—a sole proprietorship, C corporation, S corporation, limited liability company (LLC), or limited liability partnership (LLP). What business structure you decide on depends on the risk you’re willing to assume. An LLC is an excellent choice if you are looking for more liability protection than a sole proprietorship can give but are not ready to register as
What is the Owner of an LLC Called?
Limited liability companies (LLCs) are designed to be flexible in their ownership, taxation, and management. If you’re the head of an LLC, you’ll find that there are also several options for the title you give yourself. You aren’t required to call yourself president or CEO. But the reality is that you do need a title for business and organizational purposes. Here are some guidelines to help you choose a title that’s appropriate for you and your business. Official names for LLC owners and managers If you own
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