CLIENT – How much will it cost to trademark my name?
TRADEMARK ATTORNEY -$3,000 dollars.
CLIENT – That’s too expensive for this!
TRADEMARK ATTORNEY –How much do you think it should cost?
CLIENT – $800 max! It’s a simple job!
TRADEMARK ATTORNEY –I can’t do the job for so little.
CLIENT – People in your line of work wants to make a huge profit!
TRADEMARK ATTORNEY –I’m sorry you feel this way. Why don’t you do the job?
CLIENT – But, I don’t know the trademark laws and if I have lodged correctly. And what happens if there’s an infringement?
TRADEMARK ATTORNEY –For $2000, I can teach you the basics in law you need to know to do the job. It’ll take at least 2 weeks. You can then use $400 to pay the Government fee, and you’re still saving $600. Also, you will obtain all the knowledge and the experience for the next time you need to lodge a trademark.
CLIENT – Deal!
TRADEMARK ATTORNEY –Great! To start, you need to spend at least a month full time studying all the recent Court cases, so you understand what trademarks conflict with others. And you’ll need to study a lawbook to know all the requirements. This will cost you $300 or so. You will also need a computer.
CLIENT – But, I don’t have a spare month to study it!
TRADEMARK ATTORNEY –Ok. I can rent you my law book for $150. You’re still saving $150.
CLIENT – That’s cutting my savings, but I will rent your law book.
TRADEMARK ATTORNEY –Perfect! I’ll be able to start next Wednesday with you. start.
CLIENT – Wait! I can’t Wednesday. I only have time today.
TRADEMARK ATTORNEY –I’m sorry, I only teach others on Wednesdays. I have to prioritise my time and my work needs for my clients that I have during the week.
CLIENT – Ok then. I will sacrifice my current day job on Wednesday and organise to have the kids babysat or looked after at childcare.
TRADEMARK ATTORNEY –Right, me too! Oh, I forgot. If you’re going to do the trademark application yourself, you need to study the Trademark Act and legislation. There’s many tricks in the legislation which can prejudice your position and allow third parties to invalidate your trademark after it is registered by the Government. So, it is best to understand these pitfalls before a TRADEMARK ATTORNEY who represents a rival with a similar trademark spots them.
CLIENT – CAN THATREALLY HAPPEN? Surely if I have a registered trademark I am protected.
TRADEMARK ATTORNEY –I guess you’ll learn when studying all the Court cases and decisions with me, that it certainly not the case that you will be safe. By the way, do you have someone to look after your business while you are studying all this law? It can take up many days and late nights.
CLIENT – You know what? I’ve been thinking. Probably is better for you to do the job. It’s better to pay you to do the trademark application correctly and not having to go through all that hassle.
TRADEMARK ATTORNEY –Good thinking. Sign here and let me get to work.
TAKE HOME MESSAGE:
This is the truth. People are not just paying for a job, they are paying for knowledge, experience, tools, time, family sacrifices, and other things you bring to the table.
~Narrator
