how long does it take to assign my trademark application to an examining attorney

by Prof. Kianna McKenzie 3 min read

The application then works through several technical steps until it is “assigned” to an USPTO examining attorney. This step currently takes around three months.Oct 24, 2017

How long does it take to register a trademark?

Jun 01, 2015 · The length of the U.S. Federal trademark registration process can vary. Once filed, an application is typically assigned to an Examining Attorney within about 3 months. The Examining Attorney will firstly review the application to make sure that the applied-for mark can be registered at all.

When can I file an assignment for my trademark?

It's hard to predict exactly how long it will take an application to mature into a registration because so many factors can affect the process. A pproximately three months after you successfully submit your application, it will be assigned to a USPTO examining attorney for review. The attorney will determine if your application meets all applicable legal requirements, …

How does the examining attorney review an application for a trademark?

It usually takes 3-4 months for your trademark application to reach the top of the queue and for examination to begin. The examining attorney will then conduct a thorough review of the application including checking an accuracy on the application and any potential conflict with existing mark (s).

What happens after a trademark application is filed?

May 11, 2020 · How long does the USPTO trademark application process take? The following is a transcript of one of the post popular videos on our YouTube channel . Let’s review the entire process of getting from filing a trademark application with the USPTO to receiving a registration.

How long does a trademark assignment take?

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.Mar 31, 2021

What happens after trademark application?

If you application is sufficient, it will be published in the USPTO's Official Gazette. The USPTO will wait to see whether anybody objects to your application. If nobody objects within the allowed time and if you are already using the mark, the USPTO will register the mark.

Can you assign a pending trademark application?

Registered and pending trademarks, as well as patents and patent applications, can be assigned. You must file an assignment agreement with the USPTO. Business reorganization, acquisition, and other circumstances may result in a trademark assignment.

Can a lawyer file trademark application?

Any layman who wants to register a trademark can apply himself. But when the practical applicability is considered, appointing an attorney will ease the process to register a trademark.

How do I know if my trademark is approved?

How to Check the Status of Your Trademark. It is fairly easy to check your trademark registration on the USPTO website, at http://tsdr.uspto.gov/. Enter your trademark serial or reference number on the Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TDSR) page to receive the status of your pending and registered trademarks.

What is the most common reason that a trademark might be rejected?

Likelihood of confusion is the most common reason an application will be rejected by the USPTO. Essentially, if there is a high probability that the general public will confuse your trademark with someone else's (already existing) trademark, your registration will not be granted.Aug 23, 2017

Does a trademark assignment need to be signed by both parties?

By law, a trademark owner may transfer or sell his or her property rights to another through a legal document referred to as an assignment. ... To be valid, the assignment must be signed by both parties.Nov 18, 2014

Does a trademark assignment need to be notarized?

Typically only the party assigning the intellectual property must sign the assignment, and while notarization is strongly preferred it is not strictly required. Once as assignment has been executed, it should be recorded.Apr 14, 2016

Does a trademark assignment have to be in writing?

The Trademark Assignment Should Be in Writing Although an assignment need not be in writing to be effective, it's strongly recommended that it be in the form of a written document signed by both the assignor and the assignee.

Is a trademark attorney a lawyer?

A Chartered Trade Mark Attorney is a lawyer who is specifically qualified to advise on trade mark law and acts as an agent for the purposes of applying for and obtaining trade mark registrations. ... Managing conflicts is a major part of a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney's role.

How do I get a trademark code for my attorney?

Steps to create an account for Trademark e-filingSign up. ... Procure a Digital Signature Certificate. ... Enter Applicant Type and Code. ... Enter Proprietor Name. ... Create new party code if applicable. ... Proprietor Code Registration Form. ... Proprietor Code Generated. ... New user Registration Firm.More items...•Sep 4, 2020

What are the three requirements for trademarks?

What Are Trademark Requirements?Provide your name and address as owner of the trademark.State the entity type (individual or corporation) and your national citizenship.Demonstrate actual use or a real intent to use the trademark in commerce.Give a detailed description of the product being trademarked.More items...•Jul 8, 2020

Where to search for pending trademarks?

A search for pending, registered and dead trademarks may be conducted on the USPTO website using the Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) or by visiting the Public Search Facility located on the first floor of the Madison East building at 600 Dulany St., Alexandria , VA 22313 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

What is a trademark?

A trademark includes any word, name, symbol, or device, or any combination used, or intended to be used, in commerce to identify and distinguish the goods of one manufacturer or seller from goods manufactured or sold by others, and to indicate the source of the goods. In short, a trademark is a brand name.

What is a SM mark?

If you claim rights to use a mark, you may use the "TM" (trademark) or "SM" (service mark) designation to alert the public to your claim of a "common-law" mark. No registration is necessary to use a "TM" or "SM" symbol and you may continue to use these symbols even if the USPTO refuses to register your mark.

How to pay USPTO fees?

You may pay your fee by check or money order (payable to "Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office"), credit card, deposit account, or by electronic funds transfer (EFT). Most fees can be paid online over the USPTO website. For details on each of these payment methods visit the USPTO Fees page.

What happens if a Section 8 trademark is refused?

If the §8 Declaration is refused, the Office will send an Office Action stating the reasons for refusal and any remedies available.

Can I use a Blackberry to sign a TEAS form?

A Blackberry can be used to sign a TEAS form (using the e-signature approach), with certain workaround steps. Do not click directly on the provided link (i.e., at, e.g., "To sign Trademark/Service Mark Application, Principal Register electronically, please CLICK HERE,"); otherwise, an error will result.

What is a power of attorney?

A person with firsthand knowledge of the facts and actual or implied authority to act on behalf of the owner; or. An attorney as defined in 37 C.F.R. §11.1 who is qualified to practice under 37 C.F.R. §11.14 and who has actual written or verbal power of attorney or an implied power of attorney from the owner.

How long does it take to get a trademark?

It usually takes 3-4 months for your trademark application to reach the top of the queue ...

How long do you have to respond to a trademark application?

You’ll have six months to respond to an Office Action, at which point your application will either move forward or be denied. Disputes during the publication period may also hold up your trademark’s approval, depending on the legitimacy of any claim.

What is the application period for trademarks?

The date from when you file your trademark application until the mark is approved known as an “application period.”. Once you decide to register a trademark you will want to consult with a trademark attorney who has the experience to ensure that the mark you decide on has a good chance of approval. Once you identify an attorney you trust ...

When is a trademark retroactive?

One positive note is that no matter how long it takes to get your trademark registered, when the process ends and your trademark is approval (assuming it gets approved), you are entitled to retroactive protection as of the initial date of filing your trademark application .

What are the issues that slow down the trademarking process?

One is if the USPTO issues an Office action (s) requesting a clarification or correction to the mark or if the USPTO finds or a potential conflict or overlap with an existing mark.

What if I Have a Foreign Trademark Application?

If you already have a pending foreign trademark application for the exact trademark you want to register in the United States, you may be able to file your US trademark application under Section 44 (d) .

How Long to Register Your Particular Trademark?

I’m experienced US trademark attorney Morris Turek. If you have questions regarding how long it might take to register your particular trademark, please feel free to contact me for your no-cost consultation.

What to do if your trademark is not published?

If your trademark has not published in the Trademark Official Gazette, use the TEAS Voluntary Amendment form. If your trademark has published but hasn't registered, use the TEAS Post-Publication Amendment form . If your trademark has registered, use the TEAS Section 7 Request form.

When can you file an intent to use assignment?

For Intent-to-Use applicants, if you’re transferring ownership to a business successor for the goods or services for which your mark relates , you can file your assignment at any time. In all other cases, you must wait until after you file an Amendment to Allege Use before you file your assignment. See TMEP §501.01 (a) .

How to check if a car is registered?

1. Go to TSDR.#N#2. Enter the serial number or registration number.#N#3. Select the Status button.#N#4. Scroll down to the current Owner (s) Information.#N#5. Check to see that owner information is updated correctly.#N#If the owner information hasn’t yet updated, go to the Prosecution History to see the status. It may take up to seven days to see an entry in the Prosecution History regarding the assignment. If an entry says "Ownership records not automatically updated," notify us in writing so that the records can be manually updated. The form you use depends on the status of your application: 1 If your trademark has not published in the Trademark Official Gazette, use the TEAS Voluntary Amendment form. 2 If your trademark has published but hasn't registered, use the TEAS Post-Publication Amendment form . 3 If your trademark has registered, use the TEAS Section 7 Request form.

How Long Does Trademark Registration Usually Take?

Many clients want to know up front how long it will take to obtain a trademark registration. Time and money are big factors in most business decision-making scenarios, and this is no different. The time it takes to obtain a trademark registration can vary dramatically.

Are You Ready to File Your Trademark Application and Begin the Registration Process?

If you would like to get started on your trademark application, or still have concerns about the amount of time the trademark registration process takes, please feel free to call me at (314) 479-3668, email me at [email protected], or complete the contact form found on this page to schedule your free initial consultation today.

A. Trademark Process Timeline

  • As of writing in 2021, the minimum process time is now twelve months, and the maximum time is eighteen months. 1. From Filing to Examining Attorney: 4-6 months 2. Examining Attorney Review Period (and/or Office Action Response, if applicable): 4-6 months 3. From the Examining Attorney to the Official Gazette: 1-3 months 4. From the Official Gazette to Registration Certificate: 1-3 m…
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B. Goods News: Trademark Protection Starting from The Date of Filing

  • While twelve to eighteen months is a long to get registration, there is some good news. Once your trademark is registered, protection is retroactive. This means that if successfully registered, trademark protection begins from the date of filing. As such, it is critical in a situation where a dispute arises and can help you establish your mark’s priority. Accordingly, there is a benefit to fi…
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C. Why Does It Take So Long to Register A Trademark Name?

  • In addition, during the Pandemic as stores locked down, and businesses sought to cut staff, people looked to the Internet to find an outlet for additional income. This lead to a boom in online e-commerce, and, as a consequence, to new brands. As a result, trademark filings reached all-time highs in 2020. Before COVID-19 the answer was around nine to twelve months, averaging a…
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D. Summary

  • In conclusion, it takes twelve to eighteen months to register a trademark. COVID-19 sent off a wave of trademark filings. However, the good news is that if your mark registers, your trademark protectionbegins from the date of filing, and not the date of registration. You can get ahead of the curve, and start by filing nowwith Syed Law.
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