How Long Does Copyright Last?

WHO CAN BE SUED FOR TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT?

Anyone who participates or aids in the infringement can be joined in a law suit. Most "infringers" do not intentionally decide to use a mark that infringed on the mark of another. Rather, they do not take the time to do a search to see if there is anyone else out there who could claim that they are infringing on a pre-existing mark. The real damage that can occur by suddenly receiving a letter that claims you are infringing on another person's mark is not always the threat of litigation, which is substantial in itself, but the difficult-to-accept conclusion that you need to change or alter the mark you have invested time, money and effort in developing. You should never consciously adopt a mark that might infringe someone else's (McBagel's for example), or decide to invest in one of your own without doing a trademark search.

Law Offices of Douglas Clark Hollmann