Omid Khalifeh

Trademark Notice of Publication The process of registering a trademark is complex and rife with potential opposition and roadblocks. While a Notice of Publication is a promising step in registering your trademark, third parties have the opportunity to contest your mark, which may prevent registration.      Once a trademark application is drafted and filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the application is examined by a trademark examining attorney within the USPTO. If the trademark examining attorney determines that your application complies with applicable statutes, rules, and fees, the trademark will be published in the trademark…

Important Guidelines for Utility Patent Drawings If you are applying for a utility patent, you need to provide the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) with a drawing, or drawings, of your invention or innovation. Failing to provide sufficient drawings, or providing incorrect drawings, can be a death knell for your utility patent application. Why? Because there are typically no do-overs when it comes to patent drawings. The USPTO does not allow patent applications to add new matter once filed. As a result, it is nearly impossible to fix defective drawings since any corrections would inherently add new matter….

Many different types of innovations and inventions can be patented in the United States. Nevertheless, there are certain things that generally cannot be patented; hence, it is important to have a baseline of knowledge of what qualifies for a patent before beginning the patent application process. Different Types of Patents Patents are typically broken down into specific patent types. The types of patents include: Design patents Utility patents Plant patents Design and utility patents are, by far, the most common types of patents pursued in the United States. Design Patent Generally, a design patent protects the ornamental features of an…

According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), most applications for trademarks are successful. However, around 1-in-5 trademark applications get rejected annually. For those who spend significant time and resources applying for a trademark, that rejection ratio may seem shocking. Applicants must engage in a trademark search, clearance, and extensive paperwork. Below, we will discuss two of the most common reasons for trademark rejections. Probability of Confusion The likelihood of confusion may arise if your mark is not totally unique. Could your trademark be easily conflated with something else? If so, USPTO may reject your application. When you…

Influencers Beware: Those Hashtags Could Get You in Serious Trademark Trouble There is no denying the impact of social media on commerce and trade. Statista reports that digital advertising spending at US$380 billion in 2020, is projected to almost double that figure by 2024. Social media is      an important part of brand communication for businesses. It is quick, interactive, accessible, and has global reach. These days, it is probably safe to say      that a business’s marketing strategy for consumer goods is not complete without influencer marketing. Social media influencers leverage their power with their followers for the benefit of the…