You’ve been building your business under a name you love, and then suddenly someone tells you they trademarked it first. Maybe you’ve received a cease and desist letter. Maybe you’re just trying to figure out whether someone else actually has rights to the name you’re using.

So what do you do?

In this episode, I’m breaking down what it really means when someone trademarked your business name before you did and why the answer isn’t always as simple as who has a registration. I’ll explain how trademark rights actually work, why use in commerce matters, and why having a big social media presence doesn’t necessarily mean you have stronger trademark rights.

I’ll also walk you through the three paths that may be available if you receive a trademark cease and desist letter: fighting for your rights, exploring a concurrent use agreement, or deciding that rebranding is the better path forward. And if you’re not dealing with a problem yet, I’ll explain how a full clearance search can help you avoid trademark infringement issues before you invest heavily in your brand.

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