Office actions are a routine part of the trademark registration process. If you've received one from the USPTO, it doesn't mean your trademark is rejected. In most cases, the issues can be resolved with a well-prepared response.
If you're unsure how to proceed, JSTMS offers a free consultation to help you understand the office action and your options. Simply fill out the form at the bottom of this page and schedule a consultation. During the consultation, Jared will explain the issue(s) in clear terms, discuss possible solutions, and provide a flat-fee estimate for handling your response.
It's important to keep in mind that the USPTO office action process is not adversarial. The examining attorney is not against you. They are just doing due diligence for the USPTO to ensure that your trademark meets the legal criteria for registration. If it's not clear whether your application satisfies these criteria, the examiner will issue you an office action explaining the specific issue(s) noticed and giving you a chance to address them.
Responses to office actions vary greatly in complexity. Some involve minor technical issues that can be resolved with a simple amendment to your application, while others require substantive legal arguments. If your office action involves the latter (e.g., likelihood of confusion, descriptiveness, failure to function as a trademark, etc.) and you're considering engaging JSTMS, it's especially important to avoid unnecessary delays. Gathering the facts, evidence, and preparing a persuasive response takes some time, and there is a deadline to meet. As you'll see in your office action, this deadline is 3 months from the date of its issuance (extendable 1 time for an additional 3 months for a $125 fee).
If you have not yet begun the USPTO trademark registration process, you might be interested in the JSTMS Flat-Fee Trademark Registration Package, which includes responses to non-substantive office actions.