You can research a brand and learn about trademarks without paying a professional. Using a mark in US commerce may also create common law rights. Federal registration is different: the USPTO charges application fees, and filing yourself does not remove those government charges.
What you can do for free
You can read USPTO guidance, search the federal trademark database and look for marketplace use of similar names. Start with the wording, spelling variations and related goods or services. A free exact-match search is a useful first screen, but it is not a complete clearance assessment or a promise that the mark can be registered.
What still costs money
Qualifying Section 1 and Section 44 applications have a USPTO base fee of USD 350 per class. Extra charges may apply, and intent-to-use applications generally require later filings and fees. Separate applications for a name and a logo also have separate filing costs. Professional assistance is an additional cost unless a quote expressly includes it.
Use the trademark filing fees calculator as a budgeting aid and check the official USPTO fee information before filing. A promotion described as “free filing” may cover a provider's service fee rather than the government charge.
Common law rights have limits
Use can create rights without federal registration, but those rights may be geographically limited. Federal registration offers additional benefits. Neither typing TM nor adding a copyright symbol to a name creates a federal trademark registration.
Can you file without an attorney
US-domiciled applicants may generally handle their own applications. Foreign-domiciled applicants generally need a US-licensed attorney for USPTO representation. A low professional fee is useful only if you understand what work and responsibility it includes.
Keep the next step focused
If you need to choose between protecting a name and a design, read our name and logo guide. If you are comparing paid help, review current packages and the scope of trademark search and assessment. Compare the same tasks and exclusions rather than assuming the cheapest headline covers the full process.
Can I copyright a name for free
Copyright does not protect names or short phrases in the United States. Original logo artwork may qualify for copyright, but that is a separate question from trademark registration.
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