Lunaria Partners | B-Corp’s Post

Today is my last day as AutoZone’s Trademark Administrator, as well as my last day as an intellectual property professional. After a career (albeit short) in education and a career in the non-profit arts arena, I decided at age 37 that I needed to do something else. The criteria for my yet-determined career were simple: it should be enjoyable and more lucrative. I'm so lucky that I achieved both goals. In 1998 I got a temp job in St. Louis in the trademark section of Eveready (Energizer) Battery Company, which at the time was a subsidiary of Ralston Purina. I never dreamed that the gig would turn into a 20+ year career in intellectual property ... a career that would end as Trademark Administrator of AutoZone. Along the way I touched big intellectual property: the Energizer Bunny (!), the Hilton Family of Brands (Hilton, Conrad, Waldorf Astoria, Hilton Garden Inn, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Doubletree, Homewood Suites by Hilton), and of course AutoZone. My work colleagues? I've had the best, and they're too numerous to name. Just know that I thank you for the work, education, laughs, and help throughout the years. There are three, however, that I want to specifically acknowledge: 1. Donna Frazier Schmitt, my managing attorney at Eveready. She hired me from temp to perm status, and then I was eventually promoted to Trademark Administrator. Thanks for taking a chance on me. I took it and ran with it. 2. Wanda Watson, Senior Paralegal at Eveready. What can I say? She took me under her wing and gave me the best -- BEST -- introductory education to Trademarks nuts-and-bolts I could have ever asked for. She nurtured, encouraged, and was my cheerleader from day one. I can't thank her enough. And finally... 3. Barbara Arnold, former Director of Intellectual Property at Hilton and my boss for almost 12 years. Hilton was a roller coaster, and the work was intense. "Drinking from the firehose". Blackstone (!). Starwood (!!). Brand Development all over the world. The stories are endless. When you've been through the trenches with someone, you become great friends and colleagues. I want to wish Barbara all the luck in the world. Why? Because Barbara is now the new Trademark Administrator for AutoZone. How's that for a full circle moment? AutoZone couldn't be in better hands. I've had a good run with lots of luck. Couldn't be more grateful. Later.

In Denver's bustling business scene, having a strong trademark is crucial. It’s not just about having a cool logo; it’s about protecting your brand and ensuring your customers know exactly who they are dealing with. Read more about the importance of hiring a trademark protection lawyer and the costs associated: https://lnkd.in/eNfvbX3J

Question: Can A Color Be Protected As A Trademark? 🔵 🔴 ™️ Short Answer: Yes, color can be trademark-protected in the United States. 🇺🇸 🔎 Until the 1980’s, the U.S. trademark law refused to recognize a single color as a brand. Since then, a color can serve as a source identifier of your goods or services so long as it is not functional. In order to qualify for a color trademark, you must show that the color trademark has acquired distinctiveness or consumer recognition of the color with your product or service. Brand Color v. Color Trademark 🎨 ®️ ▪️The color of a brand is different from a color trademark ▪️ While a brand may be trademarked, it does not mean the exclusive rights extend to the color or scheme of colors as a trademark as well - it must be distinct! Famous Examples of Color Trademarks 🔵 🔴 ▪️Christian Louboutin and the red color sole heeled shoes ▪️ Tiffany & Co.’s aqua blue color for bags, jewelry boxes and advertising Do you need help with a trademark registration? Call #TheSterlingFirm To Speak With A #Lawyer 🏛⚖️ * 🗓Book Your Consultation Now! * Or… Join Us Virtually On Zoom 💻 For A Coffee ☕️ Every Monday 9:00 AM PST for FREE! Coffee With A Lawyer! Get Answers To Your Legal Questions For Free! "ASK THE LAWYER!" [R E G I S T R A T I O N L I N K i n B I O] * 🏛 Personal Injury & Business Law 🆓 TOLL FREE: (844) 4-GETLEGAL 📲 +1(310)498-2750 * #LegalTips #BusinessTips #TrademarkTips 💡

The Art and Science of Naming: Balancing Creativity with Trademark Strategy In today’s competitive marketplace, creating a brand name that stands out while being legally protectable is both an art and a science. On the creative side, a strong name must capture the brand’s essence, resonate with the target audience, and be memorable. Names like Nike and Apple evoke emotion and positioning through their simplicity and distinctiveness. However, creativity alone is not enough. The best brand names also need to be trademarked and legally protected. This requires navigating the complexities of trademark law, including ensuring the name is distinctive, available, and does not infringe on existing trademarks. Descriptive names often face legal hurdles, whereas coined or abstract names offer stronger protection but may require more investment in brand-building. The key is to find a balance between the two: a name that’s creative and compelling, while also being legally defensible. Successful naming strategies rely on a thorough trademark search early in the process, considering global markets and digital availability. Ultimately, the most powerful names are those that stand out creatively while standing firm in the legal arena.

Curious about how long it takes to register a trademark? Here’s a step-by-step timeline to guide you through the process. Step 1: Trademark Search : This initial search can take 1-2 weeks to complete. It helps ensure your trademark isn’t already in use. Step 2: Application Preparation. Preparing your application might take 1-2 weeks, depending on how quickly you gather the necessary information. Step 3: Filing the Application. Once filed, the application is typically processed within 1-3 days if submitted online. Step 4: Examination and Review. The trademark office will review your application, which can take 3-6 months depending on their workload. Step 5: Publication and Opposition. Your trademark will be published for 1-2 months. During this period, others can file objections. Step 6: Registration and Issuance. If there are no oppositions, your trademark will be registered, and you’ll receive a certificate within 1-2 months after the opposition period. Ready to start your trademark registration? Comment 'TrademarkReady' or reach out to us for expert assistance: 👉 Call us: +91-94636 40466 👉 Email us: info@lgassociates.org 👉 Visit our website: www.lgassociates.org #Trademarkregistration #BrandProtection #LegalAdvice #India [Trademark Registration, Brand Protection, Legal Advice, Trademark Agent, Delhi NCR]

Some good examples of corporate legal idiocy in this article, but please note, small companies, this doesn't mean you can blatantly use well-known brands with impunity. Always seek professional advice before you launch your new brand - it could save you a lot of money and stress.

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞? "Did you know you can trademark more than just your company name or logo?" 🤯 Yes! Trademarks cover sounds, colors, and even certain shapes or smells. Think of the ‘roar’ of the MGM lion 🦁 or 𝘛𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘺 & 𝘊𝘰.’𝘴 𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘤 𝘣𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘳 💙—these are all registered trademarks! What does this mean for you? The more unique your brand identity, the better protection you get. If you have a brand element that’s distinctive, you should consider trademarking it. Do you know of any cool or unusual trademarks? Let’s hear them in the comments below!" "What is the most interesting trademark you’ve come across? Share below!" #trademark #ipr #law #brand #brandidentity #legal

Jeff Holman is kind of a big deal. He doesn't have to say it, other people say it for him. Trademarks play an important role in anchoring the name of your business and the name of your solutions in the minds of your clients. When building marketing campaigns, brand awareness, and a myriad of materials that arm your business's advocates with what they need to brag a bit about you, that zesty little TM is a great intellectual property right you can use to bolster the value of your business. If you need a TM or are unsure whether TMs are right for you right now, call the good people at Intellectual Strategies. You'll feel good about the strategy and great about their business model. #intellectualproperty

You're UNDER-paying for your #trademark application. That's correct. UNDER-paying. (Note, at Intellectual Strategies we don't want you to underpay or overpay, so check out the discount in our linked post.) Most people only think about OVER-paying for legal fees. But, ironically (and sadly), we see a lot of trademark applicants who have UNDER-paid for trademark services--often using an online portal or inexperienced attorney--without understanding that: 🛑 They messed up their trademark application 🛑 They can't fix their mistake 🛑 They have to abandon their application (and lose their money, as well as the moths they've waited in the process) 🛑 They have to file a new application, and often hire an attorney anyway, so they don't waste more time and money Sometimes, this is a result of doing the process wrong. Sometimes, it's a result of not doing a search before filing. Sometimes, this happens because the applicant picked the wrong classification (especially for ecommerce products) or didn't add all the best classifications (common with SaaS companies). If you've ever underpaid for home remodeling services and gotten stuck redoing your framing, painting, or plumbing, you know what I'm talking about. If you've ever underpaid for a car and realized you just bought a lemon, you're committed to not making that same mistake twice. So, don't make a similar mistake with your trademark (or you patent, or other legal docs). Don't UNDER-pay for your trademark application. Because, in the end, that's how you OVER-pay for your trademark application, after wasting limited 💵 and precious ⌛. #innovatewithconfidence #fraxlaw

BRAND STRATEGISTS - LET'S WORK TOGETHER A few weeks ago, I was talking with a brand strategist, and I asked her about her name vetting process. She responded, 'That's a task we leave to professionals like you'. While it's true that determining trade mark availability is a legal task, early collaboration can save a lot of hassle down the line. Envision this: You conceive brilliant brand names, and I, as a Trade Mark Attorney, ensure they are legally sound. Sounds like a great partnership! By integrating me into your process, we can conduct trade mark searches before the client approves the final name, avoiding potential legal issues in the future. If you are interested in expanding your service offerings and ensuring legal compliance for brand names, I would be thrilled to collaborate with you, just send me a DM. #BrandStrategy #Brandstrategists #intellectualproperty #femalefounders