Ok, I admit it, I should have done this years ago - five years to be specific. I've just now begun the process of registering my logo with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. It's something that I usually suggest to my clients. So why didn't I practice what I preach?

There are several reasons - time and ignorance of the process being the two biggest. So when I recently met Cliff Hyra of Hyra Intellectual Property Law Office, I felt like I had stumbled onto a gold mine. Cliff is the only lawyer I've ever met  personally, who specializes in Intellectual Property AND has set affordable flat rates!

Another reason is that I just didn't think anyone would rip off my logo. However, about two years ago, one of my small business clients was served a Cease and Desist Order from a very large company, claiming that her logo was too similar to their logo. The fear of a lawsuit with this large company with deep pockets prompted her to contact me to revise her logo immediately.

I've also been running into a lot of people with the initials MW. And they love my logo! That's good but it also makes me nervous. I'm not a big company, but I do need to protect my IP. And so do you.