Trademark Registration Attorney

A filing service submits your application. An attorney evaluates whether your mark is registrable, drafts a description of goods and services that will pass examination, and responds when the examiner objects. Most problems that result in abandonment or rejection start with the initial filing: a descriptive mark, an overly broad class, or a specimen that does not qualify. An attorney addresses those risks before the application is filed, not after it is rejected.

USPTO filing fees run $250 to $350 per class of goods or services. Attorney fees for a single-class application typically add $500 to $1,500. A straightforward one-class US trademark registration costs $800 to $2,000 all-in. Multi-class, contested, or cross-border applications cost more. I quote a flat fee before any work begins.

The USPTO currently takes 8 to 14 months for a straightforward application with no office actions or oppositions. Canadian CIPO applications take 18 to 24 months. You can use ™ the moment your application is filed. ® becomes available only after the registration certificate issues.

The description of goods and services defines the scope of your trademark protection. A description that is too narrow limits your rights to specific products. A description that is too broad often triggers a refusal from the examiner. The right description covers the products and services you actually offer, uses language the USPTO recognizes, and anticipates the scope of enforcement you may need.

A specimen is proof that you are using the trademark in commerce. For goods, acceptable specimens include product labels, tags, and packaging that show the mark on the product itself. For services, acceptable specimens include website screenshots and advertising materials. A specimen that does not qualify is one of the most common reasons for an office action on a use-based application.

Yes. I handle both USPTO and CIPO applications from the same office. US and Canadian trademark systems are separate: different filing fees, different class requirements, different examination timelines, and different legal standards for registrability. For brands operating in both markets, managing both filings through one attorney produces a consistent strategy without the handoff between two firms.

After you file, the USPTO assigns an examining attorney who reviews the application for registrability. The examiner looks for likelihood of confusion with existing marks, descriptiveness, proper specimen of use, and correct identification of goods and services. If any issue is found, the examiner issues an office action explaining what must be changed or argued before the application can proceed.

Likelihood of confusion is the most common basis for a USPTO refusal. The examiner compares your mark to existing registered marks in related classes and evaluates whether an average consumer might be confused about the source of the goods or services. The standard is applied under the Lanham Act through a multi-factor test. An attorney can assess confusion risk before you file and argue against a refusal if one is issued.

An intent-to-use (ITU) application lets you file a trademark before you start using it in commerce. Filing establishes a priority date, which is critical if a competitor is trying to register the same name. You must submit a Statement of Use before the registration issues. The USPTO allows up to three years from the Notice of Allowance to demonstrate actual use, with extensions available.

A US trademark requires a Section 8 Declaration of Use filed between years 5 and 6 after registration, and renewal every 10 years. Failing to file on time results in cancellation of the registration. Canadian CIPO registrations renew every 15 years. I track maintenance deadlines and file the required declarations so your registration stays in good standing.