A trademark legally protects your brand’s identity, like your brand name, logo, slogan, even certain design elements. This means no one else can legally use your brand name or imitate your signature branding. It gives you exclusive rights and helps build long-term value in your brand.

Ideally, before you launch. The earlier you protect your brand, the better since even just filing reserves your spot in the queue. Waiting increases your risk of someone else claiming it or being forced to rebrand later, which can be expensive and heartbreaking.

It typically takes 8–14 months to secure a federal trademark through the USPTO. Processing times can vary depending on whether we need to respond to any office actions from the USPTO, and whether we’re filing before or after you’ve begun using the mark.

Logos, taglines, product names, and sub-brands can all be protected separately from your main brand name, as long as they're distinctive enough to identify your brand to consumers. As your brand grows, new valuable brand identifiers emerge, and your trademark portfolio should grow with it. I can help you figure out which brand elements might be overlooked or untapped value, and which aren't.

No. They protect completely different things. A trademark protects your brand identifiers: your name, logo, or slogan, so no one else can use something confusingly similar. Copyright protects creative works themselves, like photos, writing, or designs. A patent protects inventions and functional processes. Many growing brands eventually need more than one type of protection, but they're not interchangeable, and having one doesn't mean you're covered under the others.

Yes! This is one of the most common misconceptions I see. An LLC protects your personal assets and makes your business a legal entity, but it doesn't stop someone else from using your brand name. A domain just means you own that specific web address, not the name itself. Neither gives you the exclusive legal right to your brand name the way a trademark does.

DIY platforms may file your application, but they don’t offer tailored legal strategy, risk assessment, or one-on-one support. They also don’t keep you updated once the application is filed, and don’t respond to office actions.  This leaves your application at risk of being accidentally abandoned, wasting your time and money. They’re more of a paperwork-filing service than a legal service. At Citrine, I evaluate your brand name, guide you through tough decisions, and handle Office Actions or objections directly, giving you a much higher chance of success.

I offer transparent pricing which you can see here, and if you have a question about your specific situation, you can drop me a message here.

Yes! You can file what's called an Intent-to-Use trademark application if you haven’t launched yet. This reserves your name with the USPTO while you prep for release. Once you're selling, you'll file a Statement of Use to finalize registration. It’s a great way to protect your brand name early without rushing your launch.

Absolutely. Social media is often the first place brand confusion or impersonation happens. A registered trademark gives you the legal right to report fake accounts, prevent domain name theft, and shut down imposters—on Instagram, Etsy, Shopify, and beyond.

No! I work with brands remotely all over the U.S. as well as international brands looking to file U.S. trademarks.