NEW WEB SITE PROTECTS DOMAIN NAMES WITH $39 TRADEMARK SERVICE

BURLINGTON, Vt. - April 26, 2000 (Trademark Institute) - Lawyers will tell you that even a properly registered domain name can quickly become embroiled in an expensive legal battle if not properly trademarked. "It happens all the time, an entrepreneur registers a domain name only to find a mom & pop shop in Idaho is using a similar name for a typical brick & mortar business", reports Mr. Spencer, an Intellectual Property Attorney specializing in internet trademark disputes. "Getting a letter from an attorney telling you to cease and desist using your domain name can cause quite a few sleepless nights, and its unnecessary."

Witnessing this growing trend, the founders of Trademark Institute decided to harness the convenience and power of the internet to create www.trademarkinstitute.com. This new web site allows webmasters and small businesses to quickly and affordably register for a U.S. federal trademark. The site also provides free access to the Trademark Office database of all registered and expired trademarks. This new searching feature is invaluable because business owner can search the database to see if the trademark name they want is available. "Knowing a name is not trademarked, at least in the federal database, is an important first step in starting a business", says Mr. Spencer. Businesses typically spend an incredible amount of money promoting their domain names without first checking to see if someone may already have a similar trademark.

"This site will help the scores of new businesses that are leaping onto the web without the slightest idea of what they are getting into when it comes to domain names and trademarks. Lawsuits are being filed everyday against unsuspecting small business people simply because they didnt have access to affordable services such as that found at our web site", says Mr. Spencer.

The Trademark Institute web site offers a tutorial on how the trademark system works, and how to register your trademark with the US Trademark Office. The main focus of the site however is a proprietary service that walks the user through a series of simple questions. The web site collects the answers and completes the forms necessary to apply for a federal trademark. "I know lawyers that charge over $700 to complete this paperwork", say Mr. Spencer, "with a little knowledge and guidance, the typical business person can do it themselves. Its really no more difficult than applying for a drivers license and it provides an incredible amount of protection for your new business."

For $39 the small business owner will have the forms filled out and delivered to their door within 3-5 business days. Due to strict trademark laws, the owner must sign and submit the forms to the Trademark office themselves. The US Trademark office has seen an explosion in the number of applications due to all the webmasters seeking to protect their coveted domain names. Trademark Institute breaks new ground by providing affordable access to this basic business protection.

You can check out the site at http://www.trademarkinstitute.com
Interview Contact: Mr. Spencer, Esq.
Telephone: 802-863-4192
http://www.trademarkinstitute.com
Trademark Institute LLC
89 Brook Drive, Burlington, Vermont USA 05401
Voice 802-863-4192. Fax 435-603-1777
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