Federal governments grant inventors an exclusive right that gives them total ownership over their idea. These grants are called patents and provide protection for a period of time. To get a patent, the inventions must be concrete, useful, and unique. Naturally occurring substances and laws of nature, among others, cannot be patented under any circumstance. Some examples of patentable inventions include

• Medical devices
• Computer/tech products
• Chemical formulas
• Musical instruments
• Medications

Three different kinds of patents are recognized, they are

• Utility patent
  Around 90 percent of all patent ideas fall under this type. New machines and processes qualify as a utility patent and are valid for 20 years from the date of filling.
• Design patent
  As the name suggests, this patent is granted to unique designs of a product or manufactured object.
• Plant patent
  The invention of a new and distinct variety of plant through means of asexual reproduction falls under this patent category.

How to fill a patent application form?

The regulatory authority for everything concerned with patents is the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). It has laid down specific rules for filing applications, which are explained below:

• Explore the USPTO (and other) databases
  It’s not entirely impossible that your invention could have already been patented earlier. So, before filling the application form, breeze through the USPTO database and a few other publications to ensure your product is indeed unique.
• Reach out to a patent attorney
  The USPTO recommends contacting a registered patent attorney for filing your application. This is because the process can get slightly challenging and an attorney can help avoid mistakes that could prove costly later.
• Check the type you need
  As explained earlier, there are three types of patent. So, determine which kind fits your idea.
• Submit provisional patent application
  Filing a provisional application allows you to claim the right over the invention before anyone else.
• Electronic Filing System
  The USPTO encourages inventors to fill their ideas through the Electronic Filing System (EFS-Web). It’s just as efficient as paper-based filing and allows authors to submit their inventions as is.
• Prepare to present
  In this step, you’ll need to explain your entire invention from scratch. This includes defining the objective, abstract, methodology, etc. We advise taking the advice of an attorney.
• Review the application
  After completing the application, review it time and again to make sure it explains your invention as perfectly as possible.
• Patent process and approval
  A patent examiner is assigned to every case. Working closely with them ensures that any of their doubts are quickly cleared and your application moves forward. Upon approval from the examiner, you or your attorney will be notified.

With more new businesses launching each year than we can keep up with, creating a unique business identity has become a top priority. Your company’s name represents your image in the outside world.

If you’re looking to protect your company name, you’ll come across terms like “copyright” and “trademark.” You may also ask questions such as “how to copyright my company name?”. Well, to answer that, let’s first understand the difference between these two terms.

Copyright vs. trademark

The term copyright refers to the laws protecting intellectual property such as songs, books, paintings, and photographs. But ideas cannot be secured under copyright laws. This implies the idea you have for a novel or jingle cannot be covered unless it has manifested into a tangible asset. Essentially, after the novel is written and the jingle is composed, they can be protected. So, the answer to “how to copyright my company name?” is that it doesn’t fall under this category.

Protecting your company’s name requires a trademark application. This will help clients easily distinguish your company and its products from those of your competitors. Your company needs to be registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for protection. The USPTO only registers company trademarks that are not likely to be confused with existing ones.

How to trademark your company name?

You’ve understood why copyright isn’t needed, so let’s learn how to register your company name with the USPTO for a trademark. This three-step process will help you get this smoothly done.

• Search the site
  A trademark search on the USPTO website can help you determine potential trademark problems like finding names that are similar to that of your company. Essentially, this search alerts you of the possibility that the likelihood of confusion with other brands may hinder registration for a trademark.
• Submit an application
  If you feel hopeful after the search, the next step is to file an application with the USPTO. You can apply online through their website. A nominal fee will be charged for your trademark application. You can check the USPTO website for details.
• Coordinate with a USPTO attorney
  An attorney representing the USPTO will review your trademark application and mail you if there are any problems. You must respond before the deadline to avoid your application from getting rejected.

We often stumble across the word “bail” in news or our favorite courtroom dramas. But what does this word actually mean?

In simple terms, bail is an amount that a defendant has to deposit to be released from jail. This money is imposed to ensure that the defendant will return to the court for further proceedings. The bail amount differs across cases and is decided by the judge. The money is returned to the defendant after the case is over.

There are two types of bails, namely, cash and bonds. As the name suggests, cash bails are where one needs to pay the bail amount in cash. At times, these can be comparatively heavy on the wallet than bonds, as they have to be paid entirely in cash. On the other hand, bail bonds or surety bonds are contractual agreements where the bail amount is funded through a third-party or bondsmen as the bail amount charged is expensive, generally, for severe crimes.

How to do bail bonds work?
Like mentioned before, when the bail involves a big figure, defendants can approach a third-party or a bondsman to help them. Such businesses will charge 10% of the bail amount as a fee while they cover the remaining balance amount. The bail bondsmen draft an agreement to make sure that the defendant turns up in the court. In this contract, the bail bondsmen require the defendant to use a collateral in exchange of bail.

Every bail bond agency is different, therefore, what would deem as a collateral will vary accordingly. Typically, an asset of significant value is accepted as a surety. The following are some examples of what can be used as a collateral:

• Bank accounts
• Credit cards
• Jewelry
• Real estate
• Stocks
• Vehicles

Both, the court and the bail bond agency, establish some conditions for the defendant’s release. The first being that the defendant has to appear in the court for future trials and hearings. Likewise, the defendant isn’t permitted to break any laws before the final verdict. If any of these terms are violated then an arrest warrant will be issued.

The bail bond agency, on the other hand, will ask the defendant to surrender their collateral temporarily. If the defendant doesn’t show up for court proceedings, the agency will have all the rights to track them down. Moreover, if the defendant is nowhere to be found in the next six months, then they will be liable to pay the entire bail amount.

It can be a difficult process for one to get themselves out of custody. The bail system acts as a savior and helps one to get their loved ones out of custody fast. There are a variety of bonds that can secure one’s release from jail. Below are the different types of bail bonds that everyone must know about to help get custody fast.

Cash bond
As the name suggests, cash bonds are cash payments that allow one to get out of jail. In most instances, only cash is accepted by the corrections department. However, in some cases, cashier’s checks or credit cards can also be used to cover cash bails. Most people don’t tend to have large sums of money readily available to give to the correction department as in some cases thousands of dollars in cash are needed to cover bail fast. In such cases, one may have to seek the advice of a bail bondsman for the help they need.

Property bond
Property bonds may not be accepted in all states. However, in states like California, they are used occasionally. Different types of properties can be used, but real estate happens to be the one that is most commonly used. These bonds tend to be quite useful, especially, when one does not have cash available in hand to secure bail. The only drawback of property bond is that it takes time to obtain the same. One can be released from jail within a couple hours with the help of cash bonds. Whereas a property bond is handled directly by the court, there is an assessment of property value that is needed along with court hearing in order to receive the confirmation of the bond agreement. Hence, the whole process takes a span of a few weeks.

Federal bail bond
If one has been jailed under a federal crime, to secure the release, a federal bail bond is needed. Both cash, as well as property, can be used to obtaining federal bonds and they don’t require a bail bondsman. Similar to the property bonds, federal bail bonds are handled by the court directly.

The entire process of applying for Social Security Disability Benefits can be quite a hassle, as it requires the individual to make multiple rounds of the Social Security Administration. This process can be more tedious in case the individual’s health is deteriorating. If such is the case, hiring a Social Security disability lawyer will prove beneficial because they are more equipped to help their clients present their case with better precision.

A Social Security disability lawyer is a licensed professional who is extremely skilled at handling matters pertaining to Social Security Administration and can deal with issues that can arise during the application process. In addition to helping their clients with their Social Security Disability Benefits, a Social Security disability lawyer has to perform the following functions:

• A Social Security disability lawyer is responsible for collecting and documenting important information about the client. This includes important medical records and statements that are issued by qualified individuals. Such detailed documentation can help the client’s case. An experienced Social Security disability lawyer can weave a compelling story around the case and develops strategies to help the client’s case.
• Applying for the Social Security Disability Benefits can be overwhelming, and Social Security disability lawyers help their clients complete the procedure without experiencing too many difficulties. They guide their clients through the online application process and ensure that the forms are filled correctly.
• It has been noted that less than 40% of the first-time applicants’ disability applications are approved at the initial level. So, in case, your case is rejected, you can hire a Social Security disability lawyer to file appeals against the denial of your application.
• The Social Security disability lawyer stays in touch with the Social Security Administration for updates on their client’s case. As there are numerous cases that pass through the Social Security Administration, there are high chances that your case might need regular follow-ups to reach a conclusive decision. Your Social Security disability lawyer is the one who communicates with the Administration on your behalf.
• The ultimate duty of a Social Security disability lawyer is to represent their client in court for their Social Security disability hearings. Usually, most claims are won at the hearing level itself, but if the client files an appeal when denied the disability benefits, their Social Security disability lawyer will accompany them to disability hearings that are quite stressful.

Whether you’re up for your work visa in any of the U.S. states or striving hard to get a legal resident status, you would need the right immigration papers and an experienced immigration lawyer to help you get them ready. From people seeking U.S. citizenships to those looking to resolve their deportation cases, an immigration lawyer is the one you should consult for matters related to immigration issues.

Although not every immigration-related matter would need a consultation with an immigration lawyer but having a specialized attorney can help in saving your time and money.

The U.S. immigration process is complex; therefore, hiring an attorney can help you understand the process and benefit from the same.

An immigration lawyer practices independently and does not hold any connection with the U.S. immigration authorities. Dealing with a broad range of matters such as issuing of green cards, visas, U.S. citizenships, and other immigration benefits, are some of the daily professional chores of an immigration attorney. Even if you are living in another country, you can receive help from an attorney in the U.S. state – a benefit due to the federal nature of the U.S. immigration law.

When do you need an immigration lawyer?

You should consult an immigration lawyer if:

• you are looking for immigration benefits or unclear on your green card eligibility.
• you are struggling to get a citizenship, USCIS green card, or any other immigration benefit.
• you need immediate assistance with immigration matters.
• there are deportation proceedings against you.
• you have a deportation case to be resolved.
• you have been declined an immigration application.
• you are looking to apply for an investment-based visa.
• you plan to move to the U.S. to work for a U.S. employer and the latter hasn’t helped you with the immigration process.

Fees for immigration lawyers

The fees of an immigration lawyer would depend on various factors such as the location, services required, the experience of the attorney, to name a few. Some of the common legal fees of an immigration lawyer include:

• Application for a work permit – $250 to $500.
• Family-based green card petition – $800 to $1,500.
• Citizenship or Naturalization Application – $500 to $1,200.
• A defense for deportation – $2,000 to $10,000 and more in some cases wherein multiple court appearances are required.

Lawyers are those professionals who are in the forefront when it comes to giving their clients sound legal advice, and in dire circumstances, they represent them in a court trial. There are different facets of the Law; thus, there are different types of lawyers who specialize in a particular arena.

If ever you have any legal disagreements or issues within the family and need a third party intervention, it is advisable to look for a suitable solution that both the parties will agree to, and the most sensible thing to do is hire a family lawyer.

A family lawyer is a licensed professional who specializes in family laws and is adept at handling crucial legal issues between the members of the same family. These usually include matters such as divorce, adoption, child-related visitation rights, property-settlement issues, and spousal support.

Hiring a family lawyer to negotiate family matters pertaining to the issues stated above is the right thing to do. Also, it would be beneficial for you understand the various duties a family lawyer is expected to perform. They are as follows:

• A family lawyer has to manage the legal issues that take place between people associated with each other or the members of the same family. There are expected to draft legal paper or documents which include the wills and trusts of the person.
• The family lawyer is responsible for advising the client and directing them to take the right action and do the right thing. If the matters cannot be resolved within the family, and one party decides to take the other one to court, then the family lawyer is entrusted with the responsibility of making inquiries and organizing the trial where the lawyer would represent their client in the court.
• Family lawyers deal with issues pertaining to divorce, adoption, property-related matters, household violence, protection of minors, issues of child visitation rights, and other legal matters pertaining to their client’s family.
• Another important duty of a family lawyer is to investigate and submit evidence for making a legal defense by representing files in court and even interviewing witnesses. The family lawyer needs an in-depth knowledge of the law to give sound advice to their clients.

Hiring the right family lawyer can cut down costly disagreements in the courtroom, and simplify everything when it comes to handling legal matters related to family disputes.