How to check trademark status online?
Asked by: Charlie Runolfsdottir | Last update: February 21, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (12 votes)
To check a trademark's status online, use the USPTO's Trademark Status & Document Retrieval (TSDR) system by entering the serial or registration number to see real-time updates, view documents, and track deadlines; for general searches or to find a number, use the broader USPTO Trademark Search system to search by owner, mark, or goods/services.
How do I check the status of a trademark?
How to check your status and view documents. Use our online Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TSDR) system to check your status and view and download documents. In the search box, enter your application serial number or registration number and select the Status or Documents buttons.
How to check if the trademark is registered?
To check if a trademark is registered, visit the official IP India website (ipindia.gov.in), navigate to the “Trade Mark Application/Registered Mark” search tool, and enter the trademark name or application number.
How can I check if a name is already trademarked?
To check if a name is trademarked, search the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) TESS database for registered federal marks, use Google and Namechk for general use and domain availability, and consider Trademarkia for international searches; remember to look for similar names in specific industries, as marks aren't always identical, and consulting a trademark attorney for a comprehensive search is best for avoiding legal issues.
Can I do a TM search myself?
Yes, you can do a basic trademark search yourself using the USPTO's free online database (TESS) to check for conflicting marks, which is a crucial first step to avoid application rejection and costly legal issues later, but a truly comprehensive search involves complex analysis (like "likelihood of confusion") and is often best left to a professional attorney to catch subtle similarities in marks, designs, and goods/services.
How to Check Your Trademark Status and What It Means | USPTO Trademark Status Explained
What is stronger, TM or R?
Legal Protection: The ® symbol provides stronger legal protection than ™. It gives you the right to sue for trademark infringement if someone else tries to use your registered trademark without permission.
Can someone steal my logo if it's not trademarked?
If your logo is registered with the USPTO (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office), you have a strong legal foundation to stop others from using it. But even without registration, you may still have common law rights if you've been using the logo consistently in commerce.
How much does a trademark search cost?
There are two tiers of trademark search: High-level (basic brand search of trademark records at the USPTO): $500. Comprehensive (includes search of USPTO trademark records, search of state trademark registries, and unregistered uses found online): $1,800.
What are the 7 types of trademarks?
There isn't one definitive list of exactly seven types, but common categories focus on the nature of the mark (Word, Logo/Device, Shape, Color, Sound, Scent, Motion/Pattern) and the strength/function (Fanciful, Arbitrary, Suggestive, Descriptive, Generic, Service, Certification, Collective). Key types include Word Marks, Device Marks, Service Marks, Certification Marks, Sound Marks, Shape Marks, and Color Marks, often grouped under broader categories like "Unconventional" or "Non-Traditional" trademarks.
How long does a trademark last?
Trademarks do not have expiration dates.
A federal trademark lasts 10 years from the date of registration, with a potentially unlimited number of 10-year renewal terms. So, every 10 years, the owner of a federal trademark registration must renew it with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
What are the 4 types of trademarks?
The four main categories of trademarks, ranked by strength, are Fanciful/Arbitrary, Suggestive, Descriptive, and Generic, with Fanciful/Arbitrary being the strongest (e.g., Kodak, Apple for computers) and Generic being the weakest (e.g., "Aspirin" for pain relievers, which cannot be trademarked). These categories determine how much distinctiveness a mark has and the level of legal protection it receives, with fanciful/arbitrary marks being inherently strong and generic terms never receiving protection.
What cannot be trademarked?
The following things cannot be registered as trademarks: Deceptive Words, Names, Phrases, Slogans (they are misleading) Merely Descriptive Words (e.g., Best ice cream, Red car) Merely Decorative Features (they don't identify source)
Can I use a trademark without registering it?
Businesses may use the ™ symbol (note that service businesses use an SM symbol) to indicate that they consider a mark to be their trademark, even if it is not registered. This symbol provides notice to others of your claim of exclusive rights to the trademark.
How long do trademarks take to be approved?
Usually, the process takes 12 to 18 months. Registering your trademark is a complex procedure that involves your application moving through various stages. Learning about each stage in the process will help you understand why getting a trademark takes as long as it does.
Can two companies have the same trademark?
Affiliated Companies Under Common Ownership: If two companies are owned by the same parent and operate under a unified brand strategy, joint trademark use may be permitted.
What is the strongest type of trademark?
Fanciful marks are devices which have been invented for the sole purpose of functioning as a trademark and have no other meaning than acting as a mark. Fanciful marks are considered to be the strongest type of mark.
What are the three requirements for trademarks?
A good trademark needs to be distinctive (unique, not generic/descriptive), non-functional (not a necessary part of the product), and must be genuinely used in commerce to sell or advertise goods/services, preventing customer confusion and establishing brand identity. These core legal requirements ensure the mark serves its purpose as a source identifier for consumers.
What is a class 9 trademark?
What Is a Class 9 Trademark? Class 9 trademarks are for scientific or technological goods. According to WIPO, these goods may include physical apparatus and instruments, but also software, data, and other things that exist purely in the digital world.
Is it better to trademark or LLC?
An LLC (Limited Liability Company) creates a legal business structure that separates personal and business assets for liability protection, while a trademark protects your brand identity (name, logo, slogan) to prevent consumer confusion, with an LLC being the foundation and a trademark securing your brand's unique identifiers, serving different but complementary roles in business formation and protection. You usually form the LLC first as the legal entity and then register a trademark to protect your specific brand name and logo used within that business.
Can I register a trademark myself?
Yes, you can register a trademark yourself in the U.S. if you are domiciled in the U.S., but it's complex, and hiring an attorney specializing in trademark law is strongly recommended to avoid costly mistakes with search, classification, and legal requirements. While the USPTO offers online tools and guides, issues like selecting proper goods/services (classes), conducting thorough conflict searches, and understanding filing bases are common pitfalls for DIY filers. Foreign-domiciled applicants must use a U.S.-licensed attorney.
What are common trademark mistakes?
Common trademarking mistakes include, but are not limited to: Poor choice of brand name. Your business name should resonate with your target customer and express what you do using a strong, memorable image or word. Failing to perform a complete search of trademark databases.
What is the 3 month rule for copyright?
The "copyright 3 month rule" refers to a key deadline for U.S. copyright registration: you must register your work within three months of its first publication (or before infringement begins) to be eligible to claim statutory damages and attorney's fees in a copyright infringement lawsuit, which can be crucial for remedies beyond just an injunction. Failing to meet this deadline means you generally can only sue for actual damages (harder to prove) if infringement occurs, but registration is still vital for other benefits and to sue at all, notes Donahue Fitzgerald LLP and Cotman IP.
Can I put a Nike logo on a shirt for personal use?
Keep in mind that a trademark is different from copyright and offers protection to words, phrases, symbols, and designs that identify goods and services like Nike's “swoosh” or their slogan “Just Do It.” Using a trademarked logo without permission, even if it's for personal use, can also result in legal issues.
Is it better to get a TM or a copyright?
Neither trademark (TM) nor copyright is inherently "better"; they protect different things, so the best choice depends on what you're shielding: trademarks protect brand identifiers (logos, names, slogans) for infinite duration with use, preventing consumer confusion, while copyrights protect original creative works (books, art, music, code) for life plus 70 years, preventing unauthorized copying. Often, you need both, like a trademark for your company logo and copyright for the artwork within that logo, to fully protect your brand and creative assets.