USPTO Archives

How to Select a Business Name and Trademark It

Picking out a name for your business is an exciting step. As you start to brainstorm ideas for your company name, it's important to ask yourself a few questions, including: Does this name reflect my...

byDeborah Sweeney

January 8, 2021

5 Intellectual Property Considerations Startups Oftentimes Overlook

Many contestants on ABC’s hit show “Shark Tank” answer “yes” when asked if they have a patent, illustrating that startups may generally appreciate the importance of filing a patent application early to protect their innovations....

byDavid M. Roccio, Esq.

October 21, 2020

4 Common Patent Application Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Registering for a patent is a significantly more complex process than registering for other forms of intellectual property protection, like trademarks and copyrights. Trademarks generally require a name search, application and filing fee. Copyright applications...

byMyCorporation

February 10, 2020

What to Know About Opening a Franchise at Any Age

Investing in a franchise can be done at any age and for any type of career in transition. Whether you’re a millennial or a baby boomer, there’s ample opportunity available to become a franchise owner....

byDeborah Sweeney

August 27, 2019

What You Need to Know Before Applying for a Patent

What should an inventor do almost immediately upon creating a new invention? They must file a patent application. A patent, according to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is the grant of a...

byMyCorporation

July 22, 2019

Which 3 Types Of Patents Are Recognized by the USPTO?

If you have an idea for an invention, do you know what a patent is? How about the different types of patents? Patents protect the mechanisms, principles and components of an invention. According to the...

byDeborah Sweeney

July 16, 2019

Before Starting a Business in 2019, Tackle These 3 Legal Areas

Planning to start a business in 2019? Here's the good news: preparing now will help to put you and your new company on the right track to success. Great idea? Check. Detailed business plan that...

byMyCorporation

December 5, 2018

Social Media Marketing: Can You Trademark a Hashtag?

It’s been more than a decade since the hashtag made its debut on social media. Chris Messina proposed this tagging method on Twitter in 2007. While Twitter developers initially rejected it, it gained traction after...

byXavier Morales

June 30, 2018

Securing Your Startup’s Intellectual Property Rights: Patent vs. Trade Secret

Entrepreneurs and emerging companies often look for ways to protect their valuable assets. They want to secure their ideas and ultimately enforce their rights around them. Traditionally, there are four types of intellectual property rights:...

byMichael S Melfi

June 21, 2018