What Happens If You Infringe A Trademark? When infringement occurs, a trademark owner (the plaintiff) may file a lawsuit against the infringing user of the same or similar mark (the defendant) to prevent further use of the mark and collect money damages for the wrongful use. What happens if you are sued for trademark infringement?
What Is A Trademark And Why Is It Important? Trademarking is an important step for protecting your brand identity. It will stop competitors from poaching your customers by imitating your brand. It can also offer you some protection if those copycats do something reputation-damaging. What does a trademark protect? A trademark or service mark promotes
What Is It Called When A Brand Name Becomes The Product Name? Google, Taser, and Xerox are all examples of brand names that have become generic words for a type of product. The process is known as genericization, and in some cases, it can result in companies losing their trademark. What happens when brands become
Can I Name My Company After A Famous Person? Can I name my company after a famous person? Although the name is associated with a person, that does not make it a trademark, even if that person is famous. The law requires that the person claiming a trademark over her name prove what is called
Can I Paint Mickey Mouse And Sell It? Can I paint Mickey Mouse and sell it? No you cannot paint, offer for sale, sell, or otherwise tinker with a Disney character, at least it is illegal without an express license from the Walt Disney company. Can you paint characters and sell them? Legally, you cannot
Can I Use A Registered Trademark Logo? Can I use a registered trademark logo? You may use the registration symbol anywhere around the trademark, although most trademark owners use the symbol in a superscript or subscript manner to the right of the trademark. You may only use the registration symbol with the trademark for the
Do I Need A License To Sell Disney Products? Do I need a license to sell Disney products? Copyright and trademark law says that you can’t make Disney items without a license. However, buying items, then reselling them is legal under the first-sale doctrine – you don’t need anyone’s permission. Can I sell handmade Disney
Can You Use The Same Company Name As Someone Else? Can you use the same company name as someone else? You can often use the same business name in your own state or another state, if it is not in the state where the business name is filed, and it doesn’t violate trademark rules. Can