Registering a trademark in the United States usually takes between 12 to 18 months. The process is complex and can be tough to navigate, so you need to have great help on your side.
Hiring a trademark attorney can be invaluable when it comes to trademark registration. A skilled attorney can help you complete the application and ensure that you put your best foot forward during each stage of the trademark registration process.
Here are the 7 top tips you need to remember to follow when hiring a trademark attorney.
1. Check Their Experience
When hiring a trademark attorney, you’ll want to determine how much experience they have. You should find out how long the attorney has been practicing. You should also find out how much experience they have in trademark law specifically, rather than in just intellectual property.
An attorney should have extensive knowledge of how the trademark registration process works. They should also stay updated on the latest developments that go along with evolving technology.
Additionally, you should also find out if they have a good track record of trademark registrations. Not all trademark applications are successful, so you’ll want to be sure that the attorney has a good history of successfully getting trademarks registered.
2. Research Their Reputation
An experienced attorney who doesn’t have a great reputation may not be worth hiring. Make sure that you find out more about a trademark attorney’s reputation to ensure that they’ll deliver great service and will be easy to work with.
Consider looking for reviews and testimonials of former clients online to get a better idea of what working with the attorney would look like. Finding out more about how past clients have gotten along with the attorney and whether their expectations were met can help when choosing a trademark attorney to work with.
3. Look for Licensing and Education
You’ll also want to ensure that the attorney you hire has a great educational history. This will help ensure that they’ll do a good job.
An attorney should be fully licensed and should have a law degree from an accredited law school. You should also find out about any specific experience and education the attorney has with trademark law. This can help verify that they know their stuff and will understand the intricacies of registering trademarks successfully.
Although there are other trademark services out there that are conducted by non-legal professionals, hiring a lawyer is the best choice. Doing so will give you the best chance of successfully registering your trademark.
4. Know Who You’re Working With
When speaking with an attorney for the first time, make sure that you understand exactly who will be working with you to complete the application and register the trademark.
Some attorneys will pass off their duties to junior members of the law firm and won’t be attentive to your needs. Be sure that any attorney you hire gives you personalized attention and seems invested in your interests.
It’s a good idea to have a consultation with a lawyer to get an idea of whether you would enjoy working with them. Ensure that the lawyer seems to have your best interest in mind before hiring them.
5. Check Their Services
Keep in mind that if you need help with trademark registration, you shouldn’t be looking for a lawyer who only specializes in intellectual property in general.
Make sure that the attorney you hire specialized in trademark registration specifically. Trademarks aren’t exactly the same as patents and copyrights. Although there are similarities between them, you should ensure that the attorney has experience with trademarks if you want to get the job done right.
You should also think about any special services that you’ll need as part of your trademark registration. For example, if you want to get a trademark registered internationally, then you’ll want to find an attorney who can help with your needs.
There are some specifics to foreign trademark registration that can be very complicated. You need to be sure that you hire a professional attorney who knows the exact ins and outs of trademark registration overseas.
6. Be Sure That They Understand Technology
In the age of the internet, it’s important to find an attorney who will understand all of the nuances of trademark law and how it relates to the internet.
Your attorney should understand how web domains work together with trademarks. They should understand how it relates to the branding of a business in modern times.
You’ll want to speak with an attorney beforehand to ensure that they know everything that they need to know about technology. They should understand how trademark registration works together with a cohesive brand strategy and marketing plan.
Be sure that your attorney understands technology and is operating on current information on trademark law.
7. Be Sure That You’ll Get Updates
You should also make sure that the trademark lawyer you choose is a good communicator.
An attorney should be willing to keep you updated on the latest developments regarding your trademark application. They should inform you if there are any changes to the status of your application and should keep in touch to give you updates.
You should speak with your attorney to find out what their process is for keeping in touch. Be sure that trademark lawyers are willing to give you updates on a regular basis.
If anything changes with your application, your attorney should help you determine the next steps. They should continue doing everything in their power to get your trademark registered.
Choosing the Right Trademark Attorney
If you need to hire trademark attorneys, don’t rush your decision. Consider all of the factors and ensure that you work with an attorney you can rely on.
Make sure that the attorney has plenty of experience, has a great reputation, and will give your trademark registration the attention that it deserves.
Are you ready to hire a trademark attorney? Get in touch today to learn more about what we can do for you.