Wondering whether you're using a trademark that could be protected by a federal registration? See the categories of marks recognized by the United States Patent and Trademark Office as well as a list of some to avoid, plus examples.

Social media is a great way to build your brand, connect with customers, and share your message. But social media sites can be a free-for-all for your business’s intellectual property (e.g., trademarks and copyrighted materials), if you’re not careful.

Picking a name for your business is often the first thing small business owners tackle. But despite their efforts to be different, clever, and expressive, we’ve seen some avoidable missteps.