Starting an Online Business All-in-One For Dummies®, 3rd Edition

Retaining Professional Assistance

Hiring an attorney who specializes in trademarks, patents, or copyrights can be a good idea if your situation is complex or you're not comfortable handling the applications on your own. If you're pursuing registration in foreign countries, hiring an attorney who's familiar with international laws is invaluable. Because U.S. copyright and trademark laws are recognized in some, but not all, countries, using an attorney can ensure that you're fully protected.

You can expect to pay big bucks for the expertise of a professional. An experienced attorney might charge anywhere from $125 to $250 (or more) per hour for his or her service. This money is in addition to any filing or application fees you might have to pay. For this fee, you can expect a trademark attorney to conduct a thorough search of existing and pending marks that might conflict with yours. The attorney should also complete all forms on your behalf and act as the primary point of contact with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or the U.S. Copyright Office.

To protect your investment, follow these tips when you're hiring a professional:

• Look for an attorney who specializes in intellectual property or trademarks, copyrights, and patents.
• Get referrals from others you know who have used attorneys to register their businesses.
• Clarify which portion of the work is conducted by the attorney ...