"I searched Google and nothing came up."
That's the sentence we hear right before the most difficult conversations in brand protection. A free search that comes back clean is the most dangerous result in this process. It produces false confidence without producing actual protection.
And why the USPTO agrees.
Trademark rights belong to the first to use a name in business, not necessarily the first to file a piece of paper. You can trade under a name for years, build an audience, and still lose it to a competitor who proves they used the rights in commerce before you did.
"Before you file your application, you should search the USPTO database... A complete search is one that will uncover all potential conflicts, and that's a job for a private trademark attorney."
— USPTO Private Trademark Counsel Guide
From order to answers in 3 to 5 business days.
- 1You · 5 min
Submit your brand details
Tell us about your brand name, logo, or slogan in about 5 minutes using our secure, encrypted intake form.
- 2Us · Days 1–4
We perform the search
Our legal team exhaustively reviews federal, state, common-law, and online sources for hidden conflicts.
- 3You + attorney · Day 5
Get your report and strategy call
Receive your written risk assessment report, then sit down for a private 30-minute consultation call with your attorney to map out your legal options.
Everything you need before you file.
One flat fee. No surprises. This is the one point in the process where bad news is still free to act on.
If your search comes back clear and you want to move forward, your attorney drafts and submits your application for a flat fee of $1,800, plus the USPTO filing fee of $350 per class paid to the government. You decide on the call. No pressure, no obligation.
Registration is step one of 360 Brand Protection®. Once your name is registered, we can talk about monitoring and licensing.
Business Strategist & Brand Protection Attorney
Named one of the "Top 10 Black Female Attorneys You Should Know" by Black Enterprise Magazine and featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Essence.
- 13+Years in practice
- JD/MBACum laude, NSU
- 101410Florida Bar No.
Clearance questions, answered.
01Why isn't a Google search enough?
Google can help you spot obvious uses, but it does not give you a full legal clearance picture. A brand may still conflict with federal filings, state registrations, common-law users, or similar marks that do not appear in a basic search.
02Why isn't searching the USPTO database enough?
Because the USPTO database is only one part of a broader clearance process. The USPTO says a comprehensive search should go beyond federal records and include other sources, such as the internet for common-law use and additional registries that may reveal conflicts before you file.
03What does the strategy call cover?
The call is the part people underestimate. A report tells you what exists; thirty minutes with the attorney who read it tells you what it means for you and what to do on Monday.