Business Law Blog - The Kumar Law Firm PLLC

How to Respond When the USPTO Refuses Your Application

Posted on September 14, 2026

A refusal is a deadline, not a verdict. The application only dies if you let the response period run out.

You chose the name, you paid the fee, and now the USPTO has told you no. The USPTO typically issues refusals through something called an...

Trademark Specimens: What Counts as Acceptable Proof of Use

Posted on August 14, 2026

Your specimen is the proof that your mark is actually used in the marketplace. Get it wrong and the USPTO can refuse your application, even when your mark is strong.

A trademark specimen is the real-world proof you submit to the U.S. Patent and Trademark...

Work for Hire: Who Actually Owns the Copyright?

Posted on July 17, 2026

By default, the person who creates a work owns its copyright. A work made for hire is the exception. When an employee creates a work on the job, or a contractor signs a written agreement for one of nine specific types of work, the hiring business may own...

Foreign Entity Registration in Texas

Posted on June 10, 2026

A foreign entity that transacts business in Texas without registering cannot bring or maintain a lawsuit in Texas courts until it registers, and may owe years of back fees if the delay exceeds 90 days.

Every month an out-of-state company transacts business in Texas without...

Registered Agent Requirements For Businesses

Posted on June 4, 2026

A Texas entity that fails to maintain a registered agent and registered office can be involuntarily terminated by the Secretary of State. A foreign filing entity can have its Texas registration revoked.

A registered agent is the person Texas law presumes will be served for...

When Should You Trademark Your Logo?

Posted on May 4, 2026

Your filing date is your priority date. The sooner you apply, the stronger your position may be if anyone challenges your rights.

The right time to trademark your logo is generally before you launch — or as early in the business lifecycle as possible. Every...

Texas Franchise Disclosure Requirements

Posted on April 9, 2026

Franchisors in Texas must comply with the Federal Trade Commission Franchise Rule, which requires them to provide a Franchise Disclosure Document, or FDD, at least 14 days before a franchise agreement is signed or money is paid. Texas is not a franchise registration...

Single-Member LLC vs. Multi-Member LLC

Posted on March 19, 2026

Choosing between a single-member and multi-member LLC affects how your business is governed, how your assets are protected, and how ownership transitions work. An operating agreement is critical for both structures.

You have the business idea, the drive, and the plan. Now comes the decision...

Can a Franchisor Change the Franchise Agreement?

Posted on March 4, 2026

A signed franchise agreement is a binding contract, but many agreements give franchisors broad authority to modify operations manuals and system standards. Understanding what your franchisor can and cannot change is essential to protecting your investment.

You signed your franchise agreement expecting the terms to...

How to Convert Your Sole Proprietorship to an LLC

Posted on February 3, 2026

Your side hustle has become a real business. Clients are calling, revenue is growing, and you are starting to think about the future. But there is a problem: as a sole proprietor, there is very little protecting your personal savings, your home, or your retirement if something goes wrong. One unhappy customer,...