Toledo 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 Toledo-based Businesses
Please note that while Gerben IP is not located in Ohio, it can assist businesses from Ohio in registering a federal trademark because it is a federal matter.
Gerben IP was founded by trademark attorney Josh Gerben in 2008. Gerben and his experienced team have helped thousands of clients register trademarks since that time, in all fifty states, including the Toledo area. Gerben IP works with individuals and businesses of all sizes. Whether you plan to open a bar in Old West End or grow your dental practice in Perrysburg, Gerben IP is ready to assist you with trademark registration services.
How many trademarks are filed each year by businesses in Toledo, Ohio?
| Year | # of Trademarks Filed |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 267 |
| 2020 | 281 |
| 2019 | 217 |
| 2018 | 178 |
| 2017 | 168 |
| 2016 | 167 |
| 2015 | 162 |
| 2014 | 162 |
| Year | # of Trademarks Filed |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 137 |
| 2012 | 157 |
| 2011 | 180 |
| 2010 | 140 |
| 2009 | 140 |
| 2008 | 163 |
| 2007 | 126 |
| 2006 | 130 |
Why is trademark registration important for The Glass City’s business owners?
Recent revitalization efforts in Downtown Toledo and around the city have encouraged more entrepreneurship in the area. Many new Toledo business owners, in an effort to save time and money, may decide to take on the task of trademark registration themselves. While the DIY approach is beneficial in many aspects of starting a business, it isn’t recommended for trademark registration.
Consider this scenario: Kate is a talented artist, living in Maumee, who decides to start her own business painting murals for residential and commercial spaces. She selects the name Brick Canvas and does a quick search to see if anyone else in the Toledo area is using the same name. Then, she gets to work creating marketing to promote her new venture, including a successful campaign on Instagram.
Unfortunately, Kate soon learns some upsetting news. A muralist in Chicago, who also uses the business name Brick Canvas and registered it with the USPTO, sees Kate’s posts on Instagram. His lawyer sends Kate a cease-and-desist letter in the mail. Now, she must rebrand her business and start the process to promote her business from scratch. The time and money she will lose could have been avoided if she’d worked with a trademark attorney to complete a comprehensive trademark search and file an application with the USPTO.
Whether you are still creating a business plan or you’ve been in business for some time, now is the time to register your trademark. Contact Gerben IP for a complimentary trademark consultation.
The top 5 questions Toledo businesses have about obtaining a trademark.
What aspects of my business need trademark registration?
A trademark can by anything that shows a certain product or service is directly related to your brand. Common trademarks include business or product names, slogans, and logos. However, you may want to consider less common trademarks, like sounds, colors, and smells as well.
What are International Classes?
The USPTO has a list of 47 classes of goods and services that you must select from as you draft your application. Select the classes that best represent the goods or services you plan to offer under your trademark. It’s helpful to work with an experienced trademark attorney to determine which classes to select. For international filing, view our facts.
Am I required to work with a trademark attorney?
The USPTO doesn’t require U.S. citizens to work with attorneys. They do, however, strongly encourage it. Experienced attorneys will conduct a comprehensive trademark search, draft your application correctly, and respond to Office Actions on your behalf, ensuring that the process runs smoothly. In addition, a recent study by the University of North Carolina found that engaging a trademark attorney will also increase your chances of approval, by up to 50 percent!
What should I do if I find potential infringement?
In order to maintain control of your mark and your brand’s reputation, it’s important to take quick action against any infringement. However, the best way to do this is through an experienced trademark attorney. Your attorney will review the situation and determine the best course of action to take. Often, a simple cease-and-desist letter is enough to put a potential infringer on notice. In some situations, though, more formal legal action may be needed.
Does the USPTO keep my application private while it is pending?
No, trademark applications are public record, along with your communications with the USPTO. All are posted to the United States Patent and Trademark website daily.
Common misperceptions about trademarks heard around Toledo, OH.
The terms trademark, copyright, and patents are essentially the same and can be used interchangeably.
While all three are forms of intellectual property, each protects a different aspect of your business and cannot be used interchangeably. Trademarks protect things like business names, slogans, and logos. Copyrights protect works of authorship, while patents protect inventions. Work with an experienced attorney to determine which types of protections your business needs.
If I make small changes to my trademark, it will not affect my registration.
Your trademark will only be protected as it appears on your trademark application. While it’s common to update and make changes to your trademark overtime, it’s important to know that your updated trademark will require a new trademark registration.
Once I trademark a word, no other business will be able to use it.
This is not necessarily the case. In fact, other businesses may be able to use the same mark, as long it there’s no likelihood of confusion in the marketplace. For instance, a candy manufacturer and a soap company were both able to register the trademark “Dove,” because consumers aren’t likely to confuse the two businesses.
I don’t need permission to trademark a public figure’s name.
If you plan to register a public figure’s name with the USPTO, you are required to provide written and signed consent from that public figure. Without it, your trademark application will be rejected.
15+
Years of Experience
10,000+
Trademark Searches
Completed
Completed
7,500+
Trademarks Federally
Registered
Registered
5
Customer Service