What Can I Do To Protect My Trademark?

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In order to protect a trademark, a person needs to file for federal registration. Once registered, there is a certain amount of protection granted and people will be on notice that there is a trademark. There are also certain procedures that involve filing documents to establish continued use of the trademark. Once all of the requirements have been met, the trademark becomes incontestable.

How Are Trademark Rights Established?

Trademark rights are established when a symbol is used in a business. The first person who uses the symbol—rather than the first person who files for registration—has established rights. However, when someone files and obtains registration, there is a conclusive presumption that they have a valid mark. Litigation may result if someone challenges a trademark by claiming to have used it first. The courts would consider who first used the trademark in commerce, whether or not the person knew that the mark had been used, and whether or not the mark was used in bad faith.

When Would Similar Trademarks Not Be Confusing To Customers?

Similar trademarks may not be confusing to customers if the companies operate in completely unrelated fields of business. Ultimately, juries make the determination as to whether or not there is a high likelihood of confusion between companies that use similar trademarks.

What Are My Trademark Enforcement Options?

There are two trademark enforcement options: following a procedure involving the Washington Department of Patents & Trademarks in Washington, or following a procedure involving the district court. Many people try to enforce trademarks in a trademark office because they can try to cancel someone else’s trademark by claiming that they have a prior mark. If people are suing for damages as well, then they will often go through the district court. When someone goes through the Department of Patents & Trademarks, they are not entitled to damages, but they are entitled to some kind of relief, such as cancellation of an infringing mark or a competitor’s mark.

How Often Do These Cases Go To Trial?

The frequency with which these cases go to trial depends on a few factors. The normal procedure with an infringement case is to file in the district court. If a preliminary injunction is granted, then that usually ends the case. At some point after filing the complaint, there would be a motion procedure. So, rather than going through a full trial, a motion would just be filed with the court. If the court is convinced that someone is likely to prevail at trial, then they will grant a preliminary injunction, which would basically put the defendant out of business. In other words, the defendant would be unable to do anything by the time the case gets to trial, and then it would usually be settled. Depending on the district, this process could take a year or longer.

For more information on Protecting Your Trademark, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling [number] today.

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