Successful brands don’t just appear out of thin air; they must be developed, built, supported, and protected. For many years, strong brand protection was only affordable and achievable for large companies with deep pockets. But as technology has revolutionized the way we do business, the landscape for trademarks has changed, and now any organization, big or small, can have a strong, protected, global brand without breaking the bank.
It’s a reality I’ve witnessed firsthand; following a brief stint as an examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, I founded my law firm as an entrepreneur in 1999. Since then, I have worked with thousands of small business owners to build, protect, and grow brands, and Erik M. Pelton & Associates has become one of the most recognized brands in the field of trademarks.
For the first time in Building a Bold Brand I share all the tips and tools from my 20 years of experience in a single resource created for brand managers and business owners.
Begin your journey to Building a Bold Brand.
What Makes This Book Different
Listen to Erik discuss what makes this book a unique resource for any business, whether a start-up with a new brand, or established with a growing brand.
Overview of contents
With content is brought to life through shared real-world examples from familiar brands, as well as through actual client success stories.
- In Part One of Building a Bold Brand, we will cover the fundamentals of choosing a brand name, and we’ll explore and explain the different types of name choices.
- In Part Two, we’ll take a deep dive into the how and why of the trademark registration process. In Part Three, proper use of a trademark is detailed, along with registration renewals.
- In Part Four, I cover special considerations for small businesses and a variety of specific industries.
- Finally, Part Five is a compendium of valuable resources for working with your brand(s).

Access to special videos and visuals is available for purchasers of the book.
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About the Author
Erik Pelton, founder and lead attorney at Erik M. Pelton & Associates, PLLC (EMP&A), has dedicated his career to making intellectual property protection understandable, accessible, and affordable for businesses and entrepreneurs of all sizes and types. Erik got his start as a trademark examiner for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) before launching his own boutique trademark law practice, with the goal of making the process of protecting a company brand easy—whether for a solo practitioner or an international corporation—through the enduring ideals of great customer service, affordability, and clarity.
With 20+ years of experience in the field of trademarks and more than 3,000 trademarks registered, Erik is also intent on sharing his knowledge through workshops, conference speaking engagements, free video tutorials, and a blog that focuses on current issues and cases regarding intellectual property.
Outside of the office, Erik can be found volunteering with the local Economic Development Authority, testing his mettle in a triathlon, drumming up support for charity, or wrangling kids on Bike to School Day. He and his family live in Falls Church, Va.