Trademark Application: 3 Ways To Register Your Trademark

A trademark application is used to register your mark at the US Patent and Trademark Office. After a trademark search is done and you are satisfied that you have the right to register your trademark you can choose from three application processes.

Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS)

The first and most common way to submit a trademark application is by using TEAS at the US Patent and Trademark Office. TEAS offers an electronic application that is easy to fill out and quick to file.

There several requirements for the application that must be filled out in detail.

1. Description of the mark
   
2. State that it was first used in
   
3. Description of the products that the mark will be used on
   
4. Define the classification of the mark (there are 40 to choose from)
   
5. Drawing of your mark
   
6. Sample of how you propose to use the mark (photo of its use in commerce)
   
7. Pay the registration fee (Currently between $275 and $375 depending on how it is filed)

TEAS Plus ~ The Abbreviated Application System

TEAS Plus is simply the abbreviated online application process. This is also the least expensive method for filing a trademark. The information required to fill out this application includes:

1. Classification
   
2. Description
   
3. Filing Basis
   
4. Owners contact information.

Mail In Application

The mail in application is the same as the TEAS application. The only difference is that it is mailed to the US patent office instead of being filed online.

After your application is filed it is published in the Official Gazette (an online publication of the US Patent and Trademark Office). This gives existing trademark owners the opportunity to object to your trademark registration. If no one objects to your trademark you can expect to hear from the trademark office within 1 year. Hopefully the news will be good. Sometimes they will ask for a clarification or for you to submit some additional material.

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