TRADEMARKING? Anyone done it? advice?
 

I want to trademark a slogan. Anyone have experience, advice?

Just start using the phrase and put a little "TM" at the end of it. As long as you keep the original files that show the date you first started using it, your trademark will be protected by law as being yours, provided nobody else can prove that they started using it before you.

If you want to spend some cash, you can register your trade mark phrase and be permitted to use the "R" in a circle instead of "TM". It's up to you. You're protected by law either way.

Maura is sort of right, but the "TM" is a legal brand.

Hit up chad@ chadknowslaw.com Hal, he'll give you the right drum.

;-)

It's a fairly simple process - you *can* do it on your own, but it is best to have an attorney file it for you/with you.

Pay attention to ALL paperwork that the trademark office sends you after you submit your documents. Fill out everything that is required and send it back ASAP. THIS IS IMPORTANT!

Be prepared to wait quite a while, (took us 5 years) but monitor it as often as possible. Often things change and you want to be in the know.

Build a rapport with your trademark attorney (the one assigned to you) and make sure that you have his/her ear so that if any issues arise they don't put off calling you.

If I think of anythign else I will post...

I have a trademark attorney I could recommend, if you like. Depending on what you want to trademark, and whether USPTO pushes back, you'll likely spend $5K - $10K for a top-notch attorney to do the work.

You can see his work here , and believe me, that was not easy to get.

Cheers
-b

Oh yeah, this site is fucking priceless.

We paid $600 for ours.

You shouldn't get into that price range unless you're fighting for it. :question

Wow, I'm jealous :)

I think our costs for the initial application were several $K, but perhaps because he knew it was going to be a fight and provided more documentation than one would for a more straightforward project.

Of course, once we had to go back and forth with USPTO, appeal, etc, costs went up significantly.

Cheers
-b