Is it Easy to Register a Trademark Online

Introduction

Trademark registration is a simple process that doesn’t require much time or effort. The hardest part of the job is gathering documentation and making sure you have everything ready when you get in touch with your trademark attorney. Once you’ve done that, though, the rest is smooth sailing.

Trademark Registration

Trademark registration is the process of protecting your brand by registering it as a federally-protected mark. Once you have been granted trademark status, you can use the ® symbol next to your registered logo so that others know it’s yours.

Once you’ve determined whether or not to go through with trademark registration, all that’s left is to file an application and pay the fee (which varies depending on what type of application you file). Depending on how fast your government approves trademarks, this process could take anywhere between one month and two years. If everything goes smoothly—and assuming that no one challenges your claim—the United States Patent and Trademark Office will send you a certificate indicating they have officially accepted your trademark for protection.

Registering a Trademark Online

In the United States, you can actually register a trademark online. The process is straightforward and simple. You will need to gather some information about your business and pay the fee, which is $275 for online registration, compared to $325 for paper applications filed with an examining attorney.

Basic steps in registering a mark:

• Choose whether or not you want to file electronically or on paper; if electronic filing isn’t available in your jurisdiction (check with your local trademark office), then this won’t apply to you anyway!
• Gather information about yourself and/or your business so that it is known who owns the mark(s) being registered; this will help determine whether there may be any potential conflict between existing marks and yours.

The Process is Straightforward and Simple

Registering a trademark online is an easy process, which doesn’t require any special skills or knowledge. The process is straightforward and simple.

It’s not complicated. It’s not difficult. It’s not a hassle to complete, either online or through the mail if you prefer to do so.

Gathering documentation.

The hardest part of the job is gathering documentation. You will need to provide a specimen of use, which means showing how you have used your trademark on a product or in commerce. Doing so can be more difficult if you have a common name like Smith or Jones, as it is difficult to find examples of people using those names as trademarks. If you do not live in the US, obtaining this paperwork might be particularly difficult, depending on where you are located and whether you’re using eCommerce software that supports international users.

Maintaining your trademark requires some fee payment and forms.

Maintaining your trademark requires some fee payment and forms. Every 10 years, you have to pay a fee for maintaining the registration of your mark. You can do this online or by mail. You also have to file a declaration of use if you haven’t used it in the past 5 years (or 3 years if you filed under an extension request). This form can be filed online or by mail once every 5 years after filing an initial application for protection.

Every 10 years (or every 6 months if using an extension), you may need to file a renewal application as well as any other documents requested in order to maintain your registration status with the USPTO, including:

• A statement of use
• An affidavit of continued use

Conclusion

A trademark will protect your brand against unfair competition and help you stand out from the crowd. Registering a trademark online is easy and straightforward, but it does require some effort on your part. You must gather documentation and pay fees before filing an application, so keep these things in mind when deciding whether or not to go ahead with this process.