Greensboro Trademark Registration
Welcome to Gerben IP
We have been assisting entrepreneurs, established businesses and other lawyers with trademarks since 2008. We are very proud of the fact that our firm’s representation has resulted in the successful registration of more than 7,500 trademarks with the USPTO.
What We Do
We offer a full range of trademark, copyright and patent services to entrepreneurs, established businesses and other attorneys (on behalf of their clients). We can assist clients in all 50 U.S. states and from countries around the world.
Start Protecting
Your Trademark
$1500 Trademark
Registration Package:
(plus government fees)
Package Includes:
- Federal Trademark Search using CORSEARCH software
- State Trademark Search using CORSEARCH software
- Common Law Trademark Search
- Attorney Consultation Time
- Drafting and Filing of Trademark Application
- Responding to Non-Substantive Office Actions
- Sending Registration Certificate
Providing Trademark Services for Greensboror-based Businesses
Please note that while Gerben IP is not located in North Carolina, it can assist businesses from North Carolina in registering a federal trademark because it is a federal matter.
In 2008, Josh Gerben founded Gerben IP to provide experienced trademark search and registration services to clients throughout the United States, including Greensboro, North Carolina. Our company provides high quality attorney services to businesses of all sizes, including individuals. Whether you make furniture in High Point or serve coffee near UNC Greensboro, Gerben IP has attorneys available to help you protect your business and intellectual property.
How many trademarks are filed each year by businesses in Greensboro, North Carolina?
| Year | # of Trademarks Filed |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 368 |
| 2020 | 479 |
| 2019 | 343 |
| 2018 | 346 |
| 2017 | 306 |
| 2016 | 243 |
| 2015 | 281 |
| 2014 | 278 |
| Year | # of Trademarks Filed |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 268 |
| 2012 | 259 |
| 2011 | 276 |
| 2010 | 229 |
| 2009 | 257 |
| 2008 | 226 |
| 2007 | 278 |
| 2006 | 211 |
Why is trademark registration important for The Gate City’s business owners?
New business owners know that there are many steps to starting a successful business. Choosing the right good or service to offer is the logical first step, followed by a host of other decisions, including finding a location, creating a logo and signage, and purchasing inventory. While all of these are important aspects of beginning a business, none will protect your unique business from competitors. To do this, you must register a trademark with the USPTO, and the best way to do this is with an experienced trademark attorney.
Consider the scenario of Parkside Renovations. The company opens shop in Greensboro with the plan to become the leading home renovation specialists in the many older neighborhoods throughout the city. The businesses owners do a quick search of competitors, and find that no other company is using Parkside in their names. They then secure a location, put up a sign, and customize their work vans. At the same time, another Greensboro resident is beginning the process of opening his new business, Parkside Remodeling. Unlike the owners of Parkside Renovations, he works with a trademark attorney to register his name and logo.
Because the business names and services are similar, the owner of Parkside Remodeling would be within his rights to ask the other business to change its name. Unfortunately for the first business owners, they have very little legal action in protecting their brand. This mistake will cost them time, trouble, and most importantly money. It is essential to begin the process of filing for a trademark before branding, name, and logo decisions are made. At Gerben IP, our experienced attorneys can assist you in conducting a comprehensive trademark search and securing the federal rights to your trademark so that you can feel confident moving forward with your business.
Trademark protection is an ongoing process, but successful business owners know the value of their brands and the important of developing strong, protectable trademarks. The attorneys at Gerben IP have the experience to provide individualized trademark advice to a variety of clients, big and small.
The top 5 questions Greensboro businesses have about obtaining a trademark.
What does a trademark do?
A registered trademark protects anything that represents your company. Common trademarks include names, phrases, words, and symbols associated with your business or product, but even colors, sounds, and smells can be trademarked. Obtaining a trademark distinguishes you from your competitors, and can also protect you from a competitor infringing on your unique mark. In addition, the registration process includes a thorough trademark search, which can keep you from unknowingly infringing on a competitor’s mark, which could be a very costly mistake.
Can I file my trademark without an attorney?
In an effort to save money, some new business owners decide to file their trademark application on their own. Unfortunately, filing a trademark application without the assistance of a trademark attorney could end up costing these businesses more in the long run. Often, business owners spend more money fixing and re-filing their trademark than they would have spent if they’d worked with an attorney. Having a trademark attorney walk through the process with you from the beginning ensures that your application is filled out correctly and that the process moves forward in a timely manner.
What is the USPTO?
The United States Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, is a division of the Department of Commerce. The USPTO examines applications, then registers trademarks for products and services and grants patents for new inventions. They also maintain the records for trademarks and patents.
What are international classes?
The USPTO has 47 different groups of goods and services known as International Classes. While filing your trademark, you may choose to register for one class or several classes, depending on the goods or services you are offering.
How do I know which classes to apply for?
Select the class or classes that best represent the goods and services you are offering now or plan to offer in the future. While you want to be thorough in the classes you choose, you do not want to register for too many classes. Doing so could increase your chances of having your application denied because of pre-existing marks by another company. Deciding which classes to apply for can be challenging. An experienced trademark attorney can assist you in this process and ensure you file for the appropriate classes.
Common misperceptions about trademarks heard around Greensboro, NC.
I can’t afford to register my trademark.
New business owners have many costs to manage, but in most cases, you can’t afford not to register your trademark. If you’ve invested money into branding your business, you want to be sure that investment is protected. Having a trademark ensures that others cannot infringe on your unique mark.
My competitor didn’t register its name or logo, so I can trademark it for myself?
The United States is a “common law” country. This means that if someone else has adopted and is commercially using a trademark they may have certain rights (even if they did not attempt to register the trademark). Working with a trademark attorney will help you to understand your right to a particular mark.
I registered my trademark with the State of North Carolina’s trademark registry, so I do not need to do anything further.
Registering with your state won’t hinder your trademark protection, but it will not ensure complete protection. The process to apply for a federal trademark is much more thorough. If another company registers a federal trademark after you’ve registered with the state, a registration with the State of California will not give you the right to use the mark.
I googled my trademark, so I do not need to do a comprehensive search.
A google search may only reveal businesses using exact words or phrases. A comprehensive search looks for trademarks similar in sight, sound, meaning, and commercial impression. Existing marks for similar goods or services that match any of those criteria could be problematic for your use of a trademark.
15+
Years of Experience
10,000+
Trademark Searches
Completed
Completed
7,500+
Trademarks Federally
Registered
Registered
5
Customer Service