Understanding how to protect intellectual property rights is crucial for any business, especially for new companies at the initial stage of forming a brand. Bauman Law Group runs a full trademark prosecution practice and advises on infringement claims to help our clients protect their names, logos, and other intangible property from the outset.
Trademark Applications
Trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) involve a series of steps and lengthy examination periods prior to obtaining registration. We guide clients through this process and provide updates along the way.
First, we conduct clearance searches on a chosen name and/or design to help clients decide to pursue a particular mark based on its potential availability on the USPTO registry and in the marketplace. Then, once a business has a mark it wishes to pursue, we will draft the application for client review and approval, including advising on classes and descriptions that meet the core business specifications. After an examiner has been assigned (current process times are at 9-10 months), we assist with any responses required to an office action. An office action can range from a minor amendment to the application, to complicated briefings on substantive legal issues, such as descriptiveness or a likelihood of confusion with another mark. After a mark has passed approval and formally registers, we also offer monitoring services to alert a client to maintenance dates and potentially infringing marks.