Question 1

What is a trademark?

Accepted Answer

A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol, or design that identifies and distinguishes your goods or services from competitors' — defined under 15 U.S.C. §1127 (the Lanham Act). Registering it gives you enforceable, nationwide rights to that brand.

Question 2

Do I need to register my trademark?

Accepted Answer

While you gain some common-law rights by using a mark, federal registration provides much stronger protection — including nationwide priority, the right to use the ® symbol, legal presumption of ownership, and the ability to stop infringing imports at customs.

Question 3

How long does trademark registration take?

Accepted Answer

Timelines vary by jurisdiction. US: 8–12 months. EU: 4–6 months. UK: 4–6 months. India: 12–24 months. China: 9–14 months. Canada: 24–30 months. These are averages for straightforward applications without objections.

Question 4

What's the difference between ™ and ®?

Accepted Answer

The ™ symbol can be used with any unregistered trademark to indicate a claim of rights. The ® symbol may only be used after your mark is officially registered with the relevant trademark office. Using ® without a registration can result in penalties.

Question 5

Can I trademark a name, logo, or slogan?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can register word marks (names, slogans), design marks (logos), and combined marks (name + logo together). Word marks offer the broadest protection for the name itself, while design marks protect the specific visual design.

Question 6

Should I trademark my business name or logo first?

Accepted Answer

If you can only file one, start with a word mark (your business name). Word marks provide broader protection because they cover the name in any font, color, or style. A logo (design mark) only protects the specific visual design as filed.

Question 7

What makes a strong trademark?

Accepted Answer

The strongest trademarks are fanciful (invented words like 'Kodak'), arbitrary (real words used in unrelated contexts like 'Apple' for computers), or suggestive. Descriptive marks are weak and hard to register. Generic terms cannot be trademarked.

Question 8

How much does trademark registration cost?

Accepted Answer

Costs vary by jurisdiction. US: $200 service fee + $350/class USPTO government fee. EU: from $300 + EUIPO fees. UK: from $350 + UKIPO fees. Visit our pricing page for detailed breakdowns. Multi-country discounts of 10% apply when filing in 2+ jurisdictions.

Question 9

Are government fees included in your pricing?

Accepted Answer

Government fees are separate from our service fees and are clearly itemized at checkout. Government fees are paid directly to the trademark office (USPTO, EUIPO, etc.) and vary by jurisdiction and number of classes.

Question 10

Do you offer multi-country discounts?

Accepted Answer

Yes. When you file in 2 or more countries in a single order, you automatically receive a 10% discount on our service fees. The more jurisdictions you protect, the more you save. Government fees remain unchanged.

Question 11

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), PayPal, wire/bank transfer, and Payoneer. A 5% bank processing fee applies to wire transfers. Payments are processed securely.

Question 12

Is there a money-back guarantee?

Accepted Answer

If we haven't yet filed your application, you can request a full refund. Once a filing has been submitted to a trademark office, government fees are non-refundable. Our service fee may be partially refundable depending on the work completed.

Question 13

Why do some countries cost more than others?

Accepted Answer

Costs vary due to different government fee structures, local attorney requirements (many countries require a local agent for foreign applicants), translation needs, and complexity of the examination process. Countries with mandatory local representation tend to cost more.

Question 14

What happens after I submit my order?

Accepted Answer

Our trademark specialists review your submission within 1–2 business days. We verify your mark details, select the optimal Nice classes, prepare the application, and file it with the relevant trademark office. You receive a filing confirmation with your application/serial number.

Question 15

What is an office action?

Accepted Answer

An office action is an official communication from the trademark examiner raising issues with your application. Common reasons include likelihood of confusion with an existing mark, descriptiveness, and specimen deficiencies. Our US filing service includes handling non-substantive office actions; substantive responses start from $150.

Question 16

What is a Nice classification?

Accepted Answer

The Nice Classification is an international system maintained by WIPO that organizes goods and services into 45 classes: 1–34 for goods, 35–45 for services. You must file in the correct class(es) for your mark to be protected.

Question 17

How long does a trademark last?

Accepted Answer

In most jurisdictions, a trademark registration lasts 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely for additional 10-year periods. In the US, you must also file declarations of continued use (Section 8) between the 5th and 6th year after registration.

Question 18

What is a Statement of Use (SOU)?

Accepted Answer

In the US, if you filed based on 'intent to use' (Section 1b), you must file a Statement of Use demonstrating actual use of the mark in commerce before the USPTO will issue the registration. You have 6 months to file, with extensions available.

Question 19

What is an opposition?

Accepted Answer

A trademark opposition is a legal proceeding where a third party challenges your application during the publication period, claiming your mark conflicts with their existing rights. In the US, this is handled by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB).

Question 20

What is a specimen?

Accepted Answer

A specimen is evidence showing how your trademark is actually used in commerce. The USPTO requires a specimen with every application filed based on use in commerce (Section 1a) and with every Statement of Use (Section 1b). It must show the mark as consumers encounter it, not a mock-up.

Question 21

Should I file in my personal name or my business name?

Accepted Answer

File in the name of the entity that owns and controls the use of the mark. If you operate as a sole proprietor, file in your personal name. If you have an LLC or corporation, file under that entity. Filing under the wrong owner can create legal issues later.

Question 22

Can I file in multiple countries at once?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our platform supports filing in 100+ jurisdictions. You can select multiple countries during the order process and receive a bundled quote with a 10% multi-country discount on service fees.

Question 23

Do I need a local attorney for each country?

Accepted Answer

Many jurisdictions require foreign applicants to appoint a local representative. Our global network of associates handles this — it's included in our service fee. You don't need to find attorneys yourself.

Question 24

Which countries should I file in first?

Accepted Answer

Start with countries where you currently sell or plan to sell. Also consider 'first-to-file' countries like China where trademark squatting is common. The US, EU, UK, and China are common starting points for international brands.

Question 25

Is my US trademark valid in other countries?

Accepted Answer

No. Trademark rights are territorial. A US registration only protects your mark in the United States. For international protection, you need separate registrations in each country or region.

Question 26

What is the difference between first-to-file and first-to-use?

Accepted Answer

In first-to-file countries (China, EU, Japan, Korea), rights are awarded to whoever files the application first. In first-to-use countries (US, Canada, Australia), prior commercial use can establish rights. Most of the world follows the first-to-file system.

Question 27

How does the Madrid Protocol compare to direct filing?

Accepted Answer

The Madrid Protocol allows extending your home registration to multiple countries through a single WIPO application. Direct filing means filing separately with each country. Direct filings are independent and generally more robust; Madrid designations are linked to your home registration for the first 5 years.

Question 28

How do I track my application?

Accepted Answer

After placing your order, log in to your client dashboard to track every application in real-time. You'll see current status, upcoming deadlines, documents, prosecution history, and automated email notifications at every stage.

Question 29

What if I need help choosing the right service?

Accepted Answer

Book a free consultation with one of our trademark experts. We'll review your situation, recommend the best filing strategy, and answer any questions — no commitment required.

Question 30

Can I manage multiple trademarks in one account?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your dashboard provides a full portfolio view of all your trademarks across every jurisdiction. You can manage renewals, deadlines, documents, and prosecution events for your entire trademark portfolio from one account.

Question 31

Do you offer services for law firms and agencies?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our GTC B2B program offers white-label services, volume discounts, dedicated account management, and API integration for law firms, agencies, and corporate IP departments managing multiple client portfolios.

Question 32

How do I contact support?

Accepted Answer

You can reach us via email at hello@globaltrademarkcompany.com, through the contact form on our website, or by booking a free consultation. We typically respond within one business day.

Question 33

Can I file in a language other than English?

Accepted Answer

Our platform and forms are in English, but we file applications in the required local language for each jurisdiction. Our local associates handle all translation as part of the service — you don't need to translate anything yourself.

Frequently asked questions

Explore More Resources

How It Works

Specimen Guide

Country Guides

Trademark Glossary

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