Please note that Syed Law is not currently accepting clients.
* “Minor Office Actions” are slight technicalities within your application that must be addressed with a non-substantive response.
** “Major Office Actions” are potentially serious defects with your mark which require a substantive, or legal, response.
* “Minor Office Actions” are slight technicalities within your application that must be addressed with a non-substantive response.
** “Major Office Actions” are potentially serious defects with your mark which require a substantive, or legal, response.
If you want to protect your brand, you should file a trademark. In order to protect your intellectual property (“IP”), you must file a trademark at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”). A flat fee trademark attorney can assist you. In fact, the USPTO encourages entrepreneurs to hire a private trademark attorney.

When I started Syed Law, there were generally three options:
However, attempting to file a trademark alone almost always leads to issues. Here are some examples you can expect to encounter if you decide to file a trademark yourself:
If you do not know what this means, do not worry. Here, my purpose is to show that trademark filing is “the practice of law.” Of course, most entrepreneurs are not familiar with law practice, let alone trademark registration. They risk wasting precious time and money.
Feeling overwhelmed, some individuals turn to trademark filing companies to file a trademark. However, filing companies are not good alternatives to flat fee trademark attorney services. Below, I explain why.
Hiring a trademark filing company might be even worse than attempting to file a trademark yourself. Here is why a flat fee trademark attorney is a better option than a trademark filing company:
However, trademark filing companies do not answer to a higher authority. Without answering to a higher authority, can a company appropriately represent you? On the other hand, a flat fee trademark attorney must diligently and competently represent every trademark client.
Additionally, a troubling number of trademark filing companies are fraudulently filing trademarks on behalf of U.S. individuals. As a result, thousands of U.S. businesses have lost (or will lose) their trademark. These services are indistinguishable from well-known trademark filing companies, and appear prominently on Google searches.
As stated above, the USPTO encourages entrepreneurs to hire a private trademark attorney.
Traditional law firms offer expensive hourly rate. This leaves entrepreneurs with “sticker shock” from legal bills. In addition, while you can expect quality services from traditional law firms, you probably will have a hard time communicating with most attorneys.
I take a different approach. My firm distinguishes itself because I inform my clients about how to protect their IP and their legal options with a free consultation.
By providing flat fee trademark attorney services, I abide by three core firm values—assurance, quality, and value. Our flat fee trademark filing service is backed by years of legal experience. We commit to the highest quality legal services, and affordable fees.
In short, I encourage you to contact me regarding my flat fee trademark attorney services. Below, I discuss my Easy-3 Step Process.
If you want to protect your brand, you should file a trademark. I explain the process below.
For word marks, names that are memorable, creative, and unique are the strongest. The stronger the trademark, the more likely that the USPTO will grant registration on the Principal Register. Trademark names vary in strength. The list below shows the different trademark types by strength (strongest to weakest):
For logos, you should hire a graphic designer or create a logo using software.
Go to the Trademark Electronic Search System or TESS and conduct a search for the trademark. A direct hit search is not enough, search for alternative misspellings (e.g., “GREY” vs. “GRAY”) or intentional misspellings. In addition, a trademark search should include the appropriate International Class of Goods and/or Services.
For instance, there are DELTA trademarks in Class 39 for “airline services” and Class 11 for “faucets.” In the above example, there is no conflict because the Class 39 and Class 11 do not overlap as “Coordinated Classes.” Coordinated Classes are classes which are similar. However, please remember that the test for conflicts is not an exact match; the test is whether the two marks are “similar” such that they would cause “likelihood of confusion.”
TESS is a great tool in the right hands. However, it is wise for those without enough experience in trademark searches to hire a qualified trademark attorney.
The trademark application appears deceptively simple. However, within the application are legal standards such as “use in commerce,” “intent to use,” “specimens” and other jargon. A mistake in trademark filing may lead to a costly and time-consuming amendment. The USPTO will ask whether you are currently selling goods and/or services. If you are currently selling goods, and can prove it, select “use in commerce.” If you are not currently sellinggoods and/or services, select “intent to use.”
While a U.S. licensed trademark attorney is not necessary for U.S. residents, the USPTO recommends hiring a private trademark attorney. This is due in large part to common misunderstandings about trademark law practice. Please note that trademark filing companies (i.e., LegalZoom, and the now defunct Trademark Terminal) are not private attorneys.
For non-U.S. residents or companies, the USPTO requires U.S. Counsel.
Once trademark filing for your NFT is complete, the application will go through a rigorous process before an Examining Attorney at the USPTO. The Examining Attorney will
This process to get before an Examining Attorney takes around 6 to 8 months. It now takes 12 to 18 months at the USPTO until full registration. Throughout this process, the Examining Attorney may communicate with you via email. Examining Attorneys only communicate by phone or email, not by mail.
You may place the “®” symbol next to a trademark NFT only after receipt of a “Registration Certificate.” Your work, however, is not over. Trademark registration is pointless if it lacks monitoring. Monitoring is the process through which an individual or attorney searches for similar marks on the web or at the USPTO. The monitoring process enhances your exclusive right to display and use your trademark. In addition, you will need to file a declaration during your 5th and 6th year anniversary, and a declaration plus renewal at the 9th and 10th year anniversary.
In summary, if you want to trademark your brand name, logo, or slogan, you should contact Syed Law. I created an easy-to-use form to get your trademark started. I look forward to working with you.
* “Minor Office Actions” are slight technicalities within your application that must be addressed with a non-substantive response.
** “Major Office Actions” are potentially serious defects with your mark which require a substantive, or legal, response.
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.
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.
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.
Ahad went above and beyond to help me at all times! He's very knowledgeable and explained everything about filing a trademark to me in great detail. Thanks, I'd love to... read more work with him again!
I am very pleased with the service provided He is very knowledgeable. He is very experienced and exudes professionalism, effectiveness, and overall satisfaction.
He messaged me via text and email ... read more to inform me of his progress, updates, and to make sure my Trademark was originally available. Ahad Syed is well organized with a clean strategy and approach to execute your vision.
Ideally, he is the person to contact because he values the importance of the consumer's money.
Lastly, I'd like to add it was very simple to get started and made me feel confident in his services. I highly recommend him for all your Trademark needs.
I worked with Ahad for the processing of my trademark. As a small business owner, he was amazing throughout the process, making sense of it all AND reasonably priced. A... read more true expert in his field and gave great advise. He exceeded my expectations and I will surely work with him again and recommend him to others.
Satisfied clients and business-owners in more than 2/3 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 free 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.
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.
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