Frequently Asked Questions
Potential New Clients
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30 minutes is to discuss a few specific questions and scenarios. 60 minutes is for a more detailed discussion of the issues and the only option for IN-PERSON meetings. In no event will legal advice be given and no Attorney/Client relationship is formed until an engagement letter is signed and retainer paid.
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Consultation Intake Forms will be sent via the MyCase portal.
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Ask us about financing options available through LawPay. See our Resource Guide for referrals to pro bono/low bono legal service providers.
Current Clients
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Please set a consultation. The attorneys are working on other cases for clients and have dedicated specific time during the week for calls from potential clients and current clients.
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Please check your junk/spam folder for emails from our office and add us as a contact so that further correspondence will go straight to your inbox.
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All invoices are sent to clients via the MyCase portal. If you still need assistance, contact us.
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Please go to www.mycase.com and follow the steps for ‘I Forgot My Password’.
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Your Engagement Letter is available for viewing and download through MyCase.
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Please consider uploading those documents to your matter in MyCase. Our office will receive an email and add the documents to your case file.
Intellectual Property Basics
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Intellectual Property (IP) includes Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, and Trade Secrets. Please schedule a consultation to find out which is the most appropriate for your situation.
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You must file a trademark application with USPTO (or the Secretary of State for a state TM), the application must be reviewed and approved for registration before you have a “registered trademark”. The purchase of a domain (www.mybusiness.com) does not result in a federal trademark registration.
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You must file a trademark application with USPTO (or the Secretary of State for a state TM) and the application must be reviewed and approved for registration before you have a “registered trademark”. The filing of a certificate of formation for an entity (My Business LLC or My Business Inc.) does result in a federal trademark or state trademark registration. Additionally, the entity formation is processed by that state so another business could have the very same name if they are based in another state.
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No. A federal trademark application may be filed as 1A/In Use or 1B/Intent to Use. If you file 1A, then you must provide a specimen of use and your first use dates at the time the application is filed. If you file 1B, you will be required to submit the specimen of use and first use dates six (6) months after receiving a Notice of Allowance. If you cannot, you may purchase up to five (5), six (6) month extensions of time to prove use in interstate commerce.
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Yes. You must use the state trademark in commerce and provide three specimens of use before you may file a state trademark application.
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A work of authorship must be original and fixed to be protected by copyright. These rights exist regardless of whether they are mailed to the author or not. However, in order to obtain a copyright registration, a registration form, the work and a fee must be submitted to the Copyright Office.
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Our office handles utility patents (provisional and non-provisional) as well as design patents. Please schedule a consultation so we may advise which is the most appropriate for your situation. We do not handle plant patents. Sorry!