Branding software falls into two categories: protection and management of established trademarks, and research software for trademark application. Security software deals with legal issues such as brand protection and licensing, while search software accesses trademark information for filing a lawful trademark. Trademark protection software manages legal documentation of existing trademarks, and research software assists in gathering information for trademark applications. Some software is designed for individuals pursuing trademark protection, while others are for IP professionals.
The types of branding software generally fall into two categories. Programs that protect and manage established trademarks and research software designed to aid in trademark application. Security software deals with legal issues such as brand protection and brand licensing to third parties. Search software is designed to access trademark information to enable an applicant to do the searches necessary to file an acceptable and lawful trademark. Search and protection software is often marketed for intellectual property (IP) professionals, but some programs are designed for individuals who want to pursue and protect a trademark on their own.
Trademark protection and management software takes care of the management and legal documentation of existing trademarks. IP professionals such as lawyers and agents use this type of software to protect their clients. This may involve contractual disputes, assignments of trademark rights and licensing agreements with third parties.
Some of the features of the security software are the automatic calculation of legal deadlines for submitting applications or protective lawsuits. Many programs can automatically assign a lawsuit to the appropriate IP attorney within the firm. They also provide legal updates for trademark law and new court decisions.
Other tools of some trademark protection software are paperless and interactive offices. All customer documents are stored individually in a central electronic location in electronic files. Both the client and the attorney or agent can access these files online. A client can have read-only access to legal documents and the status of any pending lawsuits.
The research involved in preparing a trademark application can take months. Trademark research software primarily assists IP professionals in gathering all the information necessary to ensure that a client’s planned trademark does not infringe or attract objections from another trademark owner.
Search software features include searches of US Patent and Trademark Office databases and archives. In other countries, the software will be adapted to search the database of the corresponding trademark authority. Searches look for abandoned, pending, or registered trademarks. The software performs searches in the “intuitive” interface to find any brands with a high similarity to the brand desired by the customer.
Some research software is tailored for people who want to pursue a proprietary branding application without hiring professional IP services. They are often accompanied by video tutorials on the USPTO application process. Some programs offer follow-up protection such as monitoring a successful application for a breach. This protection includes ensuring that profits are not diverted to similar but not infringing brands.
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