USPTO Federal Trademark

Understanding Trademark Oppositions A trademark opposition is a formal challenge filed against a pending trademark application after it’s published in the USPTO’s Official Gazette. Anyone who believes they would be harmed by the new registration — usually because it’s confusingly similar to their own mark — can file an opposition with the USPTO’s Trademark Trial […]

Using a Trademark Before Registration — Here’s What to Know Yes, you can use a trademark before it’s registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). You can even apply to register a mark before you’ve used it, as long as you have a genuine intent to use it soon. Both paths are

The TM Symbol: What It Means and When to Use It The ™ symbol means you’re claiming a word, name, phrase, or logo as your trademark. Anyone can use it — no registration required. It’s a way of putting others on notice that you consider the mark yours. TM Doesn’t Mean Your Mark Is Registered

What Is the USPTO and What Does It Do? The USPTO — short for the United States Patent and Trademark Office — is the federal agency responsible for registering trademarks and patents in the United States. If you’re building a brand and want legal protection for your business name, logo, or slogan, the USPTO is

5 Trademark Questions Every Business Should Ask Filing a trademark application is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your brand — but it’s not the first step. Before you submit anything to the USPTO, there are five questions worth asking. The answers will help you file smarter, avoid common pitfalls,

Can Two Brands Use the Same Name? The short answer is: sometimes — but that doesn’t mean it’s safe. Business names exist in several overlapping legal systems, and whether two companies can share a name depends on a lot of factors. If you’re naming a new business or protecting an existing one, this is exactly

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

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