Our goal is to develop and administer Trademarks’ register protection initiatives that demonstrate our commitment to combatting threats to our trademark system and to issuing accurate and reliable registrations. We work to address improper and inaccurate submissions, remove trademarks from the register when they’re not supported by use in commerce, and increase awareness of trademark scams.
To do this, our Register Protection Office takes a multi-pronged approach.
Oversees ex parte expungement and reexamination proceedings
Both customers and the Director can pursue expungement or reexamination of registrations based on nonuse. Depending on the outcome of the proceedings, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) can cancel registrations, in whole or in part, for nonuse.
Administers the post-registration audit program
The post-registration audit program requires registrants to submit additional proof that their trademark is actually in use with the goods or services identified in their maintenance submissions.
Directs the administrative sanctions process
We monitor and review suspicious filing behavior, and then recommend a course of action, such as:
- Implementing orders to terminate invalidly filed applications and registrations
- Shutting down USPTO.gov accounts that violated USPTO rules and terms of use agreements
- Referring attorneys suspected of violating the rules of practice or professional responsibility to the Office of Enrollment and Discipline
Develops communications to increase awareness
We develop communications to help increase your awareness of scams, including understanding how to spot scams and what to do if you’ve been scammed. The protect against trademark scams section of our website has many resources, including latest scams we’re seeing.
If you believe you’re getting scammed
We’re interested in hearing from you about your experience with scammers. If you believe you’re currently dealing with a scammer or have been scammed, email TMScams@uspto.gov.