S1 E13 Terrible vs Terrific Trademarks with Wayne Carroll

S1 E13 Terrible vs Terrific Trademarks I met an attorney at a networking event but did not get his contact information, but I wrote down his name and the area of law he practiced. I wanted to reconnect so I tried to find him on the Internet. Unfortunately, he had a very common last name and there were dozens of different attorneys with the same name and it was very difficult to find him in this way. In his case, his name made a terrible trademark because it was not easy to distinguish him from other attorneys. The US Trademark Office and the Courts recognize a continuum of trademark strength, with the weakest on the continuum giving little or no trademark protection, and the strongest trademarks being afforded the greatest protection. What you need to know. There are 4 trademarks “strength” categories: 1) Generic trademarks 2) Descriptive Merely Descriptive Acquired Secondary Meaning 3) Suggestive 4) Fanciful and Arbitrary There is an inverse relationship between the strength of a trademark and the initial advertising appeal of a trademark. A strong trademark has a low initial advertising appeal, and a trademark with a high initial advertising appeal is often a weaker trademark. What you need to do. Determine if your Trademarks are strong or weak. TAKE ACTION Book time on my calendar for a free consultation regarding your trademark In our next episode, we are discussing trademark first use, and why it matters who is first.

BIO: Wayne Carroll founded Inspired Idea Solutions Law Firm in 2013, an IP boutique law firm focused on helping small businesses with intellectual property. At Inspired Idea Solutions, we use a proven process for obtaining IP rights that focuses on aligning the business strategy of small business clients with their IP strategy. We help small businesses implement a strategy to ensure they own and leverage their intellectual property. We also have clear expectations with zero hidden fees.

In addition to his legal work, Wayne is an Eagle Scout and actively volunteers with the Boy Scouts of America. He is also a proud father of six children and enjoys playing pickleball. Wayne's extensive experience and expertise in intellectual property law make him a highly respected attorney and a valuable asset to clients seeking protection for their intellectual property rights. Wayne can be reached at 480-741-2440 or [email protected]. You can also connect with Wayne on LinkedIn.

Schedule an appointment with Wayne Carroll for a strategy session on protecting and leveraging your intellectual property.

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