November 24, 2025 Hello Reader, Rebranding can feel like changing the tires while the car’s still moving. You’ve built recognition around your old brand — but you know the new direction is stronger, cleaner, or better aligned with where your business is headed. The challenge? How do you make the switch without confusing your customers — or losing your trademark protection in the process? Here’s the safest way to do a side-by-side rebrand: Keep both brands active temporarily. Run your old and...
13 days ago • 1 min read
November 17, 2025 Hello Reader, When a trademark application gets refused, it’s not always because of the name.Sometimes it’s because of the specimen. The USPTO examiner isn’t just checking whether your name is unique — they’re looking for proof that your mark is being used the right way in commerce. Unfortunately, this is where many business owners stumble. A beautiful logo on your website or a product mock-up might look great to customers, but it doesn’t always meet the USPTO’s legal...
20 days ago • 1 min read
November 10, 2025 Hello Reader, Every week, I talk to business owners who are shocked to discover someone else using a name, logo, or tagline that looks just like theirs. And often, that confusion didn’t start with bad intentions — it started with a lack of a plan. Here’s the good news: you can prevent most brand mix-ups before they ever reach the USPTO. Here’s your 3-step Brand Guard Plan: Search beyond the USPTO. A quick Google or marketplace scan can reveal conflicts the Trademark Office...
27 days ago • 1 min read
November 3, 2025 Hello Reader, Problem (real story, simple lesson):A famous candy maker that owns the NERDS brand filed a lawsuit against companies selling candy called DWEEBS. The complaint says DWEEBS is using a name, look, and product style that are too close to NERDS—and that shoppers could be confused. The suit also says NERDS is a well-known brand with special packaging (like the two-color panels and cloud-style logo) and that DWEEBS copies those things. It even points to trade show...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
October 27, 2025 Hello Reader, Problem (simple and common):You’re ready to move from an old brand to a new brand. Maybe you’ve outgrown the name, merged with another company, or want a cleaner, shorter look. But a name change can be scary. If you rush it, you can lose customers, lose search traffic, or even lose your trademark rights. The good news: there is a safe, steady way to do it. The safe path: side-by-side first, then phase out Think of your change as a bridge, not a jump. For a time,...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
October 20, 2025 Hello Reader, Problem (real story, simple lesson):Two sides fought over clothing brands that sounded connected. One side used the full phrase HARD WORK PAYS OFF on apparel. The other side—CrossFit champion Mathew Fraser—used the shorter mark HWPO (same words, just the first letters) on athletic shoes through a Nike collab. The trademark board had to decide: who gets to keep rights? The board said the marks were likely to be confused, and the real fight came down to...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
October 13, 2025 Hello Reader, Problem (real story, simple lesson):Two groups used almost the same name: MOSAIC and MOSAEC. One group helps people with disabilities get job skills and find work. The other runs an entertainment website and said it also used its name for “vocational training.” They tried to block the MOSAIC registration by saying the names were too close. What did the trademark board decide? The board said the names were very similar, but the services were not—so there was no...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
October 6, 2025 Hello Reader, Problem (real-world, simple lesson):A well-known food company rolled out a new slogan and fresh packaging. A major competitor didn’t just grumble—they used a Letter of Protest at the USPTO to flag legal problems with the new mark right at examination. In short: while one brand was busy printing labels and buying ads, its rival was quietly telling the USPTO, “Look closer.” That move can slow you down, raise tough questions about your slogan or design, and...
2 months ago • 4 min read
September 29, 2025 Hello Reader, Problem (real story, simple lesson):A man named Ryan Daly ran a site that sold modded Nintendo Switch gear. Nintendo warned him. He kept going. When Nintendo sued, he decided to represent himself—with no lawyer. The result? A court ordered him to pay $2 million, give up his website and equipment, and stop all modding forever. Reporters say he first denied the charges, then agreed to a judgment that bans him from touching modding tools again. This happened in...
2 months ago • 3 min read