U.S. Trademark Attorney, Trademark Filing Service

Yes. I’m the Managing Attorney at Syed Law based in Rolling Meadows which is a suburb of Chicago, Illinois. I have the notable distinction of being licensed in not one, but two states—California and Illinois. Thankfully, any US-licensed attorney can represent you before the USPTO, not simply attorneys in your state. That being said, it is good to have someone who focuses on trademarks. I've helped hundreds of clients get the "®" symbol for their brand.

Within 5-7 business days. 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. If you need expedited service, I can file it in three days for an additional $199.

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 or via the contact page. 

The USPTO Examining Attorney will review your trademark application after 6 to 9 months. I discuss the trademark process timelines in detail here.  

Due to COVID-19, it takes on average 12 to 18 months to register a trademark due to the backlog at the USPTO.

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. In addition, 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. Therefore, you may end up spending more on the long run.

I've obtained several clients dissatisfied by the trademark filing mill model. Even if you don't go with our law firm, I would recommend reaching out to an experienced trademark attorney.

Yes, I will personally review your trademark from start to finish. In fact, I would say that an attorney who doesn't do so is shirking his or her duty. I offer a one-stop shop for all your trademark services, unparalleled client experience, years of 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 expensive attorneys who bill by the hour.

Our fees are lower because we can anticipate our costs, are more efficient, and have repeat client business. Unlike other law firms, our business model does not revolve around the billable hour.

Earlier in my career as an associate attorney, I witnessed first-hand how senior attorneys handed a list of bills to their clients without batting an eye. This law firm is different. We are upfront about all your costs so you know exactly how much you will pay down to the penny.

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.

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

Yes. As soon as I file your trademark application, you will immediately receive a Serial Number that you may submit to Amazon Brand Registry. That will start the process for acceptance on Brand Registry without the need for IP Accelerator.

Yes. The first "maintenance" filing between the 5th and 6th registration anniversary. You second renewal filing is between the 9th and 10th registration anniversary. Once that is complete, you will only need to renew once a decade (for example, between the 19th and 20th anniversary, between the 29th and 30th anniversary, etc.).

Yes. If you are non-US resident or have a business domiciled outside the US, the USPTO requires that you hire a US attorney to file your trademark application.

Yes. In fact, nearly a quarter 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 US-licensed attorney.

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.

Yes. There are two ways to file. You may either file under a Section 1(a) "Use In Commerce" application by using the trademark "in commerce" and then filing. Or, you may as file under Section 1(b) Intent to Use application by filing first, and then using the trademark in commerce with an accompanying fee.

The benefit to a Use In Commerce application is priority and reduced cost. The issue to a Use In Commerce application is providing proof of use to the government, potentially waiting on that proof, and losing a mark due to the wait time.

On the flip side, the benefit to an Intent to Use application is getting your trademark in the door first without showing proof of use in commerce. On the downside, it does require you to pay an additional fee and increases processing time.

You certainly can. 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. There is an advantage for filing an intent to use application if you are concerned about a competitor taking your name or logo.

Yes. Think of DOVE for soap and DOVE for chocolate. Both may co-exist. You may file in a different class if your name is taken. For example, let’s say you want to trademark “Blue Wand” for computer software, 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.

Generic names like “The Donut Shop” or descriptive names like “The Auto Store” are not registrable. 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 GREYHOUND (suggestive). These names pass the trademark distinctiveness test and are registrable. 

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.