How Do I Search for a Trademark in Missouri?
When people in Missouri place identifying words or symbols (a "trademark") on either the goods they sell or the packaging in which they sell them, they must register the trademark with the state. The Commissions Unit of the Missouri secretary of state's Business Services Division controls trademark registration. Registering a trademark in Missouri guarantees the owner's exclusive right to use the trademark in the state for 10 years from the registration issue date. Since its inception more than 100 years ago, the Missouri State Records Commission has governed all the records for several hundred state boards, bureaus and commissions. Missouri law mandates records retention, and the retention period varies according to the legislatively approved schedules.
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Instructions
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Ask the Secretary of State's Office for assistance. Contact the Missouri Local Records Program in Jefferson City, Missouri, for assistance in determining whether a trademark exists in the state records. The office of the secretary of state sets the fees for helping you perform a trademark search.
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Conduct a free online search. Conduct a free basic trademark search online at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website. Click "Trademarks" on the navigation menu and follow the instructions for the Trademark Electronic Search System to narrow your search.
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A trademark attorney can conduct your search. Contact a trademark attorney in Missouri and request a full trademark search. The attorney may charge several hundred dollars to determine whether the trademark is active and registered in the state.
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The circled "R" following names or symbols denotes a registered trademark. Request that a trademark search company perform a full trademark search. The fees for such services vary widely, depending on the scope of your search.
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Tips & Warnings
In Missouri, you may register a trademark before you register your corporation for business.
You must provide at least two in-use examples of your trademark with the application before you can register your trademark.
The absence of a registration in Missouri may not mean the trademark is available for your use. Missouri trademark laws are subordinate to federal laws, and you will need to perform a federal trademark search to determine whether you can use the mark.
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