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Hourly | Online |
Smart
Systematic approach Entirely online
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How to
book a trademark problem initial investigation.
A trademark opposition or cancellation is a serious business problem, a law suit in a lower federal court, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board - or - if you have no US Federal Trademark a claim of infringement can easily become a law suit in District Court. You should know that even if you abandon a Mark as a result of an infringement claim, you still may be held liable for the period of time the infringement occurred. Many are surprised to read the US Federal Law about civil action based on trademark infringement and to see how it potentially applies to their own situation. My procedures go to a depth and scope few attorneys have time for or even consider. From a business and trademark perspective, I help assess the risks and rewards, the benefits and the liabilities, the merit or lack of it, in a way attorneys often cannot. Recent
changes to TTAB Rules and Procedure require a pre-trial settlement
discussion. To start >> you book 1 Initial Review, and I spend the time setting up your account and creating an informal report so that I know just enough to begin to discuss this with you. I manage issues in two stages: The Initial Review, then, if all looks good in the Initial Review, I ask for your approval to book additional time at my current hourly rate to proceed, and we can proceed in blocks of 3, 5, 7, 9 or more hours per block. If we determine we need to proceed to an answer to an Opposition or Petition to Cancel, I shall then ask you to approve time by booking '1' here at the current minimum rate. If all does not look good in the Initial Review, I tell you and we stop right there. You may also take the Initial Review to attorneys and others so they quickly understand, and attorneys can show or share the Initial Review with their clients. Everything I do is always with your best interests in mind, fully explained in plain English, often layman's terms, and treated with the same concern as if the issues were my own. Of
greatest value to you is my 33+ years of
brand and
marketing experience, and being a researcher, writer, designer, and
close follower of business trends. This enables me to interpret findings
in unique ways, helping develop strategies others may overlook. The first step is to book the time for the Initial 3-hour Review below. ! Learn more about hourly billing methods and how this works after Initial Review >>
To start: > Book Time online just once
below, click "Add to Cart" , 'Checkout'.
You'll get two email receipts after checkout and so will I:
1.
Order
Confirmation
(when ordered - instantly)
2.
Your Order
Has Been Shipped
(when
booked - usually same day)
"Order
Shipped' means booked, a project number is assigned by email in the invoice. You book time, the invoice number places time you booked in my schedule, you created an account, and I have a project number from which I deduct time by the 1/4 hour. You get an instant email
confirmation and the Initial Review is scheduled.
After you book the Initial Review (below) the invoice receipt places your Initial
Review on my schedule, while instantly sending you and me a receipt as shown
above.
To book an Initial Review, click then "add to shopping cart" Change quantity to '2' if you've been told your case is complex or asked to enter a quantity other than '1'.
After preliminary questions (if necessary), I proceed with a specific method and process designed to confirm, verify, identify or discover issues related to the trademark problem. Sent as a PDF, the Initial Review is an investigative trademark problem report you can read, forward to others, and utilize throughout the entire process. The Initial Review covers the details, confirms, verifies, and provides insight into the Office Action, Opposition, Petition to Cancel or other trademark problem, and includes preliminary assessment from a trademark and business perspective. The Initial Review is required, and the first step to solving any trademark problem. Via email, I then send the Initial Review to you with my initial:
In Initial Review, you see how I studied your case, and how I understand it, plus I answer initial questions and clarify where possible - yet this is just the first step. Simple or complex, I need to know the facts, which is why we start this way. If you have gathered information or documents, you can get more from my time by putting events in chronological order, confirming dates and numbers and sending me an outline. Please be aware that the more I need to read, the more time it will take - yet the more pertinent information I am aware of, the better. If you are an attorney, the Initial Review is the best way to see and understand the issue more clearly yourself, and share and collaborate with others if necessary. If you are not a trademark attorney, the Initial Review shows you how I dissected your trademark problem, explains trademark concepts in layman's terms, helps you learn more about your trademark problem and possible solutions, and helps you analyze the problem from a trademark and business and marketing point of view.
Click to book an Initial Review now. I presume you've arrived at this page after reading my story.
3 . We determine how to proceed based on the findings.When the three-hour Initial Review is complete no time will remain and you will have the option to proceed at the current hourly rate as described here. <<< Please read. The next steps and costs, in very general terms... Everything involving trademark problems depends on the specific case, the nature of the adversary and the complaint, and many other unpredictable factors that often increase yet can decrease the time required. If for a trademark opposition or cancellation: A very general 'best guess' at potential costs after the Initial Review, the minimum time required for an answer to an Opposition or Petition to Cancel is 7 hours.. After the answer, the next steps involve a Discovery Conference along with Rule 26 Initial Disclosures, and for these you should expect the time to be about 15-20 hours. If your problem relates to an Office Action or other trademark problem, you should expect at least a need for 10 hours of my time in addition to the Initial Review. In all matters I proceed in blocks of 3, 5, 7 or 9 hours per block as described here. My services often augment yet are not intended as a substitute for advice from a knowledgeable and qualified trademark attorney licensed to practice trademark law. If you wish to discuss first... Understanding I will know little about your case, and therefore not recommended, you may click your choice below to book a half-hour or one hour phone consultation. I will contact you shortly after I see the time booked. Book 1/2 hour Book 1 hour Book Opposition Initial Review (recommended)
Clients and attorneys are saying great things and great things have been happening... "I ran this by a trademark attorney who agreed with your assessments. He said you seem to have a good grasp of these matters ;)" "I think we make a good team... seeing things from different angles helps a lot." "Your Opposition is brilliant. I appreciate the whole thought process, the way you grasped the problem, and how you distilled the allegations to the simple truthful essence. I feel very confident in filing it, and thank you so much." "They commence with a well funded very vicious attack - but 'how the mighty have fallen'. Like you once said: 'They started it' but we certainly finished it 'big time'. Thanks very much indeed for your incredible insights, vigilance and assistance." "Really, really impressive work. Thanks so much for
this." "I want to thank you for your expertise, your patience, your understanding, your responsiveness, and that I was able to successfully prevail."
"You
definitely know your stuff. Glad I found you!"
Rob Cummings, Trademark Consultant - Not an Attorney, a trademark and business problem solver. More about the Initial Review: Rarely the answer, Initial Review is the first step to the answer. I help win cases and overcome trademark problems with investigation and information I gain from a process that begins with the Initial Review. The Initial Review document often must be updated and supplemented with other facts we use now and/or later found after the first 3 hours spent. I start with 3 hours to keep your costs down (in the event I see no hope) and to familiarize myself with the case. My success has been based on indisputable facts and 'merit' rather than case law. My method and approach combine a number of disciplines including business law, marketing, branding, and of course, trademark concepts. The first thing I do in the Initial Review is confirm the facts of the case, and learn a bit more, though it takes more than 3 hours (typically) to get a handle on these matters and then determine what to do. As we proceed, you purchase blocks of time explained here to cover the time we talk by phone and/or email, for my continued review of certain documents - and for the time it takes me to read, review, investigate, help write and assess various letters, actions, motions, agreements and other documents for you - and explain these to you. I feel
it's necessary for you to understand why I recommend certain courses of action,
though absolutely impossible for me to explain all at once. The Initial Review documents your case, and in the event we need to turn to an attorney, or if you are an attorney, the Initial Review makes the case quick to understand. Since the work requires so much reading and detail, we work nearly entirely via email. Not an Attorney, I've found my approach, methodology, business experience, tenacity, and true desire to win, helps overcome trademark problems. My initial effort often results in discoveries seasoned Attorneys overlook, and has resulted in successful outcomes. Most trademark cases are more complex than they first appear. I do my best to get to a good resolution as quickly as possible. Even so, many still take years. I have found that many do not properly understand the relationship between the legal and the business aspects of trademark problems, manly because they never were involved. Therefore I bring a unique perspective to any trademark problem, and often surprise attorneys with the way that I help identify and avoid problems, and interpret things. I work with Attorneys and non-Attorneys, in the background, helping people make informed and thoughtful decisions that they execute at each required step - based on my writing, investigations, and recommendations. Without retainer or contract, you purchase blocks of time as needed and when needed. General fees are shown here for guidance. These blocks can be in 3, 5, 7 or 10 hour increments in most cases. If you have any questions about my approach or abilities, please see: If you landed on this page without letting me know your trademark problem, use this contact form. A link at the bottom will send you back to this page. If you wish to discuss your issues before initial review by phone or email, please buy a minimum of '1' here. My services often augment yet are not intended as a substitute for advice from a knowledgeable lawyer licensed to practice trademark law, however, my life experience helps whether or not you have an attorney at the outset or later or are an attorney. Contact me if you have any questions or concerns at any time. Thanks very much,
/rob
cummings/
Hourly | Online | Buy time as needed
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