Hello Client, Friday was a wintry day at the USPTO, with an even colder reception by Commissioner Dan Vavonese and the TMScams team who I regularly notify about trademark scam fraud activity.
No meeting on Friday.
Was I offended? No.
I have had too many productive conversations with Dan and the USPTO staff to have felt slighted.
If they were unavailable, then they were unavailable.
Did I have time to see the USPTO Trademark Museum? Yes!
I brushed up on Color, Sound and Trade Dress trademarks.
Last time I was there was on May 13, 2024, when I met with former Commissioner David Gooder. After our meeting, the Trademark Museum had just closed that day.
After a week in DC where the White House is blocked off an extra street in all directions, where at night there are more KINDS of police, (DC Police, Capital Police, Florida National Guard & Secret Service), than people walking around (my Wife went onto her iPhone and filed her taxes a second time – just in case), where it takes 90 minutes to get into the Library of Congress to do research, the FBI building has no front door, (unless the No Trespassing sign is ignored) – it wasn’t surprising the USPTO has become literally a fortress too.
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I was encouraged in my quest against the scammers when former staffer, Cheryl Whitlock forwarded an article about the USPTO terminating 1,600 trademarks for illegal signatories.
Shannon Moore’s March 6, 2026, article, below, detailed why this happened. I’ll add that forging a trademark owner’s signature is against the law, punishable by 2 years in jail and $10,000 fine each time. Many other improprieties occurred too.
This is how the “low fee” trademark services go from negligent and incompetent as are attorneys and services who do not actually do comprehensive legal research, or criminal fraud when they make up services to take your $ and cause your trademark to be terminated by the USPTO when signatures are forged.
The USPTO in defense will eventually unilaterally terminate each application to keep up the integrity and protectability of Federal trademarks. Your trademark is indefensible if you, or your attorney did not sign the application. Exceptions are officers of your corporation.
1,600+ TRADEMARKS TERMINATED – February 25, 2026
To demonstrate this is an ongoing issue,
please see these recent batches USPTO
trademark terminations:
600+ TRADEMARKS TERMINATED – Jan 29, 2026
https://tmexpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/USPTO-Sanctions-Order-In-re-PaySigmaTech-Inc.pdf
1000+ TRADEMARKS TERMINATED – December 11, 2025
510+ TRADEMARKS TERMINATED – December 11, 2025
13,131 TRADEMARKS TERMINATED – December 11, 2025
22 TRADEMARKS TERMINATED – June 13, 2025
Note in other articles we have documented 56,000+ other USPTO unilaterally terminated trademark applications for the same types reasons we are writing about today.
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To personalize the situation, here’s a few actual client reviews I found on Google and Trustpilot. Surprisingly, for the moment, Pinnacle Trademark somehow still has a live web site. Thus reviews are visible.
GOOGLE REVIEWS
https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=2a53f1fec2137711&sxsrf=ANbL-n4_H0Qqif68KlRmEo80SZ640SrJag:1773006889848&q=Pinnacle+Trademark&ludocid=14485633985710497059&lsig=AB86z5VkdoUUQsBcZFo1O0Z0hXzK&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi39umupZGTAxVqDTQIHWXpM7oQoAJ6BAguECA&biw=1924&bih=905&dpr=1#lrd=0x808f80b1aae388dd:0xc9074f5ca0999d23,1,,,,
https://www.pinnacletrademark.com/
a year ago
This company is absolutely fake and fraud. They talked nicely on time but this company is out of country, Office they saws in US but is virtual office. Once you apply for Trade Mark they will follow steps by step but payment they are charging credit card is from other company in USA.
Once examination time come from USPTO. Their team internally shows as they are Office and lawyers of USPTO but actually not. They all are fraud, they did Examination on phone with all their internal team and they asked me that someone claim my Trade mark. so there is sue.
After this they showed me all fees on USPTO website and told me that i need to pay $16,000 to win case and they will sue other people (Actually no one as USPTO never send me notice at all). They said wire transfer $16,000 and we may help to win case with 4 or 8 times of $16,000.
Plus they charge my CC almost $4500 to do TM V/S it cost around $500 for USPTO fee and $450 their fees. for 2 company might double.
Plus they enter all wrong information in USPTO website menas lawyer name, address, email address and phone number all are in different city of USA with different name.
I caught them and report to USPTO and FBA.
Guys be careful this company and peoples working are totally scam. You feel initially is genuine but later on you will feel 100% scam and Fake peoples.
Thye drag my case for one and half years, TM usually done within 1 year.
STAY AWAY AND IF YOU ARE STUCK THEN REPORT TO USPTO FRAUD DEPARTMENT AND REPORT TO FBA
2 years ago
Beware! They are complete scam artist’s posing as lawyers! They are not in America and will lie and scam as much as they can for additional money after you pay. They called me and connected a 3-way call posing as the USPTO telling me I needed to pay more money to complete my application for more than $4000. When I called the USPTO they informed me that I was not speaking to anyone in their offices.
TRUSTPILOT REVIEWS
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/pinnacletrademark.com?stars=1
Nov 21, 2023
Do not use this company!!! They file 2 trademarks. They do this so they can scam you another large sum of money and if you don’t they say someone else wants to buy it. They own the filing TM and they do this to scam you for more money. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!!!! I FILED A REPORT WITH USPTO AND THEY TOLD ME WHAT THEY DID. DON’T DO IT!!! THE AMOUNT THEY GIVE YOU IS A LIE!!! They have major reporting as a scam!!!!
May 16, 2023
These people are nothing but scammers! Like all the ONE star reviews has mentioned already. They use LIES and SCARE tactics to get you to give them your money! I was emailedbt Kyle Woods- Senior Paralegal Officer with Pinnacle Trademark that someone is trying to Trademark my exact name and slogan that I established last year. Ironic right?! Its a name that nobody will just outright want to Trademark! But guess who knows about this name? PINNACLE TRADEMARK because they reached out to me last year trying to scam me out of money to Trademark my name. I ignored them! Since that didn’t work, their new M.O is to use scare tactics that someone is trying to register your name in North Carolina so you can give them your money! Fraudsters, crooks, bottom of the barrel, and scammers to the bone! In such an awful economy, it’s pathetic that companies like this exists to scam people out of their hard earned money!!!! READ THE ONE STAR REVIEWS, BELIEVE THEM! NONE OF US HAS NOTHING TO GAIN MY TELLING A LIE ON THIS COMPANY! NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH IS BEING REVEALED! DON’T FALL A VICTIM!!!
May 14, 2023
This is the most unprofessional company I had the displeasure to deal with. I had them file for an Amazon Seller Trademark. Filled their application with information required which included the Trademark name and name of my LLC. After sometime I discovered that they actually used the name of my LLC for the Trademark instead of the actual name I chose for my Trademark. After going back and forth they filed another application for the actual Trademark but left LLC name exposed and appears on the USPTO with my name as the owner. Now I cannot use that LLC which is supposed to be a layer of protection for my business. I asked them to remove that name from the USPTO, they said they filed an application to remove it but months later it’s still there. Now they are not even responding to my emails. I have to disregard my LLC and the Trademark because they are useless to me now and start allover again. If you have an ounce of intelligence you would not deal with this company even if they offer lower prices, because this is what got me, but it ended up costing my so much. Im discussing the matter with my attorney. stay away from this company, you will get nothing but frustration, unprofessional work and people who would say anything to extract more money from you to fix or cover their mistakes.
May 11, 2023
Scam Scam Scam! If you don’t believe me and need to see things for yourself, do the following; They are using another attorneys bar card #-ask for the attorneys information who will be filing the trademark look up the bar card # (simple bar card search for the state) and find the attorney so they can be informed and report it as well. They also work under another co called trademark vista. They use fear and urgency to scare you-YOU WILL NEVER have 24 or 48 hours for the trademark opposition period. You have 30 days from the date of filing for a trademark (but remember no one else has ever filed this.) but if you must ask them the exact filing date and the proceeding #. THEN go to the federal Trade commission to report it.
Mar 28, 2023
They just called my phone saying someone else wanted to use my name and I had to pay them money so the other person wouldn’t steal my name and I’d lose rights to my company. I was scammed a long time ago but never again will that happen. They justxwant your card. Info and to steal money
Mar 28, 2023
This company is a complete scam. RUN RUN RUN… the charge you $700 for USPTO fee but they only pay $350 “We can also confirm that USPTO received filing fees totaling $350 with respect to U.S. Ser. No. 97220414, for an application with one international class. You can confirm this by visiting.”
This is what I got back from USPTO
WE NEED TO EXPOSE THIS COMPANY SO OTHERS DONT GET SCAMMED…
Feb 28, 2023
We were scammed!!! They told us they will submit our filing for us and needed the required minimum of two classes. They stated they will submit it to legal for review (included in our package per their package we paid for). They responded back with 4 options. All they said we had to choose two that fits our community. We did. They said it was 750.00 to process and expedite. We paid. It was all done and filed. It locked it in per their guidance to us. A MONTH LATER they said we owe another 750.00 for the other classes. I WAS SHOCKED and very upset. THEY said that I had to pay for it all or my Trademark will not file…(IT WAS ALREADY FILED, I HAD THE COPY). I did not choose the other classes because we are NOT A NONPROFIT or any ORGANIZATION. I just wanted to trademark the name. They even said it could be done and did it. NO THEY ARE CHARGING ME FOR NONPROFIT classes for another 750.00. He gave me 3 months even though I said no. I just received a text message…yes a text message with a huge blackmale. They said there is a man that wants to buy my filed Name of my already filed trademark. They said if he does he will have full federal ownership over our trademark and I will be required and forced to cease all use of my already name per the Trademark Law. What the heck…I have to pay or cease because A MAN is buying it? ITS A JOKE. We are getting an attorney. This is stupid!!!
Feb 2, 2023
They will scam you , after they file for you , they will have full control on ur trademark and blackmail you for ton of money, they will make fake call that they are from gov they will abound ur app bla bla , I did not paid them 4040$ and they aplay on gov site abount my application , they are scam compnay , stay away
A little more about Pinnacle Trademark – https://www.pinnacletrademark.com/. Please note, before you read everything below, that their domain was created on Oct 11, 2021.
At Pinnacle Trademark, we have brought a team of USA’s best industry specific trademark attorneys to provide our clients top of the line USPTO trademark registration services. We have been providing assistance to our clients for more than 20 years, and we have maintained a 100% satisfaction score. With our assistance, you can have your trademark registered with the USPTO smoothly, without any roadblocks
Have Worked with Us to Secure their Trademarks
Filed with USPTO on Priority Basis
Trademark Attorneys Available
———-
Thank you, Chris DeMassa, Founder – 650-948-0530
Email: staff@tmexpress.com
Web Site: tmexpress.com
Order: https://www.tmexpress.com/order-my-trademark
Creative Naming – http://miramark.com/nameit/
Zoom Anytime – https://bit.ly/TradeMarkZoomMeeting
Calendly Meeting – https://calendly.com/tmexpress/15min
TM®SM Crash Course – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gWaAJR5L18
12 Expert Trademark Attorney Network Included.
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisdemassa/
Ask about our $1000 Trademark Challenge.
Blog Articles – https://tmexpress.com/trademark-blog/
Testimonials – https://tmexpress.com/testimonials
TrustPilot – https://bit.ly/TrustpilotRating
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A recent USPTO enforcement action revealed how sophisticated trademark fraud has become — and what every applicant should know to protect their filing.
Whether you’re in the middle of a trademark application or still weighing your options, this is worth a few minutes of your time.
Trademark Fraud Is More Common Than You’d Think — And More Sophisticated
In February 2026, the USPTO issued a formal Show Cause Order against a network of companies — operating as Swift Brand Mark, LLC, USPTOTrademarked, Brandmark Masters, TradeMark FilingPro, and others. The order alleged the companies filed over 1,600 fraudulent trademark applications, forging client signatures, intercepting USPTO correspondence, and charging thousands of dollars in fees the USPTO says had no legitimate basis.
These weren’t obvious scams. They had polished websites, seemingly reasonable prices, and glowing reviews. The USPTO says hundreds of applicants paid real money — and ended up with applications that may not survive scrutiny.
Here are five things every trademark applicant should know, at any stage of the process.
1. Non-attorneys aren’t allowed to file or sign for you
If you’re based in the U.S., you can file your own trademark application directly at USPTO.gov. What you cannot do is have a non-attorney file or sign it on your behalf. Only U.S.-licensed attorneys are permitted to represent others in trademark matters. (If you’re outside the U.S., attorney representation is required — no exceptions.)
According to the Show Cause Order, the respondents filed and signed thousands of applications in clients’ names without authorization — leaving applicants with filings the USPTO has determined are subject to termination.
A legitimate support service helps you prepare, but the filing, signature, and your USPTO account stay with you.
2. The correspondence email on your application should be yours
The USPTO sends all official notices — office actions, deadlines, registration certificates — to the email address on file with your application. The Show Cause Order alleges that respondents substituted their own email addresses for applicants’, cutting clients off from their own filings without their knowledge.
If you have an active application, it’s worth taking two minutes to confirm your email address is the one on record. You can check anytime at tsdr.uspto.gov.
If something looks off, reach out to us and we’ll help you figure out next steps.
3. Fees that can’t be explained shouldn’t be paid
The USPTO’s base application fee is $350 per class of goods or services. That number is public, fixed, and not subject to add-ons from any filing service.
The Show Cause Order states some applicants were charged up to $5,250 for a “50-state publication fee” described as a federal government requirement. No such requirement exists.
If you’re ever asked to pay a fee you can’t verify at USPTO.gov — whether you’re mid-process or just starting out — reach out to us before you pay anything.
We’re happy to help you sort out what’s legitimate and what isn’t.
4. Real reviews exist outside the company’s own website
Before engaging any trademark service, search the company name on Google, the Better Business Bureau, Trustpilot, and Reddit. Add words like “scam” or “complaints” to your search.
The USPTO’s investigation found that the reviews on the USPTOTrademarked website — complete with names, titles, and photos — were fabricated using stock images.
If the only positive feedback lives on a company’s own site, that’s worth questioning before you move forward.
5. Urgent payment demands from a third party are a red flag
The USPTO does have real deadlines, and missing them has real consequences. But official notices come directly from the USPTO to your correspondence email — not from your filing service.
The Show Cause Order describes a pattern of pressure tactics designed to trigger quick payments, including warnings of imminent cancellation tied to deadlines that didn’t exist.
If you receive an urgent payment demand from a third party claiming a USPTO deadline is approaching, don’t act on it immediately.
Reach out to us and we’ll help you confirm whether the deadline is real.
What you should always know about your trademark
At any stage of the process, you should be able to answer three questions:
Where does my application stand?
Who has access to my USPTO account?
What am I paying for, and why?
If any of those answers are unclear, it’s worth addressing sooner rather than later.
At TradeMark Express, we conduct comprehensive trademark research, guide clients through application preparation, and connect them with licensed trademark attorneys from our referral network when representation is needed.
Every client files under their own name, with their own credentials — because that’s how it should work.
Have questions about your application? We’re here. Contact Us →
Just getting started? Begin with a comprehensive trademark search. Start Your Search Today →
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Kind regards,
Shannon Moore 202-496-1600
Sr. Researcher; In-House Writer
Correspondence via email only: shannon@tmexpress.com
TradeMark Express Blog: https://tmexpress.com/trademark-blog
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonmooresagebright/
Zoom Anytime – https://bit.ly/TradeMarkZoomMeeting
Calendly Meeting – https://calendly.com/tmexpress/15min
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisdemassa/
The information provided on this site is for general informational purposes only. All information on the Site is provided in good faith; however, we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, validity, or completeness of any information on the Site. The Site cannot and does not contain legal advice. The legal information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only, and is not a substitute for legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for legal advice.
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