Portland, OR Cityscape

Portland Trademark Registration

Trademark Attorney Services for Your Portland 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 Portland-based Businesses

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

Since its founding in 2008, Gerben IP has been helping clients register and protect their trademarks across the United States, including the Portland area. Trademark attorney Josh Gerben and his team have successfully registered thousands of federal trademarks on behalf of their clients. Whether you want to open a boutique in the Pearl District or you plan to expand your architecture firm in Lake Oswego, Gerben IP’s team of experienced trademark attorneys wants to assist you in registering your trademark.


How many trademarks are filed each year by businesses in Portland, Oregon?

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

Year# of Trademarks Filed
20211547
20201587
20191459
20181461
20171391
20161426
20151342
20141271
Year# of Trademarks Filed
20131117
20121170
20111078
20101005
2009887
20081050
20071018
20061077

Why is trademark registration important for Rose City business owners?

Portland is a thriving city that has attracted many new business owners and entrepreneurs in recent years. Some of these new businesses, in an effort to save time and money, rely only on a quick Google search to determine if the name they’ve chosen is available, then move forward without hiring an attorney to conduct a comprehensive trademark search or to register their trademark. While this DIY option might appear to save time and money upfront, it could cost the business even more in the long run.

Consider this scenario: Rich is an entrepreneur at heart and has been researching ways to have a more flexible work schedule. He decides to leave his current job and invest his savings into a new project, a mobile car detailing business. Rich knows that the people of Portland value environmentally friendly products and services, so he chooses the name The Green Clean Machine. He does a quick internet search of other mobile detailers and car washes in the area. Not seeing a competitor by the same name, Rich moves forward with branding his business, sending flyers, and even having his mobile detailing van painted in the perfect shade of green.

comprehensive trademark search, conducted by a trademark attorney, would have revealed that a well-known auto parts store sells a cleaning product called the Green Machine. Because the auto parts store registered a trademark for their cleaning product, they are well within their rights to take legal action. Rich receives a cease-and-desist letter six months after his business has opened and customer recognition has been established. The time and money that Rich saved in the beginning has now been lost to rebranding, lost revenue, and potential legal fees. Contact Gerben IP today to learn more about protecting your trademark.

The top 4 questions Portland businesses have about obtaining a trademark.

Why do I need a trademark?

A trademark protects anything that represents your brand. Common trademarks include business names, slogans, and logos, but even colors, sounds, and smells can be trademarked. A strong trademark will help to establish brand recognition and customer loyalty. A registered trademark will also protect your business from infringement. Without a trademark, you could find yourself unknowingly infringing on another company’s mark, which can be a costly legal mistake.

Why should I hire a trademark attorney?

Often, in an effort to save money, business owners opt to begin the trademark registration process alone, only to learn that the process is much more detailed and time consuming than they’d anticipated. Those business owners may end up spending more money and time to correct and re-file their applications than they would have if they’d hired an attorney from the start. An experienced trademark attorney will ensure that the process runs smoothly from start to finish.

When should I file my trademark application?

File your trademark application as soon as possible. Ideally, trademark registration should be one of the first steps you take when starting your business. The date you submit your application to the USPTO will become your priority date, which means that you have priority for the trademark over anyone looking to file a similar mark at a later date. The longer you wait to file your registration, the more you risk potential infringement.

What is the USPTO?

The USPTO stands for the United States Patent and Trademark Office, which is a division of the Department of Commerce. The USPTO reviews applications, then registers trademarks for products and services and grants patents for new inventions. They also maintain the records for trademarks and patents.


Common misperceptions about trademarks heard around Portland, OR.

I registered my trademark with the State of Oregon, so I do not need to do anything further.

While registering with your state doesn’t hinder your trademark protection, it won’t protect your mark in disputes that occur outside Oregon. The process to apply for a federal trademark is typically more complicated that state registration, but you will have the presumption of validity nationwide.

Once I’ve registered my trademark, no one else can use it.

It is possible for another business to use your mark if there is no likelihood of confusion between the two brands. For example, Delta is a well-known airline, but it’s also the name of a major faucet manufacturer. Because they are not direct competitors and likely won’t be confused in the marketplace, both are free to use the trademark “Delta.”

I can’t afford to register my trademark.

It’s understandable for new business owners to be concerned about budgets, but in many cases, you can’t afford not to register your trademark. In fact, it could end up costing more in the long run if you find that you are infringing on another business, or if another business infringes on your mark. Gerben IP offers a reasonable, flat fee trademark registration for budget conscious entrepreneurs.

My U.S. trademark will protect me in other countries where I sell my product.

Your federally registered trademark offers valuable protections within the United States, but it does not protect you in other countries. If you are currently doing business outside the U.S., or if you plan to do so in the future, you should consider international trademark registration. Read about our four reasons why you should register an international trademark here.

I can register my competitor’s trademark with the USPTO so that my competitor can’t use it.

Knowingly registering a trademark that does not belong to you is a fraud, and could result in your trademark being cancelled. Consult a trademark attorney to understand your rights and limitations in registering a trademark.

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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