TESS (Trademark Electronic Search System) contains more than 3 million pending, registered and dead federal trademarks. An attorney could help you with securing a federally registered trademark in North Carolina to protect your intellectual property with regards to franchising.Get free patent and trademark legal assistance. Patent Pro Bono Program. Submit a complete and accurate application to the USPTO. Do you wish to obtain a patent? Learn more about the steps you need to take to protect and capitalize on your ideas and inventions. Once you have decided to move forward with trademark registration, North Carolina has a few important requirements. Finally, a North or South Carolina trademark attorney can also assist in the policing and enforcement of your trademark rights.