Kansas City 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 Kansas City-based Businesses
Please note that while Gerben IP is not located in Kansas City, it can assist businesses from Kansas City in registering a federal trademark because it is a federal matter.
Trademark attorney Josh Gerben founded Gerben IP in 2008 to provide professional trademark representation to individuals and businesses of all sizes. Since that time, Gerben and his team of experienced trademark attorneys have registered thousands of trademarks for clients across the country, including the Kansas City, Kansas area. Whether you plan to open a daycare center in Overland Park or expand your roofing company in Olathe, Gerben IP is here to assist you.
How many trademarks are filed each year by businesses in Kansas City, Kansas?
| Year | # of Trademarks Filed |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 771 |
| 2020 | 759 |
| 2019 | 603 |
| 2018 | 708 |
| 2017 | 649 |
| 2016 | 711 |
| 2015 | 694 |
| 2014 | 859 |
| Year | # of Trademarks Filed |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 636 |
| 2012 | 659 |
| 2011 | 625 |
| 2010 | 618 |
| 2009 | 602 |
| 2008 | 613 |
| 2007 | 618 |
| 2006 | 579 |
Why is trademark registration important for KCK business owners?
Kansas City is a bustling Midwestern city that has seen a business boom in recent years. If you are planning to open your own business in Kansas City, consider working with a trademark attorney to conduct a trademark search and register your trademark.
Picture this scenario: Paige is a developer who has spent the last year working on a new app, Select-A-Shade, which uses a person’s cell phone camera to choose the best shades of makeup for their skin tone, hair color, and eye color. She’s been so focused on development that she’s spent no time protecting her new brand. It’s only after a thousand downloads and some blog publicity that she realizes her mistake. A large makeup company has been working on similar technology, and since they registered ‘Select-A-Shade’ with the USPTO, they are well within their rights to ask Paige to stop downloads and rebrand the app.
This costly and time-consuming mistake that Paige faced with her cosmetics line could have been prevented. (read our blog post specific to trademark tips for cosmetics here). Work with a trademark attorney from the beginning to ensure that your mark is available before you invest time and money in using it. Contact Gerben IP today to learn more about our trademark registration services.
The top 4 questions Kansas City businesses have about obtaining a trademark.
Do I need to register my trademark?
The United States is a first-to-use country, so you will have some rights to your mark as soon as you use it, even if it’s not registered. However, registering your trademark with the USPTO provides more protections. For instance, common law trademark protections allow you to use the mark freely in the small region the business is located, while a registered trademark provides nationwide validity. So if you plan to expand outside the Kansas City area one day, you’ll need a federally registered trademark.
How long does it take to register a trademark?
It typically takes around 8-10 months from start to finish to register a trademark. In certain circumstances, however, it can take a year or more to obtain trademark registration. That’s why it’s important to start the process as soon as possible.
Will working with an attorney help me to get approved?
Absolutely! Working with an attorney will streamline the process and ensure that you are submitting the right information the first time, which should aid in approval. Don’t just take our word for it, though. A study conducted by the University of North Carolina found that trademark applications submitted with the help of a trademark attorney were 50% more likely to be approved by the USPTO.
What is the USPTO?
The United States Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, is a division of the Department of Commerce. They examine applications for trademarks and patents and approve their registration. They also maintain the records for patents and trademark registrations.
Common misperceptions about trademarks heard around Kansas City, KS.
My U.S. trademark will protect me against infringement in other countries.
Unfortunately, this is not the case. A trademark registered in the United States will only protect you in disputes that arise in this country. Companies that conduct business outside the U.S., either through direct sales, manufacturing, or distribution, should strongly consider filing for trademark registration in those countries as well.
I registered my business name, and that is enough to protect my business.
Filing for trademark registration of a business name is a great start, but it is likely not enough to protect your brand. A trademark is anything that represents your brand in the marketplace. Yes, a business name does this, but so do product names, logos, slogans, and even signature colors. Work with a trademark attorney to determine which aspects of your business would benefit from trademark registration.
Another business registered the trademark I planned to use, so now I cannot use it.
This is not necessarily true. The USPTO will reject a trademark application if the mark is confusingly similar to an existing mark, but if there is no likelihood of confusion, you may be able to register the mark as well. For instance, United Van Lines and United Healthcare both use the trademark United, because it’s unlikely that consumers would confuse the trucking company with the insurance provider. Speak with a trademark attorney to learn about the availability of a particular mark.
I did a Google search and no one is using my trademark, so I’m free to use it.
A Google search is not a reliable trademark search. Google will typically only reveal exact matches to your mark. Most trademark disputes, however, are caused by similar marks, not exact matches. It’s best to conduct a trademark search with the assistance of a trademark attorney, whose software will reveal not only exact matches, but similar matches to your business name, product name, logo, or slogan as well.
The USPTO will tell me if someone is trying to use my trademark.
The USPTO will not alert you to potential infringement. As a trademark owner, it will be your responsibility to monitor your trademark’s use and take action against potential infringement. Fortunately, most trademark attorneys, like those at Gerben IP, offer services to monitor your mark and will work with you to take legal action if necessary.
15+
Years of Experience
10,000+
Trademark Searches
Completed
Completed
7,500+
Trademarks Federally
Registered
Registered
5
Customer Service