US Trade Mark Services

Looking to protect your brand in America? We can advise on filing strategy, carry out appropriate searches, prepare your application and manage the process with the USPTO. Unlike many UK firms that need to pass US filing work to an overseas associate, Panoramix IP has US-qualified expertise within our own team. This enables us to provide direct support on eligible USPTO matters while remaining your UK-based point of contact.

Before applying for an American trade mark – and ideally before launching a new brand into the US market – it is important to understand whether earlier rights could present a problem. A US trade mark search can identify existing applications and registrations that may conflict with your proposed mark, helping you assess risk before committing significant resources to an application or American launch. Our trade mark search and clearance services can help you investigate potentially conflicting rights and make a more informed decision about your filing and brand strategy.

During examination, the USPTO may issue an Office Action identifying legal or procedural issues that need to be addressed before the application can progress. Our US trade mark attorney can review the Office Action, explain the issues, advise on the available options and prepare a response where instructed. We have experience helping businesses overcome USPTO objections and progress applications that have initially been refused. If you have received an Office Action or objection from the USPTO, speak to us as early as possible.

Has your US trade mark application been refused? A refusal does not always mean that registration is impossible. Depending on the grounds raised by the USPTO, there may be arguments, amendments or other steps available to address the issues. Panoramix IP can assess the reasons for refusal, advise on the prospects and options available and help you determine the most appropriate response. Our experience includes successfully responding to US trade mark refusals where a likelihood of confusion with an earlier mark had initially prevented an application from progressing.

US trade mark applications can also become the subject of disputes before registration. If another party opposes your US trade mark application – or you become aware of an application that you believe conflicts with your own rights – early advice can help you understand the options available. We can assess the competing marks and rights, advise on strategy and help determine the most appropriate course of action, including negotiation and opposition proceedings where appropriate. Ongoing brand monitoring and trade mark watching can also help identify potentially conflicting applications at an earlier stage.

There may be circumstances in which an existing US trade mark registration needs to be challenged, or where another party seeks to cancel your own registration. US trade mark cancellation proceedings can involve complex questions around the validity of a registration, the rights of the respective parties and how the trade mark has been used. We advise UK and international businesses involved in US trade mark cancellation matters, helping you understand the position and determine an appropriate strategy. If you need support with US trademark cancellation, contact us today.

Registering your trade mark is only one part of protecting your brand. If another business is using the same or a confusingly similar trade mark in the United States, we can help you assess your rights and determine an appropriate enforcement strategy. We also support businesses that have received US trade mark infringement allegations, cease and desist letters or other correspondence concerning potentially conflicting rights. Depending on the circumstances, this can include assessing the respective rights, advising on correspondence and cease and desist letters, negotiating potential resolutions and coordinating further US support where required.

Securing an American trade mark registration does not mean you can simply forget about it. Monitoring new applications can help you identify potentially conflicting marks before they become more established, while registrations also need to be appropriately maintained. Our brand monitoring and trade mark watching service can help identify potentially conflicting applications in the United States and other important markets. We can also support you with the ongoing management of your US rights as part of a wider international trade mark protection strategy.