If you’re a small business owner, you’ve probably received numerous calls from patent and trademark attorneys who are trying to sell you their services. The reasons for doing so vary widely; one reason may be that the lawyer is an old friend of yours, but if that’s the case, you might want to ask whether they have any connections to the particular product you’re selling.
Before you agree to anything, make sure the attorney can find anything on your website that would cause confusion about the nature of your product. You can also request additional information from the attorney about their background, their educational attainment, and their specialization.
Get A Detailed Report
Your lawyer should be able to provide you with a detailed report that will show you the current status of the law, if any, in your particular industry. For example, your lawyer could give you some more information about patents in which the patent was issued after the invention was published in a technical journal. Or if your lawyer’s specialty is medical products, you may want to ask them to show you some publications of the latest medical research.
There are plenty of things you can ask your attorney to show you; and you will be surprised by the responses you receive. You may want to obtain a copy of the fee schedule because it will help you keep track of your expenses and fees. Other questions you may have are:
Sort Your Questions Out
What happens if I use the name of another person? What about using the name of an animal? How can you ensure that I won’t be sued? What’s the difference between a trademark and a patent?
If I use any of these names in my marketing, is there any way to prevent competitors from using them? What about if they use them in other ways? Will my company be protected from such actions?
If you start to receive new applications for the names of animals, how will you deal with these? What about a product that is not something you’re selling? What’s the difference between the two?
Full Confidence
The basic point here is that you need to work closely with your Trademark Attorney in Houston, so you can have full confidence in him or her. You have to discuss your needs and goals very well. You have to ask questions so that you can develop an effective partnership that works.
As much as possible, you should establish a rapport with your lawyer; the more you know about your lawyer, the better. The more you know about your lawyer, the more you’ll benefit from your lawyer.
Get The One You Trust
Once you’ve selected a lawyer, there are things you can do in order to protect yourself. But remember that even though you’ve found a lawyer who has good credentials, it’s still important to make sure that you have the best lawyer possible. This is because the lawyers who are able to defend you at the first step of the case have the best chance of winning.
As I mentioned earlier, your lawyer is your best advocate. With that said, your lawyer is also your shield. You want to make sure that you have a lawyer who knows exactly what he or she is doing, and who will make the best decisions for you.
Internet legal issues can sometimes seem a bit complicated, but you should know that there are several ways that you can protect yourself. Whether you need help with a trademark or patent, a trademark attorney or a copyright attorney, you can count on them. It’s a good idea to make use of a trademark attorney, and I hope you find one that’s right for you.