Legal Matters

Legal Matters

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Exports

If you want to send it outside of the country, you have to deal with this.

• Export Licenses / Bureau of Industry and Security, U.S Department of Commerce
  • Export Licensing
    • Export Control Basics
  • Export Administration Regulation Database We love databases.
    • Did you know that straight-jackets are in the same export class as nuclear munitions? That seems a little surprising.
• Export Forms / United States Postal Service
  • Form 2976, 2976-A USPS Customs Forms you will come to know and love.
  • Countries and Localities USPS Index of regulations pertaining to import rules by country.
  • 123.6 Required Usage; 123.61 Conditions; Exhibit 123.61 Customs Declaration Form Usage by Mail Category.
  • First Class Mail International Physical Standards
  • AddressDoctor Postal Code Lookup Look up postal codes for anywhere in the world! Yow!

Trademarks

Although it is not required to register a trademark with the Federal government, it is advantageous to do so. However, the application is expensive, lengthy, and complex. It is a good thing that registration is not required, or the registration process would be a significant barrier to business in the U.S., as the USPTO estimates the average application will pend for a minimum of 1 year, and may pend for several years.

Trademarks protect the name or image associated with a product, and may include the fashion that the words or images are presented (or not.) There are numerous laws, regulations, rules, and procedures to follow if you want to register your trademark. It is possible to manage the flow of your trademark application yourself, but it certainly a daunting prospect. Some attorneys specialize in trademark law; it may be very advisable to consult one to manage your application.

• United States Patent and Trademark Office
• United States Patent and Trademark Office - Trademark Home
  • US Trademark Basics
  • Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS)
  • Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) A trademark application is a public legal proceeding. You have been warned.

Patents

Patents protect the right to a unique new invention. The laws, rules, and regulations concerning patents are perhaps even more complex than those of trademarks. Again, a patent application is expensive, lengthy, and complex. Patent applications typically pend for significant periods of time, frequently multiple years. The advise of an attorney is strongly advised.

• United States Patent and Trademark Office
• United States Patent and Trademark Office - Patent Home
  • Patent Basics - Guidance, Tools, & Manuals
  • Search patents
  • File patent application online A patent application is a public legal proceeding. You have been warned.