what information do i need before hiring a tradmark attorney?

by Ella Greenholt Sr. 10 min read

Not everyone is required to have an attorney represent them before the USPTO. However, all trademark applicants and registrants must provide and keep current their domicile address in trademark filings.

Full Answer

When should you hire a trademark attorney?

To find an attorney who can represent you before the USPTO in trademark matters, you can consult U.S. telephone listings or the internet, or contact the attorney referral service of a U.S. state or local bar association (see the American Bar …

What are the requirements to practice trademark law?

Oct 04, 2016 · Do I Need a Trademark Attorney? Working with a trademark attorney to register your trademark is highly recommended. While it is not a requirement for U.S. citizens to hire an attorney when registering a trademark, the USPTO highly recommends working with an attorney to prepare and file your application.

What does a trademark lawyer do?

Mar 05, 2021 · Do I Need a Trademark Attorney? Registering a trademark sounds simple enough, but it’s not always easy to register a trademark on your own. With a filing fee of at least $275, registering a trademark can feel expensive to a cash-strapped startup. Hiring a lawyer to handle the process may seem out of the question.

What happens if you take legal advice before filing a trademark?

Mar 22, 2017 · Becoming a trademark attorney. As noted above, U.S.-licensed attorneys need not apply for registration to practice trademark law before the USPTO. If you are a law student interested in becoming a trademark attorney, you may want to consider participating in the USPTO’s Law School Clinic Certification Program.

How do I choose a trademark attorney?

Choosing the Right Trademark AttorneyLook for an Experienced Attorney. ... Pick an Educated and Licensed Attorney. ... Look For an Attorney Who Will Give Your Application the Attention It Deserves. ... Choose an Attorney Who Will Keep You Updated On Developments. ... Find Out What Kind of Support the Attorney Can Offer.Apr 22, 2021

Do I need a lawyer to register a trademark?

No. You do not need an attorney to file an application for registration of a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

What is suggested to be done before registering for a trademark?

Before the application will proceed to registration, the applicant must demonstrate to the USPTO that the mark is in use in U.S. interstate commerce and supply a specimen of use for each class of goods or services. This document is called an Amendment to Allege Use or a Statement of Use, depending on when it is filed.Aug 31, 2019

What are the three requirements for trademarks?

What Are Trademark Requirements?Provide your name and address as owner of the trademark.State the entity type (individual or corporation) and your national citizenship.Demonstrate actual use or a real intent to use the trademark in commerce.Give a detailed description of the product being trademarked.More items...•Jul 8, 2020

Can I register trademark myself?

Any layman who wants to register a trademark can apply himself. But when the practical applicability is considered, appointing an attorney will ease the process to register a trademark. Certain procedures are to be followed to apply for a trademark. An application is filed.

How much does a trademark cost in the US?

The basic cost to trademark a business name ranges from $225 to $600 per trademark class. This is the cost to submit your trademark application to the USPTO. The easiest and least expensive way to register your trademark is online, through the USPTO's Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS).

What is the cheapest way to trademark?

The cheapest way to trademark a name is by filing with your state. The cost varies depending on where you live and what type of business you own. If you are a corporation or LLC, you can expect to pay less than $150 in most cases, while sole proprietors and contractors can pay anywhere between $50 to $150.Nov 22, 2019

How long does it take to have a trademark approved?

12 to 18 monthsUsually, the process takes 12 to 18 months. Registering your trademark is a complex procedure that involves your application moving through various stages. Learning about each stage in the process will help you understand why getting a trademark takes as long as it does.Mar 31, 2021

What is a trademark secret?

A trade secret: is information that has either actual or potential independent economic value by virtue of not being generally known, has value to others who cannot legitimately obtain the information, and.Feb 7, 2019

Can you trademark a name without a business?

There's no legal requirement for you to register a trademark. Using a business name can give you 'common law' rights, even without formally registering it. However, as expected, trademark law is quite complex.Feb 2, 2012

Can anyone apply for a trademark?

Any individual or organization can apply for trademark to protect their product or service. The application has to be filed mentioning the trademark, name and address of the applicant along with the agent and Power of Attorney. 1.

Can you trademark a name?

Can You Trademark a Name? Trademark law protects names, logos and other “marks” that are used in commerce. To register your name as a trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), you must use it in business.

Higher Percentage of Approval

You may be thinking that of course a trademark attorney would suggest hiring an attorney, but don’t just take it from us. – A recent study by the University of North Carolina found that applications filed by trademark attorneys did, in fact, have a higher likelihood of approval than those that did not.

Why Hiring a Trademark Attorney Improves Submission Success

One reason for a higher submission success is the comprehensive trademark search. People working without an attorney often conduct a quick search through online search sites, or even Google. These are not comprehensive searches and could leave out results of similar trademarks, which would later be flagged by a USPTO examiner.

Knowing the Process

The attorneys at Gerben Intellectual Property have filed over 8,000 trademark applications. We understand the legal implications of each decision, from conducting your search to selecting the right international classes of goods and services you plan to offer.

Talk to an Attorney

Whether you are just beginning to consider filing your trademark or you’ve begun the process on your own, but don’t know the next steps, contact an experienced trademark attorney today. While the cost to work with an attorney is a little more than filing alone or through LegalZoom, the value far exceeds the expense.

How to register a trademark?

A trademark attorney can: 1 Identify problems that might arise with your trademark registration. For example, someone else might have common law or state trademark rights that aren’t registered with the USPTO and won’t show up when you search the USPTO’s Trademark Electronic Search System. A lawyer can conduct a more thorough trademark search. 2 Evaluate the strength of your trademark and advise you on choosing a strong mark. 3 Explain how you should use your mark to give it maximum protection. 4 Prepare and file a trademark registration application that meets all USPTO requirements. 5 Advise you on the likelihood that your trademark registration will succeed. 6 Respond to issues that come up after your application has been filed and assigned to an examining attorney at the trademark office. 7 Help you enforce your trademark in the future. The USPTO does not enforce trademarks – that’s up to the trademark owner. A lawyer can help monitor new trademark applications or uses of your trademark and take steps to oppose or stop potentially infringing uses.

Can trademarks be confusing?

The trademark registration process may seem straightforward, but the requirements can be confusing. As a result, trademark owners can make costly mistakes that could have been avoided if the application had been prepared or reviewed by a lawyer. Common mistakes include:

Does the USPTO enforce trademarks?

Help you enforce your trademark in the future. The USPTO does not enforce trademarks – that’s up to the trademark owner. A lawyer can help monitor new trademark applications or uses of your trademark and take steps to oppose or stop potentially infringing uses.

Who can represent others in trademark matters?

Any individual who is an active member in good standing of the highest court of any U.S. state (including the District of Columbia, and any, commonwealth or territory of the U.S.) may represent others before the USPTO in trademark matters.

Can I practice trademark law before the USPTO?

As noted above, U.S.-licensed attorneys need not apply for registration to practice trademark law before the USPTO. If you are a law student interested in becoming a trademark attorney, you may want to consider participating in the USPTO’s Law School Clinic Certification Program. Only law students enrolled in the clinic program at a participating law school may receive limited recognition to practice in trademark matters.

What are trademarks?

What Is a Trademark? 1 Patents usually protect inventions, such as machinery, pharmaceuticals, products, and more. 2 Copyrights protect original creative works such as novels, artwork, and songs. 3 Trademarks protect the brands used to identify your business, such as your business name, logo, or tagline. A lawyer can help you identify your business's trademarks.

How long is a trademark good for?

Once your trademark is registered, it's good for 10 years and can be renewed for additional 10-year periods. To keep your trademark in good standing, you must file maintenance documents between the fifth and sixth year after registration, between the ninth and tenth year after registration, and every 10 years after that.

What is the difference between a patent and a trademark?

Copyrights protect original creative works such as novels, artwork, and songs. Trademarks protect the brands used to identify your business, such as your business name, logo, or tagline. A lawyer can help you identify your business's trademarks.

What is the USPTO?

By registering your trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), you get nationwide rights to your trademark, along with other benefits. A lawyer can more fully explain the pros and cons of your particular business.