Blog
How Much Does a Trademark Cost? (2026 Breakdown)
If you're wondering how much does a trademark cost, you're asking the right question at the right time. You've got a brand name you believe in, and...
Provisional Patents: A Smart Move for New Inventors? Pros, Cons, and When To Use Them
If you've built something new and you're thinking about patent protection, one of the first questions that comes up is whether to file a provisional...
What is Patentable?
If you’ve built something new, whether it’s a product, a tool, or a process, you’ve probably wondered whether you can patent it....
Legal Traps for Businesses: 5 Mistakes to Avoid
Starting a business takes a lot of energy, and most of that energy goes toward building a product, finding customers, and making money. The legal...
Changing the Legal Structure of Your Business
The business structure you chose when you started your company may not be the right one for where your business is today. As your revenue grows,...
Registered Agents: More Than Just a Requirement
If you’ve formed an LLC or corporation, you were required to designate a registered agent. Most business owners treat this as a checkbox on...
Annual Filing Requirements for LLCs in U.S.
Starting an LLC is a relatively straightforward process, but keeping it in good standing takes ongoing attention. Every state has its own set of...
Where Should You Form Your Business?
One of the first decisions you will make when starting a business is where to form it. Delaware, Wyoming, and Nevada get a lot of attention for being business-friendly, but forming out of state is not the right move for every company. Here is what to consider before you decide.
Should You Add Your Spouse to Your LLC as a Co-Owner?
Plenty of small business owners wonder whether it makes sense to add their spouse as a co-owner (member) of their LLC. Maybe you're starting a...
What Contracts Do You Need in Place For Startups?
Starting a business is exciting, and it’s easy to focus all your energy on the product, the customers, and the revenue. But one of the most...
Is Your LLC Doing What it Should Be Doing?
Forming an LLC is one of the best decisions a small business owner can make. The limited liability structure protects your personal assets from...
Should You Register Your Business Right Away or Handle that Later?
When you have a great business idea and the market feels right, it's tempting to skip the paperwork and start selling. But at some point, you need...
Trademark Specimen Refusal: Why it Happens and What to Do?
If you're applying for a trademark, one of the requirements that catches people off guard is the specimen. The USPTO requires you to submit a...
Is Your Trademark Too Close? Understanding “Likelihood of Confusion”
There can be many reasons why the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) might reject your trademark application. One of the most common is...
4 Common Problems When Applying for Trademarks
Applying for a trademark with the USPTO is one of the smartest moves you can make for your business. But the application process isn't always...
4 Major Types of Intellectual Property
If you're building a business, one of the smartest things you can do early on is understand how intellectual property (IP) protection works. IP is...
A Guide to Successful Trademark Searches
Before you invest time and money into building a brand around a specific name or logo, you need to know whether it's actually available. That's what...
Brand vs. Trademark: What’s the Difference?
People use "brand" and "trademark" interchangeably all the time, but they're not the same thing. Understanding the difference matters because it...
Our Services
You Create,
We Protect
Lockhart IP provides legal counsel to entrepreneurs and creatives looking to build strong brands and protect their ideas and creative works.
Get Started Guide
Latest news
How Much Does a Trademark Cost? (2026 Breakdown)
If you're wondering how much does a trademark cost, you're asking the right question at the right time. You've got a brand name you believe in, and you're ready to protect it. But before you file anything, you want to know what this is actually going to cost. That's a...
Provisional Patents: A Smart Move for New Inventors? Pros, Cons, and When To Use Them
If you've built something new and you're thinking about patent protection, one of the first questions that comes up is whether to file a provisional patent application (PPA). It's a common starting point for inventors, and for good reason. But it's not the right move...