Legal protection should be one of your first steps in protecting your creations, whether you’re building something new, launching a product, or creating a brand that you want the world to recognize. And one of the most common questions I hear from business owners is this: do I need a patent, a trademark, or both?
A patent protects inventions. That could mean a new machine, a unique process, a chemical formula, or even a new plant species. If you’ve created something that’s never been done before and it has real commercial potential, a patent can give you the exclusive right to make, use, or license that invention for 20 years.
Patents are granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, but they’re not automatic. Your invention must be truly novel and non-obvious. That’s where we come in. At our firm, we help determine whether your invention is patentable, conduct prior art searches, assist in prototype development, and prepare strong patent applications designed to pass scrutiny and avoid unnecessary delays.
If you’re developing a product or technology that could have value now or in the future, you should be thinking about a patent before someone else beats you to it.
Trademarks are all about your brand. They protect names, logos, taglines, symbols, and anything else that helps people recognize your business in the marketplace. While a patent covers how something works, a trademark protects how it’s seen and remembered.
Think of your trademark as the legal shield for your reputation. Whether you’re selling a product, offering a service, or building a national brand, that identity is what sets you apart. We help businesses register their trademarks at the state, federal, and international levels. And if someone tries to use something confusingly similar, we step in with cease and desist letters, legal filings, or representation before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
If you’ve invented something new—a product, a process, or a formula—you’re likely in need of a patent. If you’re building a brand around that invention, including a name or logo, you’ll want a trademark as well.
For many businesses, both are essential for proper legal protection. One protects what you’ve created, the other protects how you present it to the world.
At The Lomnitzer Law Firm, we don’t treat intellectual property as a side offering. This is our focus. We’ve worked with startups filing their first applications, supported growing businesses with global trademark strategy, and handled complex IP litigation in courts across the country.
If you’re not sure what kind of protection your business needs, or you’ve been putting it off, now is the time to act. A short consultation can help you understand your rights, prioritize what needs to be protected, and create a plan that fits your goals.
