Helpful resources
Trademark answers in plain English
Ask the assistant a quick question, or read one of the guides. For advice on your situation, an attorney is a free call away.
An assistant that answers quick questions about U.S. trademarks in plain English, with links to the guides on the resources hub. General information, not legal advice; for advice on your own mark, book the free call.
The assistant answers in plain English
General information to help you understand the process. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Start with a guide
Four guides, each a few minutes long, checked against the USPTO's own pages. The full list is on the resources hub.
- How much does a trademark cost?: What a U.S. trademark costs: the $350 USPTO fee per class, attorney fees, the later filings that keep a registration alive, and what is refundable.
- How long does a trademark take?: A realistic U.S. trademark timeline: the wait for the first USPTO review, the 30-day publication, when the certificate arrives, and what slows it down.
- Do I need a trademark attorney?: When a U.S. trademark applicant must use an attorney, what an attorney changes, when filing yourself is reasonable, and how Trademarky's flat fee works.
- Word mark vs logo vs icon mark: Word marks, logos and icon marks explained: what each protects, which to file first, why a brand set is several applications, and when to claim color.
Common trademark mistakes
Four things that cost founders time and money, and all of them avoidable.
- Waiting too long: Someone else can register a similar name first, forcing an expensive rebrand.
- Not searching first: Filing without a search wastes the government fee if similar marks already exist.
- Choosing a weak mark: Descriptive names are hard to protect. Distinctive names are stronger and easier to register.
- Filing in the wrong classes: Protection covers only the classes you file in. Gaps leave room for competitors.
When to file
The best time is before you invest heavily in the brand. These are the usual moments.
- Before you launch a product or service
- When you have settled on a brand name
- Before you spend on packaging and marketing
- When you approach investors or partners
Ready to see where your name stands?
The check is free and takes seconds. Pricing is one published attorney fee per application plus USPTO fees at cost.
Contact
Trademarky, LLC, 78 SW 7th St, 5th FL, Miami, FL 33130. (305) 562-6800, hello@trademarky.io. Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm ET. Available by appointment.
This free check is an AI-assisted preliminary screening against known U.S. trademark records. It is not a comprehensive clearance search and not legal advice. Only a licensed attorney can advise you on whether to file.