Your Questions, Answered.

  • We offer a range of solutions designed to meet your needs—whether you're just getting started or scaling something bigger. Everything is tailored to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

  • The USPTO has increased government fees to $350 per class for simple filings. For more complex or rare goods and services that are not in the USPTO’s system, they charge $550 per class.


    You can check to see if your goods/services are in the USPTO’s system here: https://idm-tmng.uspto.gov

  • You can reach us anytime via our contact page or email. We aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day.

  • We offer flat fee pricing based on project type and complexity.

  • The USPTO reports that applications filed by attorneys have a significantly higher success rate. A trademark isn't just a form; it's a legal filing. One small error in your 'description of goods' or 'specimen' can lead to a permanent refusal, costing you your filing fees and your brand's protection.

  • Yes. Under the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct, information shared during a consultation is generally protected by attorney-client privilege, even if you do not end up formalizing a full engagement with our firm.

  • Think of it this way: Trademarks protect your 'brand identity' (names, logos, slogans) to prevent consumer confusion in the marketplace. Copyrights protect your 'creative expression' (books, photos, website code, videos, and music). We help you secure both to ensure your business is fully protected.

  • Yes. Registering a business name with the Secretary of State only prevents others from using that exact name for a corporation in that state. It does not give you the right to stop others from using the name for products or services. Only a federal trademark provides nationwide protection and the right to sue for infringement.

  • A clearance search is a deep dive into federal, state, and common-law records to see if a similar name already exists. Filing without a search is a gamble; if the USPTO finds a 'Likelihood of Confusion' with an existing mark, your application will be refused and your filing fees (which are non-refundable) will be lost.

  • An Office Action is a formal letter from a USPTO examining attorney raising issues with your application. They range from simple administrative fixes to complex legal refusals. Part of our strategy session is identifying these risks early, and we offer dedicated support to help you respond to these hurdles.

  • The USPTO is currently experiencing high volumes. Generally, you can expect the process to take between 8 to 12 months, though it can take longer if there are legal oppositions or complex office actions. We provide regular updates so you’re never left wondering about the status of your mark.

  • You can only use the ® symbol after the USPTO officially issues your registration certificate. Until then, you can use the TM (for trademarks) or SM (for service marks) to put the public on notice of your claim.

  • Copyright protection exists the moment you 'fix' your work in a tangible form (like saving a document or recording a song). However, registration is required if you ever want to sue for infringement in federal court and is necessary to collect statutory damages and attorney’s fees.

Trademark & Copyright FAQs