Cecelia B. Richie Law Firm
The Entrepreneur's Secret Weapon
With Cecelia B. Richie Law Firm, your legacy is created. We help our clients reach their fullest potential in the business world, by helping our clients secure their business foundation and brand. Our services include top-notch and dependable trademark registration, business consulting, and contract review and drafting. Take a look at our site to find out more.
About Us
Cecelia B. Richie Law Firm has been serving entrepreneurs, small business owners, influencers, and creators nationwide with proven success. Our vision is to help our clients secure their brand. Your brand is the heartbeat of your business. Do not let someone infringe on your brand that you work so hard for. We ensure your company has the proper structure, contracts, agreements, and trademark registration in place to run a successful growing business.
With the Cecelia B. Richie Law Firm, you should expect the best. We are a new kind of law firm in a challenging and constantly changing market. We give each of our clients our undivided attention by being consistent, patient and professional and walking you through each step. We are waiting for your call.
Most Popular Package
Secure Your Brand
20 Minute Discovery Call
Preliminary Knockout Search for Trademark
35 Minute Consultation to Discuss Results
Application Filing which includes USPTO Filing fee
Non substantive Office Action
Learn more about our Trademark Application package
* This flat fee is for a trademark preliminary search and filing for one class of goods/ services for a trademark that is currently being used. For each additional class of good/services, a $500 fee applies. If your trademark is not currently being used an Intent to Use (1B) application will have to be submitted which means a $300 fee will apply to submit evidence of use to the USPTO once notice of allowances is received (Use of Statement). Or a $300 fee will apply per extension request. Please contact us if you have any questions about our process and pricing.
Still not sure? Let's Talk Trademark!
The first step is scheduling a trademark discovery call with our firm.
You can contact us by filling out the "Get In Touch" form, calling us at emailing us at info@cbrichielaw.com. But why wait just schedule a 20 minute Trademark Discovery Call with Attorney Cecelia Richie. Protecting your brand is urgent. We can walk you through what option is best for you.
Are you ready to act now! Skip the discovery call.
Get a proposal immediately.
Fill out the short 'Intake Form' and we'll send you our proposal, quote, and payment link so we can get started immediately to protect your brand. After submitting, check your email. Don’t hesitate take action now. The longer you wait the more your brand is at risk.
Get in Touch
The Cecelia B. Richie Law Firm, PLLC
418 N Main St Suite 200
Royal Oak, MI 48067
FAQ
Get Informed
What is a trademark or service mark?
A trademark is generally a word, phrase, symbol, or design, or a combination thereof, that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one goods of one party from those of others.
A service mark is the same as a trademark, except that it identifies and distinguishes the source of a service rather than goods. Throughout this booklet, the terms “trademark’ and “mark” refer to both trademarks and service marks.
Do trademark, copyrights, and patents protect the same things?
No. Trademarks, copyright, and patents protect different types of intellectual property. A trademark protects brand names and logos for services and goods. A copyright protects an original artistic or literary work. A patent protects an invention.
What is the difference of a domain names, business names registrations, and trademarks?
A domain name is part of a web address that link to the internet protocol address of a certain website. An accredited domain name registrar is where domain name is registered.
A trademark identifies goods and services from a particular source. Trademarks are registered with the USPTO.
A business name does not necessarily qualify as trademark use, though some use business name as the source of goods or services may qualify as both a business name and a trademark. Business names are registered at the state and local jurisdiction.
Am I required to trademark my mark/brand?
No, you can establish “common law’ rights in a mark when you begin using a mark in commerce. Registering your trademark provides more protection over common law rights alone.
A legal presumption of your ownership of the mark and exclusive rights to use the mark nationwide.
The public put on notice of your ownership claim.
You can record the U.S. registration with U.S Customs and Border Protection
Right to use the federal trademark symbol
Able to bring an action concerning your trademark in federal court
Do I need an attorney to file an application to register my trademark?
If your domicile is located in the U.S. or territories, you are not required to have a U.S. licensed attorney. The USPTO will only communicate with your attorney if you hire an attorney to handle your trademark matters. In order for attorney to handle trademark matters at the USPTO they must be active members in good standing of the bar of any state.
Attorneys who practice trademark law can provide valuable legal advice to many critical issues and help you before, during, and after the trademark application process.
What is the difference between a “use in commerce” application and an “intent to use” application?
The difference between these two applications is whether you have started to use your trademark on goods or services. You can use the “use in commerce” application if you have already used your trademark in commerce in connection with goods or services. You must use the “intent to use” application if you have not yet used your trademark but intend to use future.
When should I register my trademark?
You should start the process as soon as you start branding your goods or services. A preliminary search has to be made to ensure that the mark is available for you to use and own. If you use a mark that is owned by someone else you may be infringing on the right of another, which could let to litigation.
Another reason to start as soon as possible is to protect your brand rights. If you wait to register your trademark you may lose your opportunity to register with the USPTO due to someone else registering the same or similar mark before you.
How long does the trademark registration process take from the application to approval?
Due to the high volume of trademark registration applications that the USPTO is receiving the process can take 9 to 14 months.
What is an Office Action?
About 3 months after your application is filed, the application is assigned to
an examining attorney to determine whether federal law permits registration. The examining attorney will examine the written application, the drawing, and any specimen, to ensure that they satisfy all of the federal legal requirements.
The examining attorney may issue an office action letter explaining any reasons for refusing registration or other requirements. If an office action is issued, you must submit a response within 6 months of the issue date of the Office action. Your filing fee will not be refunded if the application is refused registration.
What are the most common reasons a trademark is denied?
Likelihood of confusion with other marks
Similarity of marks
A surname
Geographically Descriptive
Scandalous
Ornamentation
Relatedness of goods or services
What is a trademark class? How much does it cost to add a class?
A class is a goods/services identifier. It is an acceptable wording to describe your goods and/or services in the application. USPTO has ID Manual that identify most goods and services with an assigned number. It is important to accurately identify your goods or service because your trademark application for registration could be denied. Filing fee for each class using “Tess Plus $250” or “Tess Standard” $350.
Our fee to add a class is $500 (including $250 government fee).
Can I trademark my brand before using it?
Yes! Our firm can file an intent to use (ITU) trademark application. Evidence of use is not needed up front with an ITU with the initial filing. Once an ITU application is published and no oppositions are filed, the Notice of allowance (NOA) will issue. When we receive the NOA, we will have six months to file a statement of use (SOU) or a request for an extension of the time to file an SOU. With the submission of SOU or NOA evidence of use is needed in the form of a specimen. Or your application will be considered abandoned. You must pay $125 per class of goods or services for filing an extension request.
Before your trademark is registered you must file a SOU, you are using the trademark in commerce with your goods and services. The SOU must include the dates of use (both the date that you first used your trademark and the date that you first used your trademark in commerce), a filing fee ($100 per class), and one specimen of use for each class.
How long does it take to file a trademark?
It can take well over a year. My people are becoming entrepreneurs and filing trademarks at a high rate than previous years. It can take up to 14 months for a trademark application to be assigned and reviewed by the USPTO.