Registering your business name, program name, or other trademark means that you own the right to use that phrase or symbol in your particular niche (in the classes you registered under). You then have the right to stop others from using the mark in their business if they are selling similar products or services. You won’t be able to stop someone from using the name or a similar name in a different industry or with completely different goods or services (think Dove soap and Dove chocolate - they can both exist at the same time).

A trademark class is the category of goods or services that you offer in connection with your mark. For example, if you’re a life coach, you might fall into the education class or the personal services class. If you’re a digital marketer, you’ll be in the business services & marketing class. I'll help you choose your classes during the application process.

Most of my clients register their marks in 1-3 classes. One class fee per mark is included in your investment, and additional classes are $500 each. 

Yes, if you do business in the US. It’s important to protect your brand everywhere you use it, so if you have US customers or clients, you’ll want US trademark protection.

Yes! I offer Office Action Responses as an a la carte service that starts at $500. Send me an email ([email protected]) to let me know you'd like help with a pending Office Action and we can chat about next steps.

To complete your registration, you have to be using it in connection with goods or services available to the public. However, if you aren't using your mark in business yet but have a legitimate intention to start using it, there is a different type of application you can file called an Intent to Use application. Instead of issuing a registration, the USPTO will issue a Notice of Allowance. You then have 6 months to file a Statement of Use showing how you are using your mark in business or file a 6-month extension. Filing an Intent to Use application puts others on notice that you intend to claim ownership of your mark.

The trademark registration process takes an average of 13 months, but it can take longer depending on the circumstances. The timeline depends on multiple factors, including how quickly you provide the information we need to run the search and file the application, whether the mark is currently in use, whether the USPTO issues any Office Actions, and if anyone else opposes the registration.

Unfortunately, I can’t guarantee that your trademark will definitely be registered. I take every step I can to increase the chances of registration and determine the risks ahead of time. If you decide not to move forward with registration after I run the search because the trademark is likely to be rejected, I’ll issue a refund minus $850 for the cost of the search and opinion letter. However, even with low-risk applications, there’s always the possibility that a conflict will arise later.

Forever! A trademark registration will last indefinitely as long as you continue to use the mark in business and file the required maintenance forms. You’ll need to file an Affidavit of Use five years after registration, and additional forms every 10 years after registration to keep the trademark registration active. I’ll remind you of these deadlines so you don’t miss a beat.

Anyone can file an application for a trademark they own. However, the application process is complicated and it’s easy to make a mistake. If the USPTO has any questions and responds with an initial refusal or an office action, it can be overwhelming for someone who doesn’t have the training to deal with it. Unfortunately, a lot of people will just give up when all they need to complete the registration is a good legal argument!

Yes! That’s one of the benefits of registration. You can use the ® symbol so everyone knows you own your mark. You can’t use this symbol with your trademark until it’s actually registered.

You can use the ™ symbol with any trademark, regardless of registration. Using the ™ symbol next to your business name, program name, or logo is a great way to let other people know that you claim ownership of that mark while your application is pending.