Thinking about using a budget-friendly service like LegalZoom, Trademarkia, or Trademark Engine to file your trademark? These platforms promise fast results and low prices—and that’s tempting when you’re building a brand. But what looks like a deal today can cost you thousands (and possibly your trademark) down the road.
At Sleight Law, we’ve filed over 1,000 trademarks and fixed countless issues for clients who first tried these do-it-yourself (DIY) platforms. Here’s what most entrepreneurs don’t realize until it’s too late.
These Platforms Look Easy—But Leave You on Your Own
LegalZoom, Trademarkia, and Trademark Engine share some important similarities:
- They are not law firms.
- They rely on automated forms, not legal analysis.
- They’re not responsible if your application gets denied.
- They expect you to know the law—even if you don’t.
In short? If you don’t know exactly what you’re doing, these platforms will file whatever you give them—even if it’s wrong. In other words—garbage in, garbage out.
It’s a Lot Like Going to a Car Shop When You Don’t Know Cars
Imagine walking into a car shop for a simple oil change. You don’t know much about cars, so when the person behind the counter starts rattling off a list of “urgent” add-ons—transmission flush, new filters, tire rotation, fuel system cleaner—you nod along. It all sounds important, so you say yes. Later, you find out most of it wasn’t necessary—and your car still isn’t running right.
That’s what using DIY trademark platforms feels like.
They’re counting on the fact that you don’t know what you need. So they upsell you on services that sound helpful—things like “comprehensive” reports, template libraries, or expedited filings—but those don’t matter if your trademark isn’t legally strong or eligible to begin with.
- LegalZoom might send you a long, confusing report with no clear guidance.
- Trademarkia might offer templates and monitoring tools—but skip the foundational legal advice.
- Trademark Engine might promote a faster filing speed—but give you no help deciding what to file in the first place.
Without someone guiding you through the legal nuances, it’s easy to overpay, miss critical steps, and end up with a rejected application.
Trademark Engine: Cheap Filing, No Legal Guidance
Starting Price: $99
What You Get:
- A basic “direct hit” search you could do for free on the USPTO website
- A form-based application that gets auto-filled with your answers
- Optional add-ons—but no legal insight unless you pay extra
🛑 Bottom line: You’re paying for automation, not strategy. No one’s checking your answers for risk or advising you on whether your mark is even protectable.
LegalZoom: You Get What You Pay For (Unless You Pay More)
Starting Price: $249+
LegalZoom is the most well-known DIY platform—and to their credit, they’ve added more options over time. But still, there are caveats.
- Their basic package includes a search report but no interpretation.
- Attorney guidance is only available in premium plans.
- If you need help responding to a rejection, that’s extra.
⚠️ It’s easy to assume you’re getting legal advice when you’re not. And many users are left confused, overwhelmed, or with rejected applications.
Trademarkia: Looks Like a Law Firm, Acts Like a Software Platform
Trademarkia presents itself like a legal service—but in reality, it functions more like a software tool with legal add-ons. While it’s affiliated with a law firm, that doesn’t mean you’re getting meaningful attorney involvement.
In fact, many users never speak with an attorney directly. “Attorney review” may amount to a quick, surface-level check—or worse, be delegated to staff or paralegals. There’s no guarantee that you’ll get the depth of legal strategy your brand deserves.
On top of that, the platform heavily pushes upsells:
- Template libraries
- Cease and desist letters
- Trademark monitoring tools
These extras may sound helpful, but they’re worthless if your application isn’t properly filed or gets rejected—which happens more often than people think.
⚠️ Many users walk away believing they hired a law firm—only to discover they paid for a glorified filing tool with legal branding.
Why This Matters
The USPTO reports that about 57% of trademark applications receive refusals, often because of mistakes that could have been avoided with real legal guidance. These include:
- Choosing the wrong class of goods/services
- Submitting weak or unusable specimens
- Applying for something that isn’t even eligible for trademark protection
Without legal help, you might not realize you’ve made one of these mistakes until it’s too late—and then you’ll be stuck refiling (and repaying).
What Makes Sleight Law Different
At Sleight Law, we do more than file paperwork. We offer real legal strategy, clear communication, and no surprise fees.
✅ Attorney-led trademark search
We look for conflicts and analyze legal risks—not just names that match.
✅ Plain-English search report
We explain what we find in a way that actually makes sense. No legal jargon. No data dumps.
✅ Strategic guidance before you file
We help you make smart decisions, from choosing the right trademark class to strengthening your application.
✅ Office Action support included
If your application gets challenged, we handle it—without extra charges.
✅ Refile guarantee
If your trademark is refused and can’t be fixed, we’ll refile for free.
✅ Flat-fee pricing with zero upsells
Everything’s included. No surprise add-ons. No pressure to upgrade.
✅ Responsive, real-human support
You’ll always be able to reach us with questions—and it won’t cost extra.
Comparison Table
Final Thoughts: Don’t Risk Your Brand
Choosing a trademark service isn’t just about saving money—it’s about protecting your brand. Don’t fall for flashy marketing or “too good to be true” pricing. These DIY platforms count on you not knowing what to ask for. And that’s where mistakes (and money pits) happen.
At Sleight Law, we don’t just file—we protect. And we treat your brand like it’s our own.
👉 Book your free trademark strategy call today and take the first step toward securing your brand the right way.