STARTING THE PROCESS

• Review Where Do I Start information for new filers.
• Search mark in the USPTO database for possible conflicting registered and/or pending marks that would prevent registration of your mark. For more information on searching visit http://www.uspto.gov/go/ptdl/tmsearch.html. Consider whether you should hire an attorney or search firm to assist you in this process.
• Consult a private trademark attorney if you have any questions regarding the adoption or use of a trademark. The USPTO cannot recommend individual attorneys.
• Preview all pages of the initial Trademark/Service mark application to determine what information you will need to provide once you begin the actual form, by clicking here.
• Check Current Server Status and Planned Outages to find out when the online forms may be unavailable for use due to system maintenance (look for posting referencing an outage of "The Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS)").
• Study trademark legal resources presented at www.uspto.gov, including the Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure (TMEP) and the Trademark Acceptable Identification of Goods and Services Manual (ID Manual).
• Review the timeline for trademark processing, to understand what to expect in the overall process and when.
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  WARNINGS

• Once you file an application, you will NOT receive a refund if ultimately the USPTO does not issue you a registration for your mark.
• You may receive important communications from the USPTO. If via regular mail, they will have an official USPTO seal. If via email, they will always come from an address including "@uspto.gov." Ensure that emails are NOT treated as spam. Also, if your emails address changes, you must update the USPTO records with the new address. You should monitor the status of your application at least every 5 months after any filing to avoid missing any critical filing deadlines
• You may receive solicitations from companies and/or law firms that are NOT associated with the USPTO that will offer monitoring services and/or other assistance regarding the registration of your mark. For more information, click here.
• You are responsible for enforcing your rights if you receive a registration, because the USPTO does not "police" the use of marks. While the USPTO attempts to ensure that no other party receives a federal registration for a similar mark used on related goods/services, the owner of a registration is responsible for bringing any legal action to stop a party from using an infringing mark.
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