Under North Carolina law, only licensed attorneys may provide legal services or prepare or help prepare legal documents for another person. Trade names are filed with the Register of Deeds in the county where the business is operating under N.C.G.S. §66-68.Although trademarks are also filed with the USPTO, an attorney can file a trademark with the USPTO without taking the patent bar. An attorney could help you with securing a federally registered trademark in North Carolina to protect your intellectual property with regards to franchising. Only a U.S.-licensed attorney may represent you before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Legal counsel of your own choice if you have any questions or concerns about registering your mark. Please be sure to fill out the Application for Trademark or. Getting a patent in North Carolina is the same as any other state. You can counsel inventors anywhere in the US if you have an active Patent Bar license.