In the age of technology and convenience, numerous do-it-yourself (DIY) trademark registration services have emerged, promising a quick and affordable route to securing a trademark. While these services may seem appealing, there can be significant problems and drawbacks associated with using them.
One of the most troubling aspects of DIY services is that they lack any real type of legal guidance necessary to navigate the full trademark registration process. Instead, these services generally provide a one-size-fits-all approach, which may not account for the unique nuances of your specific situation.
Every business owner should keep in mind that trademark registration is more than just filing paperwork; instead, it also involves developing a sound strategy to protect and leverage your intellectual property. DIY services generally do not offer this type of strategic guidance that is really necessary to help you choose the most appropriate classification for your goods or services, broaden your trademark protection, or defend your mark against potential infringement.
Another issue that comes up with DIY trademark registration services deals with inadequate trademark searches. We’ve found that searches performed by DIY services are not very thorough and can thereby increase the risk of trademark disputes and potential legal battles. The searches performed by an attorney are often much more comprehensive, and again, will provide additional analysis on whether your mark is likely to be approved or face opposition, and what you can do to avoid the latter situation.
DIY services result in more issues than if filed by an attorney. We see it all the time that a client, prior to working with us, filed via one of the DIY services or low-cost attorneys ordered online, and there is an issue with the application. Sometimes these issues are fixable, and we can save the application, but many times the client needs to refile from scratch.
Finally, DIY trademark registration services may only offer limited assistance if your application faces opposition or if you encounter disputes after registration. An attorney, however, can represent your interests and provide invaluable support in navigating contentious situations, saving you time, stress, and potentially significant legal expenses.
Should You Meet with An Intellectual Property Attorney?
While DIY trademark registration services may seem cost-effective, the potential risks and pitfalls can lead to more significant expenses in the long run. Partnering with an experienced trademark attorney not only ensures a smoother registration process but also provides strategic guidance, comprehensive IP protection, and invaluable support in the event of disputes. If you’d like to schedule a consultation to fully evaluate the pros and cons before you make a choice, we invite you to contact our law firm by calling (888) 666-0062 or click here to schedule an Initial Discovery Session online.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice or a substitute for obtaining legal advice from an attorney.