What you need to know about the USPTO's 2025 fee increases
One of the most common questions I receive as a trademark attorney is “How much does this cost – from filing the application to getting...
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danaldickson
Aug 1711 min read
What the Oresteia can teach us about “power with” conflict resolution
I recently read the Oresteia for the first time. As a lawyer, I was really looking forward to the famous trial scene; but what blew me...
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danaldickson
Aug 83 min read
My Admittedly Unusual Advice for Law School Students
I am often contacted by law school students, prospective law school students, and the parents of prospective law school students to offer...
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danaldickson
Jun 65 min read
How to Avoid Common Trademark Scams
What's the problem and why does it happen? Scammers are targeting trademark owners with a frequency and variety of approaches that I’ve...
66 views0 comments
danaldickson
Jul 21, 20236 min read
How to Avoid 2 Big Mistakes with Fanciful Marks
What is a fanciful mark, and why do business owners like them? A fanciful mark is wording you made up to indicate the source of your...
89 views0 comments
danaldickson
Mar 20, 20233 min read
Why is it dangerous to name your restaurant after your most popular dish?
Here are a few of the top reasons: (1) It’s harder to get your mark registered with the USPTO. (2) It’s harder to enforce your mark. (3)...
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danaldickson
Dec 13, 20226 min read
Are trademarks football's MVP?
We’re deep into football season now, and I’m hoping to make you see the next game you watch a little differently. You’ve got trademarks...
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danaldickson
Jul 10, 20225 min read
What is the THE?
Recently, The Ohio State University received a trademark registration for the word THE. Some clickbait articles misleadingly suggested...
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danaldickson
Mar 1, 20224 min read
Can I register my name as a trademark?
Some of the world’s most recognizable brands are actually someone’s name: Christian Dior, Estée Lauder, Jack Daniel’s, John Deere, Kate...
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danaldickson
Jan 31, 20224 min read
The multimillion dollar question: who owns your logo design?
I know, I know, this sounds like a trick question. But don’t take it for granted that you own all rights to your logo design. Sometimes...
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danaldickson
Dec 20, 20216 min read
3 Questions You Should Ask a U.S. Trademark Attorney Before Hiring Them
People in search of trademark help are sometimes intimidated by their initial interactions with the trademark attorneys they might hire....
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danaldickson
Dec 13, 20217 min read
What Do Foreign Associates Need to Understand about the U.S. Trademark Modernization Act?
What is the Act, and why was it passed? The USPTO is on a mission to clean up its register. The Agency freely admits that in the recent...
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danaldickson
Nov 13, 20215 min read
What if my mark is the name of a place?
One of the most common reasons for refusal of U.S. trademark applications is that the mark is geographically descriptive. This happens in...
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danaldickson
Oct 23, 20213 min read
What is a phantom mark?
What better time than Halloween to talk about phantom marks? If you file for one, you’ll be living out your very own horror story. Here’s...
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danaldickson
Sep 27, 20218 min read
What types of marks can restaurant owners protect?
Restauranteurs bring so much creativity to their work – not only to creating their signature dishes and drinks, but also to many other...
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danaldickson
Jul 24, 20214 min read
Why is it so hard to register a trademark for use on a t-shirt?
Back when I reviewed trademark applications at the USPTO, I wrote many refusals of applications for wording or designs on t-shirts. There...
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danaldickson
Jul 6, 20214 min read
Record-breaking backlog at the USPTO
The USPTO is struggling to deal with an unprecedented volume of trademark applications. The result is unpredictable wait times for...
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danaldickson
Jun 7, 20215 min read
Can a book title be registered as a trademark?
I am often asked whether a book title can be registered as a trademark in the U.S. If we are talking about the title of a single creative...
252 views0 comments
danaldickson
Apr 19, 20214 min read
3 Key Factors That Impact USPTO Filing Fees for Trademark Applications
I often talk with people who are frustrated and confused after trying to figure out how much the USPTO charges for a trademark...
56 views1 comment
danaldickson
Apr 1, 20214 min read
Yes, it's about THOSE shoes.
This week, the only topic anyone wants to discuss with me is the Satan Shoes. Are Lil Nas X and MSCHF in the wrong, or is Nike a bully?...
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