Services / DBA & Trademarks
DBA & Trademark Filing
Professional DBA, trademark, and copyright document preparation for California businesses and individuals. Fictitious business name statements, federal trademark applications, and copyright registrations — prepared accurately at your direction, at a fraction of what an IP attorney would charge.
What We Prepare
Fictitious Business Name Statement (DBA)
County-level filing required when doing business under a name different from your legal business name or personal name. We prepare the complete statement with all required owner information, business address, and business type for filing with the County Clerk.
DBA Renewal
California DBAs expire every 5 years (or when facts in the statement change). We prepare the renewal statement before your current filing lapses so your business name remains protected. Timely renewal avoids the need to re-publish.
DBA Abandonment
Formal withdrawal of a fictitious business name when you stop using it. Filing an abandonment prevents confusion and releases the name — important when rebranding or closing a business line.
Federal Trademark Application (USPTO)
TEAS Plus and TEAS Standard applications filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. We prepare the application with your mark information, goods/services classification, specimen of use, and filing basis. TEAS Plus offers lower filing fees ($250/class) in exchange for stricter application requirements.
Trademark Renewal & Maintenance
Section 8 Declaration of Continued Use (due between years 5-6) and Section 9 Renewal (due every 10 years). Missing these deadlines results in cancellation of your federal trademark registration.
Copyright Registration
U.S. Copyright Office applications for literary works, visual arts, performing arts, sound recordings, and digital content. Registration is required before you can file an infringement lawsuit in federal court and allows for statutory damages.
How It Works
Free Consultation
We discuss your business name or intellectual property — the DBA name you want to register, the trademark you want to protect, or the creative work you need to copyright. We'll help you understand what information is required and which forms apply to your situation.
Document Preparation
We prepare your DBA statement, trademark application, or copyright registration based on the information you provide. For trademarks, this includes careful goods/services classification. For DBAs, we ensure all owner information is complete to avoid rejection by the County Clerk.
Filing Instructions & Follow-Through
We provide clear instructions for filing with the County Clerk, USPTO, or Copyright Office. For DBAs, we explain the publication requirement (4 consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation). For trademarks, we explain the USPTO examination timeline.
Important: We cannot advise on trademark eligibility, conduct trademark clearance searches, or provide legal opinions on likelihood of confusion. Trademark law is complex — the USPTO rejects a significant percentage of applications for substantive reasons. We recommend consulting an IP attorney for legal advice on trademark strategy. We prepare applications based on the information you provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a DBA, a trademark, and an LLC name?+
A DBA (Doing Business As) registers a business name at the county level so you can operate under that name — it provides no exclusive rights. A federal trademark protects a brand name or logo nationally and gives you exclusive rights to use it in commerce. An LLC name is registered with the California Secretary of State and prevents other entities from registering the same name in California but doesn't provide broader trademark protection. Many businesses need all three.
How long does a federal trademark application take?+
USPTO processing typically takes 8-14 months from filing to registration, assuming no substantive refusals (office actions). The timeline: 3-4 months for initial examination by a USPTO examining attorney, then a 30-day publication period for opposition, then approximately 2-3 months for final processing. If the examining attorney issues an office action, the timeline extends.
Do I need to publish my DBA in a newspaper?+
Yes. California law requires publication of the Fictitious Business Name Statement in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the business is located, once per week for four consecutive weeks. The newspaper files proof of publication with the County Clerk. We provide you with the publication instructions and local newspaper options — you're responsible for arranging publication.
When should I register a copyright vs. when is it automatic?+
Copyright exists automatically the moment an original work is fixed in a tangible medium — registration is not required for copyright to exist. However, registration with the U.S. Copyright Office is required before you can sue for infringement in federal court, and timely registration (within 3 months of publication or before infringement) allows you to recover statutory damages and attorney's fees.
What's the TEAS Plus vs. TEAS Standard difference?+
TEAS Plus costs $250 per class of goods/services (vs. $350 for TEAS Standard) but has stricter requirements: you must select goods/services from the USPTO's pre-approved ID Manual, file electronically, and respond to office actions electronically. TEAS Standard allows custom descriptions of goods/services. We prepare both at your direction.
Related Services
Ready to Protect Your Business Name?
Schedule a free consultation — we'll prepare your DBA, trademark, or copyright documents. Same-day service often available.