Submitting a trademark application is the first step in protecting your intellectual property. Intellectual property is a product of your mind and deserves to be protected as you would anything else. This guide to trademarks and trademark searching will help you through the trademark application process but as always, if there is anything you do not understand, contact patent and trademark attorneys in Monroe County for assistance. Intellectual Property Protection Understanding the different types of intellectual property protection will help you determine what you need. Trademark A trademark is defined by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as “a word, phrase, symbol, and/or design that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of others.” Trademarks can last forever, as long as they are in continuous use of indicating goods and services. While trademark registration is not mandatory, federal registration of a trademark with t...