Springfield 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 Springfield-based Businesses
Please note that while Gerben IP is not located in Illinois, it can assist businesses from Illinois in registering a federal trademark because it is a federal matter.
Gerben IP was founded by trademark attorney Josh Gerben in 2008. Since that time, Gerben and his team of experienced trademark attorneys have registered thousands of trademarks for clients across the country, including the Springfield area. Gerben IP works with individuals and business of all sizes, so whether you are launching a new smart phone app in Leland Grove or growing your medical practice in Jerome, we’re ready to assist you.
How many trademarks are filed each year by businesses in Springfield, Illinois?
| Year | # of Trademarks Filed |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 112 |
| 2020 | 114 |
| 2019 | 87 |
| 2018 | 83 |
| 2017 | 86 |
| 2016 | 80 |
| 2015 | 89 |
| 2014 | 98 |
| Year | # of Trademarks Filed |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 69 |
| 2012 | 92 |
| 2011 | 92 |
| 2010 | 64 |
| 2009 | 70 |
| 2008 | 54 |
| 2007 | 112 |
| 2006 | 96 |
Why is trademark registration important for Springfield-area business owners?
It’s an exciting time to open a business in Springfield! If you are considering starting your own venture in Illinois’s capital, you may be focused on product development, selecting a location, and creating a marketing campaign. All are important to your business’s future success, but don’t overlook another important task: trademark registration.
Consider this scenario: Heather, a dog lover, creates a healthy, grain free dog treat her pets love. She decides to start selling the treats at local farmers markets and dog groomers around the Springfield area. Heather has heard of trademark registration, but because she’s just starting out, she ultimately decides her business is just too small to justify the time and cost.
Her treats, which she calls Barking Biscuits, see continual success, and Heather is considering expanding her selling area, when she learns some upsetting news. A popular dog food brand registered that name with the USPTO a year ago and plans to start selling the treats in stores soon. Now, Heather must stop selling her product and rebrand the business.
Don’t put off trademark registration, no matter the size of your business. Contact Gerben IP today to get started protecting your brand.
The top 5 questions Springfield businesses have about obtaining a trademark.
What is a trademark?
A trademark is anything that indicates your product or service is associated with your unique brand. Business and product names, logos, and slogans are the most common trademarks, but even smells, sounds, and signature colors can all be protected through trademark registration.
How long does it take to register a trademark?
The trademark registration process usually takes around 8 to 10 months from start to finish. However, in some instances, it can take a year or more for your application to be approved by the USPTO. Learn more about the length of the registration process here.
When does my registered trademark expire?
As long as you continue to use your trademark in the marketplace and meet renewal deadlines, your trademark will never expire! For new trademarks, the first renewal deadline will occur between the fifth and sixth year, then again between the ninth and tenth year. After that, you will need to renew your trademark every ten years in order to maintain ownership.
What does the USPTO do?
The United States Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, is a division of the Department of Commerce. Examiners at the USPTO will review applications and register trademarks and patents. The USPTO also maintains all records for registered patents and trademarks.
What is the difference between ® and ™?
The symbol ® indicates that a trademark has been federally registered. Do not use this symbol until you’ve received approval from the USPTO. Doing so is a violation of federal law and could be grounds for rejection of your application. While your application is pending, you are free to use the ™ symbol. Learn more about which symbol you should use.
Common misperceptions about trademarks heard around Springfield, IL.
Trademarks, copyrights, and patents are essentially the same.
These three forms of intellectual property all protect different aspects of your business. A trademark protects the things that represent your brand, including business or product names, logos, and slogans. Alternatively, copyrights protect creative works, like art, music, and poetry, while patents protect new and novel inventions.
The USPTO will conduct its own trademark search, so I don’t need to do one myself.
An examiner at the USPTO will conduct a comprehensive trademark search, but only after you have submitted your application and paid your filing fees to the USPTO. If, during the search, the examiner finds a similar mark is already in use, your application could be rejected and your filing fees lost. Work with an attorney to conduct a trademark search prior to submitting your application. If your trademark already exists, you will be able to make changes before submission, saving time and money in the long run.
Once I register my trademark, no other business will be able to use it.
This may not be certain. The USPTO will reject any application if the mark is confusingly similar to an existing trademark. However, if consumers are not likely to confuse your products or services, then another business may still be able to use the mark. Delta, for example, is the well-known trademark for an airline and a faucet manufacturer. Because there’s little likelihood of confusion between the two companies, both were able to register the mark with the USPTO.
It’s fine if I make small changes to my trademark over time.
In order to maintain control of your trademark, you must continue to use it just as it appears on your trademark application. While it’s common for businesses to update their trademarks over time, it’s important to know that these updated marks will require new trademark registrations.
15+
Years of Experience
10,000+
Trademark Searches
Completed
Completed
7,500+
Trademarks Federally
Registered
Registered
5
Customer Service