How to Search Trademark Names

There are Trademark laws in effect that prevent a newly formed business from operating under a name that can be mistaken for a pre-existing trademarked business name. If this law is violated you can be required to change your business name and possibly pay monetary reparations to the company that you have replicated (intentionally or unintentionally) their name. You can avoid violating the trademark law by doing research and choosing a name that is legally available. This article will give you steps on how to start your research process and there are listed resources below to direct you to websites you need to visit to check on your business name availability

Instructions

1. Use a good internet search engine like Google to search your name idea. Type in your business name and click the search button. If you find a duplicate business name on the internet there is a possibility this name has been trademarked. This is a sign you will have to research your official state website and the official United States Patent and Trademark website to verify if it is trademarked.

2. Go to your official state website and click on the secretary of state section. There will be a search tool that will let you type in names and see if the name has already been registered. If the name is not taken you will want to put in an application as soon as possible to trademark your business name.

3. Go to the official United States Patent and Trademark website. On the left hand side of the website there will be an option to click on trademarks. You can review the link "Where do I start" to get an overview of the trademark process or you can just click on "Search the TM database" which is also known as Tess. Click on "New User Form Search (Basic)" in the TM database and type in your name idea. If there is no name match trademarked, you're home free and you can start the application process to trademark you business name idea.

4. File for you trademark electronically. Your official state website and the official United States Patent and Trademark Office will give you the option to apply for a business name trademark electronically. This will be the quickest process but the Federal patent can take up to 6 months to a year to be approved.

Tips & Warnings

• You will have to pay fees to trademark a business name. The United States Patent and Trademark Office and your state registration application will have to accompany by a fee with your business name application