How to register a trademark
Learn how to register a trademark in the United States, including searching, ownership, classes, filing basis, USPTO submission, examination, and maintenance.
Read the guideEducational resource center
U.S. trademark registration guides
Understand the federal filing process before making a decision. These independent educational guides use current USPTO sources and separate government requirements from optional filing-support services.
26 official-source educational resources
Trademark fundamentals
What is a trademark?
Learn what a trademark is, what names, logos, and slogans can identify, how trademark rights begin, and what federal registration with the USPTO can provide.
Read the guideTrademark search and conflicts
Learn why a federal trademark database search is more than an exact-name lookup and how similarity of marks and related goods or services affect conflicts.
Read the guideTrademark, copyright, or patent
Compare trademarks, copyrights, and patents by the subject matter they protect, the responsible U.S. agency, and how multiple rights can apply to one business.
Read the guideCommon law vs. federal
Learn how U.S. trademark rights can arise through use, how geographic scope can differ, and what federal registration adds to common-law protection.
Read the guideStrong trademarks
Understand the spectrum of trademark distinctiveness and why fanciful, arbitrary, and suggestive marks are generally stronger than descriptive or generic wording.
Read the guideTrademark a business name
Learn how to trademark a business name, from ownership and clearance searching through goods or services, filing basis, USPTO filing, and post-filing review.
Read the guideTrademark a logo
Learn how to trademark a logo, choose a special-form drawing, search design elements, describe colors and features, select classes, and prepare specimens.
Read the guideState vs. federal trademark
Compare state trademark registration with federal USPTO registration, including geographic scope, filing systems, interstate commerce, searching, and enforcement considerations.
Read the guideName already in use
Learn how existing use, similar marks, related goods or services, federal records, common-law rights, priority, and consent affect whether a name may be registered.
Read the guidePrepare a trademark application
Trademark application cost
Compare the USPTO's current $350-per-class base fee with private $49, $149, and $249 filing-support packages, possible additional fees, and maintenance costs.
Read the guideTrademark classes
Learn how the USPTO organizes goods and services into 45 international classes, why classes affect fees, and how to describe an application accurately.
Read the guideUse vs. intent to use
Compare Section 1(a) use-in-commerce and Section 1(b) intent-to-use filing bases, including specimens, later filings, and timing considerations.
Read the guideTrademark specimens
Understand what a trademark specimen shows, examples for goods and services, website screenshot requirements, and common specimen problems.
Read the guideApplication checklist
Use this pre-filing checklist to organize the owner, mark, goods or services, class, basis, specimen, search results, fees, and contact information.
Read the guideWord mark vs. logo
Compare standard-character word marks with special-form logo applications and learn how the drawing affects the mark represented in a USPTO filing.
Read the guideTrademark owner and applicant
Understand why the correct trademark owner must be identified at filing and how individuals, corporations, LLCs, and ownership changes appear in USPTO records.
Read the guideGoods and services wording
Learn how to describe goods and services clearly, use the USPTO ID Manual, avoid vague wording, and understand why an identification usually cannot be broadened later.
Read the guideDo I need a trademark attorney?
Learn when a U.S.-licensed trademark attorney is required, when a U.S.-domiciled applicant may file without one, and how legal representation differs from filing support.
Read the guideUSPTO examination and status
Timeline and status
Follow a U.S. trademark application from filing and TSDR status through examination, office actions, publication, allowance, and registration.
Read the guideTrademark office actions
Learn what a USPTO trademark office action is, the difference between nonfinal and final actions, common issues, and how response deadlines work.
Read the guidePublication and opposition
Learn what approval for publication means, how the Trademark Official Gazette works, and what can happen during the federal opposition period.
Read the guideStatement of use
Understand the post-publication steps for a Section 1(b) application, including the Notice of Allowance, Statement of Use, specimens, and extensions.
Read the guideCheck status in TSDR
Learn how to use the USPTO TSDR record to review status, documents, deadlines, owner information, and official correspondence for a trademark filing.
Read the guideRegistration maintenance and safety
Renewal deadlines
Understand Section 8 use filings, Section 9 renewals, optional Section 15 incontestability, grace periods, and ongoing trademark maintenance.
Read the guideTrademark scams and notices
Learn how to identify official USPTO communications, verify documents in TSDR, and evaluate private solicitations, urgent payment demands, and misleading notices.
Read the guideLegal Trademark Office is an independent trademark filing-support provider and is not affiliated with the USPTO. This resource center provides general education, not legal advice.