You are here: Home / News & Articles

Don’t Leave Your Trademarks To Chance

April 3, 2011 By

The “Red Tab” tag attached to the left rear pocket or the Two Horse Brand leather patch attached to the waistline on a pair of jeans; the “Just Do It” slogan and the “Swoosh” logo; or the “Golden Arches” all have one thing in common: They are “registered” trademarks.  If you are like most people, when you see the Red Tab or Swoosh logo, you know you are looking at a pair of Levi jeans or Nike shoes. And when you see the famous “Golden Arches,” you know a Big Mac (also a trademark) is just a few minutes away.  What is a trademark worth? In 2002, the estimated worldwide value of the various McDonald’s trademarks was more than $14 billion.

Whether you have a new or established New York corporation, Limited Liability Company, partnership, or other New York business entity, you never know where your business is going to go. Big or small, new or old, your trademarks have value. If your business achieves any level of success, your trademarks will become a part of your business identity, so make sure you “own” your trademarks and they stay with you. A qualified and knowledgeable New York Trademark Attorney can provide you with a simple opinion about your trademarks, determine exactly what you can trademark in addition to your slogans and symbols, help you identify the appropriate classes for your trademarks, and generally guide you through the trademark process allowing you to focus on your business. A Trademark Attorney can also help you conduct a “thorough” trademark search through the United States Patent and Trademark Office, ensuring you are not infringing on another company’s trademark―an often innocent, but costly error. In short, a New York Trademark Lawyer can save you thousands of dollars in time, money, and unnecessary litigation down the road.

You may not see your business becoming the next Nike or McDonald’s, but keep in mind, Nike was started by selling shoes from the back of a car; and in 1955, Ray Kroc opened the first McDonald’s in Des Plaines, Illinois. Do not leave your trademarks to chance or let your competition steal an important part of your business identity. Do not risk damaging your business by infringing on other trademarks. Take time and sit down with a qualified New York Trademark Attorney, review your trademarks, and protect yourself, your business, and your future.

Filed Under: News

How a New York Business Law Attorney Can Save You Time and Money

March 14, 2011 By

Various formal and informal studies indicate entrepreneurship is on the rise in most demographics. The Small Business Administration and the U.S. Census Bureau estimate the number of firms in the United States in excess of 24 million. And, as the third largest state in the Union, New York remains one of the most popular states for forming a corporation or limited liability company (LLC). A qualified and competent New York Business Law attorney can be invaluable to the budding entrepreneur or business owner.

New York business formation is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly. However, in their quest to save dollars, future New York business owners often fail to realize the tremendous value a competent New York Business Law attorney can bring to the table, opting instead to use a “third party” vendor offering “incorporation” or “business formation” services. And yes, they can help you legally form your business. However, such services offer little expertise and cannot generally provide valuable legal counsel regarding future needs and options most business owners should thoughtfully consider, with many of the “off-the-shelf” services severely lacking when it comes to preparing formation documents for the capital acquisition process—or raising money—a substantial need for most new businesses. The speed and convenience of using qualified counsel for New York business formation activities can save tens, even hundreds of thousands of dollars down the road, helping entrepreneurs and business owners avoid simple mistakes and pitfalls made every day by those who choose to forgo the services of a qualified attorney.

A qualified attorney will help you quickly determine the best legal structure for your business to help you reduce your liabilities and risks, increase your profits, and establish a solid going concern. Throughout history, the most successful entrepreneurs and business owners have understood the value of surrounding themselves with great people who are experts in their field, thereby allowing them to work on their business and not in it. Take a page from the history books and start your new business off on the right foot by surrounding yourself with—and using—a New York Business Law Attorney for all your New York business formation activities.

Filed Under: News