Recently, a client asked me for advice on a networking scenario she was navigating. In short, my client had been “given the opportunity” to network with an industry “influencer”. When I asked for more details as to what exactly this form of “networking” entailed, she explained that she and this “influencer” had met at a […]

If you see another company using your trademark, there are reasons more than just principle that should compel you to take action: failing to do so could put the validity of your registration at risk. Trademark dilution occurs when another entity uses another company’s trademark in such a way as to cause the registered mark’s […]

When registering a trademark, there are technically two forms of registers that you can register on: the Principal and Supplemental register. Both are federal registers maintained by the USPTO. The Supplemental Register is the secondary list maintained by the USPTO for registered trademarks that do not qualify for the Principal Register. A mark may be […]

Take a look at an entrepreneur (in any industry) that you look up to or respect. How many of them are in the exact same business model, or even the same business altogether, than they were the day they began? The answer is typically: not many. If there’s a hallmark of entrepreneurship, it’s likely that […]

Many times, business owners want to claim the trademark for their business name, before they have officially launched the business to the public. While the USPTO has created strict stipulations around how exactly this must be accomplished, it is in fact possible: by filing what’s called a 1B application. As a background: In order to […]

Many overlook the differentiating factor between most truly successful businesses and others: the business owner is separated from the business, leaving it flexible for whatever may come in the future. Owning a business means taking into account all potential options for the future (looking long term); not necessarily those that come to mind now (beware […]

First things first: if your business is anything other than a hobby, or even merely a profitable hobby, you should at least have an LLC. Here’s why. Second, generally speaking, an LLC is the most flexible, and therefore the most prudent form of business formation for the vast majority of small to mid-sized business owners. […]

Every business owner knows that at some point in the lifetime of their business, they must make a decision as to the proper type of formation. However, what many business owners fail to recognize is that this is an ongoing consideration that must be revisited time and time again during the lifespan of a business. […]

Entering into partnerships can oftentimes be one of the most prudent ways to grow your business; provided, of course, that you take time to do so correctly. It does not matter how well you and your business partner get along now, you must take the time to put the proper agreements in place. In a […]

This afternoon, Taylor Swift published a scathing and brutality honest response to the sale of Big Machine, and thereby, ownership of her masters. More can be found on her Instagram, but a snippet: “For years I asked, pleaded for a chance to own my work…Instead I was given an opportunity to sign back up to […]