Why register a trademark?
Federal trademark registration provides a number of unique benefits. A federal registration allows you to stop others from using or registering a similar trademark in any U.S. state, even if you only sell in a few states. It gives you access to the federal court and a right to sue infringers. A registration can also help stop importation of counterfeit goods into the U.S. Finally, a trademark registration can be very helpful in policing your brand on online platforms like Amazon, Facebook, Instagram, and others. These companies regularly take down infringing content at the request of the owner of a registered trademark.
What makes a good trademark?
A trademark can’t be a generic word that everyone in your industry needs. You can’t stop your competitors from using the English language to describe their products and services. The best trademarks are entirely made up words (like Exxon for gas stations or Xerox for photocopiers). However, businesses frequently like to adopt trademarks that are suggestive of what they do or sell (for example, COFFEEMATE for coffee creamer).
How many trademark applications do I need?
The first priority is to protect the name of your business, then your logo, and then your tagline(s) or unique product names. To protect a name, logo, and tagline would require three separate trademark applications.
If your budget doesn’t allow for three or more applications, then you should probably focus on just protecting the name of your business and maybe your logo.
You can always apply for lower priority marks in the future. Also, as your company adds new products or services in the future, you simply apply to expand your protection over those brands, products, and services as they launch. Trademarking isn't a one-time event for most businesses. As they grow, they add more marks to their portfolios. For example, large companies like Nike and Starbucks have hundreds of trademark registrations for example.
How much does it cost to file a trademark application with Markavo?
Our pricing for a new trademark application varies by the service level you select.
1. Basic Plan – $99 (one-time fee)
Designed for straightforward trademark filings, this plan includes:
• U.S. Attorney Preparation and Filing: A licensed attorney will prepare and file your trademark application.
• Direct Conflict Search: Examination of the U.S. trademark database to identify direct conflicts.
• Same-Day Status Updates: Receive email notifications on the status of your trademark application.
2. Standard Plan – $149 (one-time fee)
Ideal for those seeking additional enforcement tools, this plan includes all features of the Basic Plan, plus:
• Cease and Desist Letter with Instructions: Valued at $125, this template aids in addressing potential infringements.
• Trademark Assignment Contract: Valued at $199, this contract facilitates the transfer of trademark ownership.
• AI-Powered Comprehensive Trademark Search: An advanced search to identify potential conflicts beyond direct matches.
3. Attorney Plus Plan – $399 (one-time fee)
For those seeking expert advice and comprehensive support, this plan includes all features of the Basic and Standard Plans, plus:
• Pre-Filing Telephone Consultation: Discuss your trademark application with an attorney before filing.
• Post-Filing Telephone Consultations: Ongoing access to your attorney for any questions after filing.
• Free Lifetime Docketing: Receive reminders of your renewal due date in five years.
Each package will require government filing fees of at least $450.
How do I hire Markavo to file a new U.S. trademark application?
To have Markavo file a new trademark application you start the project by paying the legal fee of one of our packages here: https://www.markavo.com/pricing
Simply click the "Get Started" button and run through the online checkout process.
Several moments after payment clears, you will be emailed an intake form where you will give us additional information about the trademark you would like to register.
Right before your attorney files the documents with the USPTO, you will be charged the government filing fees to the payment method we have on file.
How does Markavo’s trademark search service work?
The free trademark search service includes a risk assessment to alert you to potential identical or nearly identical trademarks that would immediately disqualify a trademark from registering. This search is limited to the class of goods or services you plan on applying for. This search is free because it can be performed relatively quickly. It is not the same as an in-depth search, which is recommended before an application is filed with the USPTO.
When you pay for a trademark application service, it includes a broader and more-in depth trademark search performed by an attorney. We review your mark against a database of all pending and registered federal trademarks for :
•phonetic similarity
•orthographic similarity
•misspellings
•similar prefix, infix and suffix variations
•vowel and consonant similarity
•similar abbreviations and acronyms
Moreover, this paid search includes a review of all trademark classes, rather than just the primary class of goods and services you specified in our free trademark search form.
Finally, common law searches are available as an add on during the checkout process for $175. Common law searches are an important, but frequently overlooked. Take a look at our Why a common law trademark search is important article.
What happens if my application receives an Office Action?
Office Action responses entail additional legal work beyond the initial application and are not included as part of the application service. We charge $149 per Office Action response.
What are the government fees for a trademark application?
We charge $450 in government fees per class of goods or services for every trademark application. This is regardless of whether you qualify for a lower rate directly with the USPTO. To qualify for any discounted fees the trademark office requires that descriptions of goods and services come directly from the Trademark ID manual. Free form descriptions require approximately 30 minutes less attorney processing time than applications that adopt the Trademark ID manual so we charge for the extra attorney time required to qualify for the discounted fee.
Moreover, applications using the Trademark ID manual descriptions have historically been 50% less likely to receive a trademark rejection. Having an attorney spend additional time on researching the appropriate Trademark ID manual entries for your application is beneficial because it reduces the time delay that rejections present and the additional legal fees required to address a rejection should one be issued.
What is the Amazon Brand Registry Service?
The Amazon Brand Registry is a program designed to help brand owners protect their intellectual property and product content on Amazon. Before Amazon will register a trademark on the Amazon Brand Registry they require trademark attorneys to verify the identity of their trademark clients. We complete this identity verification process with Amazon on your behalf for no additional cost.