Before you can begin utilising a trademarked name for your firm, you must first ensure that the name is not currently in use. This is because someone else may already hold the rights to that name and may sue you if they believe it is too similar. Fortunately, there are techniques to find out if your desired mark has already been registered by another firm before applying for your own.
Before file a trademark , you should do a thorough check to ensure that there are no competing trademarks.
A thorough search is an essential part of the procedure. You want to ensure that your trademark does not clash with an existing trademark and that it is accessible for use.
There are various venues and techniques to look for a trademark name:
You may search the USPTO database by filing a US trademark application on their website (www.uspto.gov). The database will display any trademarks that have previously been registered in your category of products or services. Search the internet for similar firms and discover whether their names have already been registered as trademarks. Search trademark databases in other countries that may be relevant to where you conduct business (e.g., China). Use a free online tool, such as Trademarkia’s Trademark Name Availability Tool, to search numerous sources at once. Make certain you understand what defines a dispute. Make sure you understand what a trademark is.
If you discover that your trademark has previously been registered for identical goods or services through a USPTO trademark search, it doesn’t mean you can’t use it. You may be permitted to utilise the brand if the goods and services are sufficiently distinct to avoid public confusion.
To do so, you must include a declaration of use with your application form (or an update) that explains how the products and services covered by your mark vary from those covered by any competing trademarks.
For example, “electric toothbrushes” vs “electric shavers; electric razors.”
Filing on paper necessitates more paperwork than filing online.
The procedure is the same whether you file on paper or online. You must attach a document proving that you paid for your application as well as a photograph of your photo ID. The only difference between the two is that if you use the online method, these papers will be sent through My Trademark instead of being mailed in with your application.
There are certain extra requirements if you submit electronically: To begin, because email isn’t secure enough for financial transactions like credit card payments (and because we need proof that it’s really you making this transaction), we require all electronic submissions to include a digital signature — which means uploading something like an ID scan or passport photo. We also request that any provided photographs be high resolution so that they may be fully expanded if necessary throughout the review or testing stages without losing quality.
The process of analysing, granting, or rejecting your trademark application might take many months at the very least. Even with priority filing, it is not uncommon for it to take six months or longer. The USPTO does not guarantee a precise timetable for clearance.
According to data from the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
The average wait time for a trademark application is three months and four days from the date of filing (USPTO).
If your trademark application is refused, you may be able to correct any errors and re-file. The approval procedure is very swift, although it can take several months at the very least. If another party submits a trademark application for your intended mark before yours is granted, you may be required to modify your mark or pay a fee to keep it available. This is unusual unless there are numerous identical firms in one place with the same name or logo.
Once authorised, your trademark is published in the Trademark Official Gazette for 30 days in case someone wishes to contest it. The time can be extended for an additional 30 days. If you have not yet used your mark in commerce, you can file a statement of use (SOU) to extend the time to use your mark in commerce and then ask for an extension based on SOU. TTAB or USPTO will notify you of any objections received during this time period.
Your trademark will be legally registered with the USPTO after 30 days without objection. Congratulations!
You can now begin utilising your trademark to identify products and services in commerce.
Before you begin the USPTO trademark application process, make sure you understand exactly what is expected of you so you can prevent delays or rejections – especially if you’re having someone assist you. To begin, check for any comparable marks (both domestic and international) to ensure that no one else has already registered your intended mark. If a search turns up any conflicting marks, it’s important to know that if those conflicting trademarks were first used in commerce (or on goods or services) before yours, yours will not be allowed to proceed because there is a likelihood of confusion between the two marks and consumers will likely be misled as to who owns each brand name and/or product/service associated therewith.
Another thing to double-check before proceeding: Make sure all requirements for filing an application have been met so that nothing is delayed unnecessarily due to missing information that could have been provided at the outset rather than later on down the road when someone gets frustrated trying to figure out why their package hasn’t arrived yet while they wait impatiently wondering what happened since they sent everything out months ago! Check whether the applicant has filed proper “Declaration Regarding Use in Commerce” forms outlining recent sales activity within the past year – same goes for proof showing active use during same period; also check whether the applicant has paid all required fees such as filing fee plus publication fee before submitting application form itself by mail/fax/e-mail, etc.”