UPDATE – FREAK OUT TEXT SCAM – Beware “someone is going to trademark your name AND logo”. NOT REALLY!
Hello client, a quick update!
Our client tried, pried and coaxed the tag team of Smith & Johnson Ip Law and Trademark Registrations Experts to cough up their attorney’s name & bar #.
And they did!
Soon enough we found and were able to contact said attorney to verify if it was true.
We asked:
Has he ever filed a Federal trademark application?
Had he ever heard of Smith & Johnson IP Law?
Had he ever heard of Trademark Registrations Experts?
His answers were unsurprising:
NO.
NO.
NO.
I did NOT ask if charging $49 per trademark, ($249 – $200 in average database fees = $49), for the 10 hours of work it usually takes to PROFESSIONALLY ACCOMPLISH A LEGALLY CLEAR trademark was worth the average $250,000 in debt he assumed over 7 years of combined college and law school it took, before finally passing the California Bar Exam?
Could he really live on $4.90/hour?
Since a REAL attorney is never really part of the scammer’s playbook, this is a question I’ll never get to ask. Darn.
——-
In any case, do you see the disconnect? Just because we want inexpensive goods and services, in this case, it does not mean a “low fee” trademark service can ACCOMPLISH a trademark. How does that saying go? “You don’t get something for nothing”.
The scam is they use the $350 USPTO class filing fee as a multiplier.
Talk to these guys long enough and your name, logo and that slogan you’ve been mulling over are ALL NEEDED. Needed now. Plus, each mark is in at least 3 or 4 classes, x$350/class. NASTY.
I said my update was quick.
——-
Please note!
“How to Verify an Attorney”
On 6/24/2026 4:13 PM, Thomas Cook wrote:
Chris:
Below is a portion of an email received from the State Bar of California. While the email talks mainly about a new requirement for trust accounts, it also veers off into … you guessed it, “trademark scams.” In this particular case, the PTO is warning attorneys about possible misuse of the attorneys’ names. While the caution is about misuse of an attorney’s identity by those who wish to circumvent the identification requirements for “attorneys of record,” perhaps you can use some of this in your blog.
Best,
Tom.
_____________________
Protect yourself from
trademark scams
Attorney identities and credentials are sometimes misused in trademark filings. This usually occurs in situations involving foreign-domiciled applicants who are required to have U.S.-licensed counsel.
You can protect yourself from trademark scams by performing a quick, routine check of your bar credentials in the trademark register. This lets you confirm that your credentials are accurate and used only with your authorization. It also helps the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) identify, address, and resolve wrongful appointments more efficiently.
To check your bar credentials and see if your name is listed on any applications or registrations, including those without your knowledge or consent:
- Go to USPTO’s trademark search.
- Enter either of the following into the trademark search bar:
- AT: (“FIRST NAME LAST NAME”~2)
- AT: (“LAST NAME, FIRST NAME”~2)
This search string can help you catch instances where the scammer has reversed your name.
To report unauthorized use of your information, email TMScams@uspto.gov. Do not submit a Change of Address or Representation form. USPTO will work with you to correct the trademark public record.
Remember: Regularly monitor your bar credentials and stay alert to common scams. Learn more about protecting yourself from trademark scams.
_____________________________
Thomas.
—
Thomas Cook Intellectual Property Attorneys
P.O. Box 1989
Sausalito, California 94966-1989
Telephone: 415-339-8550
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Looking a little deeper, please see Trustpilot’s reviews of Smith & Johnson Ip Law and Trademark Registrations Experts. (Web sites broken apart, as Constant Contact refused to send the last article citing these are KNOWN SCAM web sites which will cause both TradeMark Express and Constant Contact to become labeled as spammers, then blacklisted.)
Smith & Johnson IP Law
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/smitha] [anandjohnson] [iplaw.com
Actual Trustpilot Reviews
CFO
A day ago
Christopher sent a text to me one day after we renewed our Trademark and tried ro convince me to hire them to file a trademark on our logo. when I said no, he threatened me that his client was going to file a logo trademark that we use in our company and then send a formal cease disist the use of our trademarked name on all platforms such – social media, websites, e-commerce, web domains, etc.
Apr 2, 2026
Brad Cornelius
Unsolicited text from this company…
Unsolicited text from this company saying I’ve submitted an incomplete application, and that other parties are submitting similar logos. Just vague enough to try and get me to call them. I don’t know if they’re real or not, but regardless- I don’t appreciate their business model.
Christopher Wilburn
Jan 5, 2026
This company is a scam entity. They tried to claim someone was stealing my Trademark but could not provide any proof. They stated it is in the mail. And nothing!
They are using the same number as multiple other companies such as “Trademark Registration Experts”, “Legal Mark Experts”, “Prime Mark Registry”
Trademark Registrations Experts
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/trademark] [registration] [sexperts.com
Actual Trustpilot Reviews
Austin H
Dec 4, 2025
I have been texted by TrademarkRegistrationExperts.com 5 times from an Alex Wilson and Eric Smith. I have a few trademarks and it’s the exact same fear mongering tactics that are completely dishonest. I googled their business and the first thing I find is on Reddit where several other people are getting the exact same series of texts, with the same “call us or else” messages. It’s predatory, slimey and a clear violation of CAN-SPAM act.
I’ve asked them to stop contacting me and they persist, so I’m leaving a review here since they don’t have a google place or any other way to address this harassment.
Dear HILL, AUSTIN L, a new applicant is applying for XXXX. Your trademark which is currently in cancelled status. Act within 24 hours to reclaim and secure your rights before they do. Alex Wilson, Trademark Registrations Experts (201) 588-1983
Dear HILL, AUSTIN L, a new applicant is applying for XXXXX. Your trademark which is currently in cancelled status. Act within 24 hours to reclaim and secure your rights before they do. Alex Wilson, Trademark Registrations Experts (201) 588-1983
Hi HILL, AUSTIN L, this is Eric Smith from Trademark Registrations Experts. I am following up about your trademark XXXXX. This is our final attempt to help you refile. If we do not hear from you today, our client may proceed with their claim and issue a cease & desist notice. Please call us back at (201) 551-2894
Dear Austin Hill, a new applicant is applying for XXXXXX. Your trademark which is currently in cancelled status. Act within 24 hours to reclaim and secure your rights before they do. Alex Wilson, Trademark Registrations Experts (424) 427-4060
Hi Austin Hill, this is Alex Wilson from Trademark Experts. This is our final follow up regarding your trademark XXXXXX. If we do not hear back, the other applicant will be moving forward with their filing. Please contact us immediately at 424-427-4060.
No name
Mar 28, 2026
DO NOT TRUST!!!
They won’t stop contacting me unsolicited after requesting a phone number removal.
Overall Verdict
Very high risk / strongly negative reputation
Consistently 1-star user reviews
Multiple scam allegations and red flags
Reported use of aggressive, misleading tactics
Related phone numbers
415-843-7659
424-427-4060
912-694-1303
Major Red Flags
Across reviews and analysis sites, several warning signs repeat:
1. High-pressure scare tactics
Claims like:
“Someone else is registering your trademark”
“Respond within 24 hours or lose rights”
This is a known scam pattern in trademark fraud
2. Use of public data
Scammers often pull info from USPTO public records
They contact business owners pretending there’s a problem
3. Harassment-style outreach
Repeated texts/calls even after being told to stop
4. Lack of transparency
No clear proof of:
Licensed attorneys
Physical office
Verifiable credentials
5. Website trust concerns
Some domains linked to similar names show:
Low trust scores
Reports of phishing activity
Community Feedback
There’s strong consensus from users:
“They use public USPTO data to prey on business owners… classic high-pressure scam.”
Other users report:
Nearly being scammed out of thousands of dollars
Fake attorney identities
Requests for sensitive info (like SSN)
Is it legit or a scam?
There is no strong evidence of legitimacy
There is substantial evidence of deceptive practices
Many experts warn that companies with generic names like this are often not real law firms and may be part of broader trademark scams (IPR Karo)
What you should do instead
If you need trademark help:
Go directly through the official USPTO website
Or hire a verified trademark attorney
Never trust:
Cold calls
Urgent threats
Requests for fast payment
Final Take:
Trademark Registrations Experts has overwhelmingly negative feedback and multiple scam indicators.
If they contacted you:
Do not engage, do not pay, and verify everything through official channels.
———
Do not fall for “low fee” trademark scams.
Please send us your phony trademark letter, texts and emails. Help us, help you rid the landscape of these cyber criminals.
———-
Thank you, Chris DeMassa, Founder – 650-948-0530
Email: staff@tmexpress.com
Web Site: tmexpress.com
Order: https://www.tmexpress.com/order-my-trademark
Creative Naming – http://miramark.com/nameit/
Zoom Anytime – https://bit.ly/TradeMarkZoomMeeting
Calendly Meeting – https://calendly.com/tmexpress/15min
TM®SM Crash Course – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gWaAJR5L18
12 Expert Trademark Attorney Network Included.
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisdemassa/
Ask about our $1000 Trademark Challenge.
Blog Articles – https://tmexpress.com/trademark-blog/
Testimonials – https://tmexpress.com/testimonials
TrustPilot – https://bit.ly/TrustpilotRating
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