5 Examples of Trade Secrets and How They Fit into Your Intellectual Property Strategy
Explore 5 famous examples of trade secrets, from Coca-Cola to Google, and learn how to fit trade secrets into your IP strategy. Book a free IP strategy call.
#1Top reviewed IP law firm*
Patent attorneys · Trademark attorneys
You build what’s next. We make it yours®
Affordable, flat-fee patents and trademarks for founders, inventors and business owners in all 50 states. Talk through your idea with a registered patent attorney and get a flat fee before any work begins.
Secured or you don’t pay*
- Flat fees
- No hourly billing
- Registered patent attorneys
*Refunds subject to the RLG Guarantee Policy in your engagement letter. #1 top reviewed means the most public client reviews on Google, Trustpilot and Avvo of any US patent or trademark firm.
- “Stands by their fees with no surprises” Lowell C. · Client review
- “They filed my trademark within a day” Pritesh K. · Google
- “No hidden fees and no BS” Herb · Google
- “A very smooth process” Alex T. · Client review
- “Their one-price service was attractive” Michael F. · Google
- “My attorney was a former USPTO examiner” Anton A. · Google
- “They help you think outside of the box” Unit Group · Client review
- “Professional, responsive, and courteous” Brian M. · Trustpilot
[0001]Where to start
What are you protecting?
Most clients start with one of three things. Pick yours and we will show you the first step.
01A product or inventionInventions, products and devicesConsumer products, tools, gadgets and medical devices. Know it’s patentable before you file, or get your money back.*Covered by The RLG GuaranteeStart with a $999 search02Software or AISoftware, hardware and AI platformsSaaS, AI and apps. Know what you can patent before you raise or launch, or get your money back.*Covered by The RLG GuaranteeStart with a $999 search03A brandYour name, logo or sloganGet your trademark approved, or get your money back.* One flat fee, search and office actions included.Covered by The RLG GuaranteeProtect your brand
2,000+Patents and trademarks securedFiled for founders, inventors and companies nationwide
#1Top reviewed IP law firm*614 public reviews on Google, Trustpilot and Avvo, more than any other US patent or trademark firm
4.7Client ratingAcross 614 public reviews on Google, Trustpilot and Avvo
$0Hourly billingEvery engagement is quoted flat before any work begins
*#1 top reviewed means the most public client reviews on Google, Trustpilot and Avvo of any US patent or trademark firm.
[0002]How it works
Every step in the open. Guarantee included.
One flat fee, quoted before any work begins. Pick a service to see what it costs, what is included and who is working on it at each step.
- Flat fee
- $999Credited toward your application
- Turnaround
- 5 daysUS and foreign patents and published applications searched
- You get
- Report + callA written patentability report and a review call with your attorney
- The RLG Guarantee
- Secured or you don’t payNot patentable, full refund*
*Refunds are subject to the terms of the RLG Guarantee Policy set out in your engagement letter. Coverage varies by service.
[0003]The Clone · A short film
Your code alone is no longer your moat.
Anyone can rebuild what you shipped. A minute on what happens when someone does, and what stops them.
Find out what you can protect[0004]Trademark attorneys · The RLG Guarantee
Get your trademark approved. Or get your money back.*
If the USPTO refuses your mark, you choose a full refund or a new mark filed at no attorney fee.* One flat fee covers the conflict search, every office action and the USPTO fee for one class.
- Conflict search firstAn attorney checks the register before you file, so you do not build a brand on a name you cannot keep.
- Filed in about five business daysMost applications are on file within a week of engagement.
- Every office action includedMore than half of applications get one. Every response is in the flat fee.
- The ® is yours to useA federal registration tells the market, and anyone thinking of copying you, that the name is taken.
Protect your brand
$2,000Flat fee, USPTO fee for one class included
Patenting a product? Most clients protect the name too.
*Refunds are subject to the terms of the RLG Guarantee Policy set out in your engagement letter.
[0005]The RLG Guarantee
Secured, or you don’t pay.
On four services, if the USPTO says no, your fee comes back. It is a refund promise, not a promise of a result, and it is written into your engagement letter.
- Patentability searchIf the search finds your invention is not novel, a full refund or another search.
- Provisional patentsPatentability issues, a full refund or more searches, your choice.
- Design patentsIf the USPTO denies your design application, a full refund.
- TrademarksIf the USPTO denies your trademark, a full refund. Registrability issues, a refund or more searches.
*Refunds are subject to the terms of the RLG Guarantee Policy set out in the engagement letter for the selected matter. Coverage varies by service. Utility patents and litigation are not covered.
“Andrew Rapacke and his team are exceptional. They did our provisional and non provisional patents. The entire team is professional and an ease to work with.”
[0006]Published flat fees
Every filing, at a flat fee.
Prices quoted before any work begins. Start with the search to know it’s patentable before you file, or get your money back.* If it is, the fee is credited toward your application.
FilingWhat’s includedGuarantee
Patentability searchPatentable, or your money backRefunded if not patentable. Credited toward your application if it is.Coveredby The RLG Guarantee
Provisional patentLock in your filing datePatent pending from the day it is filed. Search fee credited.Coveredby The RLG Guarantee
TrademarkApproved, or your money backConflict search, every office action and the USPTO fee for one class included.Coveredby The RLG Guarantee
Utility patentProtect how it worksDrawings and USPTO filing fees included. Software $11,000.Not covered by The RLG Guarantee
PCT applicationProtect it abroadOne international application that holds your date in over 150 countries.Not covered by The RLG Guarantee
Rush filings add 50 percent to the flat fee. Refunds are subject to the RLG Guarantee Policy in your engagement letter.
See full pricing“The Rapacke Group stands by their fees with no surprises.”
Excerpts from client reviews. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
[0007]Your attorneys
Engineers first. Then patent attorneys.
Every attorney came to patent law from a technical or scientific background, so the person drafting your application understands what you built.
Andrew RapackeManaging Partner · Registered Patent AttorneyElectrical and computer engineering. Former Naval Engineering Officer.
Ken BrooksRegistered Patent AttorneySoftware, AI and machine learning, electrical and mechanical systems.
Chris WattRegistered Patent Attorney · Former USPTO ExaminerSoftware, AI and machine learning, and MedTech. A full-stack software engineer.
Casey GoldenbergAttorney · Trademarks and Patent ProsecutionTrademarks and patent prosecution, from a scientific background.[0008]In their words
Founders, inventors and brand owners.
The #1 top reviewed IP law firm in the US.* 4.7 across 614 public reviews on Google, Trustpilot and Avvo.
“Completed the patent search and utility patent within weeks.”
Michael F.Utility patent · Google“I always felt confident that my intellectual property was in good hands.”
JakePatent · Client review“I am now patent pending and patiently awaiting approval on my patent application.”
Thomas AndrewsPatent application · Client review“A quick and painless approval process for my trademark.”
Joseph B.Trademark · Google“Their writing allowed for protection of my invention's most important aspects, as well as giving me room to modify and adapt my product.”
Andrew WebberProvisional patent · Client review“Making a complex process feel manageable and well-supported.”
Distress Bandanna, Inc.Client · Client review
“They filed my trademark within a day.”
Pritesh K.Trademark · Google“Extremely impressed with their fixed fee and timely approach.”
Forrest A.Trademark · Google“Could not be happier with the customer service and straightforward fixed-fee approach.”
Sammerjit RaikhyDesign patent · Client review“I can safely trust them with scientific and legal integrity regarding ownership and accountability of inventions.”
Hussain AtherPatent · Client review“Answered every question I had with a phone call directly.”
Tim A.Trademark · Google“They traversed the legal maze and minefield.”
Peter C.Patent · Trustpilot
Reviews reflect individual client experiences. Quotes are excerpts. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. *#1 top reviewed means the most public client reviews on Google, Trustpilot and Avvo of any US patent or trademark firm.
[0009]Industries
Built for what comes next.
Deep technology and everyday products. If you made it, we can tell you how to protect it.
Explore industries01AI & machine learning02Software & SaaS03Cybersecurity04Medical devices05Digital health06Fintech07E-commerce08Consumer electronics09Consumer products10Robotics11Autonomous vehicles12Aerospace13Defense14Energy & clean tech153D printing16Gaming17Blockchain18Computer hardware19Electrical hardware20Semiconductors21Sporting goods
[0010]Learning Center
Learn before you file.
Plain-English guides from our patent and trademark attorneys, newest first.
All articles
How to Own the Rights to a Name: The Step-by-Step Legal Blueprint
Learn how to own the rights to a name through common law use, USPTO registration, state filings, and domain protection. Read the step-by-step guide now.
How Much Does a Patent Cost: An In-Depth Guide to Patent Pricing in 2026
How much does a patent cost in 2025? See USPTO fees, attorney costs, international filing expenses, and ways to save. Book a free IP strategy call today.
[0011]Questions
Before you start.
What does the $999 patentability search include?
An invention discovery call with your attorney, a comprehensive search of US and foreign patents and published applications, a written report, and a review call on the best strategy. If the search finds your invention is not novel, you get a full refund or another search. If you move forward, the $999 is credited toward your application.
How much does it cost to work with a patent attorney?
Our patent attorneys quote a flat fee before any work begins, so the price is known up front instead of accumulating by the hour. Cost varies with the type and complexity of the invention, and you receive the exact number before you commit.
Do I need a prototype to file a patent?
No. You need a complete description of how the invention works. Our patent attorneys can document an invention from your designs, drawings or detailed descriptions.
How long does the patent process take?
A utility patent often takes 2 to 3 years from filing to a decision (about 29 months on average in 2026, per USPTO data). A provisional application can be filed quickly to secure patent pending status while you keep building.
Can software and AI be patented?
Often, with the right approach. Software patents have specific requirements under current USPTO guidance. Our attorneys work in software, AI and machine learning and will tell you honestly whether your invention is a strong candidate.
Should I trademark my brand too?
Usually, yes. A patent protects how a product works or looks. A trademark protects the name customers know it by. Most clients protect both, and the trademark flat fee includes the conflict search, every office action and the USPTO fee for one class.
What is The RLG Guarantee?
It covers patentability searches, provisional patents, design patents and trademarks. If the USPTO denies a covered design patent or trademark application, you receive a full refund, and searches and provisionals are refunded for patentability issues. The guarantee is a refund promise, not a promise of a granted patent or registration.
You build what’s next. We make it yours®
The #1 top reviewed IP law firm.* Talk to a registered patent attorney, free.
*#1 top reviewed means the most public client reviews on Google, Trustpilot and Avvo of any US patent or trademark firm.