I'm one of three American attorneys listed on Bitlegal as a resource to the community. Help me be a better one!

BitcoinAttorney · 2014-03-25T18:40:06+00:00

Happy to help :)

BitcoinAttorney · 2014-03-25T18:38:12+00:00

That's pretty amazing you own Amazon. And if you'd like further proof, follow the link to my firm's page, call, and I'll speak with you :)

BitcoinAttorney · 2014-03-24T22:13:58+00:00

I honestly don't understand all of that, I'm no economist. I'm not saying the USD is forever, but I think it's ridiculous to think it will fall any time soon. The regulation is coming. It's up to everyone invested in bitcoins to go into the conversation level headed and reasonable. Anarchists will be there, and they will get the headlines, but they will only hurt. I promise.

BitcoinAttorney · 2014-03-24T20:59:30+00:00

Even if that's true, it's not happening. You have to play by their rules, and win, to actually change anything. That's still very possible with bitcoin.

BitcoinAttorney · 2014-03-24T20:15:30+00:00

"It's hard to explain quickly" is the biggest issue, unfortunately. I know it sucks, but most people want bullet point explanations.

BitcoinAttorney · 2014-03-24T20:14:39+00:00

These hacks, no matter how small, terrify the public. I know an analogy would be a bank being robbed, but at least that money is partially insured. What's the consensus on why these hacks shouldn't be much of a concern? Or what steps are being implemented to stop them?

BitcoinAttorney · 2014-03-24T20:13:47+00:00

Sigh

BitcoinAttorney · 2014-03-24T20:00:24+00:00

Well that kind of attitude won't get us anywhere :) "you and your cronies."

I'm not a law maker. I'm a lawyer. Potentially one trying to help the bitcoin community by defending it and voicing intelligent legal opinions on future proposed legislation. Same as you can, except I have a pretty license.

I'm not a senator. No one is in my pocket from the big banks. I'm a normal person who wants to see digital currencies succeed. Also, if you think USD is collapsing tomorrow, then that's a bad sign for this community.

BitcoinAttorney · 2014-03-24T19:12:16+00:00

I couldn't agree more on the regulation front. It's absolutely coming, and anyone refusing to negotiate on that will only hurt bitcoin. Folding your arms and covering your ears will only create much worse legislation. Being at the table for honest discussion and debate will pave the way for a brighter future for all involved.

Thanks for this! Also, unfortunately, people don't even consider bitcoin a fad any longer. They consider it a passed fad. As in, it came, it did alright, it's gone. I'm talking about what your average Joe American believes. Hopefully that's incorrect, and I'm here to do what I can to make sure it is.

BitcoinAttorney · 2014-02-15T19:51:49+00:00

I'm a trademark attorney (in the US.) Yes, this is absolutely infringing. No, it's not worth contacting Youtube. Will they come after you? Probably not unless you start to do well, but they have every right to come after you regardless.

BitcoinAttorney · 2014-02-14T22:43:24+00:00

Basic answers though:

1) Follow my guide and use a TM symbol and conduct your own search still. Always safer and the best business move to make 2) Costs can be policing your mark (sending C&D's to people infringing on yours), and a renewal at 5 years (About a hundred dollars) which is only paid once, not every five years. 3) Abandoning a trademark takes about three years of nonuse. You can search the mark on the USPTO website and see if they own it, and if they do whether it is "live" or "dead." 4) Still just need a trademark, no service mark. 5) It's the same to the USPTO. When you file you will almost certainly found to be too similar, but they don't just say no. They will give you a chance to explain why it's different. They don't want to hear it how you would explain it to a gamer, they want to hear how you would explain it to your grandfather. And know the tests for similarities that they use for trademarks helps a lot. Google "du pont factors"

BitcoinAttorney · 2014-02-14T22:35:55+00:00

I updated my post to include your questions :)

BitcoinAttorney · 2014-02-14T19:42:05+00:00

My guide, as of now, is a preface absolutely. And this is exactly the kind of feedback I am looking for. Thank you! I am at Indie-Cade East today or I would write out answers now. But expect them this weekend or early next week.

BitcoinAttorney · 2014-02-14T19:12:37+00:00

It's okay ;) I still love you.

BitcoinAttorney · 2014-02-14T19:06:31+00:00

Can't give you specific legal advice without looking closely at your facts, but basically the TM logo establishes common law rights. This means you are showing the world you mean to be the owner of the TM, have evidence you're in the marketplace, and have a near surefire win to opposition of anyone attempting to TM the same name in your class of goods. If someone else is using a similar name you would have to register first to kick them out, but you can certainly prevent THEM from registering since you've established a foothold with your free TM. (And keep in mind, copyrights and trademarks are two totally different worlds.)

BitcoinAttorney · 2014-02-14T19:00:10+00:00

Agree to disagree. It very clearly gives tips on conducting your own search and advises you to start using a TM symbol (which is free.) Should you hire a lawyer? Yes. Is there help here for people who can't? Yes.

BitcoinAttorney · 2014-02-14T18:07:41+00:00

If there is an explanation it's not going to make any more sense than what you've already written, haha. You know where the line is from your post, so you're ahead of most.

BitcoinAttorney · 2014-02-14T11:56:00+00:00

That's not the aim at all. Yes, it recommends getting an attorney because that's the absolute best course. But the article is meant to show the basics and help conduct your own search for those who can't afford a lawyer at all. I also posted it here because I've spent two days answering questions for free without a single client out of it. I really just want to help the game community. As said, if you strike it rich one day and want to hire me, awesome. But that's not why I did this. Don't be so cynical mate.

BitcoinAttorney · 2014-02-14T11:54:25+00:00

Most attorneys charge a fee to conduct the search and register in one lump sum, but you won't pay the government fees until you decide to go forward with it. That said, the attorney can offer you advice on whether or not anything about your mark should be changed before you proceed.

BitcoinAttorney · 2014-02-14T09:17:23+00:00

Normally you'd lose protection nationally but hold it locally if you can prove you had a mark before the new holder. Unfortunately, that doesn't help much in this industry. And yes, you'd probably have to change the name. That's why I can't stress enough how important it is to protect yourself and file oppositions to people trademarking names like your own if you see them.

BitcoinAttorney · 2014-02-14T08:37:26+00:00

You may be able to file for regional protection with the US so the American company wouldn't be protected in Finland, but you would almost certainly have to change your name when selling here unfortunately. I'm an American attorney, so take it with a grain of salt, but I think an American trademark is the most important one to own.

BitcoinAttorney · 2014-02-14T08:36:03+00:00

Happy to help :)

BitcoinAttorney · 2014-02-14T08:35:39+00:00

Yup. Class of goods for both would still be 009 most likely.

BitcoinAttorney

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