Blog – Off the Mark Solutions

Can You Trademark a Descriptive Name? Here’s What the Law Actually Says

Most business owners choose their brand name for the right reasons. They want a name that communicates what they do, that is easy to remember,

How to License Your Course, Framework, or Methodology

At some point in building a successful consulting practice, course business, or expert-led brand, a question tends to surface: what if what I have built

Independent Contractor vs. Employee — What the Difference Means for Your Business

As your business grows and you bring people in to help run it, one of the first legal decisions you face is how to classify

Why Serious Investors and Collaborators Won’t Sign Your NDA — and What to Do Instead

If you have ever approached a potential investor, a high-profile collaborator, or an established brand about a partnership — and asked them to sign a

What Is a Non-Disclosure Agreement — and When Does Your Business Actually Need One?

If you have ever shared a business idea with a potential partner, brought a contractor into a project involving sensitive information, or entered a conversation

How to Protect a Signature Framework

If you have developed a signature framework — a proprietary process, a step-by-step methodology, a named system you use to produce consistent results for clients — you have

Copyright vs. Trademark: Which One Does Your Course Actually Need?

If you have built an online course — or you are in the process of building one — you have probably asked some version of this question. Maybe you phrased it as

The Barter Agreement You Forgot to Write

A few days ago, a small business owner posted on Threads that she was removing all of the AI-generated images from her website. She was transparent about it — the replacement

What Every Consultant’s Client Agreement Needs — and What Most Are Missing

Most consultants, strategists, and service-based experts have a client agreement. Whether it is a contract drafted by an attorney, a template purchased from a legal

How to Register a Copyright — The Actual Process, Step by Step

If you already know why copyright registration matters — the ability to file suit, the access to statutory damages, the federal record of ownership — this