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answered on Jan 25, 2022
Utility patent terms are 20 years from the filing date (plus any possible patent term adjustments). The U.S. patent 4,784,433, "Portable sunshade for infants in vehicles" has expired in 2008. Once a patent expires, it becomes a public property. Everyone can make it or use it without... View More 
Starting a business to sell hemp-derived CBD products. All products .3% or under. We would also sell non-hemp CBD products. We are not looking to trademark any specific item, just the name of the company and logo which will appear on all items.
answered on Nov 1, 2021
There are several pitfalls in registering trademarks for CBD products. One factor is the type of products and services for which you want to register your mark. The 0.3% disclaimer usually overcomes the objections for smoking products. There are additional rules for edible and topical products.... View More
We are looking to start a brand called "Etched", however, we noticed that Etched was already trademarked. We would be selling stationery supplies (journals, notebooks, sketchbooks, etc.). It appears the trademark is for clothing items, but we wanted to make sure it was okay before jumping... View More
answered on Oct 20, 2021
Trademarks are used to identify the source of goods and services and may be rejected if they cause consumer confusion as to the source of those goods and services. Your trademark application may be rejected if it is confusingly similar to an existing mark for similar goods and services. Your mark... View More
An apostrophe is used but not necessarily to indicate a plural.
answered on Oct 20, 2021
You can include an apostrophe or any other punctuation marks in your trademark as you wish.
However, don't add it just to distinguish your mark from an existing mark that doesn't have an apostrophe. The punctuation marks generally do not significantly alter the commercial... View More
I want to use the term FlowGrown Beauty. However, I see someone has trademarked FLOWGROWN already, but only for clothing and footwear. So, can I use FlowGrown Beauty for lotions and other beauty/wellness products?
answered on Sep 29, 2021
Goods and services are categorized in 45 international classes. For example, cosmetics and cleaning preparations are in class 3 and clothing and apparel are in class 25. When USPTO examining attorneys search to find similar marks, they not only search in the particular class in which a good or... View More
If a descriptive mark has been registered as a trademark contrary to the provisions of subsection (e)(1) of Lanham Act § 2, can it be cancelled afterwards? Can the registration be upheld if it is shown that the mark has in the meanwhile secondary meaning (acquired distinctiveness?)
answered on Sep 29, 2021
When a mark is rejected for being descriptive, the applicant may request the mark to be registered in the supplemental register (as opposed to the principal register). The marks in the supplemental register are typically not enforceable. But if the owner uses the mark for at least five years, the... View More
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