When building a business, protecting your brand identity is essential. Two key legal tools for this protection are trademarks and service marks. While both serve to protect the uniqueness of your brand, they apply to different aspects of commerce. Understanding the distinction between the two can help you properly protect your intellectual property and avoid potential legal issues. Trademarks (TM) …
Illinois 1031 Exchange: A 1031 exchange allows Illinois real estate investors to postpone capital gains taxes by investing sale proceeds of a property in a like-kind property. The strategy preserves capital, increases cash flow, and grows investment portfolios. Requirements Like-Kind Property: Must be for investment or business purposes (e.g., rental buildings, commercial property). Qualified Intermediary (QI): Must conduct the transaction; …
A trademark is a form of intellectual property that helps distinguish a business’s goods or services from those of others. Trademarks can be words, phrases, symbols, designs, or a combination of these elements that represent a brand. Trademarks provide legal protection, helping business owners ensure that only they have the exclusive right to use the mark in connection with their …
I was recently interviewed by an agriculture youth organization about public speaking skills and public speaking contests. Here are my answers! 1) Tell us a little bit about yourself along with your background in agriculture. I grew up on a Simmental farm in Central Illinois showing cattle through 4-H, FFA, and the American Junior Simmental Association (“AJSA”). I judged livestock …