Launch of Trademark Search System and Full Implementation of Patent Center Improves Usability for USPTO Stakeholders
you say. We listened. Now, USPTO stakeholders can benefit from an improved trademark search and patent application process.
After eight months of stakeholder input, the USPTO trademark search system went live on November 30. The new system provides a more stable search environment, a simplified search interface, and also supports complex searches for advanced users.
The cloud-based system allows you to search for existing trademarks in the United States. You can use it to find out if the mark you want is available, or if there are any similar marks that might cause confusion or conflict with your own mark.
exist tmsearch.uspto.gov/search, simply enter the name of a possible trademark, product or owner and learn the status of your entry: registered, pending, canceled or abandoned. Expert mode at the top of the page provides additional drop-down options, category filtering, and combined search lines.
The trademark search system is updated regularly and covers all valid and invalid trademarks and pending applications.
In addition to enhanced search capabilities, the new system also:
- Has a help section that provides guidance on using the system.
- Provides a list of improvements made to the system.
- Provide an opportunity to share your opinions via a feedback button.
On November 15, two weeks before the launch of the trademark search system, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Patent Center (which began operating in 2017) fully replaced the decades-old EFS-Web and private patent application information search ( PAIR). The Patent Center provides a one-stop shop for filing and management, delivering a next-generation user interface with better overall system performance and security.
Transformation from legacy systems to patent centric (patentcenter.uspto.gov) has participated in numerous training events over the past few years. In total, more than 30,000 customers have been trained. In addition, the USPTO has worked directly with more than 25 stakeholder groups in recent months to answer questions and receive feedback on the new system.
You can now:
- Use the USPTO.gov account and sponsorship you have created for EFS-Web and Private PAIR.
- Upload your patent application specification, claims, abstract and drawings in a single DOCX document.
- Upload multiple documents at once using a drag-and-drop interface.
- Download multiple documents in a single PDF or ZIP file at once.
- Confirm submission status and successful payment with separate submission and payment receipts.
- Explore Training Mode, an interactive simulation to safely practice archiving DOCX and PDF documents without submitting anything. You’ll also receive real-time feedback.
To address stakeholder concerns about transmittal language certificates, the USPTO is formally waiving its rules and will accept transmittal certificates on preprinted forms submitted by applicants through the Patent Center.See exemption uspto.gov/sites/default/files/documents/pc-forms-waiver.pdf.