MightyRecruiterWhen you’re ready to trademark your business, it’s wise to meet with an attorney. Before your first meeting, he or she will likely have you gather specific information on an intake form so that your registration can be taken care of effectively. Lawyers use various versions of intake forms, but most of the general information required is similar. In addition to readying your form details, compile a list of questions to ask during your meeting.
Intake Form Data
When you fill in an intake form, not only do you ready the information for your attorney, but you also clarify many of the details for yourself. Plan to provide this data:
- Contact information: On the form, you’ll be expected to provide your name as a client, as well as your company’s name. You’ll also list your position in the organization, your business’s address, legal status as partnership/corporation/individual, and the name of each partner.
- Legal entity details: If your business is a corporation, you’ll need to list the state and date of incorporation, as well as the type of corporation.
- Trademark specifics: Your attorney will want a clear, precise description of your trademark. He or she will also need to know how services and products will be attached to the mark. If the trademark has already been used in commerce, you’ll need to provide dates it was first and last used.
- Questions about use: In order to register your trademark, your legal counsel will need records about previous uses, registrations, cancelations, and applications. He or she will want to know about ongoing efforts to use the mark in market research, manufacturing, and promotional activities.
Questions to Ask During the Meeting
Since you’ve already scheduled an appointment with a trademark attorney and are filling out an intake form, you know how important it is to protect your branding information by registering it. Your trademark is essentially your brand, which is a powerful asset and communication tool that identifies you to your customers. To get the most out of your initial meeting, draft a list of questions to ask:
- Can you give me a definition of what a trademark is? Don’t feel foolish asking this basic question. Making assumptions can lead to misunderstandings, so ask for a definition if you are unclear and start off on the right foot.
- Could you explain the pros and cons of trademark registration? A lawyer can give you concrete answers about the benefits of registering your trademark, plus some information about the flip side as well.
- What are the earmarks of a solid trademark? There are ways to create a strong brand name, and a trademark attorney can point you in the right direction with this quest. If you haven’t settled on your name, ask for advice to come up with a unique and ironclad moniker.
- What can I put a trademark on? There are more things you can trademark than just logos and business names. Did you know you could register sounds and shapes as well? Have your lawyer fill you in on the specifics.
- How much will the registration process cost? You will need to pay a filing fee that is dependent on the class of your products and services. Your attorney will also have hourly fees or a flat fee to handle the process.
- After registration, are there steps I need to take to maintain and protect the trademark? Talk to your lawyer about ways to keep your trademark safe and how to control other’s use of your brand name in the marketplace once it’s been registered.
Legally registering your business trademark is a critical step for protecting your company’s reputation and brand. Your initial meeting with an attorney can point you in the right direction with intake forms and answers to your queries.
Legal Disclaimer
The content on our website is only meant to provide general information and is not legal advice. We make our best efforts to make sure the information is accurate, but we cannot guarantee it. Do not rely on the content as legal advice. For assistance with legal problems or for a legal inquiry please contact you attorney.