Trademark Specimens: What the USPTO Accepts and Rejects
By Twin Cities Trademarks | Patent & Trademark Law | Minneapolis, St. Paul, Twin Cities, Minnesota Updated September 2026 _________________________________ Introduction A trademark specimen is more than a formality. It is the real-world proof the USPTO uses to confirm that your mark is actually being used in U.S. commerce to identify the source of your […]
A Guide to Word Trademark Renewals for Minnesota Businesses
By Twin Cities Trademarks | Patent & Trademark Law | Minneapolis, St. Paul, Twin Cities, Minnesota Updated September 2026 _________________________________ Table of Contents 1. What Trademark Renewals Are 2. Why Renewals Matter 3. Renewal Deadlines & Requirements 4. Minnesota‑Based Examples 5. Frequently Asked Questions 6. Conclusion _______________________________ Introduction A registered trademark can be one of […]
Understanding the Section 1(b) Intent-to-Use Trademark Timeline
By Twin Cities Trademarks | Patent & Trademark Law | Minneapolis, St. Paul, Twin Cities, Minnesota Updated September 2026 ________________________ Introduction A Section 1(b) Intent-to-Use trademark application is a useful option for business owners who have chosen a brand name, logo, slogan, or other trademark but have not yet started using it in commerce. It […]
Drafting Broad but Compliant Goods and Services Descriptions for Section 1(b) Intent-to-Use Trademark Applications
By Twin Cities Trademarks | Patent & Trademark Law | Minneapolis, St. Paul, Twin Cities, Minnesota Updated September 2026 _____________________________ Direct Answer: Filing a Section 1(b) Intent-to-Use application gives brand owners a valuable opportunity to reserve trademark rights before a product or service has fully launched. But the description of goods and services has to […]
What Is a Common-Law Trademark Search?
By Twin Cities Trademarks | Patent & Trademark Law | Coon Rapids, MN | Updated September 2026 Direct Answer: A strong brand name can feel like the perfect foundation for a new business, but before investing in logos, packaging, websites, or marketing, it is important to know whether someone else is already using something similar. […]
Comprehensive Trademark Clearance Checklist
By Twin Cities Trademarks | Patent & Trademark Law | Coon Rapids, MN | Updated September 2026 In this blog post, we’ll walk through the key phases of trademark clearance, from evaluating the mark and preparing the filing strategy to searching federal, state, and common law sources. While every brand situation is unique, the following […]
A Comprehensive Word Trademark Search for Minnesota Businesses
By Twin Cities Trademarks | Patent & Trademark Law | Coon Rapids, MN | Updated September 2026 Direct Answer: Choosing a brand name is one of the most important early decisions a business owner can make. For Minnesota entrepreneurs, especially those building companies in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Coon Rapids, Duluth, and the surrounding Twin Cities […]
What Is a Trademark Office Action? A Minnesota Business Owner’s Guide
By Twin Cities Trademarks | Patent & Trademark Law | Coon Rapids, MN | Updated September 2026 Direct Answer: A word trademark office action is an official letter from the USPTO explaining issues with your trademark application that must be fixed before your mark can move forward. Office actions can be simple (minor corrections) or […]
Detailed Explanation of What are Trademarks
By Twin Cities Trademarks | Patent & Trademark Law | Coon Rapids, MN | Updated September 2026 Direct Answer: Building a recognizable brand is one of the most important steps a business can take, but many business owners do not realize that a name, logo, slogan, or design may need legal protection before it becomes […]
Minnesota Trademark Law-related News & Resources
Minnesota trademark law is a set of state rules governing how businesses protect brand names, logos, and symbols used to identify their goods or services within Minnesota. CLICK TO DETERMINE IF YOUR TRADEMARK MAY BE REGISTERABLE CLICK HERE TO PERFORM YOUR OWN TRADEMARK SEARCH CLICK HERE TO PERFORM YOUR OWN STATE TRADEMARK SEARCH ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ARTICLES […]