Intellectual Property: Protect Your Creative Works & Brand
Your intellectual property (IP) – your unique creations, brand identity, and original content – is among your most valuable business assets. At Savvy Esquires, we provide focused IP strategy and registration services to help creatives, artists, comedians, entrepreneurs, and innovators safeguard these assets. Our approach is transactional, concentrating on securing your rights without court litigation.
We specialize in:
- Trademarks: Protecting your brand names, logos, slogans, and other distinctive brand elements that identify your goods or services in the marketplace, including those for AI-powered products and services.
- Copyrights: Safeguarding your original creative works, such as writings, music, artistic designs, videos, comedic material, software code, and website content, as well as navigating the complexities of copyright for AI-assisted and AI-generated works.
Our IP strategy services are designed to help you identify your protectable intellectual property, determine the most effective methods for its protection, align your IP assets with your overall business and creative objectives (including those involving AI), and develop a cohesive brand protection strategy that leverages your IP rights.
(Note: Savvy Esquires does not handle patent applications or patent-related litigation. However, if you have an invention that may require patent protection, we can refer you to a qualified patent attorney.)
Who It's For
This service is vital for:
- Artists, Designers, Comedians, & Photographers protecting their original visual works, including those created with AI assistance where applicable.
- Writers, Authors, & Bloggers safeguarding their literary creations, and understanding ownership implications of AI writing tools.
- Musicians, Composers, & Songwriters protecting their compositions and recordings.
- Content Creators & Influencers securing rights to their videos, courses, podcasts, and online content, including AI-generated or AI-enhanced media.
- Entrepreneurs & Businesses protecting their brand names, logos, and unique product or service names, especially for AI-driven ventures.
- Software Developers & Tech Innovators safeguarding their original code and creative digital assets (via copyright), including advising on IP considerations for AI models and algorithms.
Key Benefits of IP Services with Savvy Esquires
- Secure Legal Ownership: Establish clear legal ownership of your brand and creative works.
- Prevent Unauthorized Use & Copying: Deter others from infringing on your trademarks and copyrights.
- Build Brand Value & Recognition: Strong IP rights enhance your brand's distinctiveness and market value.
- Navigate the Evolving IP Landscape for AI: Receive guidance on protecting AI-assisted or AI-generated content and AI-powered brands.
- Create Licensing & Monetization Opportunities: Leverage your IP (including AI-related IP where protectable) to generate revenue.
- Deter Infringement: Formal registration acts as a public notice of your rights and can discourage potential infringers.
- Foundation for Action: While Savvy Esquires is a non-litigation firm, registered IP provides a stronger foundation should you ever need to enforce your rights (with referred litigation counsel).
What's Included / Our Process
We offer a clear and structured approach to help you protect your IP:
IP Strategy Services:
- Consultation & IP Audit: We'll discuss your business, creative works, goals, and any use or development of Artificial Intelligence to identify your key intellectual property assets.
- Protection Roadmap: We'll advise on the most appropriate forms of IP protection (trademark, copyright) and develop a strategic plan, including considerations for AI-related IP.
- Brand Protection Counsel: We'll help you integrate your IP rights into a broader strategy to protect and enhance your brand identity.
Trademark Services:
- Initial Consultation: Discussion of your brand, goods/services (including any AI-powered offerings), and desired trademark.
- Comprehensive Search & Clearance Analysis: We conduct searches to assess the availability of your proposed trademark and identify potential conflicts.
- Application Preparation & Filing: We prepare and file your U.S. trademark application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
- Monitoring & Non-Substantive Office Action Responses: We monitor the status of your application and can respond to certain non-substantive office actions from the USPTO.
- Guidance on Proper Usage & Maintenance: We advise on how to properly use your trademark to maintain its strength and on renewal requirements.
Copyright Services:
- Consultation: We'll discuss your creative work, including the role of AI in its creation (if any), and assess its copyrightability based on current laws and guidance.
- Application Preparation & Filing: We prepare and file your copyright application with the U.S. Copyright Office.
- Advice on Copyright Notices & Best Practices: We provide guidance on using copyright notices and other best practices to protect your work.
Pricing Approach for IP Services
Savvy Esquires offers transparent, value-driven pricing for Intellectual Property services. You can choose from flat-fee packages for specific filings, or opt for our hourly rate or retainer for ongoing strategy and support.
Copyright Filing (Standard Application)
Flat Fee (Legal Fee): $750
Typical Inclusions:
- Initial consultation to discuss the work and authorship.
- Legal advice regarding copyrightability and information needed.
- Preparation and review of the standard online copyright application.
- Electronic filing of the application with the U.S. Copyright Office.
- Forwarding of filing confirmation and registration certificate to you.
Typical Exclusions (Client responsible for these costs):
- U.S. Copyright Office Filing Fee: Currently $45 (for a single work, single author, etc.) or $65 (for a standard online application for most other scenarios). Other fees apply for different filing types. (Confirm current fees at copyright.gov).
- Responding to Copyright Office Inquiries: Significant additional time for substantive inquiries billed separately (typically at our hourly rate, discussed with you first).
- Complex Scenarios: Applications for compilations with extensive pre-existing material, databases, or complex authorship/ownership may require a custom quote.
- Costs of preparing/submitting deposit materials.
Trademark Services
Trademarks involve a multi-stage process. We offer flat fees for the following distinct stages:
Stage 1: Trademark Comprehensive Search & Attorney Opinion
Flat Fee (Legal Fee): $2,000
Typical Inclusions: In-depth consultation on your mark and goods/services; Comprehensive federal, state, and common law search; Analysis of search results and preparation of a detailed written opinion letter regarding registrability and risks.
Typical Exclusions: Cost of third-party search reports (if used, this direct cost will be clarified upfront); Preparation or filing of the trademark application (see Stage 2).
Stage 2: Trademark Application Preparation & Filing (per class, after search)
Flat Fee (Legal Fee): $1,250 per class (assuming a straightforward application post-search)
Typical Inclusions: Consultation on application strategy; Legal advice on the appropriate filing basis (e.g., use in commerce, intent-to-use); Careful drafting of the identification of goods and/or services for one class; Preparation and electronic filing of the application with the USPTO; Forwarding of the USPTO filing receipt to you; Docketing and monitoring of the application through initial examination (up to the first substantive Office Action).
Typical Exclusions (Client responsible for these costs):
- USPTO Filing Fees: Currently $350 per class for a TEAS Standard application. Other USPTO fees may apply. (Confirm current fees at USPTO.gov).
- Responding to Substantive USPTO Office Actions: Time to analyze, discuss, and respond to substantive refusals or requirements is billed separately (as a new flat fee or at our hourly rate, with an estimate provided).
- Intent-to-Use (ITU) Filings: Fees for Statements of Use (SOU), Amendments to Allege Use (AAU), and Extension Requests (plus associated USPTO fees).
- Opposition/Cancellation Proceedings, Appeals, International Filing, and Post-Registration Maintenance (e.g., Section 8 & 9 renewals).
IP Strategy & Other IP Matters
For IP strategy sessions, responses to substantive office actions (if not covered by a flat fee), or other complex IP matters not detailed above, services are typically provided at our standard hourly rate of $500.
Our Flexible Retainer Options are also available for ongoing IP strategy, management, and support.
Ready to strategically protect your brand and creative legacy?
Schedule Your IP Consultation