TECHNICAL QUESTIONS
E-mail & Phone
System Requirements
Data Entry
Name Search
Wildcard Search
Navigating AOTW
Search Result Links
SEARCH HINTS
Number
Name
Reel/Frame
Serial Number
Registration Number
Assignor Name
Assignor Name Index
Assignee Name
Assignee Name Index
Assignor/Assignee Name
Applicant Name
Applicant Name Index
Registrant Name
Registrant Name Index
SEARCH RESULTS
Linked Numbers
Reel/Frame Number
Serial/Registration Number
Assignor Name
Assignor Name Index
Assignee Name
Assignee Name Index
Applicant Name
Applicant Name Index
Registrant Name
Registrant Name Index
Technical questions should be e-mailed to assign@uspto.gov
Data/Content questions
Questions or concerns regarding the data displayed may be directed to the Assignment Services Division at assign@uspto.gov or 571-272-3350.
What software/hardware is required to search assignments?
A web browser. The AOTW system has been tested with Netscape Communicator 4 or higher and Internet Explorer 4 or higher.
Browser requirements:
None. However, data entered into the Reel/Frame, Serial number or Registration number fields will be validated for proper formatting, such as numeric vs alphanumeric, length, etc. This validation is performed from the user's browser when the browser settings allow for JavaScript enabled. When JavaScript is disabled, the validation is performed at the server upon executing the search button.
Data Entry
Searches may only be conducted using one search element field at a time.
Name Searching
Searching the name Smith will produce results which begin with the word Smith - - for example, names such as Smithly or Smithers. The search execution will not produce results for an assignment historical record that contains the word Smith within the middle of a string of characters or somewhere after the first word.
Wildcard searches
Wildcard searching is not available in AOTW.
Returning to the AOTW Home Page
To navigate to the home page the browser's back button may be used or click on the the text "Assignments on the Web".
Returning to the Query Menu Page
To return to the Trademark Assignment Query Menu, the browser's back button may be used or click on the words "Trademark Query" next to "Assignments on the Web" under the USPTO header.
Hyperlinks used in AOTW
Hyperlinks contained within the search results are linked only to information related to an assignment historical record with one exception.
SEARCH ELEMENT TIPS
Searches may only be conducted using one search element field at a time. Entries made in a search field will be cleared by overtyping or tabbing and entering data into another field.
Searching by a number field
The user may enter just the specific digits for a given number, leading zeroes are not required to be entered when searching by a number. See specific Search Data Element for additional information.
>> see results for Linked Numbers
Searching by a name field
The user should not use a quote(s) around the name field unless the user desires to search for a name field containing a quote. If quotes are used, the search execution will use the quote as part of the search string to obtain search results. See specific Search Data Element for additional information.
SEARCH DATA ELEMENTS
Reel/Frame Query
The user must enter at least 1 digit (the system will provide any necessary leading zeros to fill the field) in the reel field and then tab to the frame field to enter at least 1 numeric digit (the system will provide any necessary leading zeros to fill the field). Alphanumeric values for the frame number may also be used. All data associated with the recorded assignment will be displayed on the Assignment Details page
>> see results for Reel/Frame Number
Serial Number Query
The user must enter all 8 digits for a trademark serial number. All assignments recorded against the specific number will be displayed on the Abstract of Title page.
>> see results for Serial/Registration Number
Registration Number Query
The user may enter 1-7 numeric characters to search trademark related assignment records recorded against the specific trademark number. A registration number may not exceed 7 digits in length. All assignments recorded. All assignments recorded against the specific number will be displayed on the Abstract of Title page. Registration numbers containing less than 7 digists will be padded with leading zeros. This does not change the results of the data returned.
>> see results for Serial/Registration Number
Assignor Name Query
The user must enter at least 2 characters (alpha and/or numeric) to execute a name search. Records that contain the exact data entered at a minimum will be extracted and displayed in a name summary page. To reduce the number of records returned, more specific search criteria should be entered. For instance, if you enter the name
SMITH
(without a comma)
all records that contain the name SMITH will be displayed.
However if you enter
SMITH,
(with a comma)
only records beginning with SMITH, will be displayed. Individual names are stored in the database by last name followed by first name or first name initial.
Titles such as Mr., Mrs. Dr., etc., should not be used as part of the search criteria.
>> see results for Assignor Name
Assignor Name Index Query
The user must enter at least 1 character (alpha and/or numeric) to execute a name index search. This type of search permits the user to browse the assignment assignor records alphabetically. An index search returns all records starting with the entered character(s) and continuing through all assignment (assignor) records that follow alphabetically.
>> see results for Assignor Name Index
Assignee Name Query
The user must enter at least 2 characters (alpha and/or numeric) to execute a name search. Records that contain the exact data entered at a minimum will be extracted and displayed in a name summary page. To reduce the number of records returned, more specific search criteria should be entered. For instance, if you enter the name
SMITH
(without a comma)
all records that contain the name SMITH will be displayed.
However if you enter
SMITH,
(with a comma)
only records beginning with SMITH, will be displayed. Individual names are stored in the database by last name followed by first name or first name initial.
Titles such as Mr., Mrs. Dr., etc., should not be used as part of the search criteria.
>> see results for Assignee Name
Assignee Name Index Query
The user must enter at least 1 character (alpha and/or numeric) to execute a name index search. This type of search permits the user to browse the assignment assignee records alphabetically. An index search returns all records starting with the entered character(s) and continuing through all assignment (assignee) records that follow alphabetically.
>> see results for Assignee Name Index
Assignor/Assignee Name Query
The user must enter at least 2 characters (alpha or numeric) to execute a name search. Records that contain the exact data entered at a minimum will be extracted and displayed in a name summary page. To reduce the number of records returned, more specific search criteria should be entered. For instance, if you enter the name
SMITH
(without a comma)
all records that contain the name SMITH will be displayed.
However if you enter
SMITH,
( with a comma)
only records beginning with SMITH, will be displayed. Individual names are stored in the database by last name followed by first name or first name initial.
Data displayed on the Assignor Assignee Summary page will reflect the recorded assignments where the requested search criteria are shown as an assignor or as an assignee.
>> see results for Assignee Name Index
Applicant Name Query
The user must enter at least 2 characters (alpha or numeric) to execute a name search. Records that contain the exact data entered at a minimum will be extracted and displayed in a name summary page. To reduce the number of records returned, more specific search criteria should be entered.
>> see results for Applicant Name
Applicant Name Index Query
The user must enter at least 1 character (alpha or numeric) to execute a name index search. This type of search permits the user to browse the trademark application records alphabetically. An index search returns all records starting with the entered character(s) and continuing through all trademark application records that follow alphabetically.
>> see results for Applicant Name Index
Registrant Name Query
The user must enter at least 2 characters (alpha or numeric) to execute a name search. Records that contain the exact data entered at a minimum will be extracted and displayed in a name summary page. To reduce the number of records returned, more specific search criteria should be entered.
>> see results for Registrant Name
Registrant Name Index Query
the user must enter at least 1 character (alpha or numeric) to execute a name index search. This type of search permits the user to browse the registered trademark application records alphabetically. An index search returns all records starting with the entered character(s) and continuing through all registered trademark records that follow alphabetically.
>> see results for Registrant Name Index
SEARCH RESULTS
Hyperlinks on number type fields (Reel/Frame, Serial and Registration Number)
Hyperlinks for a reel and frame number will retrieve all assignment data associated with the reel and frame number. Hyperlinks for serial number and registration number link to the Abstract of Title page. The Abstract of Title page will order the display of all assignment records using execution date and then the reel and frame number. When multiple assignments exist with the same execution date the reel and frame number will be ordered in ascending order. (Ownership should be tracked using the assignor/assignee names when multiple assignments exist with the same execution date.) Selection of a serial or registration link from the Summery Pages, Assignment Details or Name details pages will retrieve all assignments recorded against the selected number.
Hyperlinks on name type fields (Assignor and Assignee Name)
Hyperlinks for assignor name or assignee name link to the Name Details page. Unlike the results of a search conducted for a name (displayed in a summary page), the system will retrieve all assignments recorded that contain the name selected from a hyperlinked name.
Reel/Frame Number Search Result
The search results from a Reel/Frame search contain trademark assignment details for a specific recorded assignment. The information includes the Reel/Frame number, date recorded, number of pages in the assignment, and the conveyance text, assignor name, assignee name, property numbers and correspondence data. Hyperlinks are provided for the following elements: Total Properties, Assignor and Assignee,
- Total Properties: provides the number of properties contained in the specific recordation. Hyperlinks are available for Serial Number and Registration Number and link to additional information about the property. When searching by a reel and frame, property numbers displayed are limited to 100 numbers per page display. Hyperlinks have been provided to link to the additional property page displays.
- Assignors: lists the name, execution date, entity type and citizenship for each Assignor. Each name contains a hyperlink to any other assignments containing the same assignor name (exact spelling).
- Assignee: lists the name and address for each Assignee. Each name contains a hyperlink to any other assignments containing the same assignee name (exact spelling).
- Correspondence Name and Address: provides the name(s) and address(es) to whom assignment correspondence was addressed.
Serial Number and/or Registration Number Search Result
The Serial Number and/or Registration Number search result provides the abstract of title information for the specific property number entered. The Assignment information displayed contains all assignments recorded against a given property number. Hyperlinks are provided for each reel and frame number, each assignor and each assignee listed.
Assignor Name Search Result
The results from conducting an Assignor search query produces an Assignor Summary and hyperlinks for each property number and each name displayed. Search results are based upon the data entered. Please see "Assignor Name Query" above for additional information.
Assignor Name Index Search Result
The results from conducting an Assignor Name Index search provides a Assignor Summary and hyperlinks for each property number and each name displayed. Please see "Assignor Name Index Query" above for additional information.
Assignee Name Search Result
The results from conducting an Assignee search query produces an Assignee Summary and hyperlinks for each property number and each name displayed. Please see "Assignee Name Query" above for additional information.
Assignee Name Index Search Result
The results from conducting an Assignee Name Index search provides an Assignee Summary screen and contains hyperlinks for each property number and each name displayed. Please see "Assignee Name Index Query" above for additional information.
Applicant Name Search Result
The results from conducting an Applicant Name search provides an Applicant summary screen and contains hyperlinks to all assignment information in the assignment historical records for each property number or name displayed. Please see "Applicant Name Query" above for additional information.
Applicant Name Index Search Result
The Applicant index name search result provides an Applicant index summary screen and contains hyperlinks to all assignment information in the assignment historical records for each property number or name displayed. Please see "Applicant Name Index Query" above for additional information.
Registrant Name Search Result
The results from conducting a Registrant Name search provides a Registrant summary screen and contains hyperlinks to all assignment information in the assignment historical records for each property number or name displayed. Please see "Registrant Name Query" above for additional information.
Registrant Name Index Search Result
The Registrant index name search result provides an Registrant index summary screen and contains hyperlinks to all assignment information in the assignment historical records for each property number or name displayed. Please see "Registrant Name Index Query" above for additional information.