Understanding the Trademark Registration Process
While a trademark may be established as soon as you use it, if you want the full protection of the law, you will want to register your trademark. An experienced lawyer can guide you through the trademark registration process. At the Boston law offices of Altman & Martin, we help businesses throughout New England through the trademark registration process.
Protecting Your Intellectual Property
Contact Altman & Martin Today
You must use your trademark before you can complete the trademark registration process. If you have not yet used the trademark in question, you can file a trademark application, but it will not mature to a registration until the trademark has been used. Taking a look at your situation, we can help you decide which type of trademark application is right for you:
- Intent-to-Use Trademark Applications: If you have not begun using your trademark, but you want to protect it before you start using it, we can file an intent-to-use application.
- Use Trademark Applications: If you have already been using your trademark, you can file a use trademark application.
With either application, there will be a full examination of your application. The examiner's main question is whether or not your trademark is likely to be confused with someone else's registered trademark.
If the examiner believes that it is likely to be confused with a registered trademark, your application will be rejected. As your attorney, I can respond to a rejection by explaining why they are not similar or why the similarities are not likely to cause confusion.
If the application passes the examination, it is published for opposition. At this point, people who have unregistered trademarks can oppose your registration. Oppositions, which are relatively rare, are decided by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
After the opposition process, if the application is a use application, you will receive your registration. If the application is an intent-to-use application, we must show the Trademark Office that the trademark is being used, and then you will receive your registration.
Contact Us
Located two blocks from the Park Street and Government Center T stations in downtown Boston, we are ready to help you register your trademark. Our office is open during normal business hours, and we offer evening and weekend hours by appointment. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
