Flat Fee
Trademark Attorney Washington DC
We’ve helped DC businesses protect brands for over 20 years.
Protecting Trademarks For Clients In All 50 States
Flat Fee
Trademark Attorney Washington DC
Helping DC Businesses Protect Their Trademarks For Over 20 Years
Award-Winning USPTO Registered Trademark Attorney Michael Kondoudis
• Amazon Best-Selling Author
• Bar of the U.S. Supreme Court
• 3000+ Trademarks and Patents
Building a Great Brand? Then Protect It!
A 100% Trademark Law Firm
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Registered Attorney
Member, Bar of the U.S. Supreme Court
Best-Selling Author on Trademarks
Over 2,500 Trademarks and Patents
Trademarks are what we do.
Recognized For Our Trademark Expertise
Simple Transparent Flat Fee Pricing
Simple Transparent Flat Fee Pricing
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Please Note: This price applies to a trademark search and filing in up to two classes for word marks that are in use. Please reach out to us for a quote on your specific trademark if it does not meet these parameters.
Kind Words From Awesome Clients
Kind Words From Awesome Clients
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About Michael Kondoudis
For more than twenty years, Michael Kondoudis has been the go-to trademarking expert for businesses of all shapes and sizes. Michael is a USPTO-licensed trademark and patent attorney, educator, speaker, and author of the Amazon best-seller: Going From Business Owner to Brand Owner. He is also an authority trusted by national news media on major trademark stories.
Fun Facts: Michael is a member of the Bar of the U.S. Supreme Court and an actual rocket scientist (B.S. Astronomy and Astrophysics, Indiana University 1994).
Frequently Asked Questions
Every element of your brand can be a trademark. The possibilities are almost limitless. The four most common types of marks are:
- Brand Names: usually your company name
- Logos: your company logo or other graphic used to brand your business
- Slogans: the catchphrase used to promote your business
- Product Names: the name of your product if it’s unique
In most cases, brand names and logos are the cornerstones of most brands. For example, Apple Inc. protects its brand with a combination of its name “Apple”, its apple logo, the slogan “Think Different”, and product names like “MacBook” and “iPhone”.
Other examples can include:
- Podcast Names
- Blog Names
- Fonts
- Product Shapes
- Webinar Names
- YouTube Channels
The answer is simple. A Federal trademark registration is the ultimate protection for any brand. There is no higher level. That makes a Federal trademark the best insurance against having to rebrand.
Here are just some of the reasons why:
Confidence. A Federal trademark is an official confirmation that you own your trademark and comes with legal protection that it is valid and enforceable. Your brand will be yours.
Exclusivity. A Federal trademark comes with the immediate, exclusive, and nationwide right to use your mark in your industry with the backing of Federal courts to protect it.
Distinction. A Federal trademark will prevent anyone else from registering it (or anything similar) in your industry. The USPTO is required to reject all future applications.
Online Protections. A Federal trademark gives you enhanced protection for domain names and on social media platforms, along with access to Amazon’s brand registry.
Public Warning. Just applying for Federal registration adds your trademark to the Federal trademark database where It will be found by other companies when they do a trademark search.
Credibility. Only a Federal registration gives you the legal right to use the ® symbol, an attention grabber that tells the world that you take your business and brand seriously.
They also:
- make foreign registrations possible
- enable counterfeit protection by Homeland Security at the border
- can continue indefinitely
The process of applying to register a trademark takes between 8-12 months, in most cases.
Registering your trademark is a complex procedure that involves your application moving through various stages. It is a Federal legal matter and there are many factors that affect how long it takes to register a trademark. In fact, there’s no guarantee your trademark will ever register. This is why the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office recommends that applicants work with a trademark attorney.
A lot of legal strategy goes into a successful Federal trademark application. An experienced trademark attorney can help save you time, money, and headaches as you navigate the process.
Here are a few of the ways:
- You’ll increase your chances of success by up to 50%. The Wall Street Journal reports that applications filed by trademark attorneys are 50% more likely to be approved.
- The USPTO will not give you legal advice and cannot give you a break. If you file on your own, you’re really on your own. The USPTO cannot give you legal advice and can’t bend the rules for you.
- Over 80% of all applications require a legal response. Most applications are initially denied because of all of the legal and procedural requirements. This often gets unrepresented applicants into trouble.
- You’ll get legal and strategic advice about your trademark, your brand, and the best ways to protect them. We can help make sure that your mark is legally protectable, that your application is complete and accurate, and help ensure that you apply for the protection you need.
- The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office strongly recommends it. Here’s what the USPTO has to say:
Be ready to act as your own attorney if you don’t hire one.
Most applicants hire an attorney who specializes in trademark matters to represent them in the application process and provide legal advice. In addition, trademark lawyers can help you navigate the application process to provide optimal protection of your trademark rights, by, for example, accurately identifying and classifying your goods and services, and preparing responses to any refusals to register that an examining attorney may issue.
Award-Winning IP Law Firm in Washington DC
The Law Office of Michael E. Kondoudis is one of the leading IP boutique firms in Washington DC. From our headquarters in Washington DC, we work with businesses and organizations of all shapes and sizes to provide professional intellectual property (IP) services, including patent and trademark registration.
Our principal, Michael Kondoudis, is an Intellectual property attorney in Washington DC. He has also been recognized as a Yelp® top 10 best trademark attorney in Washington DC and a Yelp® top 10 best trademark lawyer DC.
At The Law Office of Michael E. Kondoudis, a DC trademark attorney (not a paralegal or legal assistant) will handle your trademark application, including trademark searching, filing your application, and responding to non-substantive trademark office inquiries for one flat fee.
If you are comparing IP law firms DC, we invite you to review our online trademark registration services.
Trademark Lawyer DC
Michael Kondoudis is a Washington DC Trademark lawyer serving clients in 50 States and 20+ countries. Mr. Kondoudis is an Amazon® best-selling author on trademarks and a member of the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States. He’s had the privilege of representing some of the world’s leading corporations, including Microsoft®, Canon®, Corel®, Leica®, and Samsung®. As a trademark lawyer DC, Mr. Kondoudis files DC trademarks consistently.
If you’ve been searching for “a trademark attorney near me” look no further.
Mr. Kondoudis is also a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office registered attorney.
Register a Trademark in Washington DC
Over 1000 businesses have trusted The Law Office of Michael E. Kondoudis to protect their brands and inventions. Whether you are planning to open a restaurant near Adams Morgan, start a bakery near DuPont Circle, run a food truck in Georgetown, start a clothing brand near Foggy Bottom, or expand your non-profit on K Street, you have a DC trademark. You need a DC trademark lawyer.
We help protect names, logos, slogans, and catchphrases that make up brands. We offer flat rates and fixed fees for new applications.
Businesses in Washington, DC use the DC trademark lawyer of The Law Office of Michael E. Kondoudis to register their trademarks. We work had to make the trademarking process EASY for them.
Top DC Trademark Lawyer
Mr. Kondoudis is an award-winning DC trademark lawyer and a top trademark attorney DC. He has been recognized by Three Best Rated® and Yelp® for both his results and his customer service. Since 2007, the IP boutique law firm of The Law Office of Michael E. Kondoudis has registered over 2500+ trademarks and patents for clients across the United States, including the Washington, DC area.
What is Washington DC Trademark Lawyer?
A Washington DC trademark lawyer is an attorney who specializes in helping clients located in and around Washington DC protect their brands with trademarks. Effective DC trademark attorneys don’t just have experience in trademarks; they also have experience in branding, business, and enforcement. DC trademark lawyer Michael Kondoudis provides trademark services for companies and small businesses that want to legally own their brands.
Benefits of a Trademark Lawyer • DC
A trademark lawyer can conduct an in-depth search to ensure that your trademark is not already registered by someone else. A trademark attorney can prepare and file the necessary documents to properly register your trademark. A trademark lawyer can explain your rights offer advice on the best strategy to protect your trademark.
Plus, a trademark attorney DC or a trademark lawyer DC can easily visit the USPTO a meet face-to-face with USPTO examiners. Meeting in person with an examiner can be invaluable when complex issues arise.
What is Trademark Attorney Washington DC?
A trademark attorney Washington DC trademark attorney who specializes in helping clients located in and around Washington DC protect their names, logos, and slogans with trademarks. An effective trademark attorney Washington DC has experience in trademarks, branding, business, and enforcement. Michael Kondoudis is a trademark attorney Washington DC who provides trademark services for companies and small businesses who want to legally own their brands.
Federal Trademark Registration By A DC Trademark Attorney
As a trademark attorney DC, we regularly work with DC-based businesses to protect their DC trademarks.
• What We Do for Businesses in the Washington, DC Region
• Top Questions about Trademark Registration
• Common Myths About Trademark Registration for Washington DC Area businesses
• What Washington DC Businesses Need to Show to Register a Trademark
• More Information on the Trademark Registration Services We Offer DC Area Businesses
What We Do for Washington, DC Area Businesses
We are a full-service trademark law firm that offers a full range of Trademark Services
• Trademark Searching
• Trademark Registration Services (new applications)
• Trademark Office Action Response Services
• Trademark Portfolio Management Services
• Trademark Opposition Services
• Trademark Enforcement / Litigation Services
Top 5 Questions About Trademarks for DC Businesses
• What is a trademark?
- A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol, design, or phrase identifying your goods or services. Trademarks tell customers which products or services come from your business. The most common trademarks are names, logos, and slogans. Trademarks represent brands. The best way to protect a trademark is to register it with the US Patent and Trademark Office.
• Am I required by law to register my trademark?
- You’re not required to register your trademark. You start establishing rights in your trademark as soon as you start using it. Those rights are limited, however. For example, without registration, your protections would only extend to the geographic area where your business is located, which could make it hard to expand beyond the DC area. If you want stronger, nationwide rights, you’ll want to register your trademark. A registered trademark comes with more protections and national rights for your brand.
•When should I start the trademark registration process for my trademark?
- Most businesses should apply as soon as possible. In fact, Federal law allows you to apply before you even start your business. The Federal trademarking process can take up to a year, and starting earlier rather than later minimizes the time you’ll be selling without protection. Also, you can identify potential roadblocks for your brand early. That’s why trademark registration should be one of the priorities for every new Washington, DC-based business.
• How do Washington DC businesses register their trademarks?
- You have to apply to the US Patent and Trademark Office to register and successfully complete an examination process to register your trademark. The USPTO only grants applications that meet all of the many legal and procedural requirements of the Federal Trademark Statute.
• When can I use the circle R symbol?
- Every time you use your trademark, you can use a symbol with it. Before you register your trademark, you can use “TM” (for products) or “SM” (for services). You can only use the circle R symbol after you register your trademark.
Common Myths about Trademark Registration for Washington, DC Area Businesses
• Trademarks are only for logos. You should copyright the company name.
- Incorrect. The most common types of trademarks are logos and names – including company names. A trademark can protect anything representing your brand – your company name, slogan, or even a specific company color or sound. Every Washington DC-based business should protect its logo and company name. If you don’t know whether you need a copyright or a trademark, contact our firm for a free consultation.
• I registered my business name with the DC Government, so I’m covered
- Business licenses are important for several legal reasons – especially taxes! Still, simply registering your business name does not protect your brand and does not come with the right to stop a copycat. Only Federal trademark registration comes with national rights of exclusivity.
• Trademarks, copyrights, and patents are all essentially the same.
- Trademarks, copyrights, and patents are different types of property called “intellectual property.” Intellectual property protection can seem complicated. We’re here to make it simple. Trademarks protect names, slogans, and logos. Copyrights protect creative works like books, music, and photographs. Patents protect innovations.
• Trademark registration will stop everyone from using my mark
- This is another common misconception. A trademark does not give you rights to the word or phrase or logo in general, only to how that word or phrase is used with your specific goods or services. For example, let’s say a new DC-based clothing brand starts using a logo as a trademark to identify and distinguish its sweatshirts from the competition. Trademark rights prevent other clothing brands from using the logo.
• The US Patent and Trademark Office will help me stop infringement of my trademark
- In the US, you are responsible for enforcing/protecting your trademark property rights. The US Patent and Trademark Office does not get involved. And, you can lose your trademark rights if you do not enforce them. Beware! Trademark enforcement is not a DIY project. It involves Federal Statutes, legal analyses, and strategy. Also, you may inadvertently say something that can be used against you.
What Washington DC Businesses Need to Show to Register a Trademark
Every Washington DC business that wants to register a trademark must show the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) the same three things:
First, your Washington DC-based trademark must be unique. Your trademark cannot be identical or too similar to any other registered trademarks. If your trademark is too similar, the USPTO will reject it.
Second, your Washington DC-based trademark must distinguish your products or services. Your trademark cannot just describe them. Names and logos that just describe aspects of a product or service are difficult to register because they do not identify a brand.
Third, you must use your Washington DC-based trademark in commerce to brand your products and services. In the US, trademark rights flow from use.
Additional Information on the Trademark Registration Services We Offer Washington, DC Area Businesses
The Nation’s Capital is the perfect place for entrepreneurs! Washington, DC is a world-class destination with rich history and culture, making it a tourist destination supporting a strong tourism industry. DC is also the home to many federal agencies and the US government, which supports a growing population and a booming economy. It’s always a great time to start a new business in Washington DC.
Starting and owning a business is not easy. Product development, marketing, and financing issues can seem endless. It can be hard to find the time to ensure that you’ve taken care of the legalities – like brand protection. But, while owning a business in our nation’s capital can be busy, you are never too busy to protect your business through our trademark registration services.
Don’t worry. We get it. Reaching out to a law firm can feel like a big deal.
And it is. But so is your brand.
Contact us today and see for yourself how easy we make affordable, flat-rate trademark registration services in the Washington DC area.
Get Informed. Get Protected
Clarify • Prioritize • Protect