State or Federal Trademark Protection?

As a business owner, you can protect your valuable trademarks (words or symbols that identify the source of your products or services) either under state or federal law.  A state trademark registration will only protect your business within the state and, therefore, if a business adopts and uses a similar trademark to sell similar products or services elsewhere in the United States, you will not likely have a claim for infringement outside of your state.  On the other hand, a federal registration will provide protection in all 50 states and the territories of the United States, even if your business does not operate in locations outside your area.  One of the requirements for federal protection is that your business must sell its goods or services to customers in "interstate commerce" across state lines. If you wish learn more about filing a state or federal (or international) trademark application, please contact me.