Untytled: The Kyona McGhee Interview
The Kyona McGhee Interview — Volume 03.
This interview was released in May 2023.
This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
We often hear of many people getting into specific fields because they may have seen others forge success in it. What drew you to want to pursue law as a career path?
From a young age, I’ve had very close family members have horrendous interactions with the criminal justice system and law enforcement. As a result of witnessing the aftermath of these encounters, I knew I wanted to help educate people about their rights, but at the time I didn’t know what that would like. Coming from the neighborhoods and city I’m from, you don’t see or know too many black attorneys so I had no idea I would end up being in a courtroom as a public defender and running my own IP firm, but I consider it one of my life’s greatest honors, to serve my family and community, through this career path.
With Trademark My Stuff, you help people protect their brands and identities through trademarks, copyrights, and entities. Can you divulge how you decide whether someone needs to pursue the aforementioned services you provide?
Everyone has a developed a magic sauce about their companies/brands. Sometimes it’s in the name, others it is in the formula of the hair products, and others it could be in the curriculum they provide their coaching students. Regardless of the mode they have used to spark this magic, it has to be protected and defended at all costs, and that’s where we come in. We specialize in defending dreams and protecting creativity.
The action of protecting one’s brand can be costly, especially when a person is striving to do everything legally and professionally. How do you coach your clients to educate themselves even past the point of service through Trademark My Stuff?
Keeping a watchful eye and being vigilant regarding the use of trademarks and copyright-protected content is vital. We offer a monthly watch service that allows our firm to be the watchman for our clients for less than $70 a month, but if clients can’t afford the service, we always encourage them to at least do a simple Google check and USPTO check every quarter on your content/material to make sure no one has slipped through the cracks. If they do find something that has been copied, we can step in and have them served immediately with a Cease and Desist Demand Letter.
What are some of the biggest misconceptions about getting things trademarked and-or copyrighted?
Once the trademark is registered the common misconception is that it is owned for every type of use across the county. Two companies can use the same exact business name and it does not qualify as trademark infringement if the two brands sell completely unrelated products. For example, Dove soap versus Dove Chocolate — these brands co-exist without any issue because their products are not related therefore there is no confusion in the marketplace.
The LLC is enough and is as strong as (or the same as) a federal trademark registration. LLC filings are state-based and have nothing to do with brand ownership. While the United States Patent and Trademark Office maintains the trademark filings and ensures the proper method of registering and defending (if necessary) one’s brand.
As someone who has such a successful business with Trademark My Stuff, how do you carve out space to be both a wife and mother? Do you believe in the idea of having all things balanced regularly?
If there is a such thing as balance, I have not yet found it. I believe in grace and seasons. In this season, my children require much more than they did in seasons pasts, so gratefully my team at work provides more grace to allow me to be more present with my family. In the next season, I expect my work to take on a bigger challenge, and in that season, I’ll be asking my husband to give me a little grace so that I can be all that I need to be in another arena. I’m grateful for every role I play, but I would be lying if I said it was a fairy tale every day. It’s downright hard, but it is so worth it.
If you could own a historical trademark of your own, which one would it be and why?
If this isn’t the best question I’ve never been asked before : ) I would like to own the McDonalds golden arches, being one of the most recognizable brands worldwide.
