You would think we were a community, and that's the way I STRIVE to keep it. Ask anyone. Can you tell otherwise that the BRS is not a community?
BUT there are some folks out there who don't think of us as a community but a niche market to be profited off of while compromising our values, our purpose, our mission, and all of what WE stand for, and THAT is what I am protecting ALL of us against. I only make decisions that are in YOUR best interest. You must trust me.
The registered trademark is filed with the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office):
We operate as an organization, not a business, but the government could care less which, so the thinking goes:
Time and time again, small business owners get hit with a cease and desist letter from another company they have never heard of -- often located in another state. The out-of-state company demands that the local company change its name or face a federal trademark infringement lawsuit.
Now the small business owner is faced with two very expensive choices-- fight a federal lawsuit or rebrand its products and services after using them for years.
This scenario -- which happens every day -- is easily avoided. By trademarking, businesses can protect their brands and confidently promote their products and services. ~Borghese Legal, Ltd.
NOTE: We do have a product...our tee shirts, stickers, and merchandise, all used to raise funds to operate the BRS...ONLY.
The benefits of having a registered trademark as compared to a common law trademark include:
- Constructive notice nationwide of the trademark owner's claim.
- More evidence of the ownership of the trademark.
- Jurisdiction of federal courts may be invoked.
- Registration can be used as a basis for obtaining registration in other countries.
- Registration may be filed with the Customs Service to prevent importation of trademark infringing foreign goods.