Every December, my kids start whispering to each other and scribbling notes they think I can’t see. They’ve got a big secret: their wish list for Santa. They treat it like classified intel. Folded notes under pillows and...more
12/2/2025
/ Confidential Information ,
Confidentiality Agreements ,
Confidentiality Policies ,
Contract Drafting ,
Contract Terms ,
Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA) ,
Employee Training ,
Intellectual Property Protection ,
Non-Disclosure Agreement ,
Policies and Procedures ,
Trade Secrets
A patent search isn’t just about the search results. It’s about the strategy that comes from understanding them. Most people think a patent search is just a long PDF and a list of patents, but the real value is in the...more
You’ve brainstormed, tested, and designed the perfect brand name. However, before you buy that domain or print your first label, one quick trademark search can save you from costly heartbreak. The strongest brands don’t just...more
The following is a hypothetical story meant for general educational purposes and is not based on any real-life business or dispute. Readers should consult an attorney prior to taking action to determine how this information...more
On October 27, 2025, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) rolled out the Streamlined Claim Set Pilot Program to test a pretty simple idea:
If you give the examiner fewer, cleaner claims up front, can the...more
The phases of launching a startup move fast, such as branding, prototypes, pitches, and investor decks. But amid the excitement, intellectual property (IP) strategy often gets left behind. The result? Costly mistakes that can...more
When the federal government shuts down, much of the public—rightly so—worries about disruptions across agencies, services, and legal rules. But the USPTO (United States Patent & Trademark Office) occupies a special niche:...more
Why Your Lawyer Keeps Killing Your Favorite Brand Names -
It’s Halloween season, and while most people are worried about haunted houses or horror movies, business owners often face a different kind of fright: the dreaded...more
Did you know that one of the most common reasons the United State Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) refuses trademarks isn’t because of the name itself — it’s the specimen you submit? Let’s make sure yours doesn’t fall into...more
Just like Michigan trees transform every fall, your idea transforms through the patent process — changing colors, shedding what doesn’t work, and eventually emerging stronger....more
For most organizations, the most valuable thing that they possess is their intellectual property (IP) portfolio. Patents, trademarks, and copyrights aren't just papers and concepts; they embody potential revenue streams,...more
If you are crafting a book, screenplay, film, or any other creative work, copyright law can be both a shield and a tool for protecting your ideas. Imagine spending years finalizing a creative work only to discover another has...more
In the U.S., patent rights generally go to the first inventor to file — not the first to invent. Filing early secures your place in line. But the type of application you choose (provisional vs. non-provisional) can...more
9/8/2025
/ America Invents Act ,
Filing Fees ,
First-to-File ,
Innovation ,
Innovative Technology ,
Intellectual Property Protection ,
Inventors ,
Patent Applications ,
Patent Cooperation Treaty ,
Patent Filings ,
Patent Prosecution ,
Patents ,
Priority Patent Claims ,
Provisional Applications ,
Startups ,
USPTO
Picking a new business name? A trademark is more than just a logo — it’s your brand identity. If you invest in a weak or unregistrable name, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) may refuse registration. That...more
9/4/2025
/ Brand ,
Corporate Branding ,
Descriptive Trademarks ,
Fanciful Marks ,
Suggestive Marks ,
Trademark Application ,
Trademark Examination ,
Trademark Registration ,
Trademark Searches ,
Trademarks ,
USPTO
Through tactical litigation practices, copyright trolls rely on copyright law to allege infringement and threaten major statutory damages upon unsuspecting defendants. The term “copyright troll” is an unflattering nickname...more