Trademark guides, in plain English
Real answers to the questions filers search most — trademark search, classes, filing timelines, infringement, and international protection through the Madrid Protocol.
How to Do a Trademark Search Before You File
Before you file with the USPTO, here's a general, plain-English guide to doing a proper trademark search first.
Read →Trademark Classes Explained: Which One Do You Need
Confused about trademark classes? Here's a general, plain-English explanation of the Nice Classification system.
Read →Trademark vs Copyright vs Patent: What's the Difference
Not sure which type of intellectual property protection you need? Here's a general, plain-English comparison.
Read →How Long Does Trademark Registration Take
Wondering how long the USPTO trademark process typically takes from filing to registration? Here's a general overview.
Read →What Happens If Someone Infringes Your Trademark
Think someone is using a confusingly similar mark to yours? Here's a general, plain-English overview of what typically happens next.
Read →International Trademark Protection: The Madrid Protocol Explained
Expanding your brand outside the U.S.? Here's a general, plain-English explanation of how the Madrid Protocol works.
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