Trademark registration is like playing chess — every move counts. The rate of your success depends on how you establish your strategy and keep track of your progress. In this case, your trademark registration depends on how you geared yourself up towards preparation of your application. Thus, trademark searches should be your ultimate foundation.
What is Trademark Search?
A trademark search is a strategic approach in identifying and measuring the feasibility and sustainability of your proposed mark. It not only checks whether the proposed trademark infringes other federal registered marks, but it also contemplates some details to modify, adjust, or improve the trademark in the long run. Additionally, trademark searches include, but are not limited to reviewing state trademarks, trade names, corporation and business names, and social media accounts.
What Happens When You Don’t Conduct a Trademark Search?
High Rejection Rate
The primary goal of a trademark search is to identify the availability of your proposed mark for registration. It checks whether your proposed mark will potentially infringe on already existing marks. Without conducting a comprehensive trademark search, the rejection rate increases for your proposed trademark, which can disrupt business plans and goals.
Possible Infringement Costs
You may also encounter possible infringement costs that could end up draining the financial and commercial success of your brand. Neglecting to conduct a trademark search is more devastating and costly. Remember that trademark searches not only direct you on how to move forward with your proposed trademark, but also frames your sustainability until registration.
Likelihood of getting canceled or challenged
The sustainability of your registration doesn’t only end during the preliminary registration stages. It also matters once you obtain trademark registration to keep your business and brand intact from trademark infringement. Without trademark searches, it will be difficult for you to project the likelihood of your mark getting canceled or challenged even after registration.
What Should a Trademark Search Help You Understand?
A quality trademark search is accompanied by detailed search results and an opinion, which should help you understand the following:
- Likelihood of trademark registration
- Proper classification of goods and/or services of your trademark
- Risks of filing a trademark application
- Potential pitfalls during the registration process
How Do We Handle Trademark Searches?
As you develop your brand, we strive to provide as comprehensive and clear search results so that you are able to make an informed business decision. Here is how our unique process works:
- Federal Search
We conduct a thorough search of the United States Patent and Trademark Records in the international class and/or related class of goods and services. We narrow down our search results and determine whether there may be any potential issues between your proposed mark and any other newly accepted marks, abandoned, rejected, identical, and similar variations of marks.
- Domain Search
We execute domain searches for trademarks being used online. Hence, we search domains, checking any entity names that can potentially infringe your trademark or cause potential issues during the registration process.
- Common-Law Search
We review all forms of businesses on the Internet that have trademarks, whether registered or not. We verify this by using popular search engines and social media sites.
- Attorney Opinion
All trademark searches will provide an attorney opinion, which includes the likelihood of registration for your proposed mark. Our searches include a detailed outline of the trademark search results, along with the assessment of potential risks and benefits of your proposed mark both in the legal and market aspects.
We are ready to cater your requests!
Yes, you may conduct your own research and take your time looking for information on the Internet or United States Patent and Trademark Office records. However, you need to consider the context and factors surrounding your proposed mark — its availability, likelihood of success, and potential challenges it may encounter during the registration process. So, if you’d like us to navigate this for you and provide you with our feedback based on our years of experience, we are ready to cater your request. Feel free to reach out to us for a free consultation today.