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In June 2022, the reality star and businesswoman Kim Kardashian launched skincare brands SKKN and SKKN BY KIM. Cyndie Lunsford, the founder of a black-owned, Brooklyn-based company Beauty Concepts, sent Kim Kardashian a cease-and-desist letter demanding that Kardashian’s brand stop using SKKN as it is infringing on Beauty Concepts’ mark SKKN+.

The term “marketplace” has evolved drastically, from open air markets, to shopping malls and department stores, and we now find ourselves in the era of online marketplaces. Amazon.com is currently the largest online marketplace, where millions of sellers and buyers connect from around the world. Like physical markets and shopping malls, online marketplaces provide opportunity for intellectual property infringement through sale of counterfeit products. Amazon has established the Amazon Brand Registry program to protect sellers’ branding.

In a recent Ninth Circuit Court decision, the court affirmed that delta-8 THC products are legal and ripe for trademark protection. The decision opens a new frontier for companies in the cannabis space, who can now apply to protect their branding federally. Cannabis companies should consult with an intellectual property lawyer to conduct an intellectual property audit of their company.

Consumers in the fashion industry are often brand-driven. Trademarks of a given fashion brand guide consumers in making buying decision. Fashion related trademarks help consumers identify apparel as belonging to a particular fashion company. A trademark signals to consumers that the goods they are purchasing have certain quality, style, and worth. For instance, when you purchase from Gucci or Burberry, there is an expectation that the products were produced by the company on the tag. Similarly casual fashion brands also take their branding seriously. When a consumer sees a tag from Forever 21 or SHEIN on apparel, she understands the source of those products.

A company’s business name becomes a major part of the company’s identity. The business name defines the company’s brand, including what consumers and clients think and feel when they hear the business name. A strong business name leads creating loyal customers and new opportunities for business growth. A well developed trademark not only tells customers what to expect from the company but also helps differentiate the business from its competitors.

So here's the tea, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, generally known as an #NDA, are important agreements used to protect your company's sensitive information and proprietary ideas. This post discusses some do’s and don’ts about NDAs.

After you have settled on a business name, logo, and tagline for your business, filing trademarks for each is the best way to protect your innovative branding. There are, however, a few things you must consider before applying for registration.

Not every trademark application filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) results in a successful trademark registration. Trademark applications undergo a series of reviews and examinations. During the USPTO examination process, there are well-established guidelines that must be followed right from the procedural to substantive aspects of the application.

We provide trademark prosecution and infringement services across the United States. Contact our intake team to find out pricing for your trademark needs.

Choosing a domain name is an exciting and fun process for a new company. While most business owners focus on the marketing standpoint when selecting a memorable and catchy brand and domain name, they often overlook the legal aspect.

A UDRP Complaint, or Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy complaint, is a process established by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) for the resolution of disputes regarding the registration of internet domain names. So why does this matter?

Generally, when we think about theft, we think about tangible, physical property (like a car, jewelry, etc.). Ideas, inventions, and creative expression may also be stolen.

The Women Council of Entrepreneurs featured Laila Ghauri, the founder and Principal Attorney, of the Antares Law Firm in an interview. You can read the complete interview here.

I often get asked this question. While it’s great that you own the domain name, you have virtually no intellectual property protection of the domain name without a registered trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). That means a third party can potentially use your branding on their products and services without consequence.

There are three symbols that are most commonly used after a trademark: Circle R (®), TM, and SM. Depending on the status of your trademark application one or more of these symbols may be appropriate for your trademark.

On behalf of the Antares Law Firm, we wish you and your family a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season. We are #thankful for all of your support, especially this year.

As expected, the United States Patent and Trademark Office has announced that it will increase trademark fees and adjustments starting January 2, 2021. The TEAS Standard application will cost $350, while the TEAS Plus will cost $275. While these amounts do not reflect attorneys fees, the change means that individuals and companies looking to file trademarks in the new year will pay more.

At Antares Law Firm, we place the utmost value on the health and safety of our clients, staff, and community. As we continue to monitor the effects of the COVID-19, we want to share that we will continue to serve you during this time. Our offices will remain open virtually. We will continue to work with our clients and potential clients remotely utilizing VoIP systems and other virtual tools to meet legal needs.

In doing business, we develop and cultivate novel ideas. Intellectual property or “IP” refers to the ideas or works and processes that stem from those ideas. When ideas develop under the umbrella of your business, it is pertinent to protect them as your company’s intellectual property. Examples include company logos, manufacturing methods, or original written works. Trademarks, copyrights, and patents are the three main ways to protect intellectual property. Theft of intellectual property can be very damaging to a small business, so it is important to understand what intellectual property includes. Without a proper understanding of intellectual property, a competitor can take credit for your business ideas.