In the early stages of my product, I used Legal Zoom to help with both trademarks and patents.  Now I have a dedicated IP attorney. In a future post I will talk about the pros and cons of both.  But regardless of the method I chose, I always received what I consider ‘spam’ letters in the mail on trademarks after the IP was permitted by the USPTO.

What do I mean when I say spam letters?  Unsolicited snail-mail letters offering me help with my trademarks.  Usually if not always, the letters speak to “international” trademarks.  I say it that way because I have always thrown the letters out and I don’t remember all shit ton of them.  (Lucky for you I saved the four most recent before they met their fate).

All entrepreneurs want to protect their ideas. That is the exact desire these predators attack – our fear of losing what we are working so hard for.  Before you go through FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) because of these letters, let me give you some advice:

  1. Always research the name of the company that suddenly reaches out to help you.
  2. If the letter looks like a bill or invoice, be especially cautious.  And…
  3. Always read the fine print.  But…
  4. Don’t waste a lot of time if your findings just don’t ‘feel right’.  As an entrepreneur, your time is your most valuable asset.
  5. For SEO purposes, I will list the two companies that are represented in the images on this page: GloTrade and International Catalogue of Trademarks.  I wouldn’t spend a second with those people, and if you stumble on this page I suggest you don’t either.

If you feel you and your product need any additional protection like an international trademark, then go research how to get one. And please, research the benefits of having that protection. As the business owner it is up to you to decide whether you and your company need protection.  However, finding a reputable IP attorney is always step one – not opening your mailbox and seeing that the magic snail-mail genie gave you a letter saying you need an international trademark!