Tag: application
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How to DIY: USPTO trademark registration
The United States Patent and Trademark Office, the government agency responsible for trademark registrations, provides up-to-date, comprehensive guides and toolkits: It’s important to note that the USPTO is a SELF-FUNDED AGENCY. This means they are incentivized to make every effort to help you through the application process. Well, it’s in their self-interest because they charge…
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How to Avoid Trademark Refusal
Just google trademark registration, and you will see a bunch of under-$100 trademark services online. How is it possible? There is a hidden cost of trademark registration: your mandatory response to the USPTO’s initial conclusion that your mark is not registerable. (See Possible Grounds for Refusal of a Mark | USPTO) By the way, this…
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Amazon IP Accelerator Program
Amazon’s IP Accelerator Program (hereinafter “IPAP”) allows sellers to use Amazon Brand Registry as soon as they file for a trademark application with the USPTO. Typically, registration takes 6-9 months, so this is an exciting program for Amazon sellers. Are the maximum service fees set by Amazon fair? Assuming that the law firms participating in…
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US Trademark Backlog in the 1Q 2018?
There’s been reports about a huge number of applications, originating from China. See e.g. this WJ article at https://www.wsj.com/articles/flood-of-trademark-applications-fromchinaalarms-u-s-officials-1525521600. Then, is there a backlog created by the increase of Chinese trademarks? I had a chance to look at the dates of applications filed on behalf of my clients from 3Q to 4Q of ’17 and to…
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How much does a trademark registration REALLY cost?
Above is a cumulative showing of trademark fees (government fees only). Assuming you use your trademark for a single type (category) of product/service, an online application fee can cost as low as $225, plus a $125 one-time maintenance fee after 5 years of use and $425 every 10 years. Total $1,200 over 20+ years? Not much right? This calculation doesn’t include…
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Tax forms are complex and lengthy, but they can’t go south.
Federal trademark registration has become a standard practice for many reasons including (1) it’s inexpensive (as low as $225 to apply online); (2) due to the internet, no one does business in a single state; and (3) branding becomes crucial to even small businesses. And if I add one more to the list, it’s fairly easy.…