Answer: Absolutely. I’m the Managing Attorney at Syed Law P.C. near Chicago, Illinois, USA. I have the notable distinction of being licensed in not one, but two states—California and Illinois. Click HERE for my California license information. Click HERE for my Illinois license.

Answer: I can file your trademark within one week. However, this will depend upon the number of names or logos you want to trademark. For example, it may take longer to conduct a search for a several logos versus one or two brand names. However, if you need expedited service, I can file it in three days for an additional $149.

Answer: Yes. If I do not pick up the phone right away, it usually means I am on the other line (my office gets on average two dozen calls per day, and several dozen emails all close in time). My policy is to return any missed calls as soon as possible, and I have a strong track record of getting back to prospective clients within 24 hours. However, the fastest way to get my attention is via email, and I request that you can contact me at asyed@syedlawoffices.com.

Answer: The USPTO Examining Attorney will review your application after three months.

Answer: Due to COVID-19, it takes on average nine to ten months to register a trademark due to the backlog at the USPTO.

Answer: Unlike a trademark filing company, you can communicate with me directly, a licensed attorney, about your trademark questions. With trademark filing companies you probably will not be able to reached the attorney on your file—and several of these companies have no attorneys on staff. While it is true that you might save a little money by going with a trademark filing company, it is also true that the risk of trademark Office Action rejection is higher. There is no guarantee an attorney at a trademark filing company will actually review your entire application.

Answer: I offer unparalleled custom trademark services, legal trademark experience, and reasonable fees that you cannot find elsewhere. Syed Law fills the market niche between the cheap trademark filing companies that over promise and underdeliver, and the fancy office lawyers who overbill their clients. Second, only I will handle your trademark application. I do not delegate your file to anyone—in other words, no associate attorney and no paralegal works on your file. Third, I review your file in my capacity as an attorney, not a scrivener who simply types in words. If you hire me, you will get legal experience from someone knows the pitfalls, and understands what USPTO Examining Attorneys are looking for on your application. Finally, my fees are affordable and reasonable compared to most trademark attorneys.

Answer: I started my law firm because I envisioned a business model that does not revolve around the billable hour. Earlier in the career as an associate attorney, I witnessed first-hand how senior attorneys handed a list of bills to their clients without batting an eye. Syed Law is different; I am upfront about costs so you know exactly how much you will pay down to the penny. There is a simple reason why my fees are lower—I am time-efficient and use less overhead, so you are not stuck paying for an attorney’s fancy office rent.

Answer: You can check TEAS for all my filings to determine my experience, simply type “Ahad[AT] and Syed[AT]” in the Free Form Search Field. Second, trust is the hallmark of any professional relationship, including an attorney-client relationship. As an attorney-client relationship is guarded by a “privilege” which limits what I can say to other people about you. I assert the attorney-client privilege to guard our communications as confidential—similar to how your doctor’s visits are strictly confidential.

Answer: Yes. Most of my clients are eCommerce retailers who sell online and use services like Amazon or Shopify.

Answer: Yes. As soon as I file your trademark application, you will immediately receive a Serial Number that you may submit to Amazon Brand Registry.

Answer: Between the 5th and 6th registration anniversary. If you fail to file your renewal, it will be cancelled. After you file your first renewal, you will need to file a second renewal between the 9th and 10th registration anniversary. Once that is complete, you will only need to renew once a decade (between the 19th and 20th anniversary, between the 29th and 30th anniversary).

Answer: Yes. If you are non-resident or live outside the United States, the USPTO requires that you hire a US attorney to file your trademark application.

Answer: Yes. In fact, nearly 30% of my clients live outside the United States. I am thrilled to serve clients outside the United States, and file their trademark with the USPTO as their US attorney of record. As mentioned in this FAQ, individuals or companies not located in the United States must hire a U.S.-licensed attorney.

Answer: If you start using a brand name or logo in commerce, you can use the TM symbol next to your brand name or logo at any time. The “TM” means it is a “common law trademark,” which arises out of any use, but it gives you little real value. You can only use the “R” with a circle (®) around your mark only after you have successfully registered your trademark. Registering a trademark with the USTPO gives your mark priority over other trademark filings. Registration also provides you with the ability to seriously threaten and bring suit for enhanced damages under trademark infringement law.

Answer: Yes. In fact, you should use the name or logo you want to trademark before you file so that you have fulfilled the “use in commerce” requirement and save $100 filing fee per class of goods or services within six months of your Notice of Allowance. However, I strongly encourage you to have me search the name you want is not being used by someone else.

Answer: Yes. I will have to file something called an “intent to use” application for a separate $100 filing fee. This application states that you have a bona fide intent to use the trademark within six months. There is an advantage for filing an intent to use application if you are concerned about a competitor taking your name or logo.

Answer: Yes. You may file in a different class if your name is taken. For example, let’s say you want to trademark “Blue Wand” for a computer program, but you find out someone has registered a trademark for “Blue Wand” for apparel and tee shirts. In that case, you can still file an application for “Blue Wand” because you are in an entirely different class.

Answer: Generic names like “The Donut Shop” or descriptive names like “The Auto Store” are not registerable. The general rule is that trademark registration protection is given to creative, unique, and interesting names that do not directly describe the product’s quality, function, or purpose. For example, think about Rolex (fanciful), Apple (arbitrary), and Jaguar (suggestive); these names pass the trademark distinctiveness test.

Answer: Either one is fine. As a practical matter, it is better to file as a business because you save money because you will not need to transfer the trademark. It is also better from a privacy standpoint; if you file personally, your personal information, particularly your address will be made public. If you need help incorporating your corporation or LLC in the United States, I can assist.