how much to have a lawyer do a trademark

by Prof. Jess Stroman 8 min read

The typical range for a trademark attorney hourly rate will be between $225 on the low end and over $500 on the high end. For trademark registration services, lawyers that bill flat-rate charge anywhere from $750 to $3000 or more for handling the trademark search and the trademark registration process.Oct 5, 2020

How much does a trademark lawyer cost?

A trademark lawyer costs around $1,000 to $2,000 for the general trademark process, but disputes could cost the client an additional $300 $400 an hour. Some of the trademark lawyer costs you may see include: Filing fees for the trademark application. Government costs charged by the USPTO. Flat-fee trademark lawyer costs.

How much does it cost to register a trademark?

Overall, a trademark registration can cost over $2,500. However, these trademark lawyer costs are important. There is ample work that still needs to occur after a trademark application is filed. Before even filing a trademark application, it is important to conduct a thorough trademark search.

What is a trademark lawyer?

A trademark lawyer will conduct a comprehensive search to include federal, state, and common law trademarks, often using professional software.

How long does it take to file a statement of use?

You file the Statement of Use about seven to nine months after filing the first application. The USPTO will tell an applicant when the Statement of Use is due. There is a fee to file the Statement of Use. The fee is $100 for each class of goods in the original application.

What happens if a business is rejected by the USPTO?

If the USPTO rejects your trademark, the cost to fix the application and defend the trademark, or to reapply, could be more than if you had hired an attorney to file the application properly in the first place.

What are relevant costs?

Relevant costs are those that differ based on possible alternatives. These relevant costs are important to your decision on how to acquire your trademark. The most common relevant costs are involved with your decision on whether to hire a trademark attorney to handle the process for you.

How much more likely are you to get a trademark if you use a trademark attorney?

According to a study published in Stanford Technology Law Review, and as reported by the Wall Street Journal, trademark applicants are 50% more likely to receive a registration if they use a trademark attorney.

How much does it cost to file a trademark?

How Much is the US Government Trademark Filing Fee? 1 $225 or $275 per class 2 So, total with trademark attorney is $700 for one trademark under one class.

Why do you need a trademark search?

As a result, a trademark search is vital in preventing the potential for you or your company to face expensive and unnecessary litigation. So when thinking of the cost to trademark a business name, thing first of paying an attorney to handle your trademark.

What is a TEAS application?

In addition, a regular TEAS Application allows you to list the goods or services under your own description. However, an Examining Attorney may require you to be more specific with your description in a future Office action.

The very short answer

is $1200. There are, of course, caveats and details. The first is that when I say “an attorney” I mean “me.” Other attorneys may differ.

The long answer

is that my $1200 flat fee includes preparing and filing the application as well as USPTO filing fees for one “class” or category of services. First I will do some more background research to check for other conflicting marks.

Additional costs for intent-to-use applications

What “intent-to-use” means. An “intent-to-use” application means that you haven’t started selling your goods or services in commerce yet. It’s a prospective name, for a planned product or service, where you are doing the trademark filing in order to start establishing rights in the name.

How much does it cost to register a trademark?

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will charge anywhere between $225 to $400 to register a trademark for a name depending on the method you choose and the class of your business.

What is a trademark lawyer?

An experienced trademark lawyer understands the trademarking process and knows exactly what it takes to be approved. Lawyers will significantly reduce your risk of rejection due to an incomplete or improperly filed application. Attorneys can also suggest potential changes to make your trademark stronger.

What is the difference between copyright and trademark?

Copyright. While a trademark and copyright are similar in that they both protect critical aspects of a business or original piece of work, they differ in regards to the type of asset involved. A trademark protects an item that defines a company or brand, such as a phrase, design, or symbol.

How much does it cost to trademark a logo?

Trademark Logo Cost. The cost to trademark a logo with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) ranges from $225 to $600 plus legal fees depending on the filing class. When you aim to distinguish your business from your competitors, your logo is one of the most important elements.

How much does it cost to get a copyright?

However, depending on the method and application, the rate ranges from $35 to $85. In other cases, copyright costs are significantly higher.

What is a standard character mark?

A standard character mark -- This protects a specific arrangement of number or letters, for example, Coca-Cola. In this case, your mark will be protected no matter how the text is displayed. If your logo only consists of your business name or slogan, a standard character mark is ideal.

What is a special form mark?

A special form mark -- In comparison, this option is required when your logo consists of a specific font, design, or a combination of the two.

An Overview of the USPTO Trademark Renewal Process

The first step to making a renewal filing is to gather specimens for the government to show your mark is still in use years after your registration was first issued. These specimens are the same types of evidence you handed over to the government when you first applied for your trademark.

How Much Does it Cost to File a Trademark Renewal?

To file a trademark renewal you will typically pay a fee to your attorney to assist you with the filing, and, a fee to the USPTO. The USPTO filing fee is $325 per class of goods/services for the first renewal, and, $425 per class of goods/services for the subsequent renewals. Our firm offers flat fee services for trademark renewal filings.

How much does it cost to trademark a name?

How much does it cost to trademark a name? The current fees for the USPTO for an electronic application range between $275 and $325 for each class of goods and services . However, these prices may vary.

How to register a trademark?

Steps to Register a Trademark. Determine if a trademark application is right for your needs. Keep in mind that your business name, which is the name under which you sell goods or services, may be your trademark. Prepare to apply for a trademark.

Why do you need a trademark?

The primary reason to consider using a trademark is so no one else can register the same mark and compete with your brand. Think about Apple, Coca-Cola, or Pepsi. If anyone tries to use those names, they would be facing an intellectual property lawsuit.

What is a trademark?

Per the United States Patent and Trademark Office: A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol or design, or a combination of words, phrases, symbols or designs, that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of others.

What are the three types of trademarks?

Three Types of Trademarks. When it comes to categorizing trademarks, the trademark will fall into one of three categories. Service marks and trademarks . This category will cover symbols, words, or phrases that give definition to a company's goods or services. Trademarks are specific to goods and service marks to services.

Can you use a trademark in commerce?

Not using the trademark in commerce. Businesses cannot simply register a trademark and leave it in limbo. You must use your trademark to sell products or services. You can file a separate application known as an "intent to use" and have up to 36 months in which to update the application with a statement of use.

What are some examples of bad trademarks?

Examples of bad trademarks would be "Good Used Cars.". This is overly descriptive, simplistic, and likely unable to be trademarked.

What are the benefits of hiring an attorney?

Benefits of hiring an attorney include: Providing you crucial legal advice about your trademark. Conducting your trademark clearance search before you file an application. Preparing your application accurately. Responding to legal correspondence from the USPTO. Enforcing and maintaining your trademark rights.

Does hiring an attorney save you money?

However, in the long run, hiring an attorney may save you money because an attorney will know how to best advise you on your trademark’s registrability, prepare your application, and respond to the USPTO on various issues that might arise throughout the process.

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.

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