Trademark Filing Services

To be trademark eligible, a word or design has to be unique to your brand, not descriptive of the product or service, and used “in commerce.” You can also file an intent-to-use application, which will give you some time to start using the trademark while reserving your space in the USPTO’s database.

You don’t have to register your trademark with the USPTO to have a trademark. You are a trademark owner when you use a mark, such as a logo or design, along with your goods or services. However, these rights are limited to a smaller geographic area and have other limitations. Registering your trademark federally through the USPTO enables much broader protection through nationwide trademarks.

There are several benefits to federally registering your trademark, including:

• You can use the trademark registration to file for international trademark protection.
• The registration provides a legal presumption that you have ownership of the trademark and the ability to use it.
• You can use the ® symbol for your trademark.
• You are allowed to file a civil claim related to the trademark in a federal court.
• Your trademark will be listed in the USPTO database, providing public notice of your trademark, the goods or services it corresponds to, and when you registered it.
• The registration can be recorded with the US Customs and Border Protection to prevent goods with trademark infringement from being imported.

There are more than 3.6 million active trademarks registered with the USPTO as of the second quarter of 2026. While common law rights have some use, it is important to secure federal registration for full benefits and better protection of your product, company, and invention.

A wordmark is anything letter-based or number-based, like a business name or slogan. A design mark, on the other hand, covers the look of something, like a logo, proprietary typeface, or color scheme. There are good reasons to file one or both types of trademarks. There are also other types of marks that you might want to trademark, such as a combination mark or trade dress. Your Bold IP trademark attorney can advise you specifically.

You should ensure your term or image is unique before you use it in business. That means making certain no one in your industry uses the same or a similar name. Many trademark search options are available, from a simple DIY service on the USPTO’s site to an in-depth search completed by an experienced law firm. Typically, it’s better to be cautious and choose an in-depth search so you avoid conflicts.

We see a lot of new companies make a common mistake. They want to guarantee protection, so they choose as unique a name as possible. However, the companies you see with unique names often have massive marketing budgets that they can use for consumer awareness. Your trademark should be distinctive but give consumers an idea of your service or product. Otherwise, you’ll have an uphill battle to gain name recognition.