Uploaded March 2016 | Updated September 2026, 47 minutes ago
I knew it was illegal to claim trademark protections that you don't actually have, but I didn't know the penalties for this kind of fraud were so heavy. Turns out the government considers it theft, and that makes sense.
If Bead On It! has the protections they're claiming they have by using government marks on their labels, I wish they'd provide the evidence. I couldn't find any, yet they're threatening competitors with lawsuits.
No one from Bead On It! would get back to me, so I've contacted a few patent attorneys to see if we could file a suit against them, instead.
I'll keep you updated, but in the mean time, don't lie to your customers, steal from the government, or threaten competitors (real or perceived) if you haven't paid the fees that give you the right to do so.
_________________________________________________________________
facebook.com/TCBeads
Call me:
248 726 1078
_________________________________________________________________
Statute citation with Penalties:
bitlaw.com/source/17usc/1326.html
Resource information:
duetsblog.com/2010/11/articles/trademarks/registration-symbol-misuse-as-trademark-fraud
howconceptual.com/circle-r-penalty
500law.com/the-consequences-of-using-the-trademark-registration-symbol-if-your-mark-is-not-registered-reprise
law360.com/articles/463381/proving-trademark-fraud-intent-is-the-question
I knew it was illegal to claim trademark protections that you don't actually have, but I didn't know the penalties for this kind of fraud were so heavy. Turns out the government considers it theft, and that makes sense.
If Bead On It! has the protections they're claiming they have by using government marks on their labels, I wish they'd provide the evidence. I couldn't find any, yet they're threatening competitors with lawsuits.
No one from Bead On It! would get back to me, so I've contacted a few patent attorneys to see if we could file a suit against them, instead.
I'll keep you updated, but in the mean time, don't lie to your customers, steal from the government, or threaten competitors (real or perceived) if you haven't paid the fees that give you the right to do so.
_________________________________________________________________
facebook.com/TCBeads
Call me:
248 726 1078
_________________________________________________________________
Statute citation with Penalties:
bitlaw.com/source/17usc/1326.html
Resource information:
duetsblog.com/2010/11/articles/trademarks/registration-symbol-misuse-as-trademark-fraud
howconceptual.com/circle-r-penalty
500law.com/the-consequences-of-using-the-trademark-registration-symbol-if-your-mark-is-not-registered-reprise
law360.com/articles/463381/proving-trademark-fraud-intent-is-the-question
