Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hi Everyone,

Has anyone ever filed a trademark application on the government`s website by themselves?  I called a trademark attorney, and he directed me to the website.  It`s cheaper than his services.  It`s www.uspto.gov is the web address.  I`d like to know if anyone has done this and how the process went.

Thanks,

DayDreamer

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I have done it.  I found it really easy, though quite detailed.  Just make sure to read all of the information on the site.

You need to make the right choice about doing it yourself online versus through an attorney.  The initial filing is fairly easy, as I said.  It`s the followup to the USPTO`s office actions that can get complex.  The main reason this will happen is if there are possible conflicts with other marks.

So I recommend that if you are going to do it online, you better be sure your mark is original enough.

But if it does get complex later on, you can always hire an attorney for the followup correspondence.

I just applied for my copyright.  I had some questions and called the office.  If you can get through without waiting and being cut off (this could take awhile) they were very helpful in the office.  They say it is taking 6 months to completion. I printed off the application along with instructions.  Its $45 per application.  When I started looking into it, I was quoted $1100 per card, for me it would be over $20k just to copyright my products.  Do it the easy cheap way first to get your foot in the door.