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Sealvo Blog
Practical guides on searching, understanding, and protecting US trademarks. No fluff — written for people who actually need to get this right.
TESS was retired by the USPTO on November 30, 2023 and no longer exists. Here's what replaced it, what the new system lacks, and the fastest way to search USPTO trademark records today.
Read articleA practical comparison of the top free trademark search tools — Sealvo, USPTO search, Trademarkia, Trademark Engine, and WIPO. What each one does well and where each falls short.
Read articleEvery USPTO trademark application has a status — Registered, Pending, or Abandoned. Here's how to look up status for any application, read the prosecution history, and track the deadlines that matter.
Read articleSearch first, pick your classes, file with the right basis. Here's every step to trademark your business name with the USPTO — and what can go wrong at each one.
Read articleThey protect different things, last different lengths of time, and cost very different amounts. Here's what each one actually covers and when your business needs it.
Read articleMost USPTO rejections are predictable — and preventable. These are the five search errors that get applications refused, with examples of what each one looks like in practice.
Read articleBefore you name a product, launch a brand, or file an application — you need to search. Here's how to do it properly using the USPTO database.
Read articleThe three trademark statuses mean very different things for your brand. One tells you a name is taken, one means it might be, and one is more complicated than it looks.
Read articleMost people do a Google search and call it done. That's not a trademark search. Here's what an actual trademark check looks like — step by step.
Read articleThe Nice Classification splits all goods and services into 45 classes. Which ones matter for your brand — and why does getting the wrong class kill your application?
Read articleThe short answer is 12–18 months. The real answer depends on six things that most guides don't mention. Here's the full timeline and what can derail it.
Read articleThe USPTO base application fee is $350 per class (as of January 2025) — but that's only part of the cost. Here's every fee you'll encounter when trademarking a name, from filing through 10-year renewal.
Read articleThe Madrid Protocol lets foreign brands enter the US market through a single international filing. Here's how those filings appear in the USPTO database and what to watch for.
Read articleThe USPTO maintains the official database of all US trademark applications and registrations. Here's how to search it effectively, read the results, and what the system is missing.
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