Trademark Process

Technically, you can skip this step. You can also drive blindfolded. We don’t recommend either.

• The Risk: Filing without searching is gambling. If a similar name exists, you lose your filing fee and months of time.
• The “Smart Money” Move: We conduct a deep dive into the federal database. We don’t just look for exact matches; we look for the “confusingly similar” marks (phonetic matches, translations, and logos) that cause rejections.
• The Verdict: Know exactly where you stand before you pay the government fees.

We translate your business into “government speak” to set you up for success.

• The Scope: We help you select the correct International Classes (the specific “aisles” of commerce you occupy).
• The Description: We draft the description of goods and services. This is a balancing act: broad enough to protect you, but narrow enough to get approved.
• The Launch: Once you approve the draft, we file your application and establish your “priority date.”

Once filed, your application enters the USPTO queue.

• The Timeline: It typically takes several months for a government Examining Attorney to open your file.
• The Status: During this time, your mark is “Live” but pending. We monitor the docket so you don’t have to stress about checking the status.

The Examining Attorney reviews your application against federal laws and existing marks.

• The Hurdles: It is common for the USPTO to issue an Office Action—a formal letter requiring changes or refusing the mark.
• The Defense: This isn’t the end of the road. We review the refusal and advise on the strategy. Whether it’s a minor procedural fix or a complex legal argument, we handle the response to keep your application alive.

If your mark is approved, it gets published in the Official Gazette.

• The Window: This starts a 30-day clock where the public can oppose your registration if they believe it hurts their brand.
• The Outcome: If no one objects (which is the standard outcome), you move to the finish line.

The moment you’ve been waiting for. The USPTO issues your official Registration Certificate.

• The Asset: You now have the legal presumption of ownership nationwide.
• The Upgrade: You can officially switch from using the ™ symbol to the registered ® symbol.

A trademark lasts forever—but only if you prove you’re using it.

• The Deadlines: Between the 5th and 6th year (and every 10 years after), you must file maintenance documents to keep your registration alive.
• Post-Registration Office Actions: The USPTO frequently “audits” renewals, asking for extra proof that you are still selling your products. If you get audited, we handle the response to ensure your registration isn’t cancelled.
• The Long Haul: We track these dates for you, so you don’t lose your brand due to a missed calendar notification 5 years down the road.