Rocket Lawyer vs Trademark Plus

Launching a new company or planning a rebrand? Securing a trademark should be near the top of your list, since it protects your intellectual property and gives you exclusive rights to your name within your industry. If you're the first to coin a distinctive name - think of a hospitality startup coming up with "Airbnb" - you can lock that name down in that specific market. A registered mark also makes it easier to stop copycats, claim your social handles, and build credibility with customers and investors.

You're not limited to protecting just your business name - plenty of brand elements can be trademarked. The USPTO says a trademark is any word, phrase, symbol, or design that identifies the source of goods and distinguishes them from others. In practice, that covers slogans, logos, company design elements, words, phrases, and even sounds. Securing these protections helps customers quickly link your products to your brand.

Brand names are among the most common trademarks, but you've got plenty of ways to protect what matters most - from logos and taglines to other distinctive parts of your brand. You don't need to be launching a new venture to file, either; if you've been in business for years and want to stand out, you can secure protection for your existing logo or slogan at any time. A quick availability search before you file can save you headaches down the road.

If this all sounds overly in-depth, don't stress-the basics are straightforward. You do some research, complete the forms, and submit your application to the USPTO. The real challenge is the downtime - many filings sit in review for six months or longer - and the potential pitfalls along the way can be nerve-racking. To make the wait easier, set reminders to check your status and make sure your specimens and identifications are clear before you file. With a bit of preparation, you'll navigate the process with far less hassle.

Figuring out whether your business name is already taken - or confusingly close to something that is - can eat up time and patience. Since the USPTO rejects marks and slogans that overlap with existing trademarks, skipping that research is a gamble, and if your application gets denied, the filing fee is gone for good. Do a quick knockout search in the USPTO database and major marketplaces first to catch obvious conflicts before you spend money. The easiest path is to use an online trademark registration service, which will handle the legwork so you don't have to stress, and it's wise to keep a few backup names ready in case your top choice doesn't clear.

Online trademark registration services take the stress out of protecting your brand by streamlining the process and keeping track of the details. Rather than tackling the USPTO on your own, you get a faster, more convenient path that helps you avoid common DIY pitfalls, with a solid company guiding you from the initial search to final filing. They can also run comprehensive clearance searches and flag conflicts before you submit - a step many do-it-yourself applicants skip. Since approval isn't guaranteed, working with specialists generally improves your odds of success. Many providers even back their work with guarantees, so you either secure your trademark or get your money back.

If you're ready to jump into your trademark registration but don't know where to start, we've got you. Here are a few factors that can help you narrow the field as you choose the best online trademark registration company to get your logo, slogan, or design mark protected:

• Cost. Having someone else do the work for you can be a little pricey. Make sure you consider the most important elements of a trademark registration site like help with legal or what extra services are included. This way, you can see if you're getting your money's worth when you pay a professional to complete your trademark application.
• Process. If you're paying someone else to do your trademark application, you want the process to be simple. Zero stress is the goal. Choose a site that offers high success rates with little to no effort from you, so you can sit back and relax while your application is processed by the USPTO.
• Guarantees. Keep an eye out for success guarantees. The best sites out there will offer you a money-back guarantee if your application is rejected by the USPTO. This means the company stands behind its services and will work hard to make sure your trademark is accepted every time.
• Reputation. Check out the reputation of the trademark registration site to see if its track record is as good as it promises. Looking at third-party reviews on trusted sites like Sitejabber or Trustpilot can give you a clear idea of which companies to trust. Of course, check out their ratings on the Better Business Bureau too.

To help you get your next company name listed for your exclusive use, your new slogan registered, or your beautiful logo legally protected, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the top trademark registration companies online. This way, you can take the stress (and uncertainties) out of applying for your trademarks. You can hand the hard parts off to trained legal professionals and enjoy the more exciting parts of creating something new for your business or brand!