We are starting a running company and want to make sure our name won't infringe on any Trademark names that already exist. .

This is a fact based analysis that would require a review of the trademark office records, among other things, by an attorney. There are many...

Can I trademark the same name if the goods are different?

I agree with most of the answers given so far, but if you are attached to your trademark, you might want to do some additional investigating. Not...

Would I be guilty of trademark infringement if I purchased some sunglasses, made some alterations, then sold them as a new item

If you are going to resell the sunglasses under the original trademark/brand, this would likely constitute a violation of the original seller's...

Would it be safe to use classic Disney princess names for a one-time fundraising event?

As mentioned already, there are potential legal issues associated with using the Disney characters. I'm not sure how aggressive Disney is in...

If I call my fitness facility Cross Fitness, am I infringing on CrossFit

If you chose the name Cross Fitness because you want to draw an association with CrossFit in the minds of consumers, that could be problematic. If...

What is the proper process to challenge someone's trademark while still in the application stage?

You might want to start with having an attorney put together an appropriate cease and desist letter. An attorney might be able to open a dialogue...

You may not necessarily need a formal license agreement. A simple written permission (via email) might be enough, depending on the nature of your...

My business name uses the same common words as another company with an extra identifying word. Am I in danger of infringing?

Even common words can be protected as a trademark if the words have acquired distinctiveness in the marketplace. An infringement analysis is fact...

Trademark question

I agree about the potential for consumer confusion. Another option might be to use generic terms to identify the flavors, e.g., lemon lime or...

Can a trademark granted by a state be used nationally?

Once you have consulted with an attorney regarding availability, you may want to look into federal registration. I find that state level...