Frequently Asked Questions

Trademark Basics

• Are Trademarks, Copyrights, and Patents the same things?
• Why register a trademark?
• What is process to obtain a trademark registration?

Trademark Registration

• Can I apply to register my Trademark through LegalForce?
• How much does it cost to register my trademark?
• What does LegalForce give me that I can’t do myself through the United States Trademark Office?
• Why is LegalForce better than LegalZoom?
• Why should I trust LegalForce, and what makes LegalForce legit?
• What are trademark monitoring and document filing services?
• How long does it take to process a trademark registration request through LegalForce?
• What happens if a direct conflict is discovered before my trademark application is submitted to the government?
• Is a search of the United States Trademark Office database necessary before filing?
• Do I have to hire an attorney when filing to register my trademark?
• What is the filing date of my trademark and how is the filing date determined?
• What kinds of things are asked of me when I start a trademark filing application?
• What are the trademark application requirements?
• Should I file as an individual or a corporation?
• What if you want to trademark in a country that is not listed on LegalForce?
• What is the difference between goods and services?
• May I change the goods/services after filing my application?
• What is the difference between a “use in commerce” trademark application and an “intent to use” trademark application?
• What is an acceptable “use in commerce” of my trademark for the purposes of federal registration?
• What is a “specimen” of use and how does it differ from the “drawing”?
• What happens after I file my trademark application?
• I just filled out my trademark application does this mean my trademark is registered?
• What is a proper specimen for use of a mark on goods (products)?
• Is my website a proper specimen for goods?
• What is NOT a proper specimen for goods?
• What is a proper specimen for use of a mark with services?
• What is NOT a proper specimen for services?
• When do I file the specimen?
• What is the most common reason an examining attorney refuses registration?
• Other than the likelihood of confusion, what are some other reasons an examining attorney refuses registration?
• Will I get a refund if there are challenges to my trademark post filing?
• When does the United States Trademark Office publish my trademark application filed for registration?
• When can other private parties oppose my trademark application with the United States Trademark Office?
• What is a Notice of Allowance in a trademark filing with the United States Trademark Office?
• How do I establish use of my trademark if I filed an Intent to Use trademark application?
• What do I have to do to maintain my trademark after it is registered with the United States Trademark Office?
• What should I write as a description for my trademark?
• How do I enforce my trademark against infringers?

Business Page Creation Service

• What is LegalForce's Business Page creation service?
• What are the benefits of the Business Page creation service?
• Does the LegalForce Business Page service demonstrate a use in commerce of my trademark?
• Do I get common law rights through creating a Business Page on LegalForce?
• Who uses the LegalForce Business Page creation service?
• What are the differences between creating a Business Page on LegalForce and applying to register it with a government agency through a law firm advertiser on LegalForce?

Trademark Application Process

• What kinds of things are asked of me when I start a trademark filing application?
• What are the trademark application requirements?
• Can I register a trademark if I live outside the United States?
• Should I submit a color logo or a black-and-white logo when I apply for a trademark?
• What is the difference between goods and services?
• May I change the goods/services after filing my application?
• What is an “intent to use” trademark application?
• What is the difference between a “use in commerce” trademark application and an “intent to use” trademark application?
• What is the difference between the “date of first use anywhere” and the “date of first use in commerce”?
• What is a “specimen” of use and how does it differ from the “drawing”?
• What is a proper specimen for use of a mark on goods (products)?
• Is my website a proper specimen for goods?
• What is NOT a proper specimen for goods?
• What is a proper specimen for use of a mark with services?
• What is NOT a proper specimen for use of a mark with services?
• When do I file the specimen?
• How do I choose the proper classification of goods and services for my trademark?

LegalForce's Search Engine

• How does LegalForce's trademark searching work?
• When I search for a name, a lot of results showing registrations for the same name come up. Does that mean I cannot register that name?
• Does the search engine on LegalForce stay current?

Abandoned Trademarks

• Why am I getting an email from LegalForce?
• My trademark is NOT abandoned!
• I don't understand what this means!
• I did respond to the Office Action!
• What do I do?
• Why are you selling my trademark?
• Can I revive my trademark, or do I have to re-apply for it?
• I told you that I wanted to keep the mark!
• Are you the United States Trademark Office?
• I have already paid my attorney and the trademark office, do I have to pay again?
• Are you an attorney?
• How did you find me?

Logo Design & Trademarks

• Do I need to trademark my logo?
• Why LegalForce for my logo trademark?
• What is the difference between the ™ and ® symbols?
• Should I trademark my company slogan and name at the same time that I trademark my logo?
• Do I need to be using my logo in business before filing a trademark application?
• Can I trademark a logo I designed myself?
• What are the potential drawbacks to not federally trademarking my logo?

Trademark Opposition Service

• What is a trademark opposition?
• Are there any important time limits?
• Can I file a trademark opposition if I do not have a registered trademark?
• Do I need a lawyer to act for me?
• What will happen if I do not file a trademark opposition?
• How much does an opposition cost?
• How long does it take to resolve a trademark opposition?
• What are the steps of a trademark opposition?

Domain Name Service

• How do I point my domain name to a hosting site?
• Is there a grace period to delete domain registrations and receive a refund?
• What is a domain name?
• How do I search for domain name availability?
• How do I configure MX records for my domain?

About LegalForce

• Who created LegalForce?
• Who are the co-founders of LegalForce?
• From where was the idea for LegalForce born?
• What is LegalForce's vision as a company?
• How large is LegalForce?
• Can I own a piece of LegalForce?
• Can I invest in LegalForce?
• Is LegalForce venture funded?
• How do I contact LegalForce for business development opportunities?
• Where is LegalForce headquarters located?
• What kind of people does LegalForce hire?
• How do I apply for a job at LegalForce?
• How do I submit a feature or usability idea to LegalForce?
• What are plans for the future of LegalForce?

LegalForce's partner attorney/law firms

• Who files the trademarks ordered from the LegalForce website?
• How do I know these attorneys/law firms are reputable?
• Who will manage correspondence received from the trademark office?
• How long does it take to prepare a trademark through LegalForce's attorney and law firm advertisers?
• What happens after my document is filed?
• Will I be forming an attorney-client relationship with a lawyer?
• Are conflict checks performed by attorney/law firm advertisers?

Privacy

• Does LegalForce confidentially hold my information provided on the website?
• How do I remove private address/trademark information on your website?

Payment

• Who charges my credit card when I apply to register my trademark?