Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Electronic Filing System. httgj/estta.usQto.gov
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`
`
`91205064
`
`Plaintiff
`John A. Galbreath
`
`JOHN A GALBREATH
`2516 CHESTNUT WOODS CT
`REISTERSTOWN, MD 21136 5523
`UNITED STATES
`
`jga|breath@brightideasco.com
`Plaintiff's Notice of Reliance
`
`John A. Galbreath
`
`Jga|breath@verizon.net
`/John A. Galbreathl
`
`1 1/12/2013
`
`91205064-Plaintiff's Reliance Notice.pdf(89996 bytes )
`Document |ndex.pdf(101173 bytes )
`Document 1, pages 1-33.pdf(3053031 bytes )
`Document 1, pages 34-66.pdf(25101 15 bytes )
`Document 1, pages 67—96.pdf(2314146 bytes )
`Documents 2-6.pdf(4793036 bytes )
`Documents 7-20.pdf(2444968 bytes)
`Documents 21 —30.pdf(5089039 bytes )
`Documents 31 -40.pdf(4243677 bytes )
`Documents 41 -50.pdf(1 531 108 bytes )
`Documents 51 —64.pdf(1464920 bytes )
`
`Proceeding
`Party
`
`Correspondence
`Address
`
`Submission
`Filer's Name
`Filer's e-mail
`Signature
`Date
`Attachments
`
`Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Electronic Filing System. http://estta.uspto.gov
`ESTTA570286
`ESTTA Tracking number:
`11/12/2013
`
`Filing date:
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`91205064
`Plaintiff
`John A. Galbreath
`JOHN A GALBREATH
`2516 CHESTNUT WOODS CT
`REISTERSTOWN, MD 21136 5523
`UNITED STATES
`jgalbreath@brightideasco.com
`Plaintiff's Notice of Reliance
`John A. Galbreath
`jgalbreath@verizon.net
`/John A. Galbreath/
`11/12/2013
`91205064-Plaintiff's Reliance Notice.pdf(89996 bytes )
`Document Index.pdf(101173 bytes )
`Document 1, pages 1-33.pdf(3053031 bytes )
`Document 1, pages 34-66.pdf(2510115 bytes )
`Document 1, pages 67-96.pdf(2314146 bytes )
`Documents 2-6.pdf(4793036 bytes )
`Documents 7-20.pdf(2444968 bytes )
`Documents 21-30.pdf(5089039 bytes )
`Documents 31-40.pdf(4243677 bytes )
`Documents 41-50.pdf(1531108 bytes )
`Documents 51-64.pdf(1464920 bytes )
`
`

`
`John A. Galbreath
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES
`
`Plaintiff/Opposer
`
`V.
`
`Mark A. Robinson
`
`Defendant/Applicant
`
`PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`OPPOSITION NO. 91205064
`
`TRADEMARK APPL. NO. 85/461,935
`
`€%€€€€%€%%
`
`NOTICE OF RELIANCE
`
`Pursuant to the Rules of Practice of the United States Patent and Trademark
`
`Office, and the applicable Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, John A. Galbreath
`
`(“Opposer”, “Plaintiff”, or “Galbreath”) hereby gives notice that it intends to rely on the
`
`attached documents for evidence, as the plaintiff in the opposition and as the defendant in
`
`the counterclaim.
`
`&..«L<r4- €)..a..
`
`John A. Galbreath
`
`2516 Chestnut Woods Ct.
`
`Reisterstown, MD 21136-5523
`TEL: 410-628-7770
`
`FAX: 410-666-7274
`
`EMAIL: jgalbreath@verizon. net
`
`Plaintiff/Opposer & Counterclaim Defendant
`
`I certify that on the date below, this Notice of Reliance and
`Certificate of Service:
`referenced attachments, if any, were deposited with the U.S. Postal Service as first class
`mail in an envelope addressed to:
`
`Mark A. Robinson
`
`2177 Pepperidge Trail
`Brighton, MI 48114
`
`

`
`12 November 2013
`
`&,w4. ém.
`
`John A. Galbreath
`
`

`
`DOCUMENT
`
`TITLE
`
`PUBLI-
`CATION
`DATE
`
`DATE
`ACCESSED &
`PRINTED
`
`SOURCE
`(Note: Additional Source Indicators
`Present on Document Itself)
`
`PAGES
`TO BE
`READ
`
`RELEVANCE
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`5.
`
`6.
`
`7.
`
`8.
`
`9.
`
`10.
`
`11.
`
`Intellectual Property Guide
`
`2013
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.sbtdc.org
`
`1-49,
`93-96
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`A Patent Portfolio
`Development Strategy for
`Startup Companies
`
`Intellectual Property 101 -
`Patents, Trademarks,
`Servicemarks, and Copyrights
`
`Obtaining a Patent and
`Invention Development
`
`A Simple Guide to Patents and
`Trademarks
`
`A Guide to Filing a Design
`Patent Application
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.fenwick.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.entrepreneurs.about.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.bbb.org
`
`01/17/2007
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.oxfamamerica.org
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.uspto.gov
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.inventionhome.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.legalzoom.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.trademarkia.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.uspto.gov
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.patentpending.com
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`

`
`12.
`
`13.
`
`14.
`
`15.
`
`16.
`
`17.
`
`18.
`
`19.
`
`20.
`
`21.
`
`22.
`
`23.
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.techtransfer.harvard.edu
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.trademarkexpress.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.inventhelp.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.ropesgray.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.uni.edu
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.legal-sherpa.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.inventionprotectionlaw.co
`m
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.patentlybrilliant.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.idea4invention.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.invention.net
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.lambertinvent.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.enhancepd.com
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`

`
`24.
`
`25.
`
`26.
`
`27.
`
`28.
`
`29.
`
`30.
`
`31.
`
`32.
`
`33.
`
`34.
`
`35.
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.gavinlawoffices.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.panoviagroup.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.ventureisles.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.urgenttrademark.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.dummies.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.finnegan.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.adamsandreese.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.ktmine.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.thetrademarkcompany.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.directincorporation.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.onlinetrademarkattorneys.c
`om
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.asktheinventors.com
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`

`
`36.
`
`37.
`
`38.
`
`39.
`
`40.
`
`41.
`
`42.
`
`43.
`
`44.
`
`45.
`
`46.
`
`47.
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.patent.org
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.oakwoodlawoffice.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.ignitelegal.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.patents.alltop.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.ladas.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.patentinfoplus.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.gerbenlaw.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.blumberg.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.beckthomas.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.stephenprestonlaw.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.sba.gov
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.ideabuyer.com
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`

`
`48.
`
`49.
`
`50.
`
`51.
`
`52.
`
`53.
`
`54.
`
`55.
`
`56.
`
`57.
`
`58.
`
`59.
`
`60.
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.iplawgroup.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.cascadesventures.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.insights.i-runway.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.ipvalue.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.reinhartlaw.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.icappatentbrokerage.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.celaw.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.generalpatent.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.devinemillimet.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.ideadesignstudio.com
`
`11/11/2013
`
`http://www.thepatentoffice.com
`
`11/12/2013
`
`http://www.business.nd.gov
`
`11/12/2013
`
`http://www.inventionideas.org
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`

`
`61.
`
`62.
`
`63.
`
`64.
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`(Webpage)
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`11/12/2013
`
`http://www.newproducthelp.com
`
`11/12/2013
`
`http://www.aiellodesign.com
`
`11/12/2013
`
`http://www.pb2au.com
`
`11/12/2013
`
`http://www.pittsburgh.bbb.org
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`All
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`Non-genericness of Opposer’s
`mark, for registered services.
`
`

`
`

`
`INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GUIDE
`
`

`
`INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GUIDE
`PATENTS, TRADEMARKS & COPYRIGHTS
`
`This publication is published by the North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development
`Center.
`It is intended for the independent inventor or small company with little knowledge of how to
`develop new ideas into licensable patents or commercial products.
`In this guide, we try to answer the
`most common questions and provide guidance on commercializing an invention.
`In addition, this guide
`includes information about trademarks and copyrights.
`
`Author
`
`The North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC)
`5 West Hargett Street, Suite 600
`Raleigh, North Carolina 27601
`(919) 715-7272 | www.sbtdc.org
`
`Elliott Deaderick
`
`SBTDC Fall Law Extern (2012)
`The University of North Carolina School of Law
`
`Edited by
`
`’
`
`Scott Daugherty, J.D.
`Kim Mayer, Ph.D.
`Darlene Dozier, J.D.
`
`Published by
`
`Copyright 2013, The North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development
`Center, All Rights Reserved
`
`THIS BOOKLET IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE USEFUL INFORMATION AND IS PROVIDED TO THE READER WITH THE
`UNDERSTANDING THAT NEITHER THE AUTHOR, EDITORS, NOR THE PUBLISHER IS ENGAGED IN RENDERING PAID LEGAL,
`FINANCIAL, OR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE IN THIS REGARD.
`IF SUCH EXPERT ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED, THE SERVICES OF A
`COMPETENT PROFESSIONAL SHOULD BE SOUGHT. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED DOES NOT CONSTITUTE SPECIFIC
`RECOMMENDATIONS TO BE USED FOR DECISION-MAKING PURPOSES BY THE INDIVIDUAL READER. UNLESS OTHERWISE
`AUTHORIZED IN WRITING BY THE NORTH CAROLINA SMALL BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CENTER, THIS
`PUBLICATION SHALL NOT BE COPIED, DISTRIBUTED, OR DUPLICATED IN ANY FORMAT. THIS PUBLICATION IS FOR THE
`PERSONAL USE AND BENEFIT OF AN INDIVIDUAL OR BUSINESS, AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR COMMERCAIL SALE. IN THE
`EVENT OF AUTHORIZED USE, COPYING OR DUPLICATION, NO FEE SHALL BE CHARGED. ‘
`
`This work was partially supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration through Cooperative Agreement #SB-2 M-001 10-
`28. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author or editors,
`and do not necessarily reflect the views of the US. Small Business Administration.
`
`The North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC), a muIti—campus center of The Universityof
`North Carolina System which operates in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
`
`INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GUIDE
`
`

`
`INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GUIDE
`
`

`
`Table of Contents
`
`INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ ..8
`
`GENERAL PATENT INFORMATION .............................................................................. ..9
`What Is A Patent? .............................................................................................................................. .. 9
`Patent Contents ............................................................................................................................... .. 10
`
`Obtaining a Patent ........................................................................................................................... .. 10
`Conditions for a Patent .................................................................................................................... .. 10
`
`Who May Obtain a Patent................................................................................................................ .. 11
`When a Patent May Be Obtained ..................................................................................................... ..11
`Ownership and Sale of Patent Rights ............................................................................................... ..12
`
`DETERMINING WHETHER TO PATENT ....................
`
`................................................ ..13
`
`Performing a Patent Search .............................................................................................................. .. 13
`United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) ................................................................... .. 13
`D.H. Hill Library, North Carolina State University......................................................................... .. 14
`MicroPatent ................................................................................................................................. .. 14
`
`NCLive ......................................................................................................................................... ..14
`Google Patents ............................................................................................................................ .. 14
`Will Your Invention Sell? .................................................................................................................. ..15
`
`Evaluate Marketability ..................................................................................................................... ..15
`Confidentiality Agreements .............................................................................................................. .. 16
`Protecting the Invention by Filing as soon as Possible ..................................................................... .. 16
`
`PURSUING A PATENT................................................................................................. ..18
`
`Retaining a Patent Agent I Attorney ................................................................................................ .. 18
`Drawings .......................................................................................................................................... ..18
`Artist's concept drawing .............................................................................................................. ..18
`Engineering drawing .................................................................................................................... ..18
`Patent drawing ............................................................................................................................ .. 18
`Reduce the Idea to Practice: Prototypes ........................................................................................... .. 19
`Rough prototype .......................................................................................................................... .. 19
`Working model prototype ............................................................................................................ ..19
`Product Testing ................................................................................................................................ .. 20
`Filing the Patent Application ............................................................................................................ .. 20
`Process at the Patent and Trademark Office .................................................................................... .. 20
`
`................................................................ .. 22
`Funding a Patent ............................................................
`Enforcing Patent Rights .................................................................................................................... ..22
`What to do After Getting a Patent ................................................................................................... .. 22
`
`MANUFACTURING AGREEMENTS: PATENT ASSIGNMENTS & LICENSING ............. ..23
`
`What is a Patent Assignment? ......................................................................................................... .. 23
`What is a License? ........................................................................................................................... .. 23
`
`Pros and Cons of Licensing .............................................................................................................. ..23
`Selecting the Right Licensee ............................................................................................................. .. 24
`Contacting Companies ..................................................................................................................... .. 24
`Initial Presentation ..........................................................................................................................
`24
`
`Negotiating the License Agreement ........................................................................................... .; .... .. 25
`What to Expect After Signing ........................................................................................................... ..26
`
`STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS ............................................................................. ..27
`
`INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GUIDE
`
`

`
`Startup Capital ........... .4.................................................................................................................... .. 27
`Marketing Issues .............................................................................................................................. .. 27
`The lnternet .............................................................................................................. .; ..................... .. 28
`Registration and Licensing ............................................................................................................... ..28
`Other Considerations ....................................................................................................................... .. 28
`
`MARKETING & FINANCIAL RESEARCH ..................................................................... ..29
`
`Marketing Research ......................................................................................................................... ..29
`Test Marketing Program .............................................................................................................. .. 29
`Trade Shows ................................................................................................................................ .. 29
`
`Focus Groups: Interviews ............................................................................................................. ..29
`Financials ......................................................................................................................................... ..30
`
`Analyzing the Results ................................................................................, ...................................... ..31
`
`TRADEMARKS & COPYRIGHTS .................................................................................. ..32
`Trademarks ............................................................................................................................... ..'. .... .. 32
`Trademark Notice ............................................................................................................................. ..32
`Trademark Benefits .......................................................................................................................... .. 32
`State vs. Federal Trademark Protection ............................................................................................ .. 32
`Duration of Trademark Protection .................................................................................................... ..33
`
`Selecting a Trademark ...................................................................................................................... .. 33
`Trademark Registration Requirements ............................................................................................. .. 34
`Trademark Search ............................................................................................................................ .. 34
`Estimated Trademark Costs .............................................................................................................. .. 34
`
`Applying for Trademark Registration ............................................................................................... .. 35
`Copyright Protection ........................................................................................................................ .. 36
`Copyright Notice .............................................................................................................................. .. 36
`Copyright Ownership ....................................................................................................................... .. 36
`Copyright Duration ........................................................................................................................... .. 37
`Obtaining Copyright Protection ........................................................................................................ .. 37
`
`INVENTION PROMOTION FIRMS .......................
`
`...................................................... ..38
`
`Summary .......................................................................................................................................... .. 39
`
`FINAL THOUGHTS ...................................................................................................... ..40
`
`.......................................................................... .. 40
`Avoiding Tunnel Vision ........................................
`Assessment of Resources ................................................................................................................. .. 40
`Have We Scared You Off? ................................................................................................................ .. 41
`
`APPENDICES .................................................................................................... .._. ....... ..42
`
`A. Vocabulary List ............................................................................................................................ ..42
`B. Frequently Asked Questions ......................................................................................................... .. 43
`Patents ........................................................................................................................................ .. 43
`
`Copyrights ................................................................................................................................... .. 44
`Trademarks .................................................................................................................................. .. 44
`
`C. Helpful Contacts .......................................................................................................................... ..45
`Patent, Trademarks, & Copyrights Information ............................................................................ ..45
`Patent and Trademarks Enforcement Assistance ......................................................................... ..45
`
`Electrical and Safety Consumer Testing Agencies ........................................................................ .. 45
`Legal Referrals & Assistance ........................................................................................................ ..45
`D. Free or Inexpensive Journals and Publications ............................................................................. .. 46
`Journals ....................................................................................................................................... .. 46
`
`INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GUIDE
`
`

`
`Publications ................................................................................................................................. .. 47
`E. Other Recommended Readings .................................................................................................... ..48
`Business plan assistance .............................................................................................................. ..48
`Invention Promotion .................................................................................................................... ..48
`Patents ..................................................................................................................................
`.... .. 48
`
`Venture Capital ............................................................................................................................ .. 48
`F. Internet Sources of Patent, Trademark, or Copyright Information ................................................ ..49
`G. North Carolina Patent Attorneys & Agents Registered to Practice before the U.S. Patent and
`Trademark Office ............................................................................................................................. .. 50
`H. Associations ................................................................................................................................ .. 93
`
`............... .. 93
`Intellectual Property Associations ...............................................................................
`Trade Associations ....................................................................................................................... .. 93
`
`I. Finding Necessary Goods and Services ......................................................................................... .. 94
`K. General business information and assistance resources .............................................................. .. 95
`
`Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) .................................................... .. 95
`Small Business Center Network (SBCN) ....................................................................................... .. 96
`U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) .................................................................................... ..96
`Local Libraries .............................................................................................................................. .. 96
`Online Resources ......................................................................................................................... ..96
`
`INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GUIDE
`
`

`
`INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GUIDE
`
`

`
`INTRODUCTION
`
`This Intellectual Property Guide is intended to help small businesses and inventors in the development
`of their inventions and in the maintenance of their intellectual property rights. Maybe you've already
`developed an invention. What will you do next? Apply for a patent? Contact manufacturers? Start
`manufacturing it yourself? These questions must be carefully considered in order to get the full benefit
`of the efforts put into developing an invention. The purpose of this guide is not to discourage you from
`proceeding with any particular option, but to educate you about different ways to proceed with your
`idea and the potential time and financial investments that may be involved. This guide will educate
`you about patents and provide helpful references and sources of assistance that you may need in order
`to be successful. We emphasize the utilization of resources at local libraries, universities, and on the
`. Internet.
`In addition, this guide explores trademark and copyright issues and the protection of internet
`domain names.
`
`There are lots of new ideas every year, but only about one gate-nr out ofa hundred is commercially
`successful. Although utility patents and plant patents last 20 years from the date of filing the patent
`application, and design patents last 14 years from the grant of the patent, a new product may only
`have a few years of commercial life before a better invention replaces it. Usually, this means there is
`little time to recoup the financial investment made developing and patenting the invention. This
`financial investment typically includes thousands of dollars spent developing prototypes and obtaining
`patent protection. Manufacturing and marketing costs may increase this financial investment by tens
`of thousands of dollars.
`
`It's one thing to invent for fun, it's an entirely different matter to obtain a patent, sell the product to a
`company, or start a business based on the invention. Proceeding with any of these options can quickly
`become time consuming, costly and overwhelming.
`In order to be successful, you must be prepared to
`accept the responsibilities and challenges that arise.
`
`A trademark is used to protect recognizable names, logos, or symbols associated with particular goods
`or services. Federal registration of a trademark is encouraged in order to be certain that competitors
`are prevented from using the same or a similar name, and thus reap the benefits of the good
`reputation associated with your goods or services. Copyright protection is available by federal laws for
`various works of authorship, including, but not limited to, literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic
`works; even computer software can be protected by copyright. Although federal copyright protection is
`automatically granted once the work is put in a tangible medium of expression, the owner of a
`registered copyright receives additional legal rights plus stronger