How to Find Trademark Names

The United States Patent and Trademark Office can be accessed from your computer.

When establishing a business, designing a product or marketing a service, it is important that in-depth research is conducted before settling on any names or key phrases that describe your business, product or service. Some of this research can be conducted right from your computer with the help of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and its online database. With this database, you have the ability to search for specific trademarked names or phrases to ensure that you do not infringe upon someone's already registered trademark.

Instructions

1. Visit the USPTO website (see reference section for link), click on the "Search Marks" link, and then click on "Free Form Search (Advanced Search)."

2. Select the number of records you wish to be returned (100, 200, 300, 400 or 500), and then type your phrase or name in the "Search Term" text box and click "Submit Query."

3. View the results for the phrase or name you typed. If a result shows up as "LIVE," the trademark still is active. If it shows up as "DEAD," the trademark has been abandoned.

4. Continue your research by typing a new name/phrase in the "Refine Search" text box and clicking "Submit."

References

• United States Patent and Trademark Office: Trademarks

Resources

• United States Patent and Trademark Office: Trademark Basics