Question 1

How do I search US trademark records?

Accepted Answer

Enter a brand name, word, owner name, or serial number in the search bar at Sealvo.com. Sealvo searches the full USPTO trademark database of over 15 million records and returns matching registered, pending, and abandoned trademarks instantly. You can filter results by status, Nice class, filing date, owner, attorney, and country.

Question 2

What is a USPTO trademark serial number?

Accepted Answer

A USPTO serial number is the unique 7–9 digit number assigned to a trademark application when it is filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. It is used to track the application throughout the examination process. Once a mark is registered, it also receives a separate registration number.

Question 3

What does a Registered trademark status mean?

Accepted Answer

A Registered trademark status means the USPTO has approved the mark and issued a registration certificate. The owner has exclusive rights to use the mark in commerce for the identified goods and services in the US. Registered marks display the ® symbol and must be renewed every 10 years.

Question 4

What does a Pending trademark status mean?

Accepted Answer

A Pending trademark status means the USPTO application has been filed but has not yet been approved. The mark is under examination by a USPTO attorney who reviews it for conflicts and legal requirements. The pending process typically takes 12–18 months. Pending marks may use the ™ symbol.

Question 5

What does an Abandoned trademark mean — can I use it?

Accepted Answer

An Abandoned trademark means the applicant failed to respond to a USPTO office action or voluntarily withdrew the application. An abandoned mark is not registered and provides no federal protection. However, the original owner may still have common law rights based on actual use in commerce, so you should consult a trademark attorney before adopting an abandoned mark.

Question 6

How long does it take to register a trademark in the US?

Accepted Answer

US trademark registration typically takes 12–18 months from filing to registration if there are no issues. The USPTO assigns an examining attorney who reviews the application within 3–4 months of filing. If approved, the mark is published in the Official Gazette for a 30-day opposition period. If no opposition is filed, the USPTO issues the registration certificate.

Question 7

What are Nice Classification trademark classes?

Accepted Answer

The Nice Classification is an international system of 45 classes used to categorize goods and services for trademark registration. Classes 1–34 cover goods (e.g., Class 25 for clothing, Class 9 for electronics) and Classes 35–45 cover services (e.g., Class 35 for advertising, Class 42 for technology services). When filing a trademark, applicants must select the class(es) that cover their products or services.

Question 8

What is a trademark opposition period?

Accepted Answer

The trademark opposition period is a 30-day window after a mark is published in the USPTO Official Gazette during which any party who believes they would be harmed by the registration can file a Notice of Opposition with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). If no opposition is filed, the USPTO proceeds to register the mark.

Question 9

How do I search registered trademarks in the US?

Accepted Answer

To search registered trademarks, go to Sealvo.com and enter a brand name, word, or owner name in the search bar. Filter results by status and select 'Registered' to see only marks that have completed the USPTO registration process and hold active federal protection. Sealvo searches all 15 million USPTO trademark records including live registered marks, pending applications, and abandoned filings.

Question 10

What is USPTO TESS and is there a better alternative?

Accepted Answer

TESS (Trademark Electronic Search System) was the USPTO's legacy trademark search tool. It has been retired and replaced by the USPTO's Trademark Search system. Sealvo is a fast, modern alternative that searches the same complete USPTO trademark database of over 15 million records with a cleaner interface, instant results, advanced filters by status, Nice class, owner, and filing date, and direct links to official USPTO records.

Question 11

How do I check the status of a trademark application?

Accepted Answer

To check a trademark application status, search for the mark on Sealvo.com by name or serial number. Each record shows the current USPTO status (Pending, Registered, Abandoned, or Cancelled), the filing date, the examining attorney assigned, and a direct link to the full TSDR (Trademark Status and Document Retrieval) record on the USPTO website for the complete prosecution history.

Question 12

Can I search trademark registrations by owner or company name?

Accepted Answer

Yes. On Sealvo.com you can search by owner name to find all trademark registrations and pending applications filed by a specific person or company. This is useful for researching a competitor's brand portfolio, conducting due diligence before an acquisition, or verifying what marks a company currently holds. Results show all trademark statuses including registered, pending, abandoned, and cancelled marks.