# Fasthoff Law Firm PLLC

> Trademark, copyright, business formation, Internet and eCommerce, and privacy law counsel based in Houston and The Woodlands, Texas, led by Hank Fasthoff. The firm also handles business litigation and national sweepstakes and promotions compliance. Clients work directly with Hank from first review through resolution, throughout Texas, across the United States, and internationally.

Hank Fasthoff has practiced for more than 29 years and is licensed in Texas, New York, and Tennessee, admitted in numerous federal district and appellate courts, and admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. The firm is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell and ranked by Super Lawyers.

## Services

- [Trademarks](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/services/trademarks): Clearance, registration, enforcement, and licensing
- [Copyrights](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/services/copyrights): Registration, licensing, DMCA, and infringement matters
- [Intellectual Property](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/services/intellectual-property): Trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets
- [Business & Transactions](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/services/business-transactions): Entity formation, agreements, and ongoing counsel
- [Business Entity Formation](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/services/business-entity-formation): LLCs, corporations, and startup structuring
- [Internet & eCommerce](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/services/internet-ecommerce): Online business, platform, and compliance counsel
- [eCommerce Agreements](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/services/ecommerce-agreements): Terms of service, SaaS agreements, and online contracts
- [Privacy Law](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/services/privacy-law): Privacy policies, state privacy statutes, and data compliance
- [Licensing & Commercial Agreements](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/services/licensing-commercial-agreements): Drafting and negotiating business contracts
- [Business Litigation](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/services/business-litigation): Commercial disputes in Texas state and federal courts
- [IP Litigation](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/services/ip-litigation): Trademark, copyright, and trade dress litigation
- [Outside General Counsel](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/services/outside-general-counsel): Standing counsel relationship for businesses
- [Sweepstakes & Contests](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/services/sweepstakes-contests): National sweepstakes, contest, and promotions compliance
- [Domain Name Disputes](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/services/domain-name-disputes): UDRP proceedings and ACPA litigation
- [All services](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/services): Full index of practice areas

## Trademarks

- [What a Trademark Is](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/what-is-a-trademark-federal-registration): Trademark basics and the rights federal registration provides
- [Trademark Strength Spectrum](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/why-some-trademarks-are-stronger-than-others): Fanciful to generic and why it controls protection
- [Trademark Clearance Searches](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/trademark-clearance-search-before-everything): Why clearance comes before everything else
- [How Federal Registration Works](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/how-federal-trademark-registration-works-uspto): The USPTO process from filing to registration
- [Common Trademark Mistakes](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/common-trademark-mistakes-businesses): The mistakes that cost businesses time and money
- [TTAB Proceedings](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/ttab-opposition-cancellation-proceedings): Oppositions and cancellations versus federal court
- [Enforcing Trademark Rights](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/trademark-enforcement-after-registration): Monitoring, demand letters, and litigation
- [Trademark Licensing and Quality Control](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/trademark-licensing): License terms and the naked licensing trap

## Copyrights

- [Copyright Registration and Timing](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/copyright-registration-timing-remedies): Why registration timing determines available remedies
- [Work-for-Hire Ownership](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/work-for-hire-copyright-ownership): Who owns commissioned and employee-created works
- [Proving Copyright Infringement](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/copyright-infringement-elements-defenses): Elements, defenses, and secondary liability
- [Fair Use and the Four-Factor Test](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/fair-use-four-factor-test): When fair use protects a use and when it doesn't
- [DMCA Takedown Notices](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/dmca-takedowns-counter-notifications): Takedowns, counter-notifications, and safe harbors
- [Copyright Duration and the Public Domain](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/copyright-duration-public-domain): How long protection lasts and what's free to use
- [Copyright Assignments and Transfers](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/copyright-assignments-and-transfers): Writing requirements, recordation, and priority
- [Copyright Licensing](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/copyright-licensing-exclusive-non-exclusive): Exclusive versus nonexclusive licenses
- [Section 203 Termination Rights](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/section-203-copyright-termination): Reclaiming transferred copyrights after 35 years
- [Music Copyright, Sampling, and Licensing](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/music-copyright-sampling-mechanical-licenses): The two-copyright structure and license types
- [Artificial Intelligence and Copyright](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/copyright-artificial-intelligence-ownership-infringement): Human authorship, training data, and current litigation

## Business Formation and Startups

- [LLC or Corporation](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/llc-or-corporation-choosing-entity): How to choose the right entity for your business
- [Founder Equity and Vesting](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/founder-equity-vesting-cofounder-departure): What happens when a co-founder leaves
- [Single-Member LLC Operating Agreements](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/single-member-llc-operating-agreement): Why your single-member LLC needs one
- [Noncompete Clauses in Operating Agreements](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/llc-operating-agreement-non-compete): Restrictions that belong in LLC agreements
- [Buy-Sell Agreements](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/buy-sell-agreements-owner-exit): Protecting the business when an owner exits
- [Series LLCs in Texas](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/texas-series-llc-explained): How they work and when they make sense
- [Foreign Qualification](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/foreign-qualification-registering-other-states): When your business must register in other states

## Internet and eCommerce

- [Website Terms of Service](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/website-terms-of-service): What your terms must cover and why they bind users
- [SaaS Agreements](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/saas-agreements): What belongs in the subscription contract
- [Auto-Renewal and Subscription Compliance](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/auto-renewal-subscription-compliance): The rules that govern recurring billing
- [CAN-SPAM Compliance](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/can-spam-compliance): Email marketing requirements for online businesses
- [FTC Endorsement Guides](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/ftc-endorsement-guides-influencer-disclosure): Influencer disclosure requirements
- [Section 230 and Content Moderation](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/section-230-content-moderation): What protects your platform from user content claims

## Privacy Law

- [Privacy Policies for Online Businesses](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/privacy-policies-online-businesses): What the law requires and what belongs in yours
- [Texas Data Privacy and Security Act](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/texas-data-privacy-and-security-act): What it requires and who it covers
- [State Privacy Laws Beyond Texas](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/state-privacy-laws-beyond-texas): Compliance for businesses selling nationwide
- [COPPA Compliance](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/coppa-compliance-websites-apps): Requirements before collecting children's data
- [Texas Data Breach Notification](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/texas-data-breach-notification): What you must do when personal data is exposed
- [Data Processing Agreements](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/data-processing-agreements): What vendor contracts must include

## Sweepstakes and Promotions Law

- [Sweepstakes, Contests, and Illegal Lotteries](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/sweepstakes-contests-illegal-lotteries): The lottery elements and how promotions stay legal
- [Sweepstakes Official Rules](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/sweepstakes-official-rules): What official rules must contain and why
- [State Registration and Bonding](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/sweepstakes-state-registration-bonding): Florida, New York, and Rhode Island requirements
- [Alternate Method of Entry and Equal Dignity](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/sweepstakes-alternate-method-of-entry-equal-dignity): Free entry requirements and equal treatment
- [Prize Fulfillment and Tax Reporting](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/sweepstakes-prize-fulfillment-tax-reporting): Winner verification, 1099 reporting, and state rules
- [Skill Contests Versus Sweepstakes](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/skill-contests-versus-sweepstakes-entry-fees): Chance versus skill tests and entry fees by state
- [Social Media Giveaways and Platform Rules](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/social-media-giveaways-platform-promotion-rules): Lottery law plus Meta, TikTok, X, and YouTube promotion rules
- [Sweepstakes Casinos and the Limits of the Dual Currency Model](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/sweepstakes-casinos-equal-dignity-regulatory-collapse): State statutes, enforcement, litigation, and criminal exposure
- [App-Based Games and Gamified Promotions](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/app-based-games-gamified-promotions-lottery-line): Loot boxes, in-app promotions, and the lottery line

## Firm

- [About Hank Fasthoff](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/about): Background, credentials, and approach
- [Results](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/results): Representative matters and outcomes
- [Locations](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/locations): Houston and The Woodlands offices
- [Contact](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/contact): Submit an inquiry

## More

- [Trade Secret Protection for Texas Businesses](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/trade-secret-protection-texas-businesses): TUTSA, the DTSA, and enforcement
- [Trade Secret Protection Before the Lawsuit](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/trade-secret-protection-before-the-lawsuit): Reasonable measures that decide cases
- [Nondisclosure Agreements](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog/nondisclosure-agreements): NDA enforceability under Texas law
- [All articles](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/blog): Full insights library across every practice area
- [Sitemap](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/sitemap.xml): All 190 pages
- [Attorney advertising notice](https://fasthofflawfirm.com/disclaimer): Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome