USPTO Federal Trademark

Celebrities Are Trademarking Their Voices and Likenesses to Fight AI Deepfakes Celebrities are filing federal trademark applications to protect their voices, images, and signatures phrases from unauthorized AI-generated content — and the trend is growing fast. You may have seen the headlines. Major names in entertainment have started using trademark law as a tool to […]

What Happens to Your Trademark When You Rebrand? If you’ve recently changed your business name or you’re considering a rebrand, you might be wondering: Do I need a new trademark? The short answer is: usually, yes — but the specifics depend on how much your name changed, what your current trademark covers, and how you’re

What to Do When Someone Is Using Your Trademark You built your brand from the ground up. You chose the name, designed the look, and put it on everything. Then one day you discover someone else is using it — or something confusingly close to it. It’s frustrating, and if you’re not sure what to

As an entrepreneur or small business owner, you pour time, money, and creativity into your brand. But have you considered how to protect those assets? That’s where intellectual property (IP) comes in. Understanding IP helps you safeguard your ideas, inventions, and branding, and it ensures your business stands out in a crowded market. What Is

Trademarks in 2026: What to Watch 2025 brought change, lessons, and opportunity for brands navigating the trademark landscape. Several trends and events are setting the stage for 2026. Faster, Smarter Filings The USPTO reduced its backlog to under 350,000 applications, improving pendency for first actions and final dispositions. Streamlined claim sets and AI-assisted tools made

Trademark Your Thanksgiving Brand Thanksgiving isn’t just about gratitude, turkey, and pumpkin pie —it also serves as a great reminder that creativity can be deliciously seasonal. Even the most playful or quirky ideas for products, services, or marketing campaigns deserve careful attention to ensure your brand is protected. Seasonal branding can be fun, but without

Trademark Dilution Explained for Small Businesses When building a brand, most small business owners focus on creating a unique name, logo, or slogan. But even without intending to, your brand could unintentionally affect someone else’s well-known mark. This is where trademark dilution comes into play. Understanding trademark dilution is crucial—not just for protecting your own

Trademark Tips for Veteran Entrepreneurs On this Veterans Day, we honor your service and dedication — and recognize the unique strengths you bring to entrepreneurship. Transitioning from military service to business ownership is a bold move — one you’re uniquely suited for. The same discipline, leadership and mission‑focus that served you in uniform can serve

Can You Trademark a Scent? Yes, it’s possible to trademark a scent—but only in rare cases. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) allows scent trademarks when the smell serves as a source identifier rather than a functional feature of the product. So, what does that mean? According to the Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure

Trademark Confusion Explained: How Similar Is Too Similar? When two brands look or sound alike, customers can easily get mixed up. In trademark law, this is called trademark confusion or, as it’s officially known, likelihood of confusion. It doesn’t just cause headaches for consumers—it can also put your brand rights at risk. Trademark confusion happens

5 Signs Your Brand Name Needs a Trademark Your brand name is one of your business’s most valuable assets. It’s how customers remember you, find you, and talk about you. But if you haven’t taken steps to trademark your brand name, you might be leaving it vulnerable to copycats, legal conflicts, or even total loss.

Top Trademark Questions Business Owners Ask When you’re launching or growing a business, protecting your brand should be high on your list—but for many entrepreneurs, trademarks are unfamiliar territory. The good news? You’re not alone. At TradeMark Express, we’ve worked with thousands of small business owners, startups, and branding professionals, and the same top trademark