What is the Trademark Registration Process?

Trademark Registration

Applying for federal trademark registration is typically a wise investment for individuals and businesses. The benefits that come with registration, including nationwide exclusivity to use your mark in connection with your goods or services, can be extremely valuable. But, the trademark registration process can be confusing. This post explains the trademark registration process for applications submitted on a Section 1(a) use in commerce basis.

The Trademark Registration Process

Step 1: Trademark Clearance

It is wise for anyone considering trademark registration to obtain a formal clearance opinion regarding any risks associated with a proposed trademark application. Applying for trademark registration puts the world on notice of your claimed rights in a mark. As a result, it is important to understand whether you are infringing on any existing marks before filing the application.

Step 2: Completing the Application

The application itself is rather straightforward are requires the applicant to identify the trademark owner, address, mark, description of goods and services, date of use in commerce, and a sworn statement as to the applicant’s exclusive rights to the mark. The applicant is also required to pay the filing fee, which varies depending on the specific application.

Step 3: Office Actions

Once the application is submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, it will be assigned to an examining attorney. The examining attorney will review the application and test it against procedural and substantive trademark law. If the examining attorney finds any reasons not to register the mark, he or she will issue an Office Action.

Applicants are required to respond to the Office Action within 6 months of its issuance. If Applicant is able to correct the errors noted by the examining attorney, the mark will proceed to the next step. If the examining attorney upholds the office action, the mark will not proceed to registration unless the applicant appeals the examining attorney’s decision to the TTAB.

Step 4: Opposition Period

Once the mark clears the examining attorney’s review, it is published for opposition in the Trademark Official Gazette (TMOG) for a period of 30-days. During this period, any third party that believes it will be injured by the registration of the applied for mark may file a Notice of Opposition in the TTAB. If a Notice of Opposition is filed, the trademark application is suspended pending the opposition proceeding.

If an opposition is not filed within the 30-day period, the mark proceeds to the next step.

Step 5: Certificate of Registration

After conclusion of the opposition period, the mark will proceed to final registration. In approximately 12 weeks after the opposition period, the mark will be registered.

If you have questions about the trademark registration process, or about a pending trademark opposition or cancellation, contact Revision Legal’s experienced trademark attorneys though the forms on this page or by calling 855-473-8474.

Editor’s note: this post was originally published in March, 2015. It has been updated for clarity and comprehensiveness. 

 

Extra, Extra!
Recent Posts

Fairness Factors For Your College NIL Agreement

Fairness Factors For Your College NIL Agreement

Corporate

In May 2025, as part of a settlement of litigation involving college football, a new entity was created called the College Sports Commission (“CSC” or “Commission”). See news media reports here and here. Among many other purposes, the CSC will monitor and approve name, image, and likeness (“NIL”) agreements for college athletes. As the term […]

Read more about Fairness Factors For Your College NIL Agreement

Is a “Fanciful” Trademark the Best Type of Trademark?

Is a “Fanciful” Trademark the Best Type of Trademark?

Trademark

Trademarks are words, designs, symbols, logos, and other things that are used/associated with goods or services that identify the specific commercial source of the goods/services. COCA-COLA, APPLE, and GUCCI are just a few famous examples. If COCA-COLA is on the bottle, consumers know what to expect from the beverage in the bottle. The same for […]

Read more about Is a “Fanciful” Trademark the Best Type of Trademark?

Put Revision Legal on your side