Business Progress Report:
Today I submitted my Initial Application Form for registering
the trademark of my company name.
Upon some extremely kind legal advice from a Trademark and
Patent lawyer friend of mine, I filed with the “Intent to Use,” which means
that I can reserve the trademark until I am able to register it by proving that
I have used it in a business transaction.
The fee was $325, and I have to wait approximately 90 days
(I am not sure how much leeway the US Patent and Trademark Office is giving
itself, but I’m going to go ahead and assume it will be closer to 120 days) for
the examining attorney to even look at it. So, I will be proceeding as planned,
and wait until I get final approval from the USPTO to affix labels and tags to
all of my bags.
Essentially, the office has to determine if my product will
not cause confusion with any other trademarks of the same or similar names
(Scotty Fishing Supplies, for example). If they determine that a handbag
company won’t be likely confused with fishing gear or golf apparel, then
hopefully they will let me register the trademark, and it can be mine to use on
handbags to my heart’s content.
So, now, the waiting game begins for the trademark paperwork
to be processed. But in the
meantime, I’ll be making progress on the design and manufacturing processes
that I’m so excited about.
