Make your markand protect it

G&A Legal's dynamic team of IP Professionals is dedicated to global trademark, copyright and domain filing and protection.

Book a free consultation

Practice areas

Trademarks

Trademark clearance and protection
Trademark risk assessment
Prosecution, maintenance and enforcement

Copyrights

Copyright protection and enforcement
Client counseling

Legal Services

Internet domain names
Trade dress
Unfair competition

Spotlight

All posts

Trademarks

Jul 1, 2025 · 1 min read

Lululemon fights back against copies of their famous leggings

Lululemon is suing Costco, alleging that the discount wholesaler is selling knockoffs of its $128 pants and other pricey athleisure clothing.

Trademarks

Feb 10, 2025 · 2 min read

Three-Peat Trademark — The Long Game

We are surprised the USPTO has not issued these trademarks an audit for non use of individual items.

Trademarks

May 17, 2023 · 2 min read

Taco Bell trying to cancel “Taco Tuesday”

Fast-food giant Taco Bell filed legal petitions to ‘liberate’ the trademark ‘Taco Tuesday’ that a small competitor has owned since 1989.

Trademarks

Jun 1, 2022 · 1 min read

USPTO Now Issues Digital Certificates

The USPTO will no longer send physical trademark registrations as of May 24, 2022. “Over the years, many of our customers indicated...

Trademarks

Apr 30, 2022 · 13 min read

Luxury fakes are more popular than the originals? Not great for the brands.

From www.thecut.com. Lisa, a 38-year-old Manhattan woman, has this super rich friend. She has a massive Birkin collection, a $10...

Trademarks

Jan 18, 2022 · 4 min read

Wordle- the new obsession

If you have not tried Wordle its worth a view. There have been a lot of clones of this popular game and Apple has been scrambling to...

Branding

Jul 9, 2021 · 1 min read

SWIMSOUP — a Panera pivot or brilliant branding?

Panera's new line of swimsuits is on brand.

Trademarks

Apr 5, 2021 · 2 min read

Celebrity Endorsement We Are Watching

“A champagne brand that partnered with Drake is suing the liquor store chain Total Wine, alleging that the retailer tanked their brand...

Trademarks

Jan 10, 2021 · 1 min read

USPTO director's email to staff regarding Capital events.

The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is located close to the the Capitol. The email from USPTO director Andrei lancu on the day...

Trademarks

Nov 1, 2020 · 2 min read

Fighting for Fire Cider

In 2012, the Pittsfield, Massachusetts-based Shire City Herbals filed for a trademark for the name ‘Fire Cider’ for its own version of the blend.

Trademarks

Aug 28, 2020 · 1 min read

Brilliant Branding- Snoop Dogg launches wine label

(CNN) — When Snoop Dogg (Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.) exploded on the scene in the early '90s, one of the young rapper's first major hits...

Trademarks

Aug 1, 2020 · 1 min read

YALE The Science of Well-Being

Just finished the Yale “The Science of Well-Being” course. It was great and helped me reflect on well being and happiness during this...

Trademarks

Jul 28, 2020 · 1 min read

The USPTO proposes to raise rates

We will be submitting our comments to the USPTO but it looks like there will be some rate increases for filing. The United States...

Trademarks

Jul 1, 2020 · 1 min read

USPTO giving priority to COVID-19 related trademarks.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today announced a new COVID-19 prioritized examination program for certain...

Trademarks

May 5, 2020 · 2 min read

The Supreme Court held its first oral arguments by phone.

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to use a case involving Booking.com to consider whether businesses can get federal trademark protection for...

Trademarks

Mar 21, 2020 · 4 min read

The USPTO and COVID trademarks

I wanted to re-post this article because we have had a few people asking for these types of filings. By Bill Donahue Law360 (March 18,...

Trademarks

Jan 31, 2020 · 1 min read

Upper Deck Sues Panini over background image of Michael Jordan bringing exclusive athlete contracts

Upper Deck Sues Panini Over Michael Jordan Background Images On Cards Upper Deck Sues Panini Over Michael Jordan Background Images On...

Copyrights

Nov 17, 2019 · 4 min read

Smells Like….infringment?

Marc Jacobs is not going down without a fight.

Copyrights

Sep 20, 2019 · 1 min read

Was Led Zeppelin “inspired” by an obscure 1960s instrumental for the intro to its classic

“Stairway to Heaven” will get another hearing, this time to a packed house. A panel of 11 judges from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of...

Trademarks

Apr 18, 2019 · 1 min read

CBD Burger...Too Much?

Carl’s Jr. will test a CBD-infused burger at one of its Denver locations on April 20, making it the first national fast food chain to...

Trademarks

Feb 14, 2018 · 1 min read

Local San Diego Stone Brewing, will be filing lawsuit against MillerCoors

Local brewer Greg Koch, Stone Brewing executive chairman & co-founder claims that MillerCoors is intentionally confusing the consumer by using the STONE name on their…

Trademarks

Jan 25, 2018 · 1 min read

The California Secretary of State is now taking trademark applications for marijuana based products and services

The California Secretary of State is now taking trademark applications for marijuana based products and services.Many clients are filing for protection in California…

Trademarks

Jan 16, 2018 · 1 min read

The race to the trademark stable....“Stable Genius”

Early Saturday morning on the 6th of February 2018, Trump praised his mental stability on Twitter.

Trademarks

Aug 4, 2017 · 4 min read

Adidas trying to protect three stripe design on iconic Sam Smith sneakers

This is an oldie but very interesting. We will keep you updated on this fashion issue posted on thefashionlaw.com2016- A spokesperson for Adidas told Footwear News:…

Trademarks

Jun 9, 2017 · 3 min read

The rush to trademark “Covfefe”

As of today there are over 28 USPTO filings for the word “Covfefe”“Is this another down payment on Donald Trump’s economic growth pledge?

Trademarks

Feb 24, 2017 · 1 min read

Trademarking the Scent of Childhood- Play Doh

Hasbro has filed a trademark Serial Number 87335817 for “ NON-VISUAL PLAY-DOH SCENT MARK.” It is fairly unusual to try and protect a scent so this one is…

Trademarks

Jan 19, 2017 · 1 min read

The USPTO revised fees

A set of new USPTO filing fees. Paper filers will be impacted the most. Ten TTAB fees are changing as well.

Trademarks

Jan 12, 2017 · 1 min read

San Diego Trademark Drama

There’s Already a Challenge to the ‘LA Chargers’ Trademark – and It’s Not From the…

Trademarks

Dec 14, 2016 · 1 min read

Hurdles for those who want to protect trademarks for cannabis related goods and services.

“Most cannabis-related activities cannot be lawfully regulated by Congress, and the USPTO has taken the position that trademarks used in connection with these…

Trademarks

Nov 14, 2016 · 1 min read

Non-Traditional Trademark- Goats on a Roof

Ever since I was in Door County Wisconsin, I have been intrigued by these non-traditional…

Copyrights

Nov 14, 2016 · 4 min read

Star Athletica, LLC v. Varsity Brands, Inc., a copyright case regarding the “separability” of design elements from useful articles

https://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/cert/15-866On October 31, 2016, the Supreme Court heard arguments in Star Athletica, LLC v.

Trademarks

Nov 9, 2016 · 1 min read

A partial win for Converse brand

This was a partial win for the Converse brand.…

Blog

Jul 1, 20251 min read

Upper Deck Sues Panini over background image of Michael Jordan bringing exclusive athlete contracts

Nov 17, 20194 min read

Smells Like….infringment?

Sep 20, 20191 min read

Was Led Zeppelin “inspired” by an obscure 1960s instrumental for the intro to its classic

Apr 18, 20191 min read

CBD Burger...Too Much?

Feb 14, 20181 min read

Local San Diego Stone Brewing, will be filing lawsuit against MillerCoors

Jan 25, 20181 min read

The California Secretary of State is now taking trademark applications for marijuana based products and services

Jan 16, 20181 min read

The race to the trademark stable....“Stable Genius”

Aug 4, 20174 min read

Adidas trying to protect three stripe design on iconic Sam Smith sneakers

Jun 9, 20173 min read

The rush to trademark “Covfefe”

Feb 24, 20171 min read

Trademarking the Scent of Childhood- Play Doh

Jan 19, 20171 min read

The USPTO revised fees

Jan 12, 20171 min read

San Diego Trademark Drama

Dec 14, 20161 min read

Hurdles for those who want to protect trademarks for cannabis related goods and services.

Nov 14, 20161 min read

Non-Traditional Trademark- Goats on a Roof

Nov 14, 20164 min read

Star Athletica, LLC v. Varsity Brands, Inc., a copyright case regarding the “separability” of design elements from useful articles

Nov 9, 20161 min read

A partial win for Converse brand

A boutique law firm

G&A Legal, APC is a boutique law firm, filing hundreds of global trademark applications annually.

Our clients range from small local businesses and early-stage startups to mid to large companies. Our team has a practical, business-oriented approach to handling every type of trademark issue our clients may encounter.

Through a global network of associated law firms, we can assist with the international protection of your company's most important assets.

Honest up front billing

“We believe that lawyers should not be in the business of sales.”

Expert-level knowledge of trademark and copyright issues

“G&A Legal takes pride in building long-term personal and business relationships with our clients to understand and resolve complex legal and business issues.”

Recognition & Community

San Diego MagazineWomen of the Year Awards — finalist
San Diego Business Journal“Woman Who Means Business” — nominee
944 Magazine“One to Watch”
SD Metro“Top 40 Under 40”

Rooted in North County

NN Group of Solana Beach
Recording Secretary, Solana Beach Schools Foundation
North County Networking Group
North County Bar Association
San Diego County Bar Association
International Trademark Association

Honors listed are those published by the organizations named. Recognition does not guarantee a similar outcome in any matter.

Trusted by our clients

“I registered an international trademark with Pollie Gautsch. She was efficient, thorough, reliable and got back to me very quickly with all of her research. This was my first time registering a trademark and Pollie did an excellent job of walking me through the process and was very patient with all of my questions.”

Anna — IP Client

“Pollie Gautsch and her team at G&A Legal provided excellent and quality service. I always felt that my needs were met and that the firm was dedicated to me and my trademark and other legal matters. They were easily accessible, got back to me quickly, and got me the results that I wanted.”

Andrew — IP Client

“Just filed my new trademark - and Pollie made it easy! She was really thoughtful about how to file it correctly in order to get the best results and best protections. I'll be doing my new filings with her again soon!”

Leah — IP Client

“Pollie is a very efficient and dedicated attorney. She is very experienced in her field and has been a great resource for my firm and for my clients.”

Rosanna — IP Client

Testimonials describe past matters. Results depend on the facts of each matter and prior outcomes do not guarantee a similar result.

Meet the team

Managing Attorney Pollie A. Gautsch, Esq.

“With a sense of humor and a passion for branding Pollie Gautsch, the managing attorney at G&A Legal, has coordinated and prosecuted thousands of applications and registrations in the United States and throughout the world.”

Experience: 25 years in intellectual property
Admitted: State Bar of California
Member: San Diego County Bar Association · North County Bar Association · International Trademark Association

Full profile Book a free consultation

Get in touch

Please contact us to learn how we can help you protect your brands and achieve your business goals. We're eager to get started!

Phone858.344.5905

Emailpollie@gandalegal.com

Address646 Valley Avenue, Suite B
Solana Beach, CA 92075

Start here

The first consultation is free.

A few short questions — the name or mark, what you need, and how to reach you.

Book a free consultation