The identity of your business might be represented by a symbol, phrase, figure, or simply a mix of colors. This identifier is protected by trademark registration in USA with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of the USA Trademarks are symbols that symbolize your company’s values and convey a narrative about them. Essentially, these are unique brand tags that aim to protect the brand’s name.
The trademark is territorially protected, which means that it may only be used in the country where it is registered. If you want to utilize the brand name in additional countries, you must get the trademark in each one.
USPTO: What is it?
Regarding trademarks, each nation has its unique set of restrictions. As one of the world’s most powerful trading and economic countries, the United States has its own set of requirements for submitting and obtaining a trademark. The USPTO is responsible for trademark laws and processes inside the United States (the United States Patent and Trademark Office).
Getting a Trademark Registered
Trademark rights may be obtained without registration. However, USPTO registration offers several advantages.
Trademark registration protects you against infringement. Registering a trademark also simplifies court proof of ownership. To prevent others from utilizing your trademark, add a TM, C, or R symbol.
Documents Required for Registration
The following is a list of information and documents required for trademark registration in the United States:
- The applicant’s name, address, and signature; the kind of organization applying;
- The classification of products and services for which the trademark has been registered.
- The legal justification for filing
- The logo or trademark must be registered as a drawing or digital image.
- The trademark’s specifications and description
- Fees
The Motives for Registering a Trademark
According to trademark rules, the four types of ‘filing basis’ are based on the need and services offered by the brand.
If the trademark has been used to sell goods or services across several international boundaries, it is already in use (states and countries)
If the persons have not yet used their trademark, but intend to do so within the next four to five years, the registration might be done on the basis of future use.
The overseas application must have been submitted on this basis, and registration must be completed within six months.
Foreign registration: Based on this, foreign registration has been completed. The last step is to submit a certificate along with the required details.
How to File an Application for a Trademark in the United States
On the TEAS website, you may submit an application for a trademark (Trademark Electronic Application System). The following steps are required for application:
- Determine if a trademark is accessible before proceeding.
Check your US trademark eligibility. This will require a thorough search of the US trademark registration database for similar or identical trademarks.
- Application Submission
After collecting the necessary information, the application is completed and sent to the USPTO.
- Verify the trademark’s validity
The Trademark Examiner investigates the trademark on many grounds once it has been filed.
- Trademark Office action and approval
If any improper information or faults are identified on the application, a notification is sent. Six months are provided to correct the information or resubmit the application for approval. If there are no complaints, the form is sent to the Official Trademark Gazette for approval.
- It is now time for the competition.
Other businesses and people have 30 days to register an objection once your trademark is published.
- Complete your registration
If neither the opposition nor the trademark examiners raise issues, the trademark registration application is ultimately approved. In addition, a “notice of permission” is issued.
Fintech Harbor Consulting helps its clients to obtain a trademark in the US, but also to register trademark UK.