Law-Forums.org

[barraq]

I am interested in getting a few ideas patent or trademarked I want to know should I go to the US patent and trademark office, I want to use the cheapest but effective service.

[gideon]

While it is possible to deal with the USPTO on your own, if you are asking this question you don't know enough about the process to do it successfully. Therefore, you should hire a patent attorney or a patent agent to prepare, file and prosecute your patent application in the USPTO. No matter what, you will be dealing with the USPTO.

Plan on spending 15-20K...just for a U.S. Patent...and there is no guarantee that you will get the patent.

[orson19]

A trademark is for names and slogans = this has to be filed through the US Patent and Trademark office. You can do it directly or hire a law firm to help you.
-- For me, I did the initial filing but needed a lawyer to help understand the additional requests that I had to provide. It took almost 4 years to get my trademark approved.

Patents are for inventions = either new inventions or improvements to existing ideas. This is a very complicated process. You may need an attorney to help with the initial filings.