What is a Trademark and Why Are Trademark Clearance Searches Necessary?  A trademark is a symbol, word, or words legally registered or established by use as representing a company or product. Your trademark is the “source indicator” or the “anchor” to your overall brand and products. To be the only entity allowed to use a…

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The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) continues to grace us with clarity on what constitutes a “phantom” trademark—and the effect is only slightly less scary than the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. The Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure (“TMEP” or the “Trademark Bible”) states that a phantom element is “a word, alpha-numeric designation, or other…

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What is a VONGLE?  I don’t even know. What does that brand name/trademark sound like to you? I don’t know about you, but I HATE it. What does it MEAN to you? How does it make you feel? Does it conjure up any emotional feeling within you? This term is a great example of a “brand…

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