by Traverse Legal, reviewed by Enrico Schaefer - November 5, 2004 - d. How to Trademark a Name, Logo or Slogan, f. Trademark Availability & Monitoring
Yes. You should search the USPTO records before filing your application to determine if any party is already claiming rights in a particular mark. You may conduct a search on-line or by visiting the USPTO Trademark Public Search Library at 2900 Crystal Drive, 2nd Floor, Arlington, Virginia. The library is open between 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Both on-line searching and use of the Public Search Library are free.
Additionally, registered and pending trademarks may be searched at a Patent and Trademark Depository Library (PTDL). PTDLs are located throughout the U.S. See PTDL for a listing of their locations, or http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/ac/ido/ptdl/index.html. Private trademark search firms will conduct a search for a fee. A listing of search firms can be found in the Yellow Pages of local phone directories or through an Internet search. The USPTO cannot assist you in selecting a search firm.
You can check the status of any pending application or registration through the Trademark Application and Registration Retrieval (TARR) database, available on-line at http://tarr.uspto.gov, or by calling the Trademark Status Line at (703) 305-8747.
As a founding partner of Traverse Legal, PLC, he has more than thirty years of experience as an attorney for both established companies and emerging start-ups. His extensive experience includes navigating technology law matters and complex litigation throughout the United States.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Enrico Schaefer, who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a practicing Business, IP, and Technology Law litigation attorney.
