» Kathryn R Spray - Attorney

The information you submit to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) during the trademark registration process is public record and will eventually become accessible to anyone who seeks it out. This can include your contact information… Read More

On January 1, 2020, the “Workplace Transparency Act” will take effect in Illinois. The Act is a sweeping piece of legislation designed to protect victims of harassment and discrimination in the workplace. It applies to nearly every employer in Il… Read More

While most people realize that they need to file trademark maintenance documents after the fifth year of registration, many fail to take advantage of the opportunity at that time to gain heightened protection for their mark by having the mark acknowl… Read More

Registration of a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office is the best and preferred method of trademark protection because it grants nationwide, prioritized ownership rights. But the costs associated with the application process… Read More

I was talking with my husband the other day about health care when a friend who overheard us asked me, “Is Obamacare still a thing?” There is a lot of misinformation out there about the status of Obamacare, what parts of the Act still apply, and… Read More

“Descriptiveness” is one of the most often cited reasons for refusal of a trademark application. A trademark must identify the source of the product, rather than just describe it, in order to be registered with the United States Patent and Tradem… Read More

Michigan is one of only a handful of states in the U.S. that do not limit legislative session days after the November election, a situation which lends itself to biennial lame-duck shenanigans. In the final days of 2018, our 99th legislature garnered… Read More

Waivers and releases are a part of everyday life. Whether you are looking for weekend fun, travel plans, lessons for kids, or other such adventures, you’ll probably be asked to sign a waiver or release form in order to get started. Every business w… Read More