The $400 trademark search that felt like a waste until it wasn't

I almost skipped paying for a trademark clearance search because I figured I'd just wing it. Three months later my competitor tried to register a similar name and the prior search saved me from having to rebrand. Cost me $400 but probably saved me thousands in legal fees.

3 comments

3 Comments

rowanw915d ago

Martinez.paul I actually lean the other way on this one. That $400 search only helped because your competitor happened to file something similar. Most of the time you pay that fee and just get a report full of irrelevant results that don't tell you anything useful. The real savings come from picking a name that's obviously different from day one and being willing to change it if you get a cease and desist later. What makes you think your specific industry has a high risk of trademark conflicts?

vera_green695d ago

Plus side is you can always change the name before filing if the search flags something.

martinez.paul5d ago

Used to think paying for a trademark search was just a scam to grab cash from small business owners. Seeing your story makes me realize it's more like cheap insurance compared to the nightmare of rebranding down the road. Might have to bite the bullet and pay for one myself, just in case.