How Our Trademark Rollover Process Works
When you’re launching a new business or brand, choosing the perfect name is a major milestone. But what happens if your dream name is blocked during the trademark search? For many entrepreneurs, it means unexpected delays and extra costs. At TradeMark Express, we’ve built a better solution: the TradeMark Express rollover process.
This one-of-a-kind option helps protect your investment and reduce the risk of starting over from scratch. Let’s break it down so you know exactly how it works—and how it benefits you.
What Happens If Your Trademark Name Is Blocked?
It’s a common frustration: You’ve come up with a name you love, only to find out it’s already taken. This can happen during the trademark search if:
- There’s a conflict with an existing registered trademark
- Someone is already using the name under common law rights (even if it’s not registered)
At many trademark services, you’d have to pay full price to search a new name. But TradeMark Express does things differently.
The TradeMark Express Rollover Process – What It Is
With TradeMark Express, if your name is blocked during the search process, you won’t lose your full investment. Our exclusive rollover process lets you apply the remaining balance from your original search package toward a new name package.
This flexible option is available with our Premium Package and Start Up Package—and it’s something no other trademark service offers.
How It Works – Step by Step
Let’s walk through a real-world example using our most popular option, the Premium Package ($800; USPTO fees not included), which includes:
- $300 Federal & State Trademark Search
- $300 U.S. Common Law Search
- $200 Trademark Application Preparation
Here’s how the process unfolds:
- You place an order for the Premium Package.
Once your package is ordered, we begin with a preliminary USPTO direct hit search (this is not deducted from your package cost). This quick search helps identify any obvious conflicts with registered trademarks.
- If the first name is a direct conflict, you’ll have a brief consultation with a trademark attorney in our network. If the name is deemed a no-go, you give us your second-choice name. We repeat the direct-hit check at no additional charge.
- If the second name passes the direct hit check, we move into the comprehensive search – full Federal & State Trademark Search ($300 value), followed by the U.S. Common Law Search ($300 value), and then trademark application preparation ($200 value) if cleared.
- If the name is blocked at the Trademark search level, you won’t need to pay for a brand-new Premium Package. You only pay $300 to start over with a new name—because the Common Law search and application steps haven’t been used yet.
- If the name passes the Trademark search but is blocked at the Common Law level, you pay $600 to restart. This covers both a new trademark and common law search on your new name. Your application preparation fee is rolled over.
- If your name clears both searches, we complete your application preparation and you’re ready to file your trademark!
This flexible, step-based approach gives you multiple opportunities to find a viable name without starting over—or paying full price—each time.
Why It’s Unique to TradeMark Express
What sets TradeMark Express apart isn’t just the quality of our research—it’s how we protect your investment every step of the way.
Most online trademark services follow a rigid, one-and-done structure. If your name is blocked at any point, you’re expected to start over and pay full price again.
While LegalZoom does offer a free second search if their attorney identifies an issue with your first name, the details about what this includes and how the process works are limited and not clearly defined.
In contrast, TradeMark Express provides a clear, step-by-step process that shows exactly what you’re paying for and when charges apply. Our rollover option means your investment goes further, giving you:
- Full transparency on costs tied to each research stage
- The ability to apply unused funds toward a new name if your first is blocked
- A lower risk, more flexible approach to trademark searches and applications
Most other services, including many popular platforms, require you to purchase an entirely new package if your name is blocked at any stage—no rollover, no credits.
With TradeMark Express, you’re not paying for research you don’t need, and you’re not stuck with a blocked name and no recourse.
This exclusive rollover process saves you money, reduces the risk of starting over, and lets you trademark smarter, with confidence.
Trademark Without Starting From Scratch
The TradeMark Express rollover process was designed with small businesses in mind. It’s just one of the many ways we prioritize your success from search to application.
Ready to find a trademark you can move forward with confidently?
Contact TradeMark Express today to get started with a comprehensive trademark search and professional trademark application preparation.
Please note: USPTO filing fees are not included in our package pricing.