One of the basic steps that need to be taken prior to applying for a trademark is doing a search to ensure that there are no existing trademarks in your industry that would conflict with your filing. You can either perform this search by yourself for free or hire an attorney to file the Trademark Registration.

Do It Yourself:

• The USPTO Trademark Search is free:  A little complex but it provides a lot of information along the way if you are patient.

Comperehensive Service Providers We Recommend:

• Legal Zoom
  Legal Zoom has a comprehensive package that includes a comprehensive search and professional filing for only $159 plus the $325 USPTO application fee (Government Fee).   We have had great feedback about this service.  Lawyers generally charge around $1200.00 to create and file a trademark application.
  Others that inventors use include MyCorporation but it seems to be more expensive and less involved. Customers have been recommending

One of the basic steps that need to be taken prior to applying for a patent is doing a search to ensure that there are no existing patents that would conflict with your filing. You can either perform this search by yourself for free or hire an attorney to do a patent search and file a provisional patent application. Note that we don’t require you to have a patent to list on our site but it is up to you to protect your idea using partial disclosure or a non-disclosure agreement while talking to potential buyers. You should consult your attorney for any legal advice.

Do It Yourself

• The USPTO Patent Search is free: A little complex but it provides a lot of information along the way if you are patient.

Service Providers:

• Legal Zoom

File Your Provisional Patent in 3 Easy Steps has a comprehensive package that includes a comprehensive search and professional filing for only $299.
Legal Zoom also offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on their service.
Click here to get started

To find a patent attorney registered with the USPTO visit here.