Imagine a world where no one could use anything else belonging to someone else without payment or permission. Think how it would slow down news reporting if they could never show an image of anything they had not taken themselves. Imagine how a drama teacher in an...
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Houston Business Law Blog
What does trademark infringement look like?
Some of the most valuable elements of your business can include those that make it identifiable to consumers and distinct from your competitors. You can protect these creative components with a trademark, and you can protect your trademark by taking action against...
3 ways to protect trade secrets
When it comes to lifting your business to new heights, you may first need to protect your trade secrets. But before that, you should know that trade secrets aren't just the way you blend your coffee in the morning. Trade secrets have three characteristics: They...
How can you protect your inventions?
Coming up with an invention that you know is going to be popular is a marvelous feeling. Some inventors might not realize that they need to take steps to protect their interests before they put their products on the market. There are two primary ways that you might...
Can you trademark a sound?
Depending on your age and interests, you may instantly recognize certain sounds – whether it’s the “chung-chung” that opens each Law and Order episode, Darth Vader’s raspy, mechanical breathing under his mask or the giggle of the Pillsbury Doughboy. Those familiar...
Do my virtual goods need a trademark?
Over the last five years, business has changed drastically. Not only have many companies changed their business model, but some have also changed their perspective on what a product is. Not long ago, a trademarked product was something you could hold in your hand, and...
Why veterans start small businesses
Many small businesses in the United States are owned by former military veterans. In fact, some estimates put this at more than two and a half million businesses that are veteran-owned in the United States. This is quite a substantial share of the market and...
The fight against “genericide”
Many of the products we use today were brand names before succumbing to gradual use as a generic term. Bubblewrap, dumpster and chapstick, for example, were all brand names each unique to their company. Today, they have lost their original identity to genericide. ...
What are ways my trademark is at risk?
Building your business and your brand are an essential part of your company’s success. Your clients count on your trademark to represent the quality behind your products and services. If your trademark is at risk, it could jeopardize your entire brand. While there may...
When should you consider trademarking your brand?
Forming a strong recognizable brand takes time and hard work. All the effort can be wasted though if you fail to trademark your brand. Protecting your brand can stop your competition from creating similar identities and taking customers from under your nose. It may...