False Advertising?

You see it sometimes - sponsored links or banner ads hawking low priced "trademark registration."  One I saw recently said "TRADEMARK REGISTRATION $99.00."  There is just one problem with these advertisements:  The only authorities in the U.S. that can register trademarks are the USPTO or the trademark registrars of the fifty states.  And they are not the ones who post these adverts.

A trademark "agent" or attorney may offer you trademark registration services for $99.00.  But they cannot register your trademark.  That's why, at least to me, it seems somewhat deceptive for an attorney or other service provider to post an advertisement that appears to indicate that they will provide you with a registered trademark for, e.g., $99.00.  No attorney or other service provider can guarantee that your trademark application will result in a successful registration. So you have to ask yourself whether an honest attorney or trademark "agent" would  hawk "low priced trademark registration."  Wouldn't the honest person  advertise "low priced trademark registration services" or "low priced trademark applications?" It's worth contemplating.

So remember - when you see the advertisement saying "Low Priced Trademark Registration" or - for example - "Trademark Registration $99.00" don't believe the hype! You're probably better off hiring a firm that doesn't use this type of come on.