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Artists, writers and brands in Portland
If you create work or build a brand of your own in Portland, the sections below describe the rules that apply to you.
Trademarks: federal, state and common law
Tennessee adds a state option. A trademark or service mark can be registered with the Secretary of State, Division of Business Services, by a signed application sent with the filing fee to the office at 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, Nashville, TN 37243. The Secretary of State says a state registration lasts five years from the date of filing and can be renewed for further five year periods, with renewal opening six months before the registration expires. Common law rights are not described on this page, and an attorney can explain how they compare.
Local institutions and organizations in Robertson County and Sumner County
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville lists a Portland campus at 602 South Broadway. If your work comes from a class or a school project, ask the school directly what its rules say.
Which federal court lists Robertson County and Sumner County
The United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee lists both Robertson County and Sumner County under its Nashville listing, and the court’s pages give 719 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37203 for that listing. The listing shows how the court sorts counties.
Protecting your work in Portland? Get matched with an attorney now.
Common situations and short answers
Does Tennessee have its own trade secret statute?
Tennessee has its own Uniform Trade Secrets Act for misappropriation of trade secrets under state law. This page does not describe the definitions or the claim process under either act.
What if I signed a noncompete with a previous employer?
In Tennessee, a separate statute covers noncompetes of health care providers. An attorney should confirm the current rule for the kind of work involved.
Reading before you meet
If you have received a letter or message about your work, read it carefully and bring the original. Do not respond until you have asked an attorney what it means.
Next step: a match with counsel
Before you speak with an attorney, collect the dates when you created, published or sold your work, any agreement that covers it, and any registration paperwork. Those details let an attorney see which of the rules above could apply. For a statewide view, see Tennessee intellectual property attorneys.
Resources for small creative businesses
The City of Portland issues its business tax license through the Business Office at 100 S. Russell Street, with a $15 original license fee, according to the city’s license page, and owners also need a county license from the Sumner County or Robertson County Clerk depending on where the business sits. If you form a company, Tennessee businesses file new business and annual report paperwork through the online TNCaB account system of the Secretary of State. In 2015 the Secretary of State’s Division of Business Services announced online filing of assumed names, meaning a name other than the legal name under which a business transacts business. When you are ready for a legal view of your brand or your work, you can get matched with an intellectual property attorney.
Was your work copied or your brand used without permission? Talk to an attorney in Robertson and Sumner counties.
Related Intellectual Property Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Portland business tax license involve?
The City of Portland issues its business tax license through the Business Office at 100 S. Russell Street, with a $15 original license fee as listed when the page was viewed. Owners also need a county license from the Sumner County or Robertson County Clerk, depending on where the business sits.
Where is the Portland campus of Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville?
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville lists a Portland campus at 602 South Broadway.
Which court listing covers Robertson County and Sumner County?
The United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee lists both counties under its Nashville listing. The court’s pages give 719 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37203 for that listing.
How long does a Tennessee trademark registration last?
The Tennessee Secretary of State says a state registration lasts five years from the date of filing and can be renewed for further five year periods. Renewal opens six months before the registration expires.
Connect With a Portland Intellectual Property Attorney
You do not have to work out the dates and rules alone. Fill out the form, and you will be connected with an attorney who can review your situation, the deadlines, and what a claim or filing may involve.
