Trademark Notice of Publication
The process of registering a trademark is complex and rife with potential opposition and roadblocks. While a Notice of Publication is a promising step in registering your trademark, third parties have the opportunity to contest your mark, which may prevent registration. Once a trademark application is drafted and filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the application is examined by a trademark examining attorney within the USPTO. If the trademark examining attorney determines that your application complies with applicable statutes, rules, and fees, the trademark will be published in the trademark “Official Gazette” (i.e., a weekly publication that is published every Tuesday, including federal holidays, and available to the public on the USPTO website).
Before publication in the Official Gazette, however, the trademark applicant will receive a notice of publication disclosing the date that the mark will be published, usually two months after the trademark application is approved for publication. This date carries significant value as it marks the day that the trademark is “published for opposition.” Essentially, the day the trademark is published in the Official Gazette, a 30-day window is opened whereby members of the public can file an opposition to the registration of the published mark.
If a successful opposition is mounted against your mark, it can prevent the trademark from being registered. However, if this 30-day window closes with no oppositions filed, the trademark application will be able to move to the next stage toward registration.
Potential Public Opposition
If opposition is raised, the opposing party is required to file a notice of opposition with the USPTO Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) and pay a fee. The TTAB is an administrative tribunal within the USPTO that functions similarly to a federal court in that they hear and decide adversarial proceedings between parties. However, the only issue the TTAB may decide is the validity of a trademark.
A Notice of Opposition must state the grounds on which the opposing party believes that the trademark should not be registered on the principal register. During the opposition, each party may present evidence and witnesses to further their claims that the trademark should or should not be registered. Once all evidence is submitted and all arguments have been heard, the TTAB will issue a decision within about six months. In total, the process may take years.
Have Questions? Contact an Experienced Trademark Attorney in Los Angeles Today
It is incredibly important to protect your brand identity; hence it is in your best interest to invest the time and resources to properly secure a trademark registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. For further information or to retain the services of an experienced and knowledgeable trademark attorney in Los Angeles such as the professionals at the Omni Legal Group please call 855.433.2226 or visit www.OmniLegalGroup.com to learn more.
Omni Legal Group is a premier Patent, Trademark, and Copyright law firm located in Los Angeles with experienced lawyers standing by to help you.