Federal Trademark Registration Attorney — Search, File and Protect Your Brand With the USPTO

Your brand is one of your most valuable assets. A federal trademark registration attorney helps you secure nationwide rights with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and defend them when others copy you.

Registration gives important advantages. For example, it creates a presumption of ownership nationwide and lets you use the ® symbol. Moreover, it makes enforcement much easier. However, applications are frequently refused for avoidable reasons. Therefore, preparation matters.

This guide explains clearance searches, the application process, office actions and enforcement.

Start with a clearance search

Before filing, check whether your mark conflicts with existing marks. After all, the USPTO refuses marks likely to cause confusion with registered or pending marks for related goods or services.

Ideally, a thorough search covers federal registrations, state filings and common-law use. Consequently, it can reveal risks before you invest in branding. Our trademark search and clearance review assesses the results and the risk.

Strong vs. weak marks

Distinctive marks are easier to register and protect. In particular, invented words and arbitrary terms are strongest. By contrast, descriptive terms are often refused unless they have acquired distinctiveness.

Filing the application

Next, the application identifies the mark, the owner, the goods or services and the filing basis. Additionally, you can file based on current use in commerce or a bona fide intent to use.

Classification also matters. For example, fees are charged per class, and descriptions must meet USPTO standards. Furthermore, specimens of use must show the mark as customers see it. Our Trademark Application service starts at $149, plus USPTO fees.

If you filed on intent to use, you must later file a statement of use. Our statement of use service handles that step.

Office actions

Sometimes, the USPTO examiner issues an office action raising problems. Common issues include likelihood of confusion, descriptiveness and unacceptable specimens.

However, responses have strict deadlines. Currently, applicants generally have three months to respond, with an optional extension for a fee. Consequently, prompt action is essential. Our office action review explains the refusal and response options.

Protecting your registration

Registration is not the end. In fact, you must file maintenance documents, including a declaration of use between the fifth and sixth years, and renewals every ten years. Missing these cancels the registration.

Monitoring matters too. Our trademark monitoring service watches for conflicting filings. If someone infringes, a cease and desist letter is often the first step. For inventions, see our guide to patent filing.

Our Trademarks services in the USA

Every service below has a fixed price, is prepared by a qualified attorney and is delivered online — wherever you are in the USA. Additionally, you can upload evidence, message your attorney and track progress from your secure client dashboard.

Trademarks services near you — every state we cover

Because everything is handled online, it makes no difference where you live. Nevertheless, the law does change from state to state, so every document is prepared for your local rules. Here are some of the places our clients come from most often.

Trademarks help in California

We prepare trademarks documents for California law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Los Angeles (near the Stanley Mosk Courthouse downtown), San Diego (near the Hall of Justice on West Broadway), San Francisco (near the Civic Center courthouse on McAllister Street). For example, see Trademark Application (USPTO) in Los Angeles, Trademark Application (USPTO) in San Diego, Trademark Application (USPTO) in San Francisco. Similarly, see Trademark Search & Clearance Review in California.

Trademarks help in Texas

We prepare trademarks documents for Texas law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Houston (near the Harris County Civil Courthouse), Dallas (near the George L. Allen Sr. Courts Building), San Antonio (near the Bexar County Courthouse), Austin (near the Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility). For example, see Trademark Application (USPTO) in Houston, Trademark Application (USPTO) in Dallas, Trademark Application (USPTO) in San Antonio, Trademark Application (USPTO) in Austin. Similarly, see Trademark Search & Clearance Review in Texas.

Trademarks help in Florida

We prepare trademarks documents for Florida law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Miami (near the Miami-Dade County Courthouse on West Flagler Street), Orlando (near the Orange County Courthouse), Tampa (near the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse). For example, see Trademark Application (USPTO) in Miami, Trademark Application (USPTO) in Orlando, Trademark Application (USPTO) in Tampa. Similarly, see Trademark Search & Clearance Review in Florida.

Trademarks help in New York

We prepare trademarks documents for New York law and local court practice. Clients come to us from New York City (near the New York County Courthouse at 60 Centre Street and the immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza), Brooklyn (near the Kings County Supreme Court on Adams Street). For example, see Trademark Application (USPTO) in New York City, Trademark Application (USPTO) in Brooklyn. Similarly, see Trademark Search & Clearance Review in New York.

Trademarks help in Illinois

We prepare trademarks documents for Illinois law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Chicago (near the Richard J. Daley Center). For example, see Trademark Application (USPTO) in Chicago. Similarly, see Trademark Search & Clearance Review in Illinois.

Trademarks help in Georgia

We prepare trademarks documents for Georgia law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Atlanta (near the Fulton County Courthouse). For example, see Trademark Application (USPTO) in Atlanta. Similarly, see Trademark Search & Clearance Review in Georgia.

Trademarks help in Arizona

We prepare trademarks documents for Arizona law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Phoenix (near the Maricopa County Superior Court). For example, see Trademark Application (USPTO) in Phoenix. Similarly, see Trademark Search & Clearance Review in Arizona.

Trademarks help in Pennsylvania

We prepare trademarks documents for Pennsylvania law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Philadelphia (near City Hall, home of the Court of Common Pleas). For example, see Trademark Application (USPTO) in Philadelphia. Similarly, see Trademark Search & Clearance Review in Pennsylvania.

Trademarks help in Washington

We prepare trademarks documents for Washington law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Seattle (near the King County Courthouse). For example, see Trademark Application (USPTO) in Seattle. Similarly, see Trademark Search & Clearance Review in Washington.

Trademarks help in Colorado

We prepare trademarks documents for Colorado law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Denver (near the Denver City and County Building). For example, see Trademark Application (USPTO) in Denver. Similarly, see Trademark Search & Clearance Review in Colorado.

Trademarks help in Massachusetts

We prepare trademarks documents for Massachusetts law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Boston (near the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse). For example, see Trademark Application (USPTO) in Boston. Similarly, see Trademark Search & Clearance Review in Massachusetts.

Trademarks help in Nevada

We prepare trademarks documents for Nevada law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Las Vegas (near the Regional Justice Center). For example, see Trademark Application (USPTO) in Las Vegas. Similarly, see Trademark Search & Clearance Review in Nevada.

Trademarks help in New Jersey

We prepare trademarks documents for New Jersey law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Newark (near the Essex County Hall of Records). For example, see Trademark Application (USPTO) in Newark. Similarly, see Trademark Search & Clearance Review in New Jersey.

Trademarks help in North Carolina

We prepare trademarks documents for North Carolina law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Charlotte (near the Mecklenburg County Courthouse). For example, see Trademark Application (USPTO) in Charlotte. Similarly, see Trademark Search & Clearance Review in North Carolina.

We also help clients in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. See every location we cover.

Trademark Application (USPTO) in every state

Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming

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This guide is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Every case is different — speak to a qualified attorney before you act.