Thread: From asset creation to asset protection

As my company is in its infancy, I'm finding myself scrambling to establish trade/service mark rights, lock down domains, and register logos, copyrights and other IP rights associated with my business. Web domains, provided that the ones that fit our brands are not taken, are the easiest part, I believe. I am beginning to spend some quality time on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website and going through the motions of educating myself, applying & paying for IP rights, and waiting for the process to run its course. What am I to do to protect my company brand in the meantime even before there is "patent pending" so to speak?

I know I can lock up the necessary domain name(s) that I need. Though, I will also need to protect my web presence as immediately as possible as well. My brand will require a service mark but the company will also be selling merchandise as an auxiliary part of the business.

Embarking on these kinds of great journeys can be exquisitely inspiring. Initial anxiety is a great part in that. I want to make the right moves right now that will save me millions (possibly billions) of dollars down the road.
Perhaps I should throw up my hands, save some time, and find a way to hire an IP attorney.


Anxiety or not, life is about to get REALLY good.

I am no expert on IP but I would certainly recommend at least talking with an IP attorney. You may be able to gain some very valuable insight and often the first meeting with an attorney is free.

Also, be careful searching the availability of domain names. There have been articles recently about some big name domain registrars that will buy an unregistered domain name that you have searched for on their website for the purpose of selling it to you at an inflated price.