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Trademark Scammers lying, threatening and scaring hard working business people! #1 ONE law firm CANNOT represent two opposing sides. #2 Everyone is entitled to choose their own legal representation. Exception might be a class-action lawsuit or similar. #3 After speaking with “Gavin Rhodes,” I was promised more details. Instead receive a pitch to work with them. Immediately following that, another threatening email. Followed by another threatening email the next day, warning a “cease and desist” could be issued. #4 Lawyers are not allowed to threaten people, esp falsely. #5 Legal procedures provide a reasonable time to respond, usually 14-30 days, with 30 days being more common. #6 Legal correspondence must be in writing, not emails. Plus with proper formatting (typefaces same size), complete sentences, proper punctuation, etc. #7 Name of my company was not even mentioned until most recent email. THAT information should be in the very first correspondence. #8 Cannot issue "cease and desist" merely at time of applying for a trademark. The trademark has to be completed first. #9 Plus the fact I’ve been using my business name for decades. I am well established internationally in print, online, merch, museums, galleries, etc. It’s a slam dunk I’d win in court. #10 Common usage counts MORE than a new company! Trademarks are NOT assigned "first come, first served." “Under USPTO’s first-to-file rule,” IS A TOTAL LIE! #11 Names of parties are released to both parties. “Gavin Rhodes” claimed “confidentiality” when asked on the phone for other party’s information. People have the right to know who is taking legal action against their business and why, what has transpired, etc. Cannot mount a defense or reply without that information. #12 The phone number is on the email, (818) 231-4569, is "not in service." #13 The website, securemymark.com which turns into securesmymark.com, is considered scammy and unsafe per scamadvisor.com and other sites that track scam sites. #14 Website proudly boasts an affiliation with "Markaqua Hub," a known scammer site based in Pakistan. #15 “Gavin Rhodes" and the woman who answered the phone using the number on their site, (818) 723-2569, not the bogus email number, spoke with Pakistani accents. #16 US Trademark office provides samples of scammy emails. This email includes all that and more. #17 I repeatedly told them in emails and on the phone, I earned an A at UCLA for my Paralegal Certificate. Didn’t matter. They kept sending out form letters. One included a personal note, but included pitch to use their services. That was quickly followed by a really angry, threatening form letter. #18 NOT proper procedures for contact, responses, anything! IF they were a real law firm, they’d get their licensing yanked and be sanctioned! Starting with threats, lies, coercion and more. #19 They simply don’t know nor care about American laws. This is NOT how things work here! They do NOT have a client nor will they issue a “cease and desist.” All that requires time and money. They merely want to scare people to pay for something these scammers will never deliver. From: Gavin Rhodes [email protected] Subject: Re: Urgent Legal Alert: Protect the Trademark Date: June 30, 2025 at 4:08:04?PM PDT Hello, We have received a request to file a trademark for your business name by a third party. Our Research confirms their use is recent and weak, while your history with the name is long-standing and well-documented. Per our conflict protocol, you are being given a one-time opportunity to secure this name before we take legal steps with the other party. If You Do Not File Immediately: • You may lose exclusive rights to the name. • You could be sued under the Lanham Act. • You risk a forced rebrand and full legal liability. This is a high-risk situation with irreversible consequences. The USPTO accepts filings on a first-come basis. There will be no second notice. To prevent litigation and brand loss, reply now or contact our office at (818) 231-4569. Best regards,?Gavin Rhodes?Senior Paralegal Officer | Secure My Mark?P: (818) 231-4569?E: [email protected]?W:www.securemymark.com 1800 North Vine Street Los Angeles CA 90028 ——— From: [email protected] Subject: RE: Urgent Legal Alert: Protect the Trademark Date: July 1, 2025 at 9:55:00?AM PDT Dear ***, Sorry, ma’am, if we scared you — but this is a very sensitive case, as I mentioned in the previous email and call too. As I told you, we have a client who wants to trade under the same business name that you are using. After doing our research, we concluded that you have been using the name for a long time. That’s why I reached out to you first. And after knowing your age, I would never want you to face this issue or trouble later. Just for you — because you are like my mother — I will configure a very discounted package if you’re willing to proceed with us. Best regards,?Gavin Rhodes —— From: Gavin Rhodes [email protected] Subject: Re: Final Chance to Claim Legal Rights Act Now or Lose It Date: July 1, 2025 at 11:21:01?AM PDT Hello, This is your final opportunity to secure full legal rights to your business name before it’s taken by someone else. A newly launched company with just a few months of use has filed to trademark the name. Meanwhile, you’ve invested time, reputation, and resources building your brand. You have clear priority, but that means nothing if you don’t act now. Under USPTO’s first-to-file rule, whoever files first gets the rights — period. If we don’t hear from you in the next 24 hours, we’ll be forced to proceed with their application. You have two choices: • File Now – We’ll secure your trademark and protect your brand from legal threats. • Do Nothing – The other party takes legal ownership, and you risk losing everything tied to the name. If they win the trademark, you could face infringement claims, lawsuits, financial damages, and even be ordered to shut down or rebrand — all under the Lanham Act. This is your brand. Your name. Your legacy. Don’t lose it over a missed deadline. Reply to this email immediately or call (818) 231-4569 to confirm your filing. —— From: [email protected] Subject: RE: Urgent Legal Alert: Protect the Trademark Date: July 2, 2025 at 11:23:57?AM PDT Dear ***,?? Hope you would be having a great day ! Since we haven't received your completed form, we are officially moving forward with the other applicant today. As their legal counsel, we will be issuing a cease-and-desist letter against you, legally barring you from using the name “***” moving forward. This means: • You will be forced to shut down your business under this name. • You will incur rebranding costs, including a new name, marketing materials, and website updates. • You may face financial damages due to trademark infringement. • If you continue using the name after the trademark is filed, you could face legal action with serious penalties. This is your final chance to protect your rights before it’s too late. If you wish to proceed with securing your trademark, you must respond immediately. Let me know your decision right away.??Best regards,?Gavin Rhodes ---------[my response, which I am keeping private, resulted in this threat, which has no merits] -------- From: [email protected] Subject: RE: Urgent Legal Alert: Protect the Trademark Date: July 2, 2025 at 11:54:49?AM PDT You should be ashamed I am just concerning your age and not sending you back the same but we will deal with you like a legal way , from today’s be ready to face what you have done I am going to filing the trademark right now against your business name and very soon you have to face cease & decease letter and I would like to file a abusive case against you , meet you in the court very soon bye..