Protect Your Brand Before Someone Else Takes It
Your business name, logo, and slogan are valuable assets. Federal trademark registration gives you exclusive rights across all 50 states — and the legal power to stop copycats.
Why You Need a Trademark
An LLC protects your personal assets. A trademark protects your brand.
❌ Without a Trademark
- Anyone can use your name — Competitors can legally copy your brand in other states
- No federal protection — You can only enforce rights in your local area
- Weak legal standing — Harder to win infringement lawsuits
- Risk losing your brand — Someone else could trademark it first
- Limited business value — Investors and buyers see unprotected brands as risky
✓ With a Federal Trademark
- Exclusive nationwide rights — Your brand is protected in all 50 states
- Legal presumption of ownership — Courts assume you own the mark
- Use the ® symbol — Signals legitimacy and deters infringement
- Sue in federal court — Stronger remedies including damages and attorney fees
- Increased business value — Trademarks are assets you can sell or license
What Can You Trademark?
Protect any distinctive element that identifies your business.
Business Name
Your company or product name (e.g., “Nike”, “Coca-Cola”)
Logo
Your visual brand identity (e.g., Apple’s apple, Twitter’s bird)
Slogan
Your tagline or catchphrase (e.g., “Just Do It”, “I’m Lovin’ It”)
Sound/Other
Jingles, colors, product shapes, and other distinctive marks
💡 Pro Tip: Register Your Name AND Logo Separately
Filing them separately gives you broader protection. If someone uses your name with a different logo (or vice versa), you’re still protected. Many businesses file both.
How Our Trademark Service Works
From search to registration — we guide you through every step.
Comprehensive Search
We search USPTO records and common law databases to identify potential conflicts before you file.
Attorney Review & Filing
A trademark attorney reviews your application for accuracy and files with the USPTO on your behalf.
Monitor & Respond
We track your application status and help you respond to any USPTO office actions or objections.
The Trademark Registration Process
Here’s what happens after you file — and how we help at each stage.
Trademark Search (1-2 days)
We search USPTO records, state databases, and common law sources to identify existing marks that could conflict with yours. You’ll receive a detailed report with our assessment.
Application Preparation (2-3 days)
A trademark attorney prepares your application, selects the proper classification, drafts the description of goods/services, and ensures everything meets USPTO requirements.
USPTO Examination (3-4 months)
The USPTO assigns an examining attorney who reviews your application. They may issue an “office action” requesting clarification or raising objections.
Publication Period (30 days)
Your mark is published in the USPTO’s Official Gazette. Third parties have 30 days to oppose your registration if they believe it infringes on their rights.
Registration Complete (8-12 months total)
Congratulations! The USPTO issues your registration certificate. You can now use the ® symbol and have full federal protection for your brand.
Simple, Transparent Pricing
Everything you need for a successful trademark registration.
Search Only
Know before you file
- ✓ Federal USPTO search
- ✓ State trademark search
- ✓ Common law search
- ✓ Risk assessment report
- — No application filing
Complete Package
Full-service registration
- ✓ Everything in Search, plus:
- ✓ Attorney application review
- ✓ USPTO filing
- ✓ Office action response
- ✓ Status monitoring
- ✓ Registration certificate
USPTO fee: $250-350 per class
Premium Package
Maximum protection
- ✓ Everything in Complete, plus:
- ✓ 2 trademark classes
- ✓ Expedited processing
- ✓ 1 year monitoring service
- ✓ Cease & desist letter (1)
- ✓ Priority support
What Are USPTO Fees?
The USPTO charges a government fee of $250-350 per class of goods/services. Most businesses only need 1 class. This fee goes directly to the USPTO and is required for all trademark applications.
Compare Your Options
Why use TrustedLegal instead of filing yourself or hiring a law firm?
| Feature | DIY Filing | TrustedLegal | Law Firm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Cost | $250-350 (USPTO only) | $549-649 (service + USPTO) | $1,500-3,000+ (varies widely) |
| Attorney Review | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Comprehensive Search | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Office Action Support | ✗ No | ✓ Included | $ Extra fee |
| Risk of Rejection | Higher | Lower | Lower |
| Time Investment | Hours of research | ~15 minutes | ~30 minutes |
What Makes a Strong Trademark?
Not all trademarks are created equal. Here’s how the USPTO evaluates strength.
Fanciful / Coined
Made-up words with no meaning. Easiest to register and protect.
Arbitrary
Real words used in unrelated contexts. Very strong protection.
Suggestive
Hints at product qualities but requires imagination. Registrable.
Descriptive
Directly describes the product or service. Difficult to register without proving “secondary meaning.”
Generic
Common names for products or services. Cannot be trademarked.
Not sure if your mark is registrable? Start with a search — we’ll assess your mark’s strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about trademark registration.
How long does trademark registration take?
The full process typically takes 8-12 months from filing to registration. This includes USPTO examination (3-4 months), publication period (30 days), and processing. We file your application within days of sign-up.
What’s the difference between ™ and ®?
™ can be used anytime to claim trademark rights — no registration required. ® can only be used after your mark is officially registered with the USPTO. Using ® before registration is illegal.
Do I need a trademark if I have an LLC?
They serve different purposes. An LLC protects your personal assets from business liabilities. A trademark protects your brand from being copied. Having an LLC doesn’t give you trademark rights, and vice versa.
What happens if someone is already using my name?
Our search will identify existing uses. If there’s a conflict, you may need to: (1) modify your mark to be distinctive, (2) choose a different name, or (3) consult an attorney about your options. Better to know before you invest in branding.
How much does a trademark cost total?
Our Complete Package is $299 plus the USPTO filing fee of $250-350 per class. Most businesses need just one class. Total cost: approximately $549-649. Compare that to $1,500-3,000+ at a law firm.
How long does a trademark last?
Federal trademarks last 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely as long as you’re still using the mark in commerce. You’ll need to file maintenance documents between years 5-6 and then every 10 years.
What’s an “office action”?
An office action is a letter from the USPTO examiner requesting additional information or raising objections to your application. About 30-40% of applications receive one. Our service includes help responding to office actions.
Can I trademark a name that’s similar to another?
It depends. The USPTO looks at “likelihood of confusion” — whether consumers might confuse your mark with an existing one. Factors include similarity of marks, relatedness of goods/services, and strength of the existing mark. Our search helps assess this.
What Our Customers Say
“The search saved me. Turns out my first choice brand name was already trademarked in my industry. TrustedLegal found a great alternative and got it registered.”— Rachel M., Beauty Brand
“I got an office action and panicked. Their team walked me through the response and my trademark was approved a month later. Worth every penny.”— Derek P., App Developer
“Quoted $2,000 by my attorney for trademark filing. TrustedLegal did it for under $600 total. Same result, fraction of the cost.”— Maria S., E-commerce Store
Protect Your Brand Today
Don’t wait until someone else takes your name. Start with a free search to see if your trademark is available, then let us handle the registration.
Attorney review included • Office action support • 95% approval rate