How to Register a Trademark in Louisiana

Introduction

If you have a business idea and want to protect it by registering a trademark, Louisiana can be a good place for you to file. The state has very few restrictions on what words or phrases can be trademarked, so there’s no need to worry about whether your idea is “original” enough or not. Plus, it’s relatively easy—and cheap—to register in Louisiana compared with other states.

File a Trademark Application in Louisiana

To register a trademark in Louisiana, you must file an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The USPTO is part of the Department of Commerce and is the federal agency that registers trademarks.

The first step for registering your trademark is to file an application with the USPTO using their online system or by mail using Form 1A (Application for Extension of Protection of an Existing Trademark). Once submitted, processing time at this point can take anywhere from 30 days up to 6 months depending on whether any issues arise during the review period. This may require further documentation before granting final approval.

Online filing is faster and more expensive than mailing in your application. The online filing process allows you to check the status of your application and pay fees via an electronic payment system that is secure, fast, and convenient. However, if you choose to file by mail you will save money on filing fees but it could take longer for your trademark to be processed by the Louisiana Office of State Registrar due to higher demand for this method of submission.

Cost to Register a Trademark in Lousiana

The Louisiana trademark cost is $225 per class of goods, plus the standard $275 filing fee.

So if you have a product that falls into six different classes (like “shoes” and “clothing”), it’ll cost you a total of $1,075 to register your mark. That’s less than half the average national price for registering a trademark ($2,286).

Using the USPTO’s free Trademark Search Tool

You can search for available trademarks in Louisiana using the USPTO’s free Trademark Search Tool. You can search by entering your proposed mark or any other words or phrases that might be similar to your proposed mark, as well as search by class of goods and services. If you find a registered trademark that is similar to yours, you should avoid registering it because it may cause confusion among consumers, who will likely think they are buying something different from what they actually are buying if they see two brands with similar names or designs.

Processing Time to Register the Trademark

Trademark registration is a multi-step process and requires many forms to be filed with the USPTO. Once you submit your trademark application, it takes about 4-6 months for your application to be approved. This timeline includes:

• Trademark Processing:

This stage takes about 3 months.

• Examining Attorney Review:

The examining attorney reviews your trademark application and sends a letter back asking for more information or corrections on the form if necessary (this stage can take up to 1 month).

• Publication Notification:

If your mark is not already registered in another country, you must publish your mark in an official journal before it is eligible for registration (this stage can take up to 3 months).

Seek legal help

If you encounter any problems in the process of trademark registration, it’s wise to seek professional help from a lawyer.

You can also ask a trademark attorney to help you with your registration or consult The Trademark Blog for more information.

Takeaway

Registering a trademark can be a confusing process. This is especially true if you’re not sure where and how to start, or how your application will be received by the relevant authorities.

One of the most important things to consider when registering a trademark is which state’s laws apply in your situation. If you’ve been operating in Louisiana for some time and have decided to register your trademark there, then it’s important that you understand that Louisiana’s laws differ from those in other states.

Conclusion

We hope that this article has helped you learn more about how to register a trademark in Louisiana. It can be confusing and complicated, but if you keep up with all the paperwork and follow through with it properly, there’s no reason why your business should have any problems getting its trademark approved.