Trademarks, explained plainly
Practical information about trademarks and brand protection that you can actually use. No jargon, no scare tactics, and nothing that requires a law degree to understand.
One email a month, and it’s actually useful.
Browse by what you’re trying to figure out
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I Registered My Business Name With the State. Do I Still Need a Trademark?
Your state accepted your LLC name. That does not mean the name is clear to use as a brand, or that it is protected as a trademark. Here is the difference.
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Can I Stop Someone From Using My Business Name?
Another business is using your name. Can you make it stop? The answer may depend on whether you have a federal trademark registration, common-law trademark rights, or enforceable trademark rights in the name at all.
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Why Pay a Trademark Attorney When an Online Trademark Company Can File the Application?
An online company can file the form for less. The real question is what you are paying someone to do — and what happens before and after the application is submitted.
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Name or logo first? How to decide what to trademark
Your name and your logo may both matter. Understand the protection each offers and the factors that can help you decide which to register first.
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What an Office Action Actually Is
Received a USPTO Office Action? Learn what it means, common reasons for refusals, response deadlines, and when to seek help.
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What a Trademark Search Actually Tells You
A comprehensive trademark search goes beyond identical names and the USPTO database. Learn what the results—and the legal analysis—can tell you.
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Before You Fall in Love With That Business Name
An available business name does not necessarily mean you have the legal right to use it. Understand trademark conflicts before investing in your brand.
Articles are general information about trademark law, not legal advice, and reading one does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Dinah Rainey
Dinah Rainey is the founder of Dinah Rainey Law, LLC, and an attorney with more than 30 years of legal experience. She is a retired U.S. Army officer and business owner several times over. Her practice focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs and small businesses protect their brands through federal trademark registration.
More About DinahLet’s Talk About Your Trademark Needs
Schedule a free consultation to tell me a little about your business and what you’re looking to protect. I’ll explain how I work with clients, the trademark services I offer, and how I may be able to help. It’s also an opportunity for us to get to know each other and see if we’re a good fit.