1.0Customs & International Trade Law Firmhttps://diaztradelaw.comJennifer Diazhttps://diaztradelaw.com/author/jen/rich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="KX6rjjLapX"><a href="https://diaztradelaw.com/services/intellectual-property-rights/trademarks/">Trademarks</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://diaztradelaw.com/services/intellectual-property-rights/trademarks/embed/#?secret=KX6rjjLapX" width="600" height="338" title="“Trademarks” — Customs & International Trade Law Firm" data-secret="KX6rjjLapX" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); //# sourceURL=https://diaztradelaw.com/wp-includes/js/wp-embed.min.js /* ]]> */ </script> Trademarks What is a trademark? A trademark or service mark includes any word, name, symbol, device, or any combination, used or intended to be used to identify and distinguish the goods/services of one seller or provider from those of others, and to indicate the source of the goods/services. What is a trademark search, and do I need it? In order to minimize expenses, solopreneurs often avoid hiring a trademark attorney to conduct a trademark availability search. Often relying on their own internet searches to vet the brand selected. Businesses that follow this process forgo the trademark availability search, which includes the federal trademark registry and each state trademark registry as well. A properly conducted trademark availability search will look for active trademarks and cancelled or abandoned marks. Additionally, the trademark availability search offers a limited search of the web for use of same and/or similar marks and a search of not only identical but phonetically equivalent marks. Its highly recommend that all businesses conduct a trademark availability search before proceeding with the filing of a trademark application. Is the use of a trademark in commerce required for registration? Under U.S. law, the actual use of a mark in commerce creates rights and priority over others. The rule for “ownership” of a mark starts with the “first to use”, not the “first to file”. Thus, if a trademark availability search was performed and it showed that the mark may be available, we recommend that you immediately start using the trademark to […]