Frequently Asked Questions
We include questions that we often hear. Need help, find your answers here
Trademark Basics
The “intent to use” registration is a crucial part of the trademark registration process. It’s applicable when your product or service is ready for the market, but you haven’t yet introduced it with your trademark. This type of registration requires an additional form and fee. Once you’ve filed for an intent to use registration, you’ll receive a notice of allowance. You then have six months to start using the mark in commerce. If you’re unable to meet this deadline, you can request a six-month extension. When you commence using your trademark in commerce, you’ll need to send a specimen, an example of your trademark in use, to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This could be an advertisement or a label that features your logo. Registering a trademark, including an intent to use registration, offers several benefits. It allows you to take legal action against anyone who uses your trademark without your permission or creates a counterfeit version. You can also place the trademark symbol next to your logo to deter others from using it. Additionally, it enables you to sell or license your brand and makes it easier to obtain registration in other countries.
Using a mark that infringes on someone else’s trademark can lead to serious legal consequences. Trademarks are a form of intellectual property, and when a company or individual holds a trademark on a specific design, word, phrase, or logo, the use of that mark is restricted. Only the owner has the right to use, produce, copy, or profit from it. If you use a mark that infringes on someone else’s trademark, you are essentially violating their intellectual property rights. In such cases, the owner of the trademark can take legal action against you in a federal court. This could result in hefty fines, legal fees, and potential damage to your business reputation. It’s important to note that using the TM symbol on your mark does not provide any legal protection against such infringements. The TM symbol merely indicates your intent to move forward with obtaining a legal trademark and stakes your claim in the design. Before using a mark, it’s crucial to conduct thorough research using the Trademark Electronic Search System to ensure that no similar mark already exists. If a similar mark is found, you should make changes to your mark to avoid infringement. Once you’ve confirmed that your mark is unique, you can start using the TM symbol.
A wordmark is a unique text-only typographic treatment of a company’s name, designed to be a distinctive and memorable identifier. It’s a type of logo that uses stylized text to evoke an image of the product or service, such as the iconic Coca-Cola script. Wordmarks are different from other logos in that they are purely text-based, with no additional images or graphics. Examples of well-known wordmarks include FedEx and Google. Wordmarks play a crucial role in a company’s branding strategy. They not only create a recognizable image but also ensure the company’s name maintains a significant presence. This makes them highly effective for branding, and they are increasingly becoming the standard in logo design. However, it’s important to note that wordmarks can also lead to confusion if they are too similar to existing ones. For example, if a wordmark evokes the same image as a pictorial depiction already in use, it could be deemed confusingly similar and potentially refused. This was the case with a shoe company that used a lion’s head silhouette with the letter L for their logo, which was ruled to be too similar to a wordmark lion used by another shoe company.
Registering your trademark officially, even in countries that follow common law rules, offers numerous benefits. Firstly, it provides a legal presumption of ownership nationwide, and public notice of your claim to the trademark. This is crucial in preventing potential conflicts and disputes over the mark. Secondly, it gives you the right to bring legal action concerning the trademark in federal court. This can be a powerful tool in protecting your brand from infringement. Moreover, registering your trademark can also be beneficial on an international level. Many countries only award trademark protections if the mark is officially registered. Therefore, even if you don’t plan on doing business in a particular country, registering your mark there can ensure that you have the right to act against any infringement in those locations. This can be particularly important in today’s global marketplace, where your brand can easily reach consumers in other countries through the internet.
A trademark safeguards your brand’s unique identifiers such as names, logos, or slogans from unauthorized use. This grants you the exclusive right to use these elements, making your brand easily recognizable and unique for your customers.
Brand ownership: A trademark ensures that you have ownership over specific brand elements, thus putting a restriction over others to use those elements without your permission.
Avoiding confusion: By protecting your trademark, you avoid the chances of competitors coming up with similar names or logos that might confuse customers.
Building brand recognition: A trademark facilitates easy identification of your products or services by customers, which brings about trust and loyalty.
Legal rights: A registered trademark gives you the right to take legal action against unauthorized use or infringement, thus preventing the degradation of your brand’s reputation and value.
Trademarks give your business an identity and differentiate you from the rest. Whether it’s the logo, slogan, or even a product name, trademarking these elements is crucial for ensuring exclusive use and making your brand appear stronger in the marketplace.
While not legally required, having a trademark for your small business can provide significant benefits.
A trademark protects your brand’s name, logo, or slogan, preventing others from using similar marks that could confuse customers.
This legal protection can enhance your brand’s credibility and reputation, making your business stand out in the marketplace.
Moreover, a trademark can become a valuable asset as your business grows, allowing you to license it for additional income.
Overall, securing a trademark can help safeguard your brand and support your business’s long-term success
Trademark Registration
If no opposition is filed or you successfully overcome anopposition, you do not need to take any action for the application to enter thenext stage of the process. Absent any opposition-related filings, the UnitedStates Trademark Office generally will issue a Notice of Allowance about 8weeks after publication. A Notice of Allowance indicates that your mark has been allowed,but does not mean that it has registered. As the next step to registration,within 6 months of the issue date of the Notice of Allowance you must: When you request to register yourtrademark through Trademarks-GC, an attorney representing you can help younavigate the process.
How Much Does It Cost to Trademark a Phrase?
The cost to trademark a phrase will vary depending on the country in which you want to register. However, in the United States, the USPTO filing fees are $350 per classification when looking to register the phrase. Keep in mind there may be additional USPTO fees depending on the application as well as attorney fees.
Understanding trademark costs
While the basic filing fee starts at $350, you can see by the USPTO Schedule of Fees, trademarking a phrase can easily cost you a lot more.
USPTO Schedule of Fees
These are the fees most frequently charged by the USPTO for filing electronically.
Trademark application-related fees | Fee |
USPTO TEAS Application, per class | $350 |
WIPO international application fee | $600 |
Subsequent designation fee with the WIPO | $600 |
Insufficient information per class | $100 |
Using the free-form text box instead of the Trademark ID Manual | $200 |
Each additional group of 1,000 characters behind the initial 1,000 characters in the text box | $200 |
Amendment to allege use (AAU), per class | $150 |
Statement of use (SOU), per class | $150 |
Section 9 renewal application, per class | $325 |
Section 8 declaration, per class | $225 |
Section 15 declaration, per class | $200 |
Section 71 declaration, per class | $225 |
WIPO Renewal Fee | $325 |
Petition to the director | $400 |
Petition to revive an application | $250 |
Letter of protest | $150 |
To maintain your trademark registration, you must file your firstmaintenance document before the end of the 6th year after the registration dateand other maintenance documents thereafter. Your registration certificatecontains important information on maintaining your federal registration. The UnitedStates Trademark Office does NOT send reminder notices when the documents aredue. Forms for filing the maintenancedocuments are located at:
https://www.uspto.gov/teas. Rights in a federally registered trademark can last indefinitelyif you continue to use the mark and file all necessary maintenance documents atthe appropriate times. You must file:
• Declaration of Continued Use or Excusable Nonuse under Section8; and
• Combined Declaration of Continued Use and Application forRenewal under Sections 8 and 9
A Section 8 declaration is due before the end of the 6-year periodafter the registration date or within the 6-month grace period thereafter. Failure to file this declaration will resultin the cancellation of the registration.
A combined Section 8 and 9 must be filedbefore the end of every 10-year period after the registration date or withinthe 6-month grace period thereafter. Failureto make these required filings will result in cancellation and/or expiration ofthe registration.
After publication in the Official Gazette (e.g., approximately 6 to 12months after filing a trademark for registration), there is a 30-dayperiod in which the public may object to the registration of the mark by filingan opposition. An opposition is similar to a court proceeding, but is heldbefore the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, a United States Trademark Officeadministrative tribunal. A third party who is considering filing an oppositionmay first file a request for an extension of time to file the opposition, whichcould delay further action on your application. If no opposition is filed or if yousuccessfully overcome an opposition, you do not need to take any action for theapplication to enter the next stage of the process. Absent anyopposition-related filings, the United States Trademark Office generally willissue a registration certificate about 12 weeks after publication, if theapplication is based upon the actual use of the mark in commerce. When you request to register your trademarkthrough Trademarkia, an attorney representing you can help you navigate the process
A trademark safeguards your brand’s unique identifiers such as names, logos, or slogans from unauthorized use. This grants you the exclusive right to use these elements, making your brand easily recognizable and unique for your customers.
How trademarks provide protection
Brand ownership: A trademark ensures that you have ownership over specific brand elements, thus putting a restriction over others to use those elements without your permission.
Avoiding confusion: By protecting your trademark, you avoid the chances of competitors coming up with similar names or logos that might confuse customers.
Building brand recognition: A trademark facilitates easy identification of your products or services by customers, which brings about trust and loyalty.
Legal rights: A registered trademark gives you the right to take legal action against unauthorized use or infringement, thus preventing the degradation of your brand’s reputation and value.
Trademarks give your business an identity and differentiate you from the rest. Whether it’s the logo, slogan, or even a product name, trademarking these elements is crucial for ensuring exclusive use and making your brand appear stronger in the marketplace.
If you are a foreign applicant, you must hire a U.S. licensed attorney to file your trademark application in the United States. But if you reside in the U.S., although you can file the application yourself, you must comply with all requirements of the trademark statutes and rules and may be required to respond to legal issues raised by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Because the application process can be complex, applying your trademark through an experienced trademark law firm such as Trademarks-GC P.C. is highly recommended.
Trademark Application Process
Yes, you can register a trademarkresiding outside the United States. Anapplicant’s citizenship must be included with your trademark application, butit need not be US citizenship. If anapplicant has dual citizenship, then applicant must choose which citizenshipwill be printed in the Official Certificate of Registration. While this process can be confusing, whenyou request to register your trademark through Trademarks-GC, an attorneyrepresenting you can help you navigate the process.
You may clarify or limit the goods/services claimed on your application but you may not expand or broadenthe goods/services. For example, if you filed for “shirts,” you may limitthe goods to specific types of shirts such as “t-shirts and sweatshirts.” However, you may not change the goods to“shirts and pants.” Likewise, if youfile for “jewelry,” you may change the goods to specific types of jewelry suchas “jewelry, namely, earrings.” However, you may not change the goods to aservice such as “jewelry stores.Trademarks-GC makes the process very easyfor you
Filing several applications for a logo or symbol is crucial for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it’s important to understand that trademark protection only extends to the exact design submitted in the application. Therefore, if you plan to use your logo or symbol in different colors or variations, you should submit an application for each version, including one in black and white. This ensures that your mark is protected in all its forms, preventing others from using similar designs that could potentially confuse consumers or dilute your brand’s identity. Moreover, filing multiple applications can help you stake your claim on your logo or symbol, signaling to competitors that you intend to use it for your business. This is particularly important when you’re using the trademark symbol (TM), which doesn’t offer legal protection but indicates your intent to register the mark through the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Additionally, filing several applications can help you avoid legal trouble. If you use a mark that infringes on someone else’s trademark, you could face legal action. By conducting thorough research and ensuring that your mark is truly unique before you file your applications, you can minimize this risk.
Our monitoring service/watch subscription provides timely alerts for potential trademark infringements. This proactive tool can help safeguard your brand effectively.
When you file to register a trademark with the United States Trademark Office, you must select the kinds of goods or services on which you trademark will be affixed. There are 45 separate classifications. Descriptions of what types of uses fall in each class are described below. While this process can be confusing, when you request to register your trademark through Trademarkia, an attorney representing you can help you navigate the process. Click here to get started in applying for your trademarkt hrough Trademarkia.
GOODS
Class 1(Chemicals): Chemicals used in industry, science and photography, as well as in agriculture, horticulture and forestry; unprocessed artificial resins; unprocessed plastics; manures; fireextinguishing compositions; tempering and soldering preparations; chemical substances for preserving foodstuffs; tanning substances; adhesives used in industry.
Class 2 (Paints):Paints, varnishes, lacquers; preservatives against rust and against deterioration of wood; colorants; mordants; raw natural resins; metals in foiland powder form for painters, decorators, printers and artists.
Class 3(Cosmetics and cleaning preparations): Bleaching preparations and other substances for laundry use; cleaning, polishing, scouring and abrasive preparations; soaps; perfumery, essential oils, cosmetics, hair lotions; dentifrices.
Class 4(Lubricants and fuels): Industrial oils and greases; lubricants; dust absorbing, wetting and binding compositions; fuels (including motor spirit) and illuminants; candles and wicks for lighting.
Class 5 (Pharmaceuticals):Pharmaceutical and veterinary preparations; sanitary preparations for medicalpurposes; dietetic substances adapted for medical use, food for babies;plasters, materials for dressings; material for stopping teeth, dental wax;disinfectants; preparations for destroying vermin; fungicides, herbicides.
Class 6 (MetalGoods): Common metals and their alloys; metalbuilding materials; transportable buildings of metal; materials of metal forrailway tracks; nonelectric cables and wires of common metal; ironmongery,small items of metal hardware; pipes and tubes of metal; safes; goods of commonmetal not included in other classes; ores.
Class 7(Machinery): Machines and machine tools; motors andengines (except for land vehicles); machine coupling and transmissioncomponents (except for land vehicles); agricultural implements other thanhand-operated; incubators for eggs.
Class 8 (Handtools): Hand tools and implements(hand-operated); cutlery; side arms; razors.
Class 9(Electrical and scientific apparatus): Scientific,nautical, surveying, photographic, cinematographic, optical, weighing,measuring, signaling, checking (supervision), life-saving and teachingapparatus and instruments; apparatus and instruments for conducting, switching,transforming, accumulating, regulating or controlling electricity; apparatusfor recording, transmission or reproduction of sound or images; magnetic datacarriers, recording discs; automatic vending machines and mechanisms for coinoperated apparatus; cash registers, calculating machines, data processingequipment and computers; fire extinguishing apparatus.
Class 10(Medical apparatus): Surgical, medical, dental, andveterinary apparatus and instruments, artificial limbs, eyes, and teeth;orthopedic articles; suture materials.
Class 11(Environmental control apparatus): Apparatus forlighting, heating, steam generating, cooking, refrigerating, drying,ventilating, water supply, and sanitary purposes.
Class 12(Vehicles): Vehicles; apparatus for locomotion byland, air, or water.
Class 13(Firearms): Firearms; ammunition and projectiles;explosives; fireworks.
Class 14(Jewelry): Precious metals and their alloys andgoods in precious metals or coated therewith, not included in other classes;jewelry, precious stones; horological and chronometric instruments.
Class 15(Musical Instruments): Musical instruments.
Class 16 (Papergoods and printed matter): Paper,cardboard and goods made from these materials, not included in other classes;printed matter; bookbinding material; photographs; stationery; adhesives forstationery or household purposes; artists’ materials; paint brushes;typewriters and office requisites (except furniture); instructional andteaching material (except apparatus); plastic materials for packaging (notincluded in other classes); printers’ type; printing blocks.
Class 17 (Rubbergoods): Rubber, gutta-percha, gum, asbestos,mica and goods made from these materials and not included in other classes;plastics in extruded form for use in manufacture; packing, stopping andinsulating materials; flexible pipes, not of metal.
Class 18(Leather goods): Leather and imitations of leather, andgoods made of these materials and not included in other classes; animal skins,hides; trunks and travelling bags; umbrellas, parasols and walking sticks;whips, harness and saddlery.
Class 19(Nonmetallic building materials): Buildingmaterials (non-metallic); nonmetallic rigid pipes for building; asphalt, pitchand bitumen; nonmetallic transportable buildings; monuments, not of metal.
Class 20(Furniture and articles not otherwise classified):Furniture, mirrors, picture frames; goods (not included in other classes) ofwood, cork, reed, cane, wicker, horn, bone, ivory, whalebone, shell, amber,mother-of-pearl, meerschaum and substitutes for all these materials, or ofplastics.
Class 21(Housewares and glass): Household or kitchen utensilsand containers; combs and sponges; brushes (except paint brushes); brush-makingmaterials; articles for cleaning purposes; steel-wool; unworked or semi-workedglass (except glass used in building); glassware, porcelain and earthenware notincluded in other classes.
Class 22(Cordage and fibers): Ropes, string, nets, tents,awnings, tarpaulins, sails, sacks and bags (not included in other classes);padding and stuffing materials (except of rubber or plastics); raw fibroustextile materials.
Class 23 (Yarnsand threads): Yarns and threads, for textile use.
Class 24(Fabrics): Textiles and textile goods, notincluded in other classes; beds and table covers.
Class 25(Clothing): Clothing, footwear, headgear.
Class 26 (Fancygoods): Lace and embroidery, ribbons andbraid; buttons, hooks and eyes, pins and needles; artificial flowers.
Class 27 (Floorcoverings): Carpets, rugs, mats and matting,linoleum and other materials for covering existing floors; wall hangings(non-textile).
Class 28 (Toysand sporting goods): Games and playthings; gymnasticand sporting articles not included in other classes; decorations for Christmastrees.
Class 29 (Meatsand processed foods): Meat, fish, poultry and game;meat extracts; preserved, frozen, dried and cooked fruits and vegetables;jellies, jams, compotes; eggs, milk and milk products; edible oils and fats.
Class 30 (Staplefoods): Coffee, tea, cocoa, sugar, rice,tapioca, sago, artificial coffee; flour and preparations made from cereals,bread, pastry and confectionery, ices; honey, treacle; yeast, baking powder;salt, mustard; vinegar, sauces (condiments); spices; ice.
Class 31(Natural agricultural products): Agricultural,horticultural and forestry products and grains not included in other classes;live animals; fresh fruits and vegetables; seeds, natural plants and flowers;foodstuffs for animals; malt.
Class 32 (Lightbeverages): Beers; mineral and aerated waters andother nonalcoholic drinks; fruit drinks and fruit juices; syrups and otherpreparations for making beverages.
Class 33 (Wineand spirits): Alcoholic beverages (except beers).
Class 34 (Smokers’articles): Tobacco; smokers’ articles; matches.
SERVICES
Class 35(Advertising and business): Advertising;business management; business administration; office functions.
Class 36(Insurance and financial): Insurance;financial affairs; monetary affairs; real estate affairs.
Class 37(Building construction and repair): Buildingconstruction; repair; installation services.
Class 38(Telecommunications): Telecommunications.
Class 39(Transportation and storage): Transport;packaging and storage of goods; travel arrangement
Class 40(Treatment of materials): Treatment ofmaterials.
Class 41(Education and entertainment): Education;providing of training; entertainment; sporting and cultural activities.
Class 42(Computer and scientific): Scientific andtechnological services and research and design relating thereto; industrialanalysis and research services; design and development of computer hardware andsoftware.
Class 43 (Hotelsand restaurants): Services for providing food and drink;temporary accommodations.
Class 44(Medical, beauty & agricultural): Medicalservices; veterinary services; hygienic and beauty care for human beings oranimals; agriculture, horticulture and forestry services.
Class 45 (Personal):Legal services; security services for the protection of property andindividuals; personal and social services rendered by others to meet the needsof individuals.
Legal fees are necessary for your assigned attorney to perform an evaluation of the application and in-depth search on the mark to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible. This includes warning you of other possible bars to registration. This includes conflicts such as the likelihood of confusion, descriptiveness, deceptiveness, or identification issues.
About Register TradeMark US & Canada
The idea for Register Trademarks-GC was born in March 2009 from a realization that the users want access to legaland brand information before they make a purchase decision. Register Trademarks-GC was also born from therealization that users are better informed and able to decide for themselveswhen they are armed with legal information and knowledge that they canunderstand and comprehend.
No,Trademarks-GC is self funded, but from time to time explores strategic investmentopportunities from large private entities and/or venture capital firms. If you are a largerInternet company, a large legal technology company, or a private equity/venturecapital investor, you can email us with your interest at Register Trademarks-GC and we will ask an executive at our company to discuss ourcompany with you. While we are notcurrently looking for outside investment, we may take on investment in thefuture, and would like to keep channels of communication open.
If you have an idea about how to makeTrademarkia a better and more capable website, please email us at Register Trademarks-GC. We welcome feedback andare making improvements daily to improve user experience and satisfaction onour site.
Trademarks-GC P.C. is headquartered at 440 E. Southern Ave. in the city of Tempe, Arizona, with an office at 1580 W. El Camino Real in the city of Mountain View, California.Mountain View is in the heart of Silicon Valley, California.We are about 1 mile from Google headquarters, about 4 miles from Facebook headquarters, and less than 8 miles from Apple Computer headquarters.We are proud to be in the heart of the innovation headquarters of the world.
Trademarks-GC P.C.’s mission is to make intellectual property and brand protection more accessible to individuals, small business owners, and anyone else needing these services. We have done this by building one of the largest legal websites on the Internet that makes it easy to find the services you need. Register Trademarks-GC attracts over a million unique visitors to the website every month with our free search engine that allows users to conduct their own preliminary search for information. We also strive toward accessibility by allowing clients to pay only for the services they need, as they need them. Most law firms will charge a large retainer up front and deduct for unrendered services, meaning clients would have to come up with a large sum before they can take their first step toward brand protection. We are consistently putting effort toward improving our client experience both online and offline, with our user-friendly website and our dedicated attorneys and support staff.
Our monitoring service/watch subscription provides timely alerts for potential trademark infringements. This proactive tool can help safeguard your brand effectively.
Register TradeMark Canada partner attorney/law firms
After a trademark application is filed, a trademark examining attorney is assigned to
your case who begins to examine your application. Upon examination, you may receive
correspondence from the trademark office which is commonly called an “Office Action”.
You will have a specified period of time (generally six months) to respond to any
questions or clarifications raised in this correspondence. Once the Examiner is satisfied
with the application, it may be published for opposition. Provided there is no opposition,
a registration certificate may then be issued.
Correspondence received from the trademark office will be directed to an experienced trademark attorney at Trademarks-GC P.C.. All applications for the registration of a trademark in the United States are managed by licensed U.S. trademark attorneys at Trademarks-GC P.C. based on a successful conflict check performed to best protect your interests. Trademarks-GC P.C. represents over 50,000 individuals, small businesses, and multinational corporations.
Yes, after a successful conflict check and a retainer agreement is signed. All applications for the registration of a trademark in the United States are managed by licensed U.S. trademark attorneys at Trademarks-GC P.C. based on a successful conflict check performed to best protect your interests. Trademarks-GC P.C. represents over 50,000 individuals, small businesses, and multinational corporations.
Yes. Attorney and law firm advertisers will conduct their own conflict checks to ensure compliance with all applicable legal duties and regulations.
All applications for the registration of a trademark in the United States are managed by licensed U.S. trademark attorneys at Trademarks-GC (the registered trade name of the law firm LegalForce RAPC Worldwide P.C.) based on a successful conflict check performed to best protect your interests. Trademarks-GC P.C. represents over 100,000 clients including individuals, small businesses, and multinational corporations.
Logo Design & Trademarks
No. While we have a strong presence in the U.S., we also serve talent in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe, with global expansion opportunities.
Yes. You can trademark your brand logo, or have Trademarkia’s professional graphic designers make one for you.
NIL stands for Name, Image, and Likeness. It’s your right of publicity — the legal ability to control how your identity is used in sponsorships, merchandise, media, and endorsements.
People do this often for convenience.Please keep in mind that each “mark” (i.e., brand, logo, slogan, name) will require a separate application/filing.
No.You can file an Intent To Use application right at any time; however, before your logo becomes a registered trademark, you will need to show proof that the logo is used in commerce (brochure, website, business card, etc.).
TM (™) means that your logo design is undergoing the trademarking process. This symbol should be placed on your logo while your application is being processed as this can take some time. It is a form of temporary protection. The R(®) symbol means the logo has been federally registered (® cannot be used for state trademark). You place this symbol on your logo once your application has been approved and your logo becomes a registered Trademarks-GC
Business Reviews on Register TradeMark Canada
From your dashboard, click “Create New Campaign,” name your campaign, and import customer emails through CSV/Excel upload or manual entry. The system will validate email addresses and guide you through customization steps.
You can import customer emails through CSV/Excel file upload or enter them manually. The system supports standard spreadsheet formats.
There are no specific usage limits mentioned for campaigns, emails sent, or reviews collected. However, all campaigns are reviewed by our team before launch to ensure quality and prevent spam.
Your page shows your business name, logo, website link, contact information, all customer reviews with ratings, and associated trademarks as a trust-building element.
All reviews appear in your centralized dashboard showing star ratings, written feedback, customer information, submission dates, and product/service categories. You can also see them on your public review page.
No. The platform is designed for business owners and guides you through each step. If you can send an email, you can use this.
Business Page Creation Service
No, you get common law rights through use of a mark in interstate commerce. You must actually sell or market your goods or services in interstate commerce to demonstrate use of your business nameor logo.Trademarks-GC merely creates a business web page for your business on Trademarks-GC. You must actually sell or market your goods or services in interstate commerce to demonstrate use of your business nameor logo. In otherwords, you must be using the mark in the sale or transport of goods or the rendering of services in “interstate” commerce between more than one state or U.S. territory, or in commerce between the U.S. and another country.For goods, the mark must appear on the goods (e.g., tags or labels), the container for the goods, or displays associated with the goods. For services, the mark must be used in the sale or advertising of the services.Merely creating a business page on Trademarks-GC is not a use in commerce.
Using a mark that infringes on someone else’s trademark can lead to serious legal consequences. Trademarks are a form of intellectual property, and when a company or individual holds a trademark on a specific design, word, phrase, or logo, the use of that mark is restricted. Only the owner has the right to use, produce, copy, or profit from it. If you use a mark that infringes on someone else’s trademark, you are essentially violating their intellectual property rights. In such cases, the owner of the trademark can take legal action against you in a federal court. This could result in hefty fines, legal fees, and potential damage to your business reputation. It’s important to note that using the TM symbol on your mark does not provide any legal protection against such infringements. The TM symbol merely indicates your intent to move forward with obtaining a legal trademark and stakes your claim in the design. Before using a mark, it’s crucial to conduct thorough research using the Trademark Electronic Search System to ensure that no similar mark already exists. If a similar mark is found, you should make changes to your mark to avoid infringement. Once you’ve confirmed that your mark is unique, you can start using the TM symbol.
A wordmark is a unique text-only typographic treatment of a company’s name, designed to be a distinctive and memorable identifier. It’s a type of logo that uses stylized text to evoke an image of the product or service, such as the iconic Coca-Cola script. Wordmarks are different from other logos in that they are purely text-based, with no additional images or graphics. Examples of well-known wordmarks include FedEx and Google. Wordmarks play a crucial role in a company’s branding strategy. They not only create a recognizable image but also ensure the company’s name maintains a significant presence. This makes them highly effective for branding, and they are increasingly becoming the standard in logo design. However, it’s important to note that wordmarks can also lead to confusion if they are too similar to existing ones. For example, if a wordmark evokes the same image as a pictorial depiction already in use, it could be deemed confusingly similar and potentially refused. This was the case with a shoe company that used a lion’s head silhouette with the letter L for their logo, which was ruled to be too similar to a wordmark lion used by another shoe company.
Registering your trademark officially, even in countries that follow common law rules, offers numerous benefits. Firstly, it provides a legal presumption of ownership nationwide, and public notice of your claim to the trademark. This is crucial in preventing potential conflicts and disputes over the mark. Secondly, it gives you the right to bring legal action concerning the trademark in federal court. This can be a powerful tool in protecting your brand from infringement. Moreover, registering your trademark can also be beneficial on an international level. Many countries only award trademark protections if the mark is officially registered. Therefore, even if you don’t plan on doing business in a particular country, registering your mark there can ensure that you have the right to act against any infringement in those locations. This can be particularly important in today’s global marketplace, where your brand can easily reach consumers in other countries through the internet.
A trademark safeguards your brand’s unique identifiers such as names, logos, or slogans from unauthorized use. This grants you the exclusive right to use these elements, making your brand easily recognizable and unique for your customers.
How trademarks provide protection
Brand ownership: A trademark ensures that you have ownership over specific brand elements, thus putting a restriction over others to use those elements without your permission.
Avoiding confusion: By protecting your trademark, you avoid the chances of competitors coming up with similar names or logos that might confuse customers.
Building brand recognition: A trademark facilitates easy identification of your products or services by customers, which brings about trust and loyalty.
Legal rights: A registered trademark gives you the right to take legal action against unauthorized use or infringement, thus preventing the degradation of your brand’s reputation and value.
Trademarks give your business an identity and differentiate you from the rest. Whether it’s the logo, slogan, or even a product name, trademarking these elements is crucial for ensuring exclusive use and making your brand appear stronger in the marketplace.
While not legally required, having a trademark for your small business can provide significant benefits.
A trademark protects your brand’s name, logo, or slogan, preventing others from using similar marks that could confuse customers.
This legal protection can enhance your brand’s credibility and reputation, making your business stand out in the marketplace.
Moreover, a trademark can become a valuable asset as your business grows, allowing you to license it for additional income.
Overall, securing a trademark can help safeguard your brand and support your business’s long-term success.
Trademark Opposition Service
Trademark law is a highly complex legal area.Any error or misleading statement may have a serious effect on your chances of successfully opposing or defending an opposition action.We strongly recommend that you consult an attorney.
Yes. Everything you submit is treated with complete confidentiality and attorney-client privilege.
If you do not act in time, the applicant will succeed in getting theirtrademark registration.
Every case is different as each case involves different legal issues and also depends on the attitude and goals of the interested parties.You can expect it to take up to 18 months from start to finish, but most cases settle between the parties after only a few months.
Trademarks-GC charges a flat fee of $499 for pre-advisement and $1,200 to prepare a legal response. Full trials may require a higher budget.
No, but it serves as a strong warning and often resolves issues without court.
Abandoned Trademarks
You are not obligated to pay again, unless you think this mark is valuable and wish to refile. Before you get upset, you should first determine whether this trademark is valuable to your business. Do customers remember you by this name or logo? Would you be upset if another business was started by someone else with the same or similar name? If not, then you can ignore this notice. If you would be upset, you should consider re-filing it with an attorney with whom you have a prior relationship. As long as nobody filed it in the interim, you may still be able to get your trademark re-registered. You can also request a re-filing through an attorney in the Trademarkia network for $350 + filing fee ($499) per class.
Thismay be true if: If noneof the above apply to you, your mark may have gone abandoned. Don’t worry however! You should consider re-filing it with anattorney with whom you have a prior relationship. As long as nobody filed it in the interim,you may still be able to get your trademark re-registered. You can also request a re-filing through an attorney in the Trademarkia network for $350 + filing fee ($499 per class).
We are not selling your trademark. We are a search engine for publicly available legal information. In fact,we are trying to help you know of your legal rights by sharing information that is relevant to you, with you. How did we get your contact information? We got your contact information from free, public government data which listed this email as the legal correspondent for this trademark. Before you get upset, you should first determine whether this trademark is valuable to your business.Do customers remember you by this name or logo? Would you be upset if another business was started by someone else with the same or similar name? If not, then you can ignore this notice. If you would be upset, you should consider re-filing it with an attorney with whom you have a prior relationship. As long as nobody filed it in the interim, you may still be able to get your trademark re-registered. You can also request a re-filing through an attorney in the Trademarks-GC network for $350 + filing fee ($499 per class).
You are getting this email because you are listed as thelegal correspondent for this trademark.We got your contact information from free, public government data whichlisted this email as the legal correspondent for this trademark. We do not send unsolicited email to ownersthat are represented by an attorney listed as a legal correspondent. We only contact legal correspondents. We are a search engine for publicly availablelegal information. In fact, we aretrying to help you know of your legal rights by sharing information that isrelevant to you, with you. Thegovernment record does not show that you responded to the very last issue thatthey raised.
It may be possible to revive the trademark if your trademark unintentionally became abandoned in the last two months. If you are eligible to revive your trademark based on this criteria, please email us at customer.service@trademarkia.com. If it has been longer than two months, don’t worry! You can still consider reapplying for it, even if you cannot revive it any longer. You should consider re-filing it with an attorney with whom you have a prior relationship. As long as nobody filed it in the interim, you may still be able to get your trademark re-registered. You can also request a re-filing through an attorney in the Trademark network for $350 + filing fee ($499 per class).
Yes we are. LegalForce RAPC Worldwide P.C., dba Trademarkia P.C., is a law firm. That being said, your use of this website does not establish an attorney-client relationship with the Firm. The attorney-client relationship can only be established after the Firm decides that it is willing and able to accept the engagement after a conflict check and after a written retainer agreement is agreed upon between you and the Firm.
Privacy
Yes. When you place a request for legal services, information that you provide is confidentially shared with Trademarks-GC P.C.. All applications for the registration of a trademark in the United States are managed by licensed U.S. trademark attorneys at Trademarks-GC P.C. based on a successful conflict check performed to best protect your interests. Trademarks-GCP.C. represents over 100,000 individuals, small businesses, and multinational corporations.
The trademark data displayed on our website is public information and is published by
the trademark office for all trademark filers. In many countries, the trademark office
makes records available and open to the public and they are searched by users for the
purpose of determining ownership for property rights with respect to trademarks. Since
our website is synchronized with this data, we recommend making any data changes
with the trademark office directly. Our website is updated regularly to reflect the USPTO
data. However, if you would like for Trademarkia to remove your information listed on the website,
you may contact us at customer.service@trademarkia.com
Trademark Guide
Brand protection means watching out for misuse of your brand online and taking action when it appears. That can include fake listings, copied content, confusing domains, impersonation accounts, and other forms of online abuse.
Trademarks-GC can be useful when you want to move beyond a basic/free search and get a more complete view before filing. That is especially helpful when the brand is important, the search results are not clear, or you want support with both search and filing.
An international trademark registration Madrid Protocol filing is a centralised registration system that allows Applicants to seek protection in multiple countries through one application. However, each designated country still reviews the mark under its own national trademark laws before granting protection.
Once your mark is registered, you are responsible for protecting it. If someone infringes your mark, you can send a cease-and-desist letter through an attorney, file a lawsuit in federal court seeking injunctions and damages, or record your registered mark with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to block infringing imports.
A free search usually focuses on federal trademark records. A paid search goes further and may include broader marketplace and common-law sources, making it more useful for serious clearance decisions.
An office action means the USPTO has identified an issue with the application that must be addressed before the application can move forward. The problem may involve the likelihood of confusion, descriptiveness, ownership details, specimen issues, or wording in the goods and services. Responding properly is important because a weak response can lead to further delay or abandonment.
Brand Protection
Social media brand protection is the ongoing process of monitoring platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn to detect fake accounts, impersonators, and unauthorized brand content, and then taking action to remove them.
We monitor major search engines and app stores continuously, surface violations in monthly reports starting at $199 every 4 months, and back you with U.S. licensed attorneys who handle takedown requests, platform reporting, and legal escalation end-to-end.
Yes, our brand protection service is designed to be accessible, starting at $199 every 4 months, so businesses of all sizes can proactively monitor and enforce their trademark rights without high legal costs.
Fake accounts erode customer trust, spread misinformation, divert followers and potential customers, and can lead to real financial harm if customers interact with fraudulent promotions or purchase through unofficial channels.
Unmonitored misuse silently diverts your traffic and customers, damages your brand reputation through fraudulent apps, and increases your advertising costs. Early detection lets you act before the harm compounds.
We monitor major marketplaces continuously, surface infringements in monthly reports starting at $199 every 4 months, and back you with U.S. licensed attorneys who handle takedowns, seller investigations, and legal escalation end-to-end.
International Trademark Registration
You can choose multiple member countries based on where you want protection. You only pay for the countries you select.
Rejection in one country does not affect others. Your trademark can still be approved in the remaining countries.
No, you must choose countries at the time of filing. Expanding later usually requires a new application.
No. ARIPO allows centralized filing, and Trademarkia’s attorneys guide you across all selected countries.
Yes. ARIPO is a cost-effective option for startups and growing businesses entering multiple African markets.
Timelines vary by country, but ARIPO is generally faster than filing separately in each country.