Trademark Attorney Services for Your Las Vegas Business

The top 5 questions Las Vegas businesses have about obtaining a trademark.

What does a trademark protect?

A trademark protects the things that represent your brand. Most businesses will trademark business or product names and logos, but slogans, sounds, colors, and even smells can all be registered trademarks that protect your brand.

Will working with an attorney increase my chance of approval?

In short, yes! Working with a trademark attorney ensures that your application will be filed correctly the first time, which cuts down on Office Actions and additional correspondence with the USPTO, leading to a streamlined process with an increased likelihood of approval. In fact, a study by the University of North Carolina shows that applications submitted with the help of a trademark attorney are 50% more likely to be approved. Contact Gerben IP here to learn more about our trademark registration services.

What is the USPTO?

USPTO stands for United States Patent and Trademark Office, which is a division of the Department of Commerce. The USPTO examines patent and trademark applications and grants registration. They also maintain patent and trademark records.

What are international classes?

The USPTO has 45 different classes to represent a wide number of goods and services that may be offered under your trademark. You will need to select the classes that best represent the goods and services you plan to offer, and include these classes in your application.

How long does it take to register a trademark?

The trademark registration process typically takes 8-10 months from start to finish, though in some cases, it may take a year or more to gain approval from the USPTO. Learn more here.

Common misperceptions about trademarks heard around Las Vegas, NV.

I don’t need to register my trademark with the USPTO.

Because the United States is a common law country, you will have some trademark protections simply by using your mark, assuming it’s not already in use by another business in your region. However, these protections will be incredibly limited. For instance, your mark will only be protected in disputes within the Las Vegas area, which could limit your growth into other areas. You’ll also have a more challenging time asserting your trademark rights in legal disputes. In order to gain the presumption of nationwide validity, you’ll need to register your mark with the USPTO.

It only takes one trademark to protect my brand.

This is usually not the case. A trademark is anything that represents your brand. You’ve likely considered registration of your business or product name, but don’t overlook other aspects of your business, including logos, slogans, colors, or even sounds. If you are unsure which aspects of your business should be protected through trademark registration, contact Gerben IP using our easy to use contact form.

Trademark attorneys only help with trademark registration.

Most trademark attorneys offer a full range of trademark services, extending well beyond the registration process. Once your trademark is registered, your attorney may offer monitoring services to ensure that your mark isn’t being infringed upon. If potential infringement is found, they will develop a course of action to stop it as soon as possible.

The USPTO will do a trademark search once I apply, so I don’t need to do one beforehand.

An examiner at the USPTO will conduct a trademark search, but only after you’ve submitted your application and paid your registration fees. If the examiner finds a confusingly similar mark already exists, your application could be rejected and your fees lost. Conduct a trademark search before you submit your application to determine whether your mark is available. If a similar mark is found, you’ll be able to make changes to your mark before you submit your application and pay your fees.