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By: Lindsay E. Lane, Esq. July 2, 2026 In today's sports world, an athlete's name, image, and likeness (NIL) have become valuable commercial assets. NIL is rooted in right of publicity (RoP) law, giving athletes the exclusive right to control and profit from the commercial use of their identity (e.g., name, nickname, image, signature, jersey number, and even signature gestures). It is protected under state laws, and the scope and duration vary widely by state as there is no f

As a business lawyer, I know that a lot goes into protecting a business. Trademarking, keeping up with legal tasks, taxes… They all come together to create a bubble guarding your business. One thing that gets overlooked quite a bit, though, is business contracts. Whether you are a service provider or working with other companies, contracts are more than just paperwork. They operate as legal protection for you and your business. Let’s get into everything that having a clear,

While there are many, many tips out there on how to start a business, most people don’t cover all the steps to ensure that your startup business is properly protected. As a business lawyer, I’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about starting a business, with all the best legal advice for your journey. How to Start a Business: 7 Legal Steps Have a Strong Business Plan The very first step (really, to anything in life) is to have a good plan. Decide what produ

When it comes to trademark variations, most business owners fall into one of two camps. Camp A: "I need to trademark everything!" And Camp B: "I think I'm fine without trademarking anything." Both assumptions can cost you, either by filing for things that are not truly part of your brand identity, or by leaving real gaps in your protection. The right answer may be somewhere in between. Understand What You Are Actually Protecting A trademark protects how your brand functions a

A common misconception that I hear all the time as a trademark lawyer is that you can only trademark your business name and logo. And while those are, of course, important to do, there’s so much more that can be done to protect your business and its assets. If you’re wondering what you can trademark, see my full guide, as a trademark lawyer who spends a lot of time protecting businesses. What You Can Trademark in Your Business: The Overview Here’s everything that you should

Starting a Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a popular choice for entrepreneurs seeking flexibility and liability protection. While forming an LLC is not particularly difficult, maintaining your LLC properly is essential to keep your business in good standing, protect your personal assets, and ensure long-term success. This is what a lot of business owners struggle to keep up with. Many business owners overlook this ongoing responsibility, which can lead to costly fines or p

When you see symbols like ™, SM, or ® next to a brand name or product, you might wonder what they mean and why they matter. These symbols indicate different types of trademark claims and legal protections. Understanding the difference can help you recognize how businesses protect their names, logos, and slogans. This post explains what each symbol stands for, how they differ, and why they are important. What does ™ mean? The ™ symbol stands for trademark. It is used to indica

When you start a business, your brand is one of your most valuable assets. It represents your brand's reputation and its unique identity in the market. Yet many entrepreneurs overlook an essential step: registering their trademark. Skipping this step can lead to serious risks that might threaten your business’s future. What Is a Trademark and Why Does It Matter? A trademark is a symbol, word, phrase, or design that identifies and distinguishes your goods or services from othe

I talk to a lot of people wondering if they should trademark their business name, and my answer as a trademark lawyer will always be, it depends. Trademarking is one of the most important things you can do to protect your brand and business, and if you’re just starting out, here’s everything you need to know about how to trademark a name. How to Trademark a Name For Your Business: Step by Step While trademarking a name may seem straightforward on the surface, the process is

The trademark process does not happen overnight. It involves legal strategy, careful planning, and attention to detail from start to finish. What is a Trademark? A trademark is any word, name, symbol, design, or combination of these things that identifies the source of products or services and distinguishes them from others in a specific industry. Think logos, brand names, slogans, and even sounds or colors in some cases. Registration with the United States Patent and Tradema

Lindsay E. Lane, Esq., May 15, 2026 “What’s the tool and buzzword everyone keeps talking about? Artificial Intelligence, or “AI.” And when it comes to naming a business, a lot of people think, “This seems like the perfect use for it.” Thanks to recent advances in technology, starting a business has never been easier. There are so many amazing tools out there, but it's important to know what those tools can actually do for you, and where you need to approach with caution. You

News & Resources By Lindsay E. Lane, Esq. on May 6, 2026 In theory, a trademark can last forever, but only if you actually maintain it. A trademark is not a “set it and forget it” asset. It requires continuous use in commerce and regular maintenance filings to stay alive and enforceable. If you stop using your trademark, it becomes vulnerable. And in trademark law, vulnerability usually means someone else is ready to step in and take the name for themselves or challenge your

The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) recently expanded its regulations for student-athletes to monetize their name, image, and likeness (NIL), known as personal branding activities (PBA). NIL has been the topic of national discussion as more student-athletes are recognizing the power of monetizing their personal brands. On January 27, 2026, the MHSAA began allowing students to engage in PBA, including social media advertisements and endorsements, camps, spor

You’re about to launch or you’ve already launched your business. Now you’re ready to register your trademarks. But what should you register first? Your brand name or logo? Both? Sometimes it’s a comes down to budget or maybe you aren’t set on a specific design that you want consumer to identify your company by just yet. Nine times out of ten, your customers will identify your brand/ business by its name. With that, it’s important to note that by registering your brand/busines

So you just formed your Limited Liability Company (LLC)…now what? You're close! But before you go live with your products or services, let’s make sure you’re truly set up for success. Here’s a quick list of things to do once you form your LLC to make sure you establish a solid foundation for your business: Get an EIN – Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. Open a Business Bank Account – Keep your business and personal finances separate. Create an O

Ready, set, REGISTER! Your business is now a reality. Whether you're preparing to launch or your business is already established, you've found your ideal clients. Consumers don’t just want your product or service, they NEED it. Your brand is recognizable. It’s memorable. It stands out from the competition. As interest builds, so does the attention, not just from ideal clients, but from potential copycats too. Now what? It’s time to protect what you’ve built. Registering your