Intellectual Property Lawyers

I can do that. I am an IP lawyer over 20 years experience in this area. I work on SAAS and similar agreements daily.

Yes, you can achieve this through an IP license agreement versus a sale of your IP rights. In your license you would want to protect against gray market product manufacturing and also have provisions on how to handle defective products and components during the manufacturing process. I am available for a free consultation if you would like.

Running a trademark search before registering your business name isn’t legally required, but it’s one of the most important steps you can take to avoid future problems. Registering your name with the state forms your business entity, but it doesn’t give you trademark rights. Trademark rights come from use in commerce and, if you file with the USPTO, registration at the federal level. Why a Trademark Search Matters The central legal test in trademark law is whether a name is likely to cause consumer confusion. That means you don’t need to copy someone else’s name exactly to get into trouble. Even something that looks or sounds similar in the same or related industry could be enough. If you skip the search and move forward, you risk: • Infringement claims: Another company could demand you stop using the name and, if necessary, sue for damages. • Forced rebranding: If you’ve already invested in your logo, website, signage, or marketing materials, being forced to change your name can be expensive and disruptive. • USPTO rejection: If you apply for a federal trademark, the USPTO will run its own search. If they find a confusingly similar mark, your application will be denied and you’ll lose the filing fees. A well-documented example is when small businesses open under a catchy name, only to receive a cease-and-desist letter from a national chain using a similar name in the same space. Even if you’re in a different state, a federal registration gives that company priority rights nationwide. A proper trademark clearance search should cover more than just identical names. You’ll want to check: • Federal database (USPTO TESS): This is the official record of all registered and pending federal trademarks. • State trademark databases: Many businesses register marks only at the state level. • Common law sources: Unregistered marks can still have legal protection. Check Google, industry directories, social media, and domain names. • Similar variations: Look for phonetic equivalents and alternative spellings, such as “Kwik” for “Quick,” or slight wording changes that could still cause confusion. Professional Assistance You can run an initial search yourself at no cost, but these searches have limits. For example, the USPTO database won’t flag marks that are spelled differently but sound alike, or names with similar meanings. Attorneys and specialized search firms use tools that uncover those kinds of risks. While hiring a professional costs more upfront, it’s often far cheaper than litigation or a rebrand. Limitations A search doesn’t guarantee that your name will never be challenged. Trademark law involves judgment calls about how similar marks are and whether they overlap in goods or services. Still, a thorough search puts you in a much stronger position to defend your choice and move toward federal registration if you want nationwide rights.

It would be a good idea for you to have the agreement reviewed by an attorney. You said there's no explicit language regarding termination or notice - is there something implied? With no language regarding termination, most likely either party can terminate at any time, with just a moment's notice, and no reason given. You have asked a lot of questions - I suggest that you post a project here on Contracts Counsel, and ask for an attorney well versed in intellectual property (not me) to discuss your rights, as that is probably the most important issue. An attorney who can also review the language of the entire agreement would be very helpful. (I'm sorry, but I'm not available for this project).

Hello, I wanted to express my interest in helping you understand your trademark rights and the trademark transfer proposal you received. As brief background, I am a US-licensed trademark attorney and have helped clients in similar situations buy, sell, and otherwise transfer trademark rights through transfer agreements. I can also help you prepare and file a federal trademark registration to protect your unique brand name and logo throughout the US. I'd be glad to set up a brief call to learn more about your business and see how I can help. Thanks for your consideration. Best, Roman Vayner (c) 414.628.9099 (e) rvayner@vaynerlegal.com www.vaynerlegal.com VaynerLegal, LLC