Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Form 1023 vs. Form 1023-EZ?

The standard Form 1023 is full of technical questions that require a plethora of supporting documentation and written narrative for most sections while Form 1023-EZ is a 3-page online “yes or no” application that does not require the same documentation.  This form is relying on the person’s integrity to answer each question truthfully and once completed the status is most often approved when submitted.

Form 1023 is thoroughly vetted and can take up to 120 days to six months to receive a determination while Form 1023-EZ relies on the person to answer the yes/no questions with honest intentions.  Approval status is normally granted, and computer generated without any vetting of your responses.

The filing fee for Form 1023 is $600 while the filing fee for Form 1023-EZ is $275 and must be paid and submitted online.

Do doners, grantees or foundations accept Form 1023-EZ?

Unfortunately, this form has negatively impacted the grant funding opportunities for small nonprofits.  Since Form 1023-EZ was released, many grant-making foundations have adopted policies against accepting grant applications from nonprofits that received 501(c)(3) status using the streamlined computer-generated process.  This is because the Yes/No answers are not vetted.

TPG4U, Inc. advises our clients to file Form 1023 if they intend to seek funding in the foreseeable future.

What is the difference between a Trademark and a Service Mark?

A “trademark” is a form of intellectual property that can be any word, phrase, symbol or design or any combination of those items used by a person or business to identify goods made, sold or distributed by him/her, and to distinguish them from goods made, sold or distributed by others.  For example, logos like Apple (bitten apple) and Nike (the check mark) are trademarks.  You can look at these symbols and know what company they are associated with.

A “service mark” is a form of intellectual property that can be any word, phrase, symbol or design or any combination (words and design) of those items used by a person or business in the provision or advertising of his/her services, and to identify and distinguish his/her services from the services provided by others.  Service marks are often slogans. For example, “Just Do It”.  Most people know that is a phrase from Nike.

How long will my Trademark or Service Mark last? Trademarks do not expire after a set term of years. As long as you continue to use the mark in commerce to indicate the source of goods and services then your trademark registration can last forever.  Depending upon your state there may be annual filing fees.