Best Trademark Registration Services
If you’re looking for an online service to help guide you through the trademark registration process, consider using the following service providers:
- Best Legal Support: LegalZoom
- Most Cost Effective: Bizee (Powered by Incfile)
- Most Affordable Attorney-Led Service: Northwest Registered Agent
- Most Affordable DIY Service: Trademark Engine
Provider | Best For | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Visit Site |
---|---|---|---|---|
Best Legal Support | A+ | |||
Most Cost Effective | Not Accredited | |||
Most Affordable Attorney-Led Service | A+ | |||
Most Affordable DIY Service | Not Accredited |
Provider | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Best For | Visit Site |
---|---|---|---|---|
A+ | Best Legal Support | |||
Not Accredited | Most Cost Effective | |||
A+ | Most Affordable Attorney-Led Service | |||
Not Accredited | Most Affordable DIY Service |
Trademark Registration Service Pricing Comparison
The price for filing a registered trademark for your brand name, business name, logo or slogan can vary by provider. Take a look below to review and compare the plan pricing of the top trademark filing services.
Service | Pricing Model | Cost (+ federal filing fees) |
LegalZoom | Flat fee | $649 |
Bizee | Flat fee | $299 |
Northwest | Flat fee | $249 |
Trademark Engine | Tiers | Basic: $99 Standard: $149 Attorney-Led: $399 |
Each of the trademark registration services listed above offers their trademark filing plans at a flat rate, plus federal filing fees. Keep in mind that the federal USPTO filing fees typically add an additional $250 or $350 to the total cost of filing, depending on the trademark class.
Entrepreneurs, small business owners, startups and anyone else looking to register a trademark should budget for the federal filing fees aside from what the online service provider charges. The flat fee that these providers charge also means business owners will need to file separately for each trademark they’re looking to register, which will increase their overall costs accordingly.
What Is a Trademark?
A trademark is a type of intellectual property protection offered by the USPTO, similar to a copyright. Trademarks can protect a brand name, business name, product name, logo or slogan. A trademark can protect a brand name, business name, product name, logo or slogan. If a third party uses the trademark in an unauthorized manner, this is called trademark infringement, and the mark’s registered owner has the right to pursue legal action.
Companies seek out trademarks to differentiate themselves from others and allow them to build recognition in the marketplace based on their exclusive right to use a trademarked name, logo or slogan. Thus, trademark protection means a company’s name, logo or tagline cannot be copied by other businesses.
How Do You Get a Trademark?
Businesses or individuals that want to register a trademark should first thoroughly search existing trademarks to see if any similar marks could cause their trademark application to be rejected. Then, they’ll want to select the proper mark format and filing basis for the intellectual property they want to protect.
The trademark application process can begin once the search for similar trademarks is complete. After being submitted, the application will be turned over to an examining attorney for review, which could take several months. If there is an issue with the application, the applicant will receive an office action, which must be addressed before the process can resume. If there are no issues, the new trademark will be approved.
What To Look for in an Online Trademark Registration Service
You want to find a trademark registration provider that is efficient, accurate and trustworthy. Here are some factors you can consider to find that provider:
- Trademark search: Before you submit an application to the USPTO, you should verify that another entity isn’t using your desired trademark. Many online registration services perform an exact and similar name search to make sure your name is unique enough to avoid rejection by the USPTO.
- Electronic filing: The most efficient method for filing your trademark application is online. If you’re doing it yourself, you can file it through the USPTO portal. If you’re using an online service, the provider will submit it on your behalf. Avoid using a service that submits applications through the mail, as that can slow down the processing time.
- Turnaround time: The average time it takes for the USPTO to process an application and register a trademark is 14.5 months, but you can check the USPTO website for real-time processing estimates. If you choose a DIY service, you have control over how quickly your application is prepared and submitted. However, if you choose to work with an attorney, you may find yourself waiting on them to complete or review your application. To avoid waiting too long, look for a provider that advertises its turnaround time. We recommend a turnaround time of less than a week. For example, Bizee estimates three to seven days for its team members to prepare your application and file it with the USPTO.
- Guarantee: The online service you use to file for a trademark can’t guarantee that it will get accepted because approval or rejection comes from the USPTO. Some providers, such as LegalZoom, offer to prepare and submit a second application for free if the first one gets rejected. Others, such as Northwest, simply offer a final clearance check on your application to help increase the likelihood that it gets approved. Look for a provider that offers something like this so that you don’t end up paying for a service only for it to be fruitless.
What Is the Best Way To Register a Trademark?
You can register a trademark in the U.S. in a few different ways, like filling out the application and filing it on your own or hiring an attorney to assist you. However, many find that the best way to register a trademark is to use an online service provider like those we’ve listed here. They can provide you with expert legal advice and counsel throughout the application process, often costing much less than hiring an attorney on your own.
The Bottom Line
There are many different trademark registration services available, though they each have their own advantages and drawbacks that you’ll need to consider. These services offer a user-friendly and seamless way to file a trademark application, providing you with legal guidance and support for your unique circumstances. Before committing to one of these providers, ensure the key features and pricing each offers to support your needs.
Methodology
To provide consumers with objective and accurate information, our credentialed legal experts created a comprehensive rating system for Limited Liability Company (LLC) services. We researched five online LLC, registered agent and trademark registration services, including ZenBusiness, LegalZoom, Swyft Filings, Northwest Registered Agent and Bizee (formerly Incfile).
We conducted a survey in 2024 of 200 professionals who were currently using LLC services or had used LLC services within the past year. We analyzed the results of this survey to determine the following rating criteria:
- Features (20%)
- Value for Money (25%)
- Customer Service (20%)
- Usability (25%)
- Reputation and Credibility (10%)
Visit the full LLC methodology page for more details on our rating system.
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The MarketWatch Guides team provides reviews of technology products and services to help readers make educated purchasing decisions. Our editorial team consists of seasoned editors, researchers and writers who are experts in the topics they cover. In addition, while we may earn a commission on our articles, our research, featured brands and recommendations are independent of and distinct from any financial compensation.
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