In this episode of Your Intellectual Property Matters, Attorney Renee Duff, Managing Partner of the Trademark Practice at Nolte Lackenbach Siegel, shares expert insights on how businesses can avoid costly trademark mistakes. Drawing from decades of experience protecting brands for startups and Fortune 100 companies alike, Renee explains what every entrepreneur should know before filing a trademark — from understanding availability and distinctiveness to the importance of clearance searches and filing in the correct class.

She also discusses the value of professional guidance, the risks of “DIY” applications, and the real consequences businesses face when they overlook proper trademark strategy.

Whether you’re naming a new venture or managing a growing brand, this episode offers essential legal and practical advice to help you protect your most valuable business asset — your identity.

00:30 – Renee shares how her creative background led her into trademark law. 02:30 – The biggest mistake people make when filing trademarks. 04:30 – How to check if your brand name is legally available. 07:00 – What “dead” trademarks really mean and why they can still cause issues. 09:30 – Common filing errors and how to choose the right class. 11:30 – Why clearance searches are essential before filing. 13:30 – The truth about domain names versus trademark rights. 15:00 – When to file and how “intent-to-use” applications work. 17:30 – A real story showing how skipping research led to a forced rebrand.

Your Intellectual Property Matters helps businesses understand how to safeguard their innovations, brands, and creative work. Each episode breaks down complex IP topics into clear, practical guidance for companies of all sizes.