Own your brand. Federally.

The USPTO trademark registration process typically takes 8–12 months from the filing date. After filing, the application is assigned to an examining attorney in roughly 3–4 months. If approved, the mark is published for a 30-day opposition period. If no opposition is filed, the USPTO issues the registration certificate. We monitor your application throughout and notify you of every status update.

You can trademark words (brand names, slogans), logos, symbols, designs, sounds, and even distinctive colors or packaging trade dress — as long as the mark identifies and distinguishes your goods or services and is used in commerce. The mark must be distinctive: arbitrary or fanciful marks (like 'Apple' for computers) are easiest to register; descriptive marks are much harder.

USPTO filing fees are $350 per class of goods or services for a base application. As of January 18, 2025 the USPTO consolidated the former TEAS Plus and TEAS Standard forms into a single base application; the only way to incur more than the $350 base fee is triggering a surcharge (e.g. for incomplete filings or custom goods/services descriptions). These fees are paid directly to the USPTO on top of Kicker's service fee and are non-refundable once filed.

The USPTO uses the Nice Classification system — 45 classes covering different categories of goods (1–34) and services (35–45). You file separately in each class that applies to your business. A software company typically files in Class 9 (software) and Class 42 (software services). A clothing brand files in Class 25. Our attorneys identify all relevant classes so your protection is complete.

During the 30-day publication period, anyone who believes your mark would harm them can file an opposition with the USPTO Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). We represent you in the opposition proceeding. Most oppositions are resolved through negotiation — a consent agreement, a co-existence agreement, or an amendment to your goods and services description — without going to a full trial.

An office action is a letter from the USPTO examining attorney requesting changes or clarification — for example, a clarification of the goods/services description or a citation of a potentially conflicting mark. Office actions are common and don't mean your application will be rejected. Our Standard and Premium plans include attorney responses to office actions at no additional charge.

Trademark rights last indefinitely as long as you continue using the mark in commerce. You must file a Declaration of Continued Use (Section 8) between years 5–6 after registration, and then renew every 10 years thereafter. We send renewal reminders well in advance so you never let your registration lapse.

No. You can file an 'Intent to Use' (ITU) application before you launch, which reserves your priority date. Once you begin using the mark in commerce, you file a Statement of Use, and the USPTO issues the registration. This is the recommended approach for any business that hasn't officially launched yet.

The ™ symbol can be used by anyone to signal they are claiming trademark rights — no registration required. The ® symbol is reserved exclusively for marks registered with the USPTO. Using ® without a federal registration is illegal. Once your registration certificate is issued, you should switch from ™ to ® on all your branding.

Yes. We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on Kicker service fees. If you are not satisfied for any reason within 30 days, contact us for a full refund of our portion of the fee. USPTO filing fees are government fees paid directly to the USPTO and are non-refundable once the application is submitted.

Yes. Foreign applicants can file a US trademark application directly with the USPTO. If your home country is a member of the Paris Convention or the Madrid Protocol, you may also use an existing foreign application or registration as the basis for your US application. We work with clients around the world and handle the entire process remotely — no US presence required.

Registration is the beginning, not the end. Between years 5 and 6 after registration, you must file a Declaration of Continued Use (Section 8) and, optionally, a Declaration of Incontestability (Section 15) — which makes the mark nearly impossible to challenge. You must then renew every 10 years by filing a Section 8 & 9 combined renewal. We send reminders well in advance of each deadline and can handle all filings on your behalf.