Stephens Juren PLLC

In the time it takes you to hum the “happy birthday” song twice, a fire department will respond to a new call somewhere in the United States. And in just over a minute, there will be a total of three such calls, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

Given the frequency of fires and the unique risks presented in the summer months, we’re sharing a timely reminder of safety best practices. Swipe through to learn more ➡️

Do you have any other fire safety tips to add to the list? We would love to hear – add them in the comments below!

🇺🇸 This Memorial Day, our office will be closed as we pay our respects to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. We invite you to join us in this important and solemn remembrance.

Should questions or needs arise while we are out office, our team will address them when we resume regular business hours on Tuesday, May 28.

Did you know that you can recover more than just medical expenses in personal injury cases?

The personal injury landscape can be confusing, so we thought we would offer a helpful overview of the three types of personal injury damages.

Have you been injured? Reach out to us — our legal team is ready to help you understand your options and receive the compensation you deserve ⚖️

🚨 Important news for the businesses in our network 🚨

On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a game-changing ban on noncompete agreements. This decision is set to reshape employment landscapes, impacting both new and existing contracts — with only one exception for existing contracts with senior executives. Unless delayed, the ban is set to take effect in just 120 days.

Following the FTC ruling, there are several steps that businesses need to take:

1️⃣ Audit employment agreements to pinpoint affected noncompete clauses.
2️⃣ Start revising contracts to comply with upcoming regulations.
3️⃣ Develop plans to clearly communicate these changes and their implications to the workforce.
4️⃣ Consider new ways to retain top talent in a potentially more competitive environment.

Our firm is dedicated to guiding you through these changes. Let us help ensure your employment contracts and retention strategies are up-to-date and fully compliant.

Give us a call anytime.

Celebrating National Entrepreneurship Week and the brave souls we get to work with who are charting their own paths 👏

Entrepreneurship isn't always straightforward; we know it can be a solitary journey filled with challenges. Today, we want to salute the hard work, perseverance, and dedication it takes to be an entrepreneur 🎉

To keep your inspiration levels high, we've compiled some remarkable success stories of entrepreneurs. Swipe through to read their stories!

Do any other famous entrepreneurs come to mind for you? Let us know in the comments.

Did you know that there were over 40,000 hospitalizations in the United States related to burns in 2022? In honor of Burn Prevention Week, we are sharing some prevention tips to keep in mind.

🧑‍🚒 Always remember to…

✅ Use back burners when cooking, and keep pot handles out of reach of children.
✅ Check the water temperature before bathing, especially for children.
✅ Keep candles away from flammable materials and out of the reach of children and pets.
✅ Protect your skin from harmful UV rays with sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses when spending time outdoors.
✅ Use fireplace screens and ensure proper maintenance of your fireplace.

Share these tips with your network to raise awareness about burn prevention.

Did you know that almost 41% of full-time workers work from home at least part-time? Whether you're a remote worker or have a dedicated home office space, your safety and security should always come first.

That’s why we compiled some essential tips to ensure a safe and secure home office environment:

1️⃣ Ergonomic Setup: Make sure your workstation is ergonomically designed to prevent strain and discomfort. Adjust your chair, keyboard, and monitor to the right height to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal issues.

2️⃣ Cybersecurity: Protect your sensitive data with strong passwords, antivirus software, and regular software updates. Be cautious of phishing emails and use a virtual private network (VPN) for added security.

3️⃣ Cable Management: Keep cables and cords organized to prevent tripping hazards. Use cable clips or sleeves to secure them.

4️⃣ Privacy Screens: Use privacy screens or we**am covers when not in video meetings to protect your privacy.

5️⃣ Back Up Your Data: Regularly back up your work to an external drive or cloud storage to prevent data loss.

6️⃣ Emergency Contacts: Have a list of emergency contacts readily available, including local authorities and your company's IT support.

Have any to add? Let us know in the comments - we’d love to add to our list!

As we bid farewell to the holiday season, we wanted to extend our heartfelt thanks for being a part of our network. We can’t wait to see what 2024 holds.

As a reminder, our legal expertise spans across a range of practice areas, including:

⚖️ Personal Injury - Auto Accidents
⚖️ Copyright, Trademark, & Patent Law
⚖️ Business Formation & Counsel

If you, or anyone in your network, ever require legal assistance in any of these areas, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at any time.

We're here to lend a helping hand and provide the legal expertise you deserve 🤝

What better way to ring in the New Year than by celebrating Copyright Law Day? 🎉

We know, we know… not as exciting as watching the ball drop, but we thought we’d share some fascinating facts about the history of copyrights to ring in the New Year:

1️⃣ The earliest known copyright law dates back to 1710 with the British Statute of Anne. It granted authors limited rights to control the copying of their works.

2️⃣ The United States Constitution, ratified in 1788, empowered Congress to promote the "progress of science and useful arts" by granting authors and inventors exclusive rights for their creations.

3️⃣ The U.S. Copyright Act was enacted in 1790, and the first book to be granted a copyright was "The Philadelphia Spelling Book" that same year.

4️⃣ Walt Disney's creation of Mickey Mouse in 1928 played a significant role in the extension of copyright terms, leading to the Copyright Term Extension Act of 1998.

5️⃣ The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) of 1998 modernized copyright law to address the challenges of the digital age, providing protections and provisions for digital content.

Today’s a great day to reflect on the importance of protecting the creative works that enrich our lives 🌐 Feel free to share this post to give your network a fun, enlightening lesson to start the new year!

Sending warm holiday greetings to you and your loved ones during this festive season ✨ Thanks for being a part of our community — we appreciate each and every one of you!

📢 Keep in mind our office will be closed on Monday, December 25th, and Monday, January 1st, in observance of the holidays.

From all of us, Happy Holidays! ❄️

Valuable Copyright Considerations 📚

In today's digital age, where copyright and intellectual property violations cost U.S. businesses a whopping $28 billion every year, staying in the know about copyrights is key to safeguarding your creative genius and the value of your intellectual property.

With that in mind, swipe through these copyright considerations to make sure you're geared up and ready for the year ahead ↩️

Additionally, keep in mind that a simple review can protect your intellectual property and minimize risks. Reach out if you'd like our help with a portfolio review 🤝

In loving memory of Ira Domnitz, our former partner, mentor, and dear friend, we have hung a few mementos from one of his many fandoms, Dr. Who. We miss you, Ira.

Did you know slip and fall accidents account for over 1 million hospital visits every year? It’s true, and winter in particular presents increased risk for such incidents.

We genuinely hope you never have to deal with any injury, but we want you to be armed with the key steps to take in the unfortunate event you or a loved one slips and falls:

🏥 Seek medical attention immediately. Your health and well-being are the top priority, no matter how minor your injuries may seem. Don't forget to save all medical records, as they'll be crucial evidence if a case is needed.

📸 It's easy to forget details after an accident, so try to document the scene if possible. Take photos or videos of where the incident happened and any hazardous conditions that contributed to your fall.

✍️ When you're calm and able, jot down all the details of the fall. Include the time, date, weather conditions, and anything you remember about the hazardous conditions that caused your fall.

📝 Report the incident to the property owner and make sure they create an official incident report. Keep a copy of this report for your records.

🤝 If you ever find yourself in such a situation, remember that we are here to help. After a slip and fall, we can assess whether legal action is necessary and take care of all the documentation for you.

If you or a loved one experiences an accident or injury, please feel free to reach out. That’s what we are here for ❤️

Sending warm wishes your way as Thanksgiving approaches! Whether you're surrounded by a crowd or just a cozy few, we hope your holiday is full of joy and good health 🦃

Please remember our office will be closed on Nov 23-24. We'll be back in action on Nov 27. Enjoy a fantastic Thanksgiving! 🍁

On this Veterans Day, we honor the courageous men and women who have selflessly served our country to safeguard the freedoms we cherish 🇺🇸

If you, a family member, or a loved one is a current or former service member, we extend our sincere thanks today and every day ❤️🤍💙

Halloween is all about spooky costumes, not scary decisions 💀

While Halloween is a time for all sorts of spooky fun, it’s also one of the deadliest holidays for drivers and pedestrians.

If you plan to be out and about this Halloween, here are a few safety tips to keep top of mind:

🎃 If you’re drinking, always designate a sober driver or find alternative transportation. Studies show people who are mildly or highly inebriated underestimate how intoxicated they are. Keep in mind services like AAA, Lyft, and Uber often offer free rides on Halloween.

🎃 Look out for pedestrians. If you are driving on Halloween, be extra attentive to pedestrians, especially young trick-or-treaters who may be difficult to spot. In addition, put your headlights on even if it’s not dark yet, as this will increase your visibility.

🎃 Stay visible. If you or your children are trick-or-treating, bring flashlights and wear reflective clothing to help drivers see you better.

Have a safety tip to add? Drop it in the comments–we’d love to get a list going ⬇️

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and with cyberattacks against businesses rising, now is the perfect time to reflect on how cyber risks can impact your organization.

Consider these stats:

💻 Ransomware attacks have increased by 93% in 2023, with 54% of organizations experiencing a cyberattack in the last 12 months.
💻 Only 8% of businesses that pay a ransom get back all of their data.
💻 43% of cyberattacks are aimed at small businesses, but only 14% are prepared to defend themselves.
💻 91% of cyberattacks begin with a phishing email.
💻 85% of organizations experienced more than one data breach in 2022.
💻 In the U.S., the average cost of a data breach was $9.44 million in 2022.

Share this post to spread the word, and DM us or give us a call with any questions!

It's National Falls Prevention Awareness Day! 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️

Swipe for some essential tips to help you stay steady on your feet and reduce the risk of falls.

Got any other tips? Drop them in the comments below 💬

As we honor the contributions of workers and pause for a little R&R this Labor Day, we want to thank our wonderful clients, colleagues, and professional network for being with us on this journey.

It's because of your trust and support that we’re able to do what we love and make a small difference in the lives of others.

Once again, thank you — and Happy Labor Day to you all ❤️ 🤍 💙

Happy Birthday to one of our esteemed founding partners, Matt Juren!

On this special day, we want to express our deepest gratitude for Matt's invaluable contributions and unwavering commitment to excellence. Matt’s legal practice covers all aspects of intellectual property with a particular focus on patent infringement litigation, inter partes review, and patent prosecution. His experience ranges from oilfield tools to electronic technologies such as televisions, cellular phones, microprocessors, memory systems, and digital signal and image processing. He also has experience procuring and enforcing trademarks and copyrights for his clients and assisting his clients with protection of their trade secrets. His leadership has inspired us all to reach new heights and embrace challenges with confidence.

Join us in wishing Matt a fantastic birthday filled with joy, laughter, and unforgettable moments.

Do you have an original work (book, movie, painting, sculpture, photograph, etc.) that you are interested in publishing or copyrighting? Are you interested in building and protecting your brand and trademarks?

Your time and creativity are valuable assets that you can and should protect using legal mechanisms such as copyright and trademark registrations. Do not let your creative efforts be someone else’s profits! We assist and counsel authors, brand creators, and innovators by helping them secure and enforce their copyright, trademark, and patent rights on their creativity and innovations.

Do you want to publish your book? Many burgeoning authors simply upload to Amazon or other multi-national publishing houses and end up unhappy with the results. We have a network of independent publishers that we can connect you with to get your book printed and distributed!

Do you have an interest in setting up an Amazon storefront for your brand? You need to at least apply for a trademark registration to have your brand recognized by Amazon. We can assist you with this process and guide you through the United States Patent and Trademark Office and Amazon Brand Registry programs.

If you have questions about copyrights, trademarks, or patents for your business, then please give the intellectual property attorneys at Stephens Juren, PLLC a call. Matt Juren, 832-990-2707, www.patent-lawyers.com; [email protected]

There’s a lot more to that little ™️ than you may realize! If you’re thinking about protecting your brand with a trademark, there are some things to keep in mind:
💡 Check for existing trademarks. Look for similar trademarks in the USPTO’s Trademark Database to avoid having a trademark that’s confusingly similar.
💡 Conduct a clearance search. It’s not required, but a specialized attorney will be best able to ensure the trademark is not already spoken for.
💡 Prepare for expenses. Registration fees vary depending on how you classify your goods/services but tend to fall between $250-350 for each classification.
💡 Understand coverage. Trademarking your business name doesn’t cover your logo automatically, so you may want to pursue a design mark separately. Also, filing your business formation paperwork is not the same thing as a trademark.

Once you get your trademark registration (current processing times are 10-14 months from filing to registration), your rights can last as long as you continue to use your trademark and keep up with the maintenance filings/fees! You’ll also be able to use the ® symbol to indicate that your trademark is federally registered.

One key to the trademark registration process is getting it right the first time – and that’s where we can help! Message us to get the ball rolling. This advertisement was approved by Matt Juren, [email protected].

It’s crazy that we’re already halfway through the year, but don’t worry – there's still plenty of time to accomplish your 2023 goals ✅

So if you need anything IP-related, just reach out to us! We’ll be happy to help 🤝 And if we don’t hear from you, have a great rest of your summer ☀️

⚠️Important safety reminder⚠️ With extreme heat hitting our area, it’s important all of us keep our health top of mind.

That’s why our team compiled a list of key health and safety tips for this heat wave:

1️⃣ Stay hydrated - Drink water throughout the day, even if you're not thirsty. It's especially important for kids and seniors to stay hydrated.

2️⃣ Protect your pets - Keep them inside as much as possible, make sure their water is fresh, and avoid walks during the hottest hours. Never leave them in parked cars!

3️⃣ Dress smart - Opt for lightweight, light-colored clothes, sunscreen, and a hat.

4️⃣ Seek cool spaces - If you don’t have A/C in your home, consider visiting air-conditioned public spaces like malls, libraries, etc. You could also visit friends who have A/C.

5️⃣ Take cool showers - Lower your body temp with cool showers. In addition, use damp towels or mist spray during the day.

6️⃣ Limit outdoor activities - Avoid strenuous activities during the hottest parts of the day. If you must be outside, test in shaded spots and stay hydrated.

Heat-related illnesses are no joke, so let's all keep these tips in mind. While you’re at it, share this post to bring a timely reminder to your network ↩️

Stay cool, hydrated, and safe, folks! 🌞❄️

On this Memorial Day, we wanted to take a moment to honor the fallen soldiers who fought bravely for our country’s freedoms. Their sacrifices will not be forgotten, and our hearts go out to the loved ones they left behind.

When in doubt, contact your lawyer 📲. If you ever need help, we’ve got you covered in these areas –

💡 Intellectual Property Registration, Protection & Litigation
🏙️ Business Formation, Counsel & Litigation
💵 Debt Collection
🚘 Personal Injury

Find us at www.patent-lawyers.com, email us at [email protected], or call us at (832) 344-5400. This message is approved by Matt Juren, [email protected].

™️®️Ever wonder why you see so many strange and unknown trademarks and brand names when browsing Amazon?

Half As Interesting published a simplified analysis of the unintended consequences of Amazon's Brand Registry requirements and their effect on the USPTO and other applicants. Forgive them ahead of time for saying "patent" instead of "trademark". 😅

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Bq-6GeRhys

If you have questions about YOUR trademark and branding, please do not hesitate to reach out to the intellectual property attorneys at Stephens Juren PLLC - 832-344-5400

-Matt Juren

This post is for informational purposes and should not be construed as legal advice. We do not control or necessarily endorse the content of third party links shared for informational purposes.

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With spring officially here and both the Easter and Passover holidays approaching, our legal team at Stephens Juren PLLC wanted to take a moment to send our warmest wishes to all of you ❤️

Whether you're celebrating an upcoming holiday or simply the start of the new season, we hope you enjoy time with loved ones in the days and weeks ahead!