Memphis Trademark Registration

Trademark Attorney Services for Your Memphis Business

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.

Start Protecting
Your Trademark

Trademark Registration Services

$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 Memphis-based Businesses

Please note that while Gerben IP is not located in Memphis, it can assist businesses from Tennessee in registering a federal trademark because it is a federal matter.

In 2008, trademark attorney Josh Gerben founded Gerben IP to provide professional, affordable trademark registration services to individuals and businesses of all sizes. Since that time, Gerben and his team of experienced trademark attorneys have worked with thousands of clients across the country, including the Memphis area. Whether you are looking to operate a food truck near Overton Park or expand your dental practice in Germantown, Gerben IP is ready to assist you.


How many trademarks are filed each year by businesses in Memphis, Tennessee?

Gerben IP collected the following data from the USPTO’s public database.

Year# of Trademarks Filed
2021804
2020816
2019654
2018580
2017516
2016518
2015520
2014502
Year# of Trademarks Filed
2013499
2012482
2011525
2010507
2009591
2008658
2007591
2006581

Why is trademark registration important for the Home of the Blues’ business owners?

Memphis is a thriving city with a strong history in entrepreneurship. If you’ve decided to join the Memphis business market, you know just how stressful starting out can be. From choosing the perfect location to hiring employees and branding the business, it can seem like the to-do list is never ending, but don’t overlook the essential step of trademark registration.

Consider this scenario: Tyler has been working as a cabinet installer for several years and has finally saved up enough money to start his own kitchen and bath remodeling company. He hopes to serve residents in Midtown and other areas who are buying older homes to renovate. Excited to get started, Tyler adds the logo for his company, Bluff City Kitchen and Bath, to his work trucks, website, and other marketing materials. A friend recommends trademark registration, but Tyler is on a tight budget, so he decides to wait.

Unfortunately, the owner of another business, Bluff City Remodeling, sees Tyler’s work van in the area. Even though the business names aren’t identical, this owner thinks there’s enough cause for confusion that Tyler may be infringing on his mark, so he calls his trademark attorney. A few weeks later, Tyler receives a cease-and-desist letter in the mail, requesting that he stop using the name Bluff City Kitchen and Bath immediately. The rebranding process could actually end up costing significantly more than if Tyler had started the registration process right away. Don’t wait to register your trademark. Contact Gerben IP to learn more about our reasonable, flat rate trademark registration services today.

The top 5 questions Memphis businesses have about obtaining a trademark.

How is a trademark different than a copyright or a patent?

A trademark can be anything that shows that a particular product or service is associated with your brand, including business or product names, slogans, and logos. Copyrights, on the other hand, protect creative works like novels, lyrics, and art, while patents protect novel inventions.

What does the USPTO do?

The United States Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, examines and approves patent and trademark registrations. They also maintain their records. They do not, however, monitor your trademark’s use or enforce your trademark rights. These are the responsibility of the trademark owner.

What is a priority date?

The date you file your trademark application with the USPTO will become your priority date, which will give you priority for your trademark. Anyone looking to file a similar mark after your priority date will not be approved by the USPTO.

Do I need to work with an attorney to file my application?

U.S. citizens aren’t required to work with an attorney, but the USPTO strongly encourages it. One reason for this is due to the many detailed legal decisions that need to be made throughout the registration process. Working with an attorney will ensure that the process runs smoothly, and it’s also likely increase your chances of approval. A study by the University of North Carolina found that trademark applications submitted to the USPTO through an attorney were 50% more likely to be approved.

What is an Office Action, and why did I receive one?

Office Actions are frequently issued by examiners at the USPTO. Reasons for these Office Actions vary, but they usually serve as a request for additional information or clarification about information on your trademark application. The USPTO will also issue Office Actions to notify you that your application has been rejected. Whatever the reason, it’s important to respond to Office Actions appropriately, and prior to the deadline. Failing to respond in a timely manner could cause your trademark application to be rejected.


Common misperceptions about trademarks heard around Memphis, TN.

My trademark will be protected even if I don’t register with the USPTO.

The United States is a first-to-use country, which means you will have some common law protections just by using the mark in public. Unfortunately, those common law protections are extremely limited. It’s more challenging to enforce your trademark rights in court, and the rights you do have will only apply to the Memphis region. If you plan to expand to other areas, you may be excluded from certain regions if your mark is already in use by another business there. In order to have the presumption of nationwide validity, you’ll need to register your trademark with the USPTO.

I should register for as many international classes as possible.

The USPTO has 45 classes to represent the goods and services you plan to offer. While it may seem like a good idea to file for as many classes as possible, that may not be the best choice. One reason for this is the cost to register. Trademark application fees are charged per class, so choosing multiple classes, could greatly increase your registration costs. Second, selecting too many classes on your trademark application could be grounds for rejection by the USPTO. Only include the classes of goods and services you are currently offering or plan to offer in the near future.

If my competitor hasn’t registered their trademark, I can register it to keep them from using it.

This is likely not the case. First, because the U.S. is a first-to-use country, your competitor may have some common law rights to their mark, even if they have not registered with the USPTO. Second, knowingly registering a trademark that does not belong to you is a fraud, and could result in the cancellation of your trademark. Contact Gerben IP if you are unsure about the availability of a particular trademark.

I registered my trademark with the USPTO, so I am protected in other countries as well.

Your federally registered trademark will not protect you in trademark disputes that arise in other countries. To gain trademark protections in a country outside the U.S., you will need to register your trademark in that country as well. We put together a blog post on explaining why you should register your mark in other countries. In today’s global economy, it’s wise to consider international registration, especially if you decide to do business outside the United States, either through sales, manufacturing, or distribution.

15+
Years of Experience
10,000+
Trademark Searches
Completed
7,500+
Trademarks Federally
Registered
5
Customer Service

Helping Our Customers Succeed

“ We were referred to Josh by a business colleague, and were skeptical that any online US Trademark filing process could be both simple and successful. Our experience with other firms (on other trademarks) had been tedious and expensive, by comparison. But Josh’s system worked, and we were awarded both trademarks…”

— Michael Zimmerman, MarketPoint

“…I am smart enough to know that this is a highly specialized area of the law that requires patience, understanding, extensive research, a finely tuned verification process and the ability to navigate the steps and procedures established by the federal government. But I am even smarter to know that, in the age of the specialist, I needed the best…”

Wayne HalperLaw Office of Wayne Halper

“…When working with Josh on our Trademark/Service Mark application process, his communication was excellent and his expertise and personal demeanor quickly built trust in the business matters. He manages a detailed and well balanced analysis and is results and success driven..”

— Johan Reinhoudt, EffectiveSalesCoaching.NL

“ I hired Josh to do some trademarking work for me. He was very knowledgeable, explained the process clearly, made sure it was filed in a timely manner, and followed up with me each step of the way.”

— Kathy Wolper, Kathy’s Just Desserts, Inc.

“ Working with Josh was an absolute pleasure. He made the process of getting our trademark a breeze. Should we ever seek another trademark we would certainly retain Josh again in a heartbeat. I recommend him very highly.”

— Verena Frydberg, Makeover Your MS

“ Every now and again you come across someone who you know will always get the job done, be upfront and honest, and looks out for you. It’s great never having to worry about Trademarks. I know I can just give him a call and it’ll be done quickly, affordable, and done right…”

— Megan Cummins, Sparklepop

Do you need assistance with a trademark matter? Reach out to an attorney now.

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