SRIS international attorneys
Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. is a US law firm that assists international clients with US trademark registration, brand protection, and business entity formation. For entrepreneurs and businesses based in Colombia, securing a US trademark through the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) under the Lanham Act (15 U.S.C. §§ 1051 et seq.) and forming a US business entity each involve distinct procedural and strategic considerations. The firm, founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, brings extensive experience to these matters from its Virginia principal location and serves clients by appointment only. Mr. Sris is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. For Colombia-law dimensions of a cross-border brand matter, the firm collaborates with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is admitted to practice law in the Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar; his role is limited to Colombia-law matters in coordination with the US-admitted attorneys of the firm. Reach Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
What US Brand and Entity Representation Covers for International Clients
US brand and entity representation for international clients encompasses trademark registration, brand-enforcement strategy, and business entity formation under federal and state law. A US trademark registered with the USPTO confers nationwide priority and the right to use the ® symbol, and it serves as a foundation for enforcement against infringers in US commerce. The registration process includes a substantive examination by a USPTO examining attorney, publication for opposition, and — for use-based applications — submission of specimens demonstrating use of the mark in US commerce. For a business that has not yet used its mark in the United States, an intent-to-use application under 15 U.S.C. § 1051(b) can reserve priority while the business prepares to enter the US market.
On the entity-formation side, international clients often form a US corporation or limited liability company to establish a domestic presence, open US bank accounts, or hold US-based assets. Entity formation involves selecting a state of incorporation — frequently Delaware, Virginia, or another state with a developed body of corporate law — and complying with that state’s filing and registered-agent requirements. The choice of entity type carries tax and liability implications that should be evaluated with counsel before filing. Brand protection and entity structure are interrelated: the entity that will own and use the trademark should be identified early, because the trademark application must name the correct owner.
How Mr. Sris and the Colombia Of Counsel Handle Cross-Border Brand Matters
On every cross-border brand or entity matter involving Colombia, the US-law aspects are handled by Mr. Sris and the US-admitted attorneys of the firm, while Colombia-law aspects are handled by Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, under a clear jurisdictional division. Eric Duport Jaramillo is admitted to practice law in the Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar. His practice with Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. is limited to matters of Colombian law and to serving as a liaison for international clients with the US-admitted attorneys at the firm. All US-law work — including USPTO filings, US entity formation, and US brand-enforcement matters — remains under the direction of Mr. Sris, who is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York.
This structure means a Colombian business seeking US trademark registration works directly with the firm’s US-admitted attorneys on the USPTO application, while any parallel Colombia trademark or corporate matter is handled by the Colombia Of Counsel. The two sides coordinate as needed, but each attorney practices only in the jurisdiction where they are admitted. The firm’s location in Pereira, Colombia, by appointment only, supports in-person consultations for clients who wish to meet with the Colombia Of Counsel before engaging the US-admitted side of the firm.
About Mr. Sris and the Firm
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices of SRIS, P.C., has practiced since 1997 and is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. He is a former prosecutor. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova), the bill that became the 2019 revision to Va. Code § 20-107.3(g). The firm serves an international clientele from its US locations and its location in Pereira, Colombia, all by appointment only. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring extensive combined legal experience across US and foreign jurisdictions. Consultations are by appointment; contact the firm at (888) 437-7747.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a business based in Colombia register a trademark in the United States?
Yes, a business based in Colombia may apply for US trademark registration with the USPTO, and foreign applicants are not required to have a US business entity to file. The application may be filed on a use-in-commerce basis if the mark is already in use in US commerce, or on an intent-to-use basis under 15 U.S.C. § 1051(b) if the mark has not yet been used in the United States. Foreign applicants must designate a US-licensed attorney to represent them before the USPTO, a requirement that applies to all foreign-domiciled trademark applicants. The examining attorney at the USPTO reviews the application for compliance with the Lanham Act, including distinctiveness and likelihood of confusion with existing registered marks. For guidance on a specific mark, contact Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Do I need to form a US business entity to protect my brand in the United States?
No, forming a US business entity is not a prerequisite for obtaining a US trademark registration, but it is often a prudent step for businesses that plan to operate in the United States. A trademark application may be filed in the name of a foreign individual or a foreign business entity. However, forming a US entity — such as a Virginia corporation or a Delaware limited liability company — can simplify US banking, contracting, and tax compliance, and it provides a domestic entity to hold the trademark registration. The choice of entity type and state of incorporation should be evaluated with counsel, as the decision affects governance requirements, tax treatment, and ongoing compliance obligations. For a consultation on US entity formation, reach the firm at (888) 437-7747.
How does the firm divide responsibilities between US and Colombia counsel?
All US-law work — including USPTO trademark filings, US entity formation, and US brand-enforcement matters — is handled by Mr. Sris and the US-admitted attorneys of the firm; Colombia-law matters are handled by Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is admitted in the Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar. This jurisdictional division ensures that each aspect of a cross-border brand matter is addressed by an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. The US-admitted attorneys and the Colombia Of Counsel coordinate as needed, but each practices only where admitted. Clients engage the firm for the US-law side and may separately engage the Colombia Of Counsel for Colombia-law needs. For a discussion of how this structure applies to a particular matter, contact Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
What is the Madrid Protocol and how does it relate to US trademark filings?
The Madrid Protocol is an international treaty administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) that allows a trademark owner to seek protection in multiple member countries through a single international application filed through the owner’s home trademark office. For US applicants, the USPTO serves as the office of origin. The Madrid system can streamline international brand protection by reducing the need to file separate applications in each country. However, the international registration depends on the continued validity of the underlying home-country application or registration for a period of five years. Whether the Madrid route or direct national filings is preferable depends on the applicant’s business objectives and the specific countries where protection is sought. For guidance on US trademark filing strategy, contact the firm at (888) 437-7747.
What should I prepare before contacting the firm about US brand protection?
Before reaching out, it is helpful to gather a clear description of the mark (word, logo, or both), a list of the goods or services the mark will cover, the date the mark was first used in US commerce (if applicable), and the name and jurisdiction of the entity or individual that will own the registration. If the mark has already been used in the United States, examples of use — such as product packaging, website screenshots, or advertising materials — are useful for evaluating the strength of a use-based application. If no US use has occurred, the firm can advise on an intent-to-use filing strategy. Having these materials ready allows for a more productive initial consultation. To discuss US brand protection for your business, reach Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.