Easy Guide — How to Use New TESS to do “Advanced Searches” in “Expert” Mode
The New TESS Search website looks a bit different! On November 30, 2023, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) officially retires their clunky,
Your brand is your business promise and identify. But it can be lost or taken. No one wants to start over again with a rebrand. I help motivated business owners proactively protect their trademarks with clear, flat fee rates.
Syed Law has helped hundreds of clients protect their brand with trademark ownership, monitoring, and enforcement. We’ve filed hundreds of trademarks and serve clients from all 50-States.
Syed Law, founded by Ahad Syed, an experienced U.S. trademark attorney, is a trademark filing service serving all 50 states. It is one of the few U.S.-based trademark law firms focused exclusively on trademarks before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”). We’ve helped hundreds of business owners file their trademark with our easy, flat fee trademark packages. In fact, we have a nation-wide reputation in helping e-Commerce businesses register their brand, name, logo, and/or slogan. If you are seeking a trademark for Amazon Brand Registry (ABR), please check out the Amazon Trademark page. We positioned ourselves as an excellent choice in a competitive intellectual property (“IP”) market, providing comprehensive trademark services.
Get started now with our trademark filing form, and we will contact you for a consultation call to discuss the process.
Clients from over 66% of the United States trust us with their trademark. We even represent clients from outside the United States from places such as Canada, Australia, France, and the United Kingdom.
We made it easy to file your trademark at the USPTO for a brand, name logo, and/or slogan.
Select your trademark package, and fill out the short, easy questionnaire.
One hour complimentary consultation to discuss your trademark matter.
Your attorney files your trademark and handles everything for you.
* Filing fees are included in the price you see for 1 Class of Goods/Services for 1 TEAS Plus Application.
** Names, logos, and slogans are all different application types. If you would like to do two or more applications, I can offer 10% off my attorney fees for “Basic,” 20% off for “Standard,” and 30% off for the “Premium” package.
*** “Minor Office Actions are “non-substantive responses,” meaning responses that do not require drafting legal arguments.
**** All additional filing fees after the application is submitted are the Client’s responsibility.
We perform an advanced, comprehensive search for your mark at the USPTO and present you a report showing conflicts. A legal opinion letter included in the search shows your brand's odds of success.
An experienced attorney reviews your file, professionally drafts your application, consults with you, and files your trademark with the USPTO. Total guidance throughout the process.
After registration, your trademark registration attorney monitors the Internet and the USPTO database for competing names and designs. You are informed of any competitors and provided legal options.
If the USPTO raises any issues with your application, we provide a response to overcome the refusal.
We will let you know when your trademark is up for renewal. Keep your trademark alive by filing a between your 5th and 6th anniversary, and your 9th and 10th anniversary. Your trademark attorney will file a renewal with the USPTO.
We send out or respond to cease-and-desist letters on your behalf to prevent others from using your mark.
Clients from across the United States trust our trademark filing service. Whether you live in the East, North, West, or South, there is a good chance we represented a client in your home state. We enjoy getting to know our clients to protect their brand, name, logo, and slogan. See why our clients speak so highly of our trademark filing services. The 5-star reviews listed below are from Google.
Syed Law is a highly professional resource for trademark law. Ahad Syed is thoughtful, willing to discuss details and goes above and beyond to ensure a smooth process.
Working with Syed Law was seamless and efficient. Ahad paid great attention to detail while reviewing my existing contract and made excellent modifications and additions to ensure my business is... read more fully protected. Now, I feel confident in moving forward with business transactions and opportunities knowing that I have the best legal support for my brand.
In the past I made the mistake of going with online legal platforms that offer to help file trademarks by real attorneys. It was a hard lesson and I quickly... read more realized how they fall short. You may think you are saving a little bit of money but really it’s not worth it. After the filing, you most likely will deal with a big headache, failure, and in the end it will cost more money to respond to the uspto letters that you will surely receive. Sayed Law has great pricing and packages that are not only affordable but you get a lot more service and quality. My experience with Sayed Law has been so smooth and I did not need to lift a finger from the beginning and even after the filing because he does it all. All the uspto response letters go directly to him and he deals with all that legal work. I had such a great experience with his law firm and the initial complimentary consult was really helpful. He responds quickly to any questions you may have and gives you great legal advice on how to proceed with your trademark filing. 5 stars all around and I can recommend this firm without any hesitations.
Satisfied clients and business-owners in more than 66% of U.S. States.
International trademark clients, spanning 5 continents, and 12 countries.
Traditional trademark law firms are not transparent about pricing, leaving their clients with sticker shock. On the flip side, trademark filing companies over-promise and under-deliver, resulting in the USPTO rejecting filings. This leaves entrepreneurs with a dilemma—select high quality and pay a fortune, or go with a low-quality filing company and potentially face a rejection letter in several months?
Neither is ideal for trademark applicants.
We fill the market gap between attorneys that overcharge, and the trademark filing companies that under-deliver.
In contrast, we offer affordable flat-fee trademark filing packages with all your costs upfront. In addition, since Syed Law is an experienced trademark law firm, we offer professional representation.
All costs and fees are disclosed to you upfront before we begin. We will never “upsell” products because we are professionals and hold ourselves to higher standards.
Beginning with the very first telephone consultation, you will receive a responsive client experience. We answer all emails and phone calls within 2 to 4 hours.
According to an article published in the Stanford University law journal, “[a]pplications filed by “experienced counsel were 50% more likely to register . . . ” See the “Conclusion” on the final page.
The same study concluded that a trademark “attorney may significantly increase the likelihood of . . . obtaining a certificate of registration.”
Hiring an experienced trademark attorney is a no-brainer.
You get a comprehensive search with either the Standard or Premium trademark packages. Our firm uses the same advanced search techniques as USPTO Examining Attorneys to thoroughly search the USPTO TESS database. Other law firms use flawed “direct-hit” or “knock-out” searches – we think that does a disservice to clients. Mirroring the code-based search conducted by USPTO Examining Attorneys, allows us to provide our clients with extremely detailed reports, and the assurance that their name or logo is not taken.
Whether you select our law firm or another law firm, hiring a licensed attorney is critical. In fact, the USPTO strongly recommends hiring a private U.S. trademark attorney. When you hire our firm, you are hiring a firm with a great reputation and legal experience in trademark law practice. The USPTO subjects trademark applications to a rigorous test, and your trademark attorney must guide you through the process.
Our firm is trusted by hundreds of trademark clients across the United States. To date, we have filed hundreds of trademark applications for applicants hailing from almost every U.S. State at the USPTO. Most of our clients are online entrepreneurs using platforms like Amazon Brand Registry or Shopify. We achieved this by listening intently to our client’s trademark issues and creating a custom-tailored solution to each matter.
Trademark applications are riddled with legal issues that can result in significant errors if left to less experienced operators. Today, there are many filing companies offering cheap trademark services. What they lack in legal knowledge, they make up with software that copies and pastes your answers into a form. Of course, their business model requires mass filing. Unfortunately, this process involves making the client pay more (through up-selling products), errors, and time delays. Worse still, it may not be possible to speak to the attorneys on staff at these filing companies.
Syed Law approaches each application as unique because each client is unique. We handle all trademark matters, and you can talk directly with us by scheduling a consultation. We handle the entire process personally from our first consultation to trademark filing and registration. This means that we professionally evaluate your trademark and brand protection concerns when drafting the application.
Because each trademark package includes Minor Office Actions (i.e., correspondence plus Statement of Use if necessary), I will speak to your Examining Attorney on your behalf. Often, Examining Attorneys contact me directly before issuing an Office Action. Applicants find that this often provides an edge on a contentious matter if an Examining Attorney raises objections to an application. This is particularly useful if there is a specimen, misclassification, mere descriptiveness, or Likelihood of Confusion refusal.
We watch over your trademark application as soon as it is submitted to the USPTO. You may hire us to monitor your trademark and send cease-and-desist letters to infringers. Monitoring is necessary to ensure your trademark is protected. With our comprehensive services, we are a one-stop-shop for all your trademark IP needs.
Syed Law’s business model revolves around taking the uncertainty with filing a trademark out of the hands of our clients. We offer the full range of trademark services under one umbrella. That allows us to focus on our clients needs and handle all of their trademark issues from filing a trademark to monitoring.
State of Illinois
United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO“). *Authorized to file trademarks only on behalf of any individual, in any state at the USPTO.
American Bar Association
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.
We have three trademark packages for every budge from $949 to $1,849, including filing fees for one class!
Here is a breakdown:
* A “Minor Office Action” is a non-substantive Office Action that does not require an Attorney's legal arguments.
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 $299.
The USPTO Examining Attorney will review your trademark application after 9 to 10 months. Take at the current trademark process timelines.
Due to COVID-19, it takes on average 12 to 18 months to register a trademark due to the backlog at the USPTO.
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.
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.
Here is a selection the trademark articles our clients found helpful.
The New TESS Search website looks a bit different! On November 30, 2023, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) officially retires their clunky,
Warhol’s use of Prince’s photo (taken by Lynn Goldsmith) was not entitled to fair use. In a David versus Goliath battle, the Supreme Court issued
The cost to trademark in 2022 is $250 per International Class of goods and/or services. However, it may be $350 if a custom description is required. In addition, if you file an “Intent to Use” trademark, you will be required to pay $100 for a Statement of Use. This article discusses how the costs to file a a trademark can vary.
We can answer these questions and more. As I tell my clients, no one is born a trademark attorney. My job includes educating my clients about they can best protect their name, slogan, and logo.
Please reach out using this simple form.
Alternatively, you can contact me by email at asyed@syedlawoffices.com, or by calling us at 312-618-0713.
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*Syed Law is located in Illinois, but serves clients in all 50 U.S. States because trademark law is practiced before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”).
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*Syed Law is located in Illinois, but serves clients in all 50 U.S. States because trademark law is practiced before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”).
The use of this website or its forms does not create an attorney-client relationship. By using this website, including FAQs and Sitemap, you consent to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. The information on this website is intended for informational purposes only, and not as legal advice. If you have questions about your specific trademark matter, please contact us. Client reviews and testimonials are for informational purposes only, and not a warranty, prediction, or guarantee regarding the outcome of your matter. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. “Syed Law” stands for “Syed Law P.C.” © 2023 Syed Law P.C. All Rights Reserved.
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