Trademark Registration in the United States

The United States is a party to the Madrid Protocol, so a trademark can be registered through the Madrid Protocol. A trademark application can also be filed directly with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Trademark registration at the USPTO takes between 16 and 20 months. Within 3–4 weeks of filing, the USPTO sends the applicant a stamped postcard bearing the serial number and filing date. The USPTO sends a filing certificate within 7–15 weeks. Within 12–26 weeks, an examiner is assigned to search the trademark. At the next stage, the trademark is published for opposition within 6–12 months. The opposition period is 30 days. If an opposition is filed, the trademark is suspended and reviewed by the examiner. If the opposition is found unjustified, the trademark is approved within 11–20 months and the registration certificate is mailed to the trademark owner. After registration, the owner can benefit from 10 years of protection by sending the USPTO documents proving use of the trademark between the 5th and 6th years and between the 9th and 10th years. By renewing the trademark every 10 years, the owner can use it indefinitely.