Legal Resources & Knowledge Hub

Buckle up - this isn't a quick process. In Canada, you're looking at anywhere from 2-5 years on average, sometimes longer if things get complicated. The USPTO in the States? Similar timeline. There's ways to speed it up with expedited examination, but that costs extra and you need to meet certain criteria. The key is getting your application right the first time. A solid provisional application buys you time to refine things, and a well-prepared non-provisional application means fewer back-and-forths with examiners. We can't make the patent office work faster, but we can make sure your application doesn't get stuck in unnecessary loops.

You're not alone - this trips up a lot of folks. Here's the quick version: trademarks protect your brand identity - your logo, business name, slogans, stuff that identifies you in the marketplace. Copyright protects creative works - books, music, software code, artwork, that kind of thing. Patents protect inventions and processes. So if you've got a killer app, the code might be copyrighted, the unique algorithm could be patented, and your app name and logo would be trademarked. They work together but protect different aspects of your business. And yeah, you can absolutely have all three protecting different parts of the same product.

First thing we do is figure out if you've got a registered trademark or just a business name registration. There's a big difference in terms of protection. If you've got the trademark, you're in a stronger position. We'll usually start with a cease and desist letter - sometimes that's enough to make the problem go away. If they push back, we look at whether there's actual confusion in the marketplace, if they're in the same industry, geographic overlap, all that stuff. Worst case, we're headed to court, but honestly? Most of these get resolved before it comes to that. The key is acting quickly - the longer you wait, the harder it gets to claim your rights.

Don't panic, but definitely don't ignore it either. We've seen both extremes and neither's helpful. First, don't respond right away - anything you say can and will be used in court if things escalate. Get the letter to us (or another lawyer) immediately. We'll analyze whether their claims have merit or if they're just trying to bully you. Sometimes these letters are legit and you need to make changes. Other times they're completely baseless and we can tell them to take a hike (in more professional language, obviously). The important thing is getting proper legal advice before you do anything. We've seen people accidentally admit to things or make promises they can't keep because they responded without thinking it through.

Ah, the million dollar question - sometimes literally. Look, I won't sugarcoat it: litigation's expensive. Simple disputes that settle quickly might run you $10,000-$30,000. Complex cases that go to trial? You're looking at six figures easily, sometimes way more. That's why we always explore settlement options first and keep you updated on costs as things progress. We're transparent about billing - you'll know what you're spending and why. Sometimes litigation's unavoidable and worth it. Other times, swallowing your pride and settling for less than you wanted is the smarter business move. We'll give you our honest take on what makes sense financially, not just legally.