Is it difficult to get a trademark? Ask the lawyer

Q: We have a company that is starting to do well, so we want to trademark the name. Is that something we can do ourselves? How difficult is it?
-C.W., Redondo Beach
Ron Sokol
A: Is the name available for trademark? There is criteria to consider, such as whether the name is distinctive. In addition, it is critical to investigate if someone else already has trademarked the name, or a similar name, for like goods or services; if so, it may not be approved for trademark. Note that the Trademark Offi