TRADEMARK ATTORNEY | KANSAS CITY

Trademarks are arguably a company's most valuable asset because they distinguish its goods and services from competitors. A trademark attorney in Kansas City can help businesses understand how trademark protection applies to their names, logos, and other brand identifiers. According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the number of new trademark registrations by fiscal year increases by the year. In 2021, there were nearly 435,000 new registrations.

The skilled intellectual property lawyers at Ream Law Firm, L.L.C., have extensive experience helping companies protect their trademarks. A trademark lawyer in Kansas City helps clients obtain and monitor trademarks and service marks in the United States and around the globe.

Trademark Knowledge Backed By Intellectual Property Experience

Dale J. Ream brings more than 25 years of intellectual property and product development experience to trademark matters. His background in engineering, patenting, licensing, and manufacturing gives him a broader understanding of how intellectual property can support a business and its brand.

• 25+ Years of Experience: Decades of experience working with inventors and businesses on intellectual property matters.

• Registered Patent Attorney: Extensive legal experience across patents and related intellectual property matters.

• Technical Background: Engineering and product development experience provides added insight into businesses built around technology and innovation.

• Business-Minded Guidance: Experience with licensing and direct manufacturing provides practical perspective beyond the initial creation of intellectual property.

For businesses in need of a trademark lawyer in Kansas City, this combination of legal, technical, and product development experience provides a knowledgeable foundation for protecting valuable brand assets.

What Is a Trademark?

A trademark is any recognizable symbol, word, phrase, sign, logo, or a combination that identifies the source of the goods of one company from those of competitors. In other words, a trademark is what makes your customers recognize your goods among competitors. Trademarks are used for a company’s distinguishable goods, while service marks are used for the company’s services.

The attorneys at Ream Law Firm, L.L.C., handle all types of trademark-related matters, including but not limited to trademark and service mark registrations, false advertising claims, unfair competition claims, registration investigations, trademark defenses, and others. Mr. Ream is an experienced trademark attorney in Kansas City, Missouri, and serves clients throughout Johnson, Kansas, and Jackson counties.

What Can Be Trademarked?

Any word, name, phrase, slogan, symbol, design, logo, color, sound, or another distinguishable element can be trademarked. Essentially, you can trademark anything that distinguishes your goods from the goods of other companies. Anything you trademark lets your customers easily identify your goods among the same or similar goods offered by your competitors. To protect your intellectual property, consider working with an experienced trademark lawyer in Kansas City.

What Protections Will a Trademark Attorney in Kansas City Help Me Obtain?

Once your trademark application is approved, you – as the owner of the trademark – will have exclusive rights to the trademark at both the state and federal levels. Having exclusive rights to a trademark means that no one else across the United States can use your trademark to sell their goods or services.

Competitors could knowingly use your trademark for their gain, which is why you might want to register your trademark with the USPTO. A trademark gives you the ability to litigate trademark infringement in state and federal courts. Having trademark rights also increases the value of your business.

What Are The Benefits of Registering a Trademark Through a Trademark Lawyer in Kansas City?

Registering a trademark helps ensure that your competitors will not use a similar trademark to confuse and divert your customers. Having a registered trademark gives your business exclusive rights that can last indefinitely as long as you continue using the trademark regularly to identify your goods or services.

If you register a trademark, your exclusive rights allow you to bring legal action against anyone who infringes upon your trademark rights. Once your trademark is registered, you can record it with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to prevent others from importing counterfeit goods into the country.

Ultimately, the greatest benefit to registering a trademark is that your hard-won ideas—and the future of your business—will be protected.

How Can Businesses Strengthen Their Trademark Position?

A trademark strategy should account for more than the initial filing. Businesses also need to think about how their marks are used across different materials, markets, and business activities as the company develops.

• Brand consistency: Using a mark consistently across products, services, packaging, advertising, and digital channels can help maintain a clear brand identity.

• Business expansion: New products, services, or geographic markets may introduce additional trademark considerations that were not relevant when the original brand was established.

• Record keeping: Maintaining organized records showing how a mark is used can provide useful documentation when questions about ownership or use arise.

• Portfolio management: Businesses with multiple marks may benefit from reviewing their portfolio periodically to determine whether each mark continues to serve a meaningful business purpose.

Taking a broader view of trademark management can help a business keep its intellectual property aligned with its growth. Regular attention to how a brand is being used can also help identify issues before they become more difficult to address.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I contact a trademark lawyer in Kansas City?

It can be helpful to seek legal guidance before adopting a new business name, logo, slogan, or other brand identifier. Early review can help identify potential trademark concerns before you invest heavily in building the brand. A preliminary review can also help you make decisions before committing to a particular brand identity.

What does a trademark attorney in Kansas City help with?

Professional guidance can help you identify potential issues with a mark before they affect your business. Our trademark attorney in Kansas City can assist you with trademark searches, applications, registration, and infringement concerns. The appropriate approach depends on the brand asset involved and your business's specific circumstances. Professional guidance can help you address the legal requirements associated with your mark.

What can I trademark for my business?

Trademark protection may apply to names, logos, slogans, and other identifiers that distinguish your goods or services. The specific requirements depend on the mark and how it is being used. A trademark lawyer in Kansas City can help assess whether your proposed mark may qualify for protection.

How can I protect my brand from infringement?

Registering and properly using your trademarks can provide important protections for your brand. Monitoring how your marks are used can also help identify potential infringement. Taking action when concerns arise can help protect the value associated with your brand.

Can I trademark a business name before launching?

Potentially, yes. The availability and appropriate filing strategy depend on factors including how you plan to use the name and whether similar marks already exist. Reviewing these factors before launching can help you make more informed branding decisions.