Trademark protection for founders
Own the Brand You're Building
Trademarks 101 for founders: the decisions that determine whether your brand is an asset you own or a liability you're renting.
Date & time
Sept 29 · 4:00pm PT / 7:00pm ET
Location
60 min live online
Access
Free registration
About your host
Talya Tapley is a California-licensed attorney and the founder of Tapley Law. She brings both legal experience and a founder's perspective to helping businesses make practical trademark decisions, from clearance and filing strategy through the federal application process.
Inside this masterclass, we'll cover
Your LLC is not your trademark.
A state filing and a federal registration do different jobs, and neither office checks the other.
Why some names can't be protected.
The more literally a name describes what you sell, the weaker it is.
What a real clearance search finds.
Not just your exact name. The near-misses that get applications refused.
When to file, and in what class.
The wrong class is worse than no filing at all.
Plus: bring your business and trademark questions. I'll answer as many live as I can.
What every attendee receives free
15-Point Ownership Audit
15 detailed questions covering your entity, brand name, work product and agreements, to identify the gap between what you built and what you own.
Cease and Desist Template
A customizable letter that can be used as a starting point to communicate your ownership rights when your intellectual property is being used improperly.
Special bonus offer for attendees only
Available to everyone who attends live.
Want focused guidance on the brand you're building?
After registering, you'll have the option to upgrade to the $99 Own the Brand VIP Experience, including a preliminary brand-name knockout search, a private 30-minute trademark consultation, and practical implementation resources.
See the VIP Experience
“In 2012 I launched an online hair boutique. The brand gained traction, a competitor began using the name, and without a federal registration my options were limited. I learned this as a founder first.”
About your host
In 2012 I launched an online hair boutique. I filed the LLC, got the seller's permit, built the site, bought the branded packaging. The brand grew. Then a competitor started using the name, and without a federal registration my options were limited. I went to law school, spent seven years inside the State Bar advising appellate judges on attorney discipline, and now I run a firm that does the one thing I needed and didn't have.
Talya Tapley, Esq., Tapley Law · Los Angeles · Licensed in California
Connect with Attorney Tapley
Questions
Is this actually free?
Yes! This live masterclass is a free one hour session. There is nothing to buy to attend. At the end of the workshop, I'll explain how the firm works for those who want to move forward with securing trademark protection for their brand.
I already have an LLC. Do I need this?
Registering your LLC separates your personal assets from your business. It authorizes an entity under state rules. Securing your federal trademark is what decides whether you can stop another company from selling under your name nationwide. Two systems. Two offices. Neither checks the other.
I haven't launched yet.
Then this is the best hour you'll spend. Intent-to-use exists for exactly the pre-launch founder, and clearance is cheapest before you've printed anything.
Can I get the replay?
Registrants get a replay link for a limited window. Q&A is live only; that part isn't recorded for sharing.
Can you answer my specific situation?
Not in a public Q&A. I'll answer at a general level, and if your facts need a real answer I'll point you to a private consultation, and if you'd like a more detailed question pertaining to your situation, you can schedule a 1:1 consultation to discuss your specific questions, brand goals, potential trademark strategies, and next steps for protecting your brand.
Registration is currently open