How to Search for Trademarks Online
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has enormous online databases of both patents and trademarks that users can access online. While the look-up tools are not particularly user-friendly, they are powerful for exploring trademarks in current use, as well as historical trademarks that are now expired.
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Instructions
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Pay TESS a visit. The Trademark Electronic Search System, or TESS, is USPTO's database of trademark application and registration information. From the TESS homepage (see Resources), click the text at the top of the page to enter the system.
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Select your search system. TESS offers a "New User" (basic) search, along with more advanced features for Boolean searching or free-form searching. For first time visitors, the "New User" form is highly recommended.
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Enter your search term. The default search at TESS will search for company names as well as trademark descriptions.
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Select search criteria. If you know your trademark is current, then choose only "Live" records, but for historical trademarks, include "Dead" records as well. Also choose a preference for "Singular" or "Plural and Singular" searching.
For new users, leave the "Field" settings at their default value.
Use the "Results Must Contain" options to search for all words, any words, or an exact phrase.
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Hit the "Submit Query" button to see search results. If your first search doesn't uncover what you're looking for, try a new search by modifying your search terms or search criteria.
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Tips & Warnings
Other trademark offices also have online searches. Use the links in Resources to search European trademarks and the trademark records in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) system (known as Madrid Express).
Resources
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