Item 19 FDD 101: What You Need to Know to Franchise
You should have a Financial Performance Representation, or Item 19, in your Franchise Disclosure Document. The FPR is the first step in the communication process between you and your potential…
Why Have an Item 19 in Your Franchise Disclosure Document
No one wants to air their dirty laundry in public, but having an accurate Financial Performance Representation in your Franchise Disclosure Documents will help your franchise rather than hurt it. You…
Franchise Lawyers Vs. General Business Lawyers
Although you might be tempted to scrimp on a lawyer because you are already sinking so much money into buying a franchise, this is not a good idea. As the old saying goes, you get what you pay…
Trademark vs. Copyright: What’s the Difference
When creating a new product or service, or even forming a new entity, understanding the differences between trademarks and copyrights can be vital. The first step is really a simple one: it’s…
Why You Need a Trademark Insurance Extension
“Laughter is the best medicine, but your insurance only covers chuckles, snickers and giggles.” We’ve all been there. Whether it’s buying AppleCare or upgrading insurance on your rental car, odds are…
How to Avoid Trademark Scams
We have been trying to reach you about your car’s extended warranty…. a member of the royal family would like to transfer a large amount of money to you…. your Netflix password has been compromised,…
What is a Trademark Disclaimer?
A disclaimer is a statement that indicates that the applicant does not have the exclusive right to use a specific word of a trademark by itself. Disclaimers are required for composite trademarks…
Trademark State Registration
I don’t distribute my goods out of state. Can I still trademark my names? The short answer is YES! The Lanham Act (also known as the Trademark Act of 1946) is the federal statute that governs…
Clothing Trademarks
Ornamental Refusal? Wait… what? Is your apparel graphic a “brand identifier” or just decoration? An ornamental refusal is when the USPTO refuses registration of your trademark because the specimen…