Can i use trademark before registration [Glossary]

Last updated : Sept 29, 2022

Can you use the trademark symbol without registering?

Anyone can use a TM symbol regardless of whether they've successfully registered the trademark, or whether they've applied for a trademark at all. Even if the trademark application is rejected, the owner can continue to use the TM symbol.

When can I use TM on my logo?

TM stands for trademark. The TM symbol (often seen in superscript like this: TM) is usually used in connection with an unregistered mark—a term, slogan, logo, or other indicator—to provide notice to potential infringers that common law rights in the mark are claimed.

Can I use trademark before registration in India?

You do not have to have registered a trademark to use it and many companies will opt to use the TM symbol for new goods or services in advance of and during the application process.

Can I use my trademark while its pending?

A trademark pending status is an interim solution for protecting your intellectual property. You can use the trademark or service mark symbols with your design, but you need to make sure you file the trademark application as soon as possible.

What's the difference between TM and registered?

TM denotes that you are claiming a right to use your brand as a trademark, although it may not yet be registered with the relevant IP office. (R) signifies that your trademark is officially registered with the IP office in the country and for the goods and services that you are using it for.

Should I trademark or copyright my logo?

How to legally protect your logo design. To protect your logo, you need a trademark or service mark (trademarks are generally used for products, while service marks are usually applied to services). You should not copyright or patent a logo design.

How long does a trademark last?

A federal trademark lasts 10 years from the date of registration, with 10-year renewal terms. Between the fifth and sixth year after the registration date, the registrant must file an affidavit to state that the mark is still in use.

How do I trademark a name for free?

You can not register a trademark for free. However, you can establish something known as a "common law trademark" for free, simply by opening for business. The benefit of relying on common law trademark rights is that it's free, and you don't need to do any specific work filling out forms, etc.

How do I know if my trademark is approved?

It is fairly easy to check your trademark registration on the USPTO website, at http://tsdr.uspto.gov/. Enter your trademark serial or reference number on the Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TDSR) page to receive the status of your pending and registered trademarks.

How do you speed up a trademark?

1. Steps to Speed the Process.
2. Step 1: Choose a Strong Mark.
3. Step 2: Choose a Mark That Isn't Confusingly Similar to Another Mark.
4. Step 3: Begin Using Your Mark in Commerce As Soon as Possible.
5. Step 4: Submit a Complete and Accurate Trademark Application.
6. Step 5: If You Receive an Office Action, Respond Promptly and Thoroughly.

How do I know if a trademark is registered?

1. Click on the trademarks tab and then click on public search.
2. There are 3 search criteria available – Wordmark, Vienna code, and Phonetic.
3. On selection of each criterion, the keyword fields change as listed below:

Can I just put a copyright symbol on my work?

You can place the copyright symbol on any original piece of work you have created. The normal format would be to include alongside the copyright symbol the year of first publication and the name of the copyright holder, however there are no particular legal requirements regarding this.

How do you use a trademark?

Always use the trademark consistently, including the same spelling, punctuation, and spacing. Always use a trademark as an adjective that modifies a noun, and never as a singular or plural noun. Never use a trademark as a verb. You are not rollerblading; you are skating on ROLLERBLADE skates.

Is a brand name copyright or trademark?

A trademark represents your brand or product. Names, logos, and slogans are common trademarks. A copyright, on the other hand, protects a work of authorship, including books, paintings, and even computer code.

What can you not trademark?

• Proper names or likenesses without consent from the person.
• Generic terms, phrases, or the like.
• Government symbols or insignia.
• Vulgar or disparaging words or phrases.
• The likeness of a U.S. President, former or current.
• Immoral, deceptive, or scandalous words or symbols.
• Sounds or short motifs.

How much does it cost to trademark my logo?

What Does it Cost to Trademark a Logo? The cost to trademark a logo with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is $275–$660 as of June 2020, plus legal fees. You can register a trademark with your state for $50-$150, but federal registration offers a great deal more legal protection.

How long does it take to trademark something?

Usually, the process takes 12 to 18 months. Registering your trademark is a complex procedure that involves your application moving through various stages. Learning about each stage in the process will help you understand why getting a trademark takes as long as it does.

What are the three types of trademarks?

What you'll learn: Arbitrary and Fanciful Trademarks. Suggestive Trademarks. Descriptive Trademarks.

Can I change my trademark name?

Trademark owners may need to transfer ownership or change the name on their application or registration. This could happen while your trademark application is being examined or after your trademark has registered.

Can you lose a trademark?

You can lose a trademark in a variety of ways. You can lose a mark through abandonment. A mark will be considered abandoned if you stop using it for three consecutive years and you have no intent to resume its use. You can also lose a mark through improper licensing or improper assignment.

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Thanks for this great article

Thanks for your comment Kraig Sakoda, have a nice day.
- Edris Flori, Staff Member

hey everybody Robert right here private-label law attorney and today I'm going to answer the question can I register my trademark before I'm actually in commerce so we know that in order to register trademark you know trademark rights arise upon use in commerce meaning as soon as you take that product that you're selling put your branding on it and get it to market you have certain trademark rights now those rights are geographically limited right you don't even have to register we've talked about that in other videos you know we have to register trailer to have one as soon as you take that mark you put it on the product and get it to market you have rights now as private label sellers we especially if you're early on in your private label journey we have a lot of things going on right like you're still working through the course you're negotiating with suppliers you're trying to choose your branding you're trying to arrange logistics you're getting samples like all of this stuff is going on right but it couldn't be that in the midst of this you know what your private label is gonna be you know what your brain is gonna be and you want to make sure that you lock it down because oh by the way you've also heard the best-case scenario here in the States takes about nine months to get a trademark register the registration through right and you want to run your registration efforts in parallel to your getting to market efforts so the question is if you know that trademark rights arise upon use all right you know that is there a way that you can kind of jumpstart the process skip to the front of the line start the registration in advance of getting the market and the answer is yes okay the patent trademark office offers something called an intent to use application right so if you have a good-faith intent to use a mark in commerce right in a short period of time like in the next six months sort of period right you can go ahead and work through the entire prosecution process you fill out the application just like you would if you were actually a market it will be examined just as if it were an actual use based application the only difference is is it makes it through that process at the end instead of getting a registration certificate you'll get what's called a notice of allowance so basically that's the trademark office telling you what everything looks good here your application cuts muster it we're good to register you but you've got to show us use ok and at that point you're in a circle back with the Trademark Office you're gonna provide a specimen you're gonna provide them with an example of your using the marking Commerce and then and only then are you gonna get that registration number right so obviously a lot of positives to filing on an intent to use basis right you get to get together skip to the front of line your registration efforts are in parallel to your getting to marking and market efforts order the down signs well there's an additional filing fee right you're still paying the same filing fee that everybody else is up front right and working through the examination process and then on the back end you know once you provide that example of you use that specimen you're gonna have to provide a filing fee as well right there's it's it's a smaller filing for you but it's a filing fee nonetheless so if you are a little tight on cash you're trying to bootstrap your efforts and what you're gaining in speed you're losing and filing fees now frankly you know given that it takes so long to get to registration in nine months again if everything goes well the benefits of brand registry being what they are I you know if you have the means I highly recommend kind of going the intent to use route just because it does create some degree of efficiency in your business so it answer your question you know can you file an advance of getting the market absolutely it's called an intent to use application and I highly recommend it if you have the means

Thanks Halina your participation is very much appreciated
- Edris Flori

About the author

Edris Flori

I've studied human development theory at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva and I am an expert in disaster research. I usually feel infuriated. My previous job was funds development administrator I held this position for 22 years, I love talking about pole dancing and horseshoes. Huge fan of Ronald Reagan I practice disability sport and collect minerals.