LegalZoom Trademark Review: Is It Worth It or Not?
In this LegalZoom Trademark Review, I will tell you everything you need to know about this trademark company.
Let’s dive in.
About LegalZoom Trademark
So, let’s talk about what LegalZoom does for you when it comes to preparing legal documents, specifically focusing on trademark applications.
Think of them as your go-to template bank for all sorts of legal paperwork, but with some added features that make the process smoother.
When it comes to their trademark service, it’s legit. They’ll help you cut down on paperwork and save time by providing an online questionnaire that mirrors the official United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) trademark application form.
Once you fill out that mirrored application form with the required information, LegalZoom takes care of the rest.
They’ll prepare and submit your trademark application through the USPTO electronic filing system.
However, here’s where we need to talk about the flip side of things. It’s essential to understand that LegalZoom is not a legal firm, even though they have “legal” in their name.
This means they won’t be able to offer you any legal advice, guidance, suggestions, or strategies regarding your trademark application.
So while they’ll help you with the technical aspects of filing the application, they won’t be able to represent you if any legal issues arise later on.
If someone ever sues you for trademark infringement, unfortunately, LegalZoom won’t step in as your legal advocate.
Moreover, if you want to take legal action against someone who’s infringing upon your trademark, you’re on your own for that. LegalZoom won’t be able to assist you in pursuing a lawsuit.
And If, for any reason, someone files a trademark cancellation against your registration, you’ll need to handle it independently. LegalZoom won’t be able to show up and represent you in that situation.
How Does LegalZoom Trademark Work?
when it comes to registering your trademark with LegalZoom, they’ve got a simple 3-step approach that’s pretty similar to what you’d find with other trademark firms.
Step 1: Introduce Your Trademark
First things first, you need to let LegalZoom know all about your trademark.
This means sharing details like your catchy slogan, unique color, eye-catching logo, or even that cool sound you’ve created.
To get the ball rolling, just reach out to LegalZoom’s representative, and they’ll guide you through the process. You’ve got options here!
You can either give them a ring and have a nice chat over the phone or set up a face-to-face meeting with one of their friendly folks.
Step 2: Research and Reporting
Once you’ve introduced your trademark, it’s time to let LegalZoom do their thing.
They’ll go all out and perform a thorough trademark search to see if there’s anything similar to yours out there. This is like the detective work of the trademark world!
If they find something similar, unfortunately, it means you can’t go ahead with the trademark registration.
Why? Because having a similar trademark could confuse people, and you definitely don’t want to get sued for trademark infringement, right?
Regardless of what they find, they’ll report back to you with the results, so you’ll be in the know.
Step 3: Filing and Paperwork
Assuming everything’s looking good after the research, it’s time to move on to the next stage: filing and paperwork.
Here, LegalZoom will roll up their sleeves and get to work preparing your trademark application.
They’ll handle all the nitty-gritty stuff and submit it through the electronic filing system of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Now, here comes the waiting game. In about 3 to 6 months, you’ll receive a decision from the USPTO.
They’ll let you know if your trademark application got accepted and you’re good to go, or if it got rejected for some reason.
How Much Does LegalZoom Trademark Cost?
The cost for LegalZoom trademark service is $599, and unlike some other trademark firms, they keep it simple with just one pricing package.
When you purchase this service, they will start working on your trademark registration.
You should also keep in mind that the $599 cost doesn’t include the federal fees charged when you file your trademark application.
You’ll have to take care of those fees separately. Just a heads-up so you won’t be surprised later!
Here’s the cool part – when you sign up for LegalZoom’s trademark service, they automatically pair you up with an attorney. Yep, you get a legal sidekick!
This attorney will be there to help you deal with any minor roadblocks that might pop up during the registration process.
There’s more! You get some extra perks too. If the first trademark search runs into an issue, fear not! LegalZoom has your back.
They’ll consider giving you a free trademark search to make sure everything’s on the right track.
And here’s a safety net – just in case your first trademark application gets rejected (though we hope it won’t), don’t worry! You can apply for a second time at no additional cost.
Why I Don’t Recommend LegalZoom Trademark Service?
You might have heard that LegalZoom offers trademark services that work great for some folks.
But truth be told, there are some reasons why I won’t personally recommend their trademark service.
Let’s dive into the details and see if it’s the right fit for you.
1. No Legal Protection
Sure, LegalZoom partners with attorneys to help you with the whole trademark application process.
But here’s the catch – they don’t have their own dedicated legal team to protect you if things go south.
So, if you ever find yourself facing a lawsuit for trademark infringement, or you need to take legal action against someone who’s using your trademark without permission, you’re on your own.
Keep in mind that LegalZoom is NOT a legal firm. They’re more like buddies who connect you with attorneys to help you research, review, and prepare your trademark application.
But when it comes to full-fledged legal protection, you’ll need to hire an attorney separately.
2. Office Action Not Included
Imagine that after submitting your trademark application, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) responds with an office action.
In most cases, they might need more info or ask you to fix something in your application. Guess what? LegalZoom’s trademark registration service doesn’t include responding to these office actions. Bummer, right?
So, if you get stuck with an office action, you’d have to fork out more cash for their Office Action Response package, which can set you back anywhere from $200 to $800. Ouch!
Other trademark firms often cover this without extra fees, making LegalZoom’s service seem a tad pricey.
LegalZoom Doesn’t Tell You If Your Mark Is Ineligible
This one’s a biggie! LegalZoom won’t let you know if your trademark is ineligible for registration. There are specific rules and criteria set by the USPTO, and if your mark falls into certain categories (like being too generic or infringing on existing trademarks), the USPTO won’t approve it. But LegalZoom won’t give you a heads-up on that.
Imagine you want to trademark something like “Cakes” for your bakery, and LegalZoom happily takes your money to start the application process. But the USPTO might reject it because it’s too generic. A trademark attorney would have pointed this out from the get-go, saving you time and money. But alas, LegalZoom can’t offer that level of guidance.
3. No Trademark Search Opinions
Doing a trademark search can be overwhelming. You’ll likely get a massive list of hits showing similar marks already in existence.
And guess what? LegalZoom won’t provide any legal opinion on those results. It’s like handing you a pile of data without any guidance.
Going through a trademark search report that spans over a hundred pages can be like reading a chemistry textbook as a 6-year-old – confusing and stressful.
And you know what’s the kicker? It’s not even included in the payment plan!
Without a professional’s opinion, you might end up making the wrong decisions for your trademark. And that’s a bit of a letdown, especially when you want the best protection for your brand.
Remember, LegalZoom’s partnership with an attorney is primarily focused on pushing your trademark registration.
If you need additional help, you’ll have to buy separate services or hire an attorney on your own. It’d be great if their trademark service covered all the help you need, right?
But fear not! There are other trademark firms out there that offer a more comprehensive package for a one-time fee.
What is the Best Alternative to LegalZoom Trademark Service?
So if you’re serious about your business and want a better trademark service than what LegalZoom has to offer, I’ve got a fantastic recommendation for you – Trademark Factory.
They are all about helping growth-minded entrepreneurs like you build amazing brands, and the key to owning your brand is getting it trademarked.
Here’s why I think Trademark Factory is worth checking out:
1. All-Inclusive Service
Trademark Factory takes the “do it well” motto seriously. Their legal team and advisors handle everything for you. No stress, no worries!
Once you share the necessary info, they’ll draft and file your application, ensuring all legal requirements are met.
It’s like having your own dream team working on your brand’s trademark – all for a one-time fee! Yep, that’s right – no recurring payments like LegalZoom. They’ve got you covered from start to finish.
2. One Flat Fee
What sets Trademark Factory apart is their one flat fee. No hourly charges, no extra payments for objections or additional actions.
With one upfront payment, you’re good to go! Even if your trademark process requires a full legal team, you won’t be charged by the hour.
No hidden costs or surprises. Your one-time fee covers a comprehensive trademark search, application filing, response to office actions, and more – services that other firms charge individually or hourly.
3. Guaranteed Results
With Trademark Factory’s 99.3% success rate, the odds are in your favor. But if things don’t go as planned, they’ve got your back with a 100% money-back guarantee.
They’ll either refund you before filing if any issues arise or keep searching until they find a brand you can own.
Even after filing, if your application gets disapproved, you get a full refund. No worries about getting your money’s worth here!
4. Large Team
Trademark Factory has an impressive team of over 30 experts, each with their own specialization.
With this powerhouse team, they can handle all aspects of your trademark process in-house.
You’ll have the right specialist working on different aspects of your brand’s trademark journey. That’s peace of mind knowing you’re in capable hands.
5. Free Call with a Specialist
Unlike some firms just after your money, Trademark Factory wants to understand your business goals first.
So, before anything else, you can request a free call with one of their advisors.
They’ll dive deep into your business and recommend the best package for you.
It’s a risk-free way to get expert advice and shed light on things you might not know about your business model. Don’t hesitate – request your free call now!
Trademark Factory is all about making your trademark journey smooth and successful.
Their track record of over 9 years and 2885 trademarks filed with over 99% success rate speaks for itself.
So, if you want top-notch service without the headaches, give Trademark Factory a try. Request your free call today and see what they can do for your brand. You’ve got nothing to lose, and a whole lot to gain!
Conclusion
I believed that with the obvious reasons highlighted in this article, you’ve seen why you should use Trademark Factory over LegalZoom trademark service.