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Let’s Work Together

Choose your own adventure.
Be sure to scroll down for more info! This page is long on purpose — if you’ve got any questions, you can probably find your answers here!

(Want to chat before purchasing? Click here to book a free call with our team.)

WHy Indie Law?

Don't just take our word for it.
See what people have to say about their experience with us.

Why not handle trademarks yourself?

Tracy came to us after talking with another lawyer who recommended our services. She knew she had a great brand worth protecting, so she wanted it done right with a team she could trust. Here's what Tracy had to say about working with us instead of going through the process herself.

Not sure if NOW is the time to trademark?

Meet Ashley. Ashley runs a thriving, multiple-six figure company, and she waited to take care of trademarks because that's what her trusted advisors and coaches recommended. But after getting blindsided by a cease and desist letter and being forced to rebrand, she came to Indie Law for help. Here's what Ashley has to say about her biggest lessons learned.

Why Indie Law over other law firms & legal options?

Great question. Here's our friend Harlan Shillinger to share his thoughts. Harlan is a legal marketing expert, and he knows LOTS of attorneys and law firms. In this video, Harlan shares his thoughts about what made working with Indie Law special and why he recommends us over other law firms.

FROM OUR CLIENTS

We know our stuff. We’re great at what we do.
And gosh darn it, people like us.
Joey is the best! Having someone to consult for legal things has made such a difference.
Bianca Sansosti

Founder, Bianca Sansosti Artistry

I’ve always been incredibly impressed with Joey’s professionalism. His team is fantastic!

Rianna Hill

CEO & Founder, Pancake Digital Solutions®

Love Joey!! For legal services, there’s no one I’d recommend more highly!

Dannie Fountain

Founder & Marketing Director, DNE MKTG

Joey is like the sugar in cornbread. He makes all things legal so easy to swallow and sweet.
Kellie Daab

Founder, Wedding Industry Education

This kind of legal support is something every small business needs!

Ashley Jankowski

Founder, The Type Set Co.®

Joey isn’t your average attorney. He makes the legal parts of  business approachable and fun! 

Ashley Cox

Owner & HR Consultant, Sprout HR

How long does this take?

That, my friend, is an excellent question! It surprises many business owners to learn that the trademark process will take 6 months minimum.

To give you a better idea of why this takes so long, here’s a quick summary.

Week 1 - Analyze

First, we do a lot of research to see if there may be issues or risks with your application.

Not-so-fun fact: over 50% of trademark applications get refused. That’s why working with an experienced trademark attorney is so important.

Week 2 - Apply

Within 2 weeks of signing up with Indie Law, we’ll have your application completed and submitted to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, aka the USPTO.

Month 6 - Processed

Because half a million of trademarks are filed each year, it generally takes 6 – 9 months for the USPTO to start reviewing your application. From there, your application needs to go through different stages of review before it will be successful. We’ll keep you posted throughout this process.

After 6 Months - Registered

On average, it takes 12-14 months for a trademark to become registered. Depending on various issues, it could take longer or get rejected entirely.

When we receive news of your registration (wahoo!), our team celebrates with you! You can expect some sweet gifts from us!

Time to get legit

Hi! I’m Joey, the founding attorney at Indie Law.

My team and I (including my dog, Mr. Feeny) are passionate about helping thriving entrepreneurs like you get clarity and peace of mind on the legal side you can continue to level up your business.

Still got questions?
WE’VE GOT ANSWERS.

What should I protect first?

We generally recommend that you protect your brand elements in this order.

#1 | BUSINESS NAME (WORDS ONLY)

Your business name is likely your most valuable trademark. It’s smart to get that protected first!

#2 | FLAGSHIP PRODUCT OR SERVICE

Do you have a popular product line? An online program? A podcast? Those are protectable as trademarks as well.

#3 | SLOGAN, CATCHPHRASE, MOTTO, OR MISSION STATEMENT

You will eventually want to protect these. You want to be proactive about these trademarks so that another business doesn’t claim these in the future and force you to rebrand.

#4 | STYLIZED NAMES + LOGOS

Most trademark applications protect the “words only” of the trademark. But if your branding has a particular stylizing or look to it, that can be protected as well.

#5 | YOUR SOMEDAY/MAYBE STUFF

Are you considering a rebrand, a name for a new business, or a slogan you want to start using? It’s possible to apply for a trademark before you even start using it. In fact, this is what our biggest clients do so that they can lock in trademark protections before they spend time or money committing to the brand.

What does a federal registration give me that I don’t already have?

Only with a U.S. registered trademark do you have evidence of nationwide exclusive rights to your trademark. And without that, you’re taking a huge risk that someone else can claim a registration and force you to rebrand.

How long will this take?

When you sign up, we will get right to work for you and have your application submitted in 1-2 weeks. After we apply, however, it could take 12-14 months or longer to work its way through the US trademark office.

When can I start using the TM or ® symbols?

You can start using the little TM symbol now — even without filing for anything. (Tip: Use a little SM symbol if you sell a service instead of a product). You can only use the ® once you have a registered trademark.

What if I decide not to apply after seeing the search results?

If you review our report and decide not to apply, we’ll issue a full refund minus the cost of our search ($1,275).

What if my application gets rejected?

If your first application is rejected AND we’re not successful in getting your trademark registered, your next one is 100% on us (including filing fees).

What happens after my application is accepted?

First we celebrate. Then we’ll mail you the registration certificate, send you helpful legal documents, and advise  on next steps.

Are filing fees included?

No. Applying for a trademark registration requires a filing fee per class (or category of goods/services). Our packages do not include filing fees for your trademark application. Filing fees for any classes will be collected from you before we submit the application.

What are the advantages of an “intent to use” application?

It’s critical to apply for your trademarks ASAP to be “first in line” with the trademark office. If you’re not yet using the trademark in commerce, we can apply for an “intent to use” application. Note that intent to use applications require an additional $100 filing fee per class — but that small extra fee is usually worth it.

What if I’m outside the United States?

A U.S. trademark registration offers strong, nationwide exclusive protections. But those exclusive rights do not extend beyond the United States. Still, if your business is based outside the United States, we can still help! As long as you are selling to customers in the United States, you are able to seek a U.S. trademark registration.

Can I enforce my trademark rights when my application is pending?

It depends on the situation, but we generally recommend that you wait to enforce your trademark rights until you have secured the registration.

Otherwise, there’s a chance that you may “tip off” the other brand into challenging your application or filing their own application.

Effectively enforcing your trademark rights will require less time, effort, and money once you have the registration secured.