U.S. Trademark Strategy
A U.S. trademark registration is what lets you stop counterfeit listings, keep your name on Amazon and prevent a distributor from registering your brand first. For companies based outside the United States it is also a filing that must be made through a U.S.-licensed attorney. We handle clearance, filing, office actions and enforcement for Chinese and other international brands.
What we look at first
Clearance before filing
A search that looks beyond identical marks to similar ones, in the goods and services you actually sell. Filing on an unregistrable mark costs more than the search.
The application itself
Filing basis (use in commerce or intent to use), ownership in the right entity, goods and services descriptions that cover what you sell without inviting refusals, and specimens that the USPTO will accept.
Office actions and oppositions
Responding to likelihood-of-confusion and descriptiveness refusals, and handling oppositions from third parties who think your mark is too close to theirs.
Using the registration
Amazon Brand Registry, customs recordation, takedowns against infringing listings and, where needed, demand letters and enforcement.
How the matter proceeds
Review
Understand the brand, the products and where and how you sell.
Plan
Clear the mark and decide on classes, basis and ownership.
Manage
File, prosecute, and maintain the registration and the records of use that keep it alive.
Common questions
Practical answers to frequently asked questions. Individual circumstances can affect the best course of action.