Free resources
Trademark guides, written the way we'd explain it on the phone
Everything here is free and written from the applications we actually file. If a guide answers your question completely, that's a good outcome — and if it doesn't, calling us still costs nothing.
Getting started
7 min read
Do I need a trademark attorney?
DIY vs. filing services vs. a lawyer — with the specific failure modes we see in self-filed applications.
Read the guide6 min read
Trademark vs. copyright vs. patent
Names, logos, writing, software, inventions — which protection covers what, with examples.
Read the guide6 min read
Can I trademark a name, logo, or slogan?
The distinctiveness rules that decide whether your name, logo, or slogan can be federally registered.
Read the guideSearch & clearance
9 min read
How to perform a trademark search
The seven-step knockout workflow — exact, phonetic, design codes, common-law, and prosecution-history checks.
Read the guide7 min read
How to choose a trademark class for your goods or services
The 45-class system, ID Manual wording, and multi-class strategy — without overpaying for coverage you don't need.
Read the guideCosts
USPTO process
8 min read
How to respond to a USPTO office action
Deadlines, refusal types, and what a persuasive response actually contains.
Read the guide6 min read
How long does trademark registration take?
Filing to registration, stage by stage, with realistic timing for each step.
Read the guide7 min read
What happens after a trademark is approved?
Publication, opposition, statement of use, and the maintenance deadlines that keep a registration alive.
Read the guideEnforcement
8 min read
Trademark infringement: what to do first
Evidence, escalation options, and the cease-and-desist mistakes that weaken your position.
Read the guide7 min read
What to do if you receive a trademark cease-and-desist letter
First-response steps for a cease-and-desist letter: evidence, claim assessment, and smart reply options.
Read the guidePrefer to watch?
Our DIY page has short video lessons on searching the USPTO database and filing an application yourself, plus the step-by-step walkthrough.
Watch the DIY lessons