http://hawthornlaw.net/tm-video

The Hart Law Firm, P.A., 5540 Centerview Drive, Suite 204 PMB 61031, Raleigh, NC (2026)

09/23/2026

Hi, I’m Jim. I’m a trademark attorney who works with online brands, creators, and influencers.

A few years ago, I heard a story about an online influencer just like you. She had spent years building her brand — the name, the content, the community, the trust. Then one day she found out that a competitor had quietly copied her name and registered it as their own trademark first.

Not a coincidence. A calculated move by someone who saw her success and decided to take the name for themselves.

That one filing meant she had to rebrand her entire business. New name. New logo. New website. New packaging. New ads. Years of brand equity, gone almost overnight, because someone else moved faster at the trademark office than she did.

That story is the moment that changed how I practiced law and how I think about online business.

I built Hawthorn Law® to make sure that never happens to any of my influencer or creator clients. Your name, your content style, your brand — they’re not just marketing, they’re assets. And assets need protection, the same as any other valuable part of your business.

Here’s what most creators don’t realize until it’s too late: trademark rights in the U.S. generally go to whoever files first, not necessarily whoever used the name first. You can have a huge following, real revenue, and a recognizable brand, and still lose the legal right to your own name if someone else registers it before you do.

That’s exactly why I focus my practice on helping entrepreneurs, founders, and online influencers register their trademarks before a competitor — or a copycat — beats them to it.

If you’ve built something worth protecting, let’s make sure it’s actually, legally yours.

I made a video breaking down exactly how to think about this in 2026, including whether registering a trademark is even worth it yet for where you are as a creator, and what the real risk looks like if you wait: “Trademarks in 2026: Still Worth It for Small Biz Owners?” Link in bio.

Comment TRADEMARK below and I’ll send it straight to your DMs. 👇

09/23/2026

Over 1,500 court filings now contain fake, AI-invented case citations. If you're using AI for legal advice, you need to see this.

A client came to me with a legal question they'd already asked AI — so I'm sharing my honest take on why that's risky. AI can give you general legal information, but it can't give you legal advice tailored to your specific situation, and it doesn't carry any accountability if it gets things wrong. Conversations with AI chatbots also aren't privileged the way conversations with your attorney are — a court has already ruled on that.

I'm not anti-technology. I'm pro-getting-it-right, especially when it's your business or your rights on the line.

If you've got a legal question — or you've already asked AI about one — send it my way. That's exactly what I'm here for.

The Hart Law Firm | Cary, NC

09/23/2026

Over 1,500 court filings now contain fake, AI-invented case citations. If you're using AI for legal advice, you need to see this.

A client came to me with a legal question they'd already asked AI — so I'm sharing my honest take on why that's risky. AI can give you general legal information, but it can't give you legal advice tailored to your specific situation, and it doesn't carry any accountability if it gets things wrong. Conversations with AI chatbots also aren't privileged the way conversations with your attorney are — a court has already ruled on that.

I'm not anti-technology. I'm pro-getting-it-right, especially when it's your business or your rights on the line.

If you've got a legal question — or you've already asked AI about one — send it my way. That's exactly what I'm here for.

The Hart Law Firm | Cary, NC

01/20/2026

How Do You Know You’re Ready to Register Your Trademark?

Many entrepreneurs ask, “How do I know if I’m ready to register my trademarks?” The truth is, you’re usually ready sooner than you think.

You’re likely ready when:

✅ You’ve chosen a distinctive brand name, logo, or slogan that you intend to use long term, not as a short-term experiment.

✅ You’re already selling (or about to start selling) products or services under that brand and are investing in a website, social media, packaging, or ads.

✅ You would be financially or emotionally frustrated if you had to change your name because someone else claimed legal rights first.

✅ You’ve done at least a basic search and don’t see obvious conflicts, and you want more than bare “common law” rights.

✅ You’re planning to grow into new products, programs, or states and want your rights locked in before you scale.

You don’t need to be a big company or hit a certain revenue level to protect your brand. Often, the best time to start the trademark process is as you choose your name and before a full launch, so you don’t pour time and money into a brand you can’t keep.

https://www.hawthornlaw.net/trademark-service/

01/17/2026

Here’s something you don’t hear often from a trademark lawyer.

Not every business needs a trademark—at least not right away.

In some situations, filing too early (or for the wrong reason) can be a waste of time and money.

I created a short guide explaining when it actually makes sense to wait on trademark registration—and when it doesn’t.

This isn’t about discouraging protection.

It’s about helping business owners make smarter, better-timed decisions.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Do I really need a trademark yet?”—this will help.

👉 Read the free guide: When NOT to Register a Trademark

https://www.hawthornlaw.net/when-not-to-register-a-trademark/

01/17/2026

Most trademark problems don’t come from bad intentions—they come from bad assumptions.

After working with hundreds of business owners, I’ve noticed something important:

Trademark issues rarely come from one big mistake.

They usually come from small, avoidable decisions made early on—often with good intentions.

Things like:

Filing without a proper search
Choosing the wrong class
Assuming a logo filing protects the name
Waiting until a conflict shows up

I put together a breakdown of the most common trademark mistakes I see—and why they matter more than most people realize.

If you’re building a brand, this is worth reviewing before you run into a problem.

👉 Read the free breakdown: Common Trademark Mistakes to Avoid

https://www.hawthornlaw.net/trademark-mistakes/

This content isn’t theoretical.

It’s drawn directly from real trademark applications, office actions, and disputes I’ve handled.

01/17/2026

Most business owners think they understand trademarks—until a problem shows up.

I’m a trademark lawyer, and I see this pattern constantly.

Smart business owners assume things like:

“I formed an LLC, so my name is protected.”
“I own the domain, so I’m safe.”
“I’ll deal with trademarks once the business is making money.”

Those assumptions feel reasonable—but they’re often wrong.

And unfortunately, they tend to surface after time, money, and momentum have already been invested into a brand.

I put together a blog post breaking down the five most common trademark myths I see—and what business owners should understand instead.

No scare tactics. Just clarity.

👉 Read the free guide: The 5 Biggest Trademark Myths

https://www.hawthornlaw.net/5-biggest-trademark-myths/

This isn’t generic legal advice or a sales pitch.

It’s based on real situations I see every week working with entrepreneurs and growing businesses.

01/13/2026

Received a Trademark Office Action? Don’t Panic.

Getting a letter from the USPTO saying there’s a “problem” with your trademark application can be stressful—but it doesn’t mean your trademark is dead.

Office actions are common, and many can be resolved if you understand why the examiner raised the issue and how to respond properly (and on time).

I’ve put together a practical guide explaining:

👉 What a trademark office action actually is
👉 Common reasons applications get rejected
👉 Why deadlines matter more than most people realize

When a response is straightforward—and when legal strategy matters

If you’ve received an office action or want to understand the process before responding, you can read the full breakdown here: https://www.hawthornlaw.net/trademark-office-action/

If you’re unsure how serious your office action is, a short review now can save a lot of time and expense later. Questions? Call our office to have an attorney review your file at 919-460-5422.

04/25/2025

🩼 This isn’t the kind of brand protection I usually talk about…

Almost a month ago, I completely ruptured my Achilles tendon playing tennis.

Surgery went well, and today I was fitted with this stylish, "Carolina Blue" cast.

If you’ve never thought much about your Achilles tendon, you’re not alone — I hadn’t either.

But it turns out, without it, you can’t walk.

At all.

No steps, no standing, no balance. Just crutches or a knee scooter.

It’s a small part of your body that quietly holds everything together — until it doesn’t.

And that got me thinking about your entrepreneurs out there: your brand works in much the same way.

Most business owners don’t think about trademarks or protecting their intellectual property until there’s a problem — a cease and desist, a copycat, or worse, a rebrand they didn’t see coming.

But by that point, it’s painful, disruptive, and much harder to fix.

Taking the steps (no pun intended) to protect your brand early on in your business life cycle is like strengthening your foundation before it gives out.

So while I’m temporarily off my feet, I’m still here helping entrepreneurs protect what they’re building — because in business, just like in life, the support systems you don’t see are often the most important.

➡️ I’ll be hosting a free legal training next week where I’ll walk through the trademark process and show you how to protect your brand the right way.

If you’ve been putting this off, this is a great chance to get clarity and ask questions.

Stay tuned for details — or click on the link below to get in the interest list.

https://hawthornlaw.net/trademark

The Hart Law Firm, P.A.

09/23/2026

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