Congratulations! You’ve successfully registered your trademark and taken the first step on this important path to protecting your brand. That's right: even after the lengthy application process you’ve already gone through, there's still more work to be done.
\r\nProtecting and defending your trademark once you’ve registered it is an active and ongoing pursuit, but it's critical to do so to ensure that your mark retains all the value of the effort you've put into establishing it. According to Legal Zoom, getting a trademark approved can take anywhere between several months to years. Trademark office actions and trademark objections can delay the trademark approval process. It is recommended to check the status of your initial trademark application every six months after filing.
\r\nThere are several important things to remember in order to properly use, maintain and protect your registered trademark. Read on to learn what steps you should be taking and how to best go about them.
\r\nTrademark protection is based on active use, and that remains true even once you're successfully registered. The United States Patent and Trademark Office requires regular renewal filings to verify that your mark is still \"alive\" and viable. The USPTO forms and applications can be tracked online through the government's dedicated portal. Through a search engine, trademark holders can check the status of their trademarks anytime by entering their serial or registration number.
\r\nThe most critical thing to do? Stay aware of your renewal dates:
\r\nImportant note: The USPTO will not remind you of upcoming renewals and does not grant extensions (aside from a six-month grace period requiring additional fees). The responsibility is fully yours, and if you miss a renewal, your mark will be automatically canceled.
\r\nYou were likely using the \"TM\" symbol with your mark before and during your trademark application process. Once you've successfully registered, however, you should begin using the small circled \"R.\" This serves as public notice of your registration and is considered proper use of your mark by the USPTO; remember, improper use weakens a mark and makes it more vulnerable to challenge or narrowing.
\r\nHere are a few areas of the many that you’ll need to address as you enact proper use of the R symbol:
\r\nBe sure that the USPTO does not weaken your mark by approving registrations that you feel are too similar. As a registered trademark owner, you're entitled to formally oppose any new trademark that could potentially infringe on yours.
\r\nNew trademarks are announced weekly – stay aware of the ways in which the protections of your mark may change, and take all actions available to you to try and prevent that from happening.
\r\nTrademark rights begin accruing based on use, not registration, so you need to go beyond USPTO filings to be aware of anyone in the marketplace who may be illicitly using your mark, or one similar to it.
\r\nIf you don't enforce your mark actively and promptly, the infringing party may be able to make a claim that their mark has strengthened enough to be legitimate and recognizable on its own, or even challenge yours on grounds of nonuse or nonenforcement.
\r\nThe earlier you register a trademark, the better, so the case may be that your business or product is different now than it was when you filed your application. Here are some typical examples, and what you need to do:
\r\nA cease-and-desist or other threatening type of letter can open up a legal can of worms. You need to be sure that you are within your rights of enforcement, and that you don't say anything that could come back to haunt you should litigation be necessary. Legal assistance in situations like these can keep you and your mark protected and can resolve things more efficiently.
\n","docType":"article","guid":"articles_e61b963ff0fe85743fdd56a13b93631e","lastModified":"2020-04-27T19:50:00.000Z","published":"2014-11-28T17:00:00.000Z","structuredData":null,"subtitle":"So you've just registered your trademark and taken the first step in protecting your brand. Now what?","template":"v1","title":"Important Things to Do After Your Trademark Is Registered","type":"article","author":{"avatar":null,"bio":"The purpose of our community is to connect small business owners with experienced industry experts who can address their questions, offer direction, and share best practices.","name":"business.com editorial staff","image":null,"slug":null,"social":{"facebook":"","linkedin":"https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-com-/","twitter":"https://twitter.com/businessdotcom","website":"https://www.business.com/"},"status":"enabled","title":null,"type":"Old BDC Member","user":{"imagePath":"https://staging.business.com/images/uploads/user/profile/b14a2c1fa0158a2f46854597139a2067ee8ef.jpg","profile":{"company":"","jobTitle":"","website":"https://www.business.com/"}}},"breadcrumbs":null,"channels":{"primary":{"name":"Business Basics","slug":"business-basics"},"sub":{"name":"Entrepreneurship","slug":"entrepreneurship"}},"meta":{"robots":"index, follow","description":"So you've just registered your trademark and taken the first step in protecting your brand. Now what?","title":"What You Need To Do After Your Trademark Is Registered - business.com"},"parsedContent":{"toc":[{"id":"time-frame-to-get-your-trademark-approved","title":"Time frame to get your trademark approved"},{"id":"remember-your-trademark-renewal-dates","title":"Remember your trademark renewal dates"},{"id":"use-the-correct-trademark-symbols","title":"Use the correct trademark symbols"},{"id":"monitor-new-trademark-filings","title":"Monitor new trademark filings"},{"id":"monitor-the-marketplace","title":"Monitor the marketplace"},{"id":"expand-your-trademark-coverage-when-necessary","title":"Expand your trademark coverage when necessary"},{"id":"take-action-the-right-way","title":"Take action the right way"}],"json":[{"component":"ul","children":[{"component":"li","children":["Registering a trademark is an important part of protecting your brand. Keep in mind application processes are involved with extended approval times."]},{"component":"li","children":["Trademarks require regular renewals to remain active. Trademark renewal dates are typically every 10 years."]},{"component":"li","children":["Regular monitoring is needed to protect the integrity of your trademark and confirm its not being misused. Legal action can be taken in the event of trademark violations, including cease and desist letters."]}]},{"component":"p","children":["Congratulations! You’ve successfully registered your trademark and taken the first step on this important path to protecting your brand. That's right: even after the lengthy application process you’ve already gone through, there's still more work to be done."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"time-frame-to-get-your-trademark-approved"},"children":["Time frame to get your trademark approved"]},{"component":"p","children":["Protecting and defending your trademark once you’ve registered it is an active and ongoing pursuit, but it's critical to do so to ensure that your mark retains all the value of the effort you've put into establishing it. According to ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/5-tips-to-speed-up-the-trademark-process","target":"_blank","rel":"nofollow"},"children":["Legal Zoom"]},", getting a trademark approved can take anywhere between several months to years. Trademark office actions and trademark objections can delay the trademark approval process. It is recommended to check the status of your initial trademark application every six months after filing. "]},{"component":"p","children":["There are several important things to remember in order to properly use, maintain and protect your registered trademark. Read on to learn what steps you should be taking and how to best go about them."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"remember-your-trademark-renewal-dates"},"children":["Remember your trademark renewal dates"]},{"component":"p","children":["Trademark protection is based on active use, and that remains true even once you're successfully registered. The United States Patent and Trademark Office requires regular renewal filings to verify that your mark is still \"alive\" and viable. ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks-maintaining-trademark-registration/keeping-your-registration-alive","target":"_blank","rel":"nofollow"},"children":["The USPTO"]}," forms and applications can be tracked online through the government's dedicated portal. Through a search engine, trademark holders can check the status of their trademarks anytime by entering their serial or registration number."]},{"component":"p","children":["The most critical thing to do? Stay aware of your renewal dates:"]},{"component":"ul","children":[{"component":"li","children":[{"component":"a","props":{"href":"http://www.gerbenlaw.com/university/after-your-trademark-is-registered/","target":"_blank","rel":"nofollow"},"children":["First renewal: five years from the anniversary date of your trademark"]}," (the date of initial registration)"]},{"component":"li","children":["Second renewal: four years later, or nine years from initial registration"]},{"component":"li","children":["All subsequent renewals: every 10 years after the second renewal"]}]},{"component":"p","children":[{"component":"i","children":["Important note:"]}," The USPTO will not remind you of upcoming renewals and does not grant extensions (aside from a six-month grace period requiring additional fees). The responsibility is fully yours, and if you miss a renewal, your mark will be automatically canceled."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"use-the-correct-trademark-symbols"},"children":["Use the correct trademark symbols"]},{"component":"p","children":["You were likely using the \"TM\" symbol with your mark before and during your trademark application process. Once you've successfully registered, however, you should begin using the small circled \"R.\" This serves as public notice of your registration and is considered proper use of your mark by the USPTO; remember, improper use weakens a mark and makes it more vulnerable to challenge or narrowing."]},{"component":"p","children":["Here are a few areas of the many that you’ll need to address as you enact proper use of the R symbol:"]},{"component":"ul","children":[{"component":"li","children":["Product packaging or labeling"]},{"component":"li","children":["Marketing and advertising art and copy"]},{"component":"li","children":["Your website and other online presences"]}]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"monitor-new-trademark-filings"},"children":["Monitor new trademark filings"]},{"component":"p","children":["Be sure that the USPTO does not weaken your mark by approving registrations that you feel are too similar. As a registered trademark owner, you're entitled to formally oppose any new trademark that could potentially infringe on yours."]},{"component":"p","children":["New trademarks are ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"http://www.uspto.gov/news/og/trademark_og/","target":"_blank","rel":"nofollow"},"children":["announced weekly"]}," – stay aware of the ways in which the protections of your mark may change, and take all actions available to you to try and prevent that from happening."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"monitor-the-marketplace"},"children":["Monitor the marketplace"]},{"component":"p","children":["Trademark rights begin accruing based on use, not registration, so you need to go beyond USPTO filings to be aware of anyone in the marketplace who may be illicitly using your mark, or one similar to it."]},{"component":"p","children":["If you don't enforce your mark actively and promptly, the infringing party may be able to make a claim that their mark has strengthened enough to be legitimate and recognizable on its own, or even challenge yours on grounds of nonuse or nonenforcement."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"expand-your-trademark-coverage-when-necessary"},"children":["Expand your trademark coverage when necessary"]},{"component":"p","children":["The earlier you register a trademark, the better, so the case may be that your business or product is different now than it was when you filed your application. Here are some typical examples, and what you need to do:"]},{"component":"ul","children":[{"component":"li","children":["Expansion into new industries (file additional trademarks covering each new class of goods or services)"]},{"component":"li","children":["New logos or branding (update your trademark specimen to show how it now identifies your company)"]},{"component":"li","children":["New packaging or labeling (update your specimen to illustrate the new use of your mark)"]}]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"take-action-the-right-way"},"children":["Take action the right way"]},{"component":"p","children":["A cease-and-desist or other threatening type of letter can open up a legal can of worms. You need to be sure that you are within your rights of enforcement, and that you don't say anything that could come back to haunt you should litigation be necessary. Legal assistance in situations like these can keep you and your mark protected and can resolve things more efficiently."]}]},"resource":null,"sponsorship":{"sponsorType":"","name":null,"thumbnail":null,"bio":null,"slug":null,"status":null,"social":{"website":null,"linkedin":null,"twitter":null,"facebook":null}},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/content/5ea/3202c9c658a8a408b459f/1500-0-","caption":"whyframestudio / Getty Images","isBlurred":false},"bestPicks":null},"related":{"relatedArticles":[{"title":"Important Things to Do After Your Trademark Is Registered","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/important-things-to-do-after-your-trademark-is-registered/","slug":"important-things-to-do-after-your-trademark-is-registered","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5ea/3202c9c658a8a408b459f/1500-0-","dek":"So you've just registered your trademark and taken the first step in protecting your brand. Now what?","lastModified":"2020-04-27T19:50:00Z","published":"2014-11-28T17:00:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"Your Guide to Creating a Small Business Marketing Plan","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/sample-marketing-plan-outline-and-template/","slug":"sample-marketing-plan-outline-and-template","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5f3/3e1765a215eb62d8b4567/1500-0-","dek":"Follow these templates and guidelines to get started on creating your business's marketing plan.","lastModified":"2020-08-12T12:28:00Z","published":"2018-03-02T13:00:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"Marketing Fail: 5 Customers That Want to Destroy Your Business","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/articles/5-customers-that-want-to-destroy-your-business/","slug":"5-customers-that-want-to-destroy-your-business","thumbnail":"https://staging.business.com/images/content/549/06bad2f87b1f7468b45d1/1500-0-","dek":"How do you attract loyal customers who are a pleasure to do business with, while repelling customers that want to destroy your business?","lastModified":"2019-07-31T20:58:05Z","published":"2014-12-16T16:00:00Z","sponsored":null},{"title":"Marketing Fail: 5 Customers That Want to Destroy Your Business","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/5-customers-that-want-to-destroy-your-business/","slug":"5-customers-that-want-to-destroy-your-business","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/channel/marketing.jpg","dek":"How do you attract loyal customers who are a pleasure to do business with, while repelling customers that want to destroy your business?","lastModified":"2014-12-16T16:00:00Z","published":"2014-12-16T16:00:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"How to Defend Your Business Against Patent Trolls","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/articles/how-to-defend-your-business-against-patent-trolls/","slug":"how-to-defend-your-business-against-patent-trolls","thumbnail":"https://staging.business.com/images/content/542/1ada8cc786b23cd8b45f1/1500-0-","dek":"Rule #1: Don't Feed the Trolls","lastModified":"2019-07-31T20:58:24Z","published":"2014-09-24T13:00:00Z","sponsored":null},{"title":"How to Defend Your Business Against Patent Trolls","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/how-to-defend-your-business-against-patent-trolls/","slug":"how-to-defend-your-business-against-patent-trolls","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/channel/marketing.jpg","dek":"Rule #1: Don't Feed the Trolls","lastModified":"2014-09-24T13:00:00Z","published":"2014-09-24T13:00:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"5 Telltale Signs You're a Chronic Procrastinator","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/5-tell-tale-signs-you-are-a-procrastinator/","slug":"5-tell-tale-signs-you-are-a-procrastinator","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5ed/528b95a215e82698b4568/1500-0-","dek":"Chronic procrastination can have a huge impact on a business. Here's how to recognize it in yourself and overcome it.","lastModified":"2020-06-09T17:54:00Z","published":"2014-09-22T16:00:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"The Essential Checklist: Must Do's When Starting an E-commerce Website","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/must-dos-when-starting-an-e-commerce-website/","slug":"must-dos-when-starting-an-e-commerce-website","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/channel/business-basics.jpg","dek":"Whether you’re starting an E-commerce yourself or going through a development team, we've laid out some of the most important steps for you.","lastModified":"2015-05-08T20:00:00Z","published":"2015-05-08T20:00:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"Why You Need a SWOT Analysis for Your Business","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/swot-analysis-for-small-business-planning/","slug":"swot-analysis-for-small-business-planning","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5da/5d7ca9c658a216f8b457b/1500-0-","dek":"A SWOT analysis helps you make smart, informed business decisions.","lastModified":"2020-05-06T18:41:00Z","published":"2019-10-17T13:00:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"Postage Meters Can Save Your Business Time and Money","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/postage-meter-comparison-chart/","slug":"postage-meter-comparison-chart","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5d3/de38d5a215e97538b456a/1500-0-","dek":"Postage meters are an inexpensive way to make direct mail more convenient.","lastModified":"2020-05-08T13:17:00Z","published":"2019-07-29T15:45:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"The Essential Checklist: Must Do's When Starting an E-commerce Website","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/articles/must-dos-when-starting-an-e-commerce-website/","slug":"must-dos-when-starting-an-e-commerce-website","thumbnail":"https://staging.business.com/images/content/554/cc8a33287b156268b4578/1500-0-","dek":"Whether you’re starting an E-commerce yourself or going through a development team, we've laid out some of the most important steps for you.","lastModified":"2019-07-31T20:57:45Z","published":"2015-05-08T20:00:00Z","sponsored":null},{"title":"Can You Expedite a Trademark Application?","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/can-you-expedite-a-trademark-application/","slug":"can-you-expedite-a-trademark-application","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5e8/dce245a215e34118b4599/1500-0-","dek":"Trademark applications can take eight to 12 months to process. Find out how it's possible to get a fast pass on your application.","lastModified":"2020-04-08T13:09:00Z","published":"2015-03-23T17:00:00Z","sponsored":false}],"relatedReviews":[{"doc_type":"category","thumbnail":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/5db752e25a215e277d8b4588/Invoicing_AndreyPopov_BDC.png","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/categories/best-collections-agency-services/","title":"The Best Collection Agency Services of 2021","dek":"We've reviewed the best collection agency services for 2021. See up-to-date comparisons on features and the best prices for the top-rated agencies.","slug":"best-collections-agency-services","lastModified":"2021-03-17T16:34:00Z"},{"doc_type":"category","thumbnail":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/5e4edd837b437442548b456d/cash_Dutko_getty.jpg","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/categories/small-business-loans-and-financing-options/","title":"The Best Business Loan and Financing Options of 2021","dek":"Many small businesses need funding to get started. Learn about the different financing options to decide which would work best for your small business.","slug":"small-business-loans-and-financing-options","lastModified":"2021-03-11T17:24:00Z"},{"doc_type":"category","thumbnail":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/5d4c65367b43741a258b4572/Laptop_Sfio_Cracho.png","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/categories/crm-software/","title":"The Best CRM Software of 2021","dek":"Looking for the best CRM software? We have easy-to-read, expert unbiased reviews and feature comparisons of the best and cheapest programs.","slug":"crm-software","lastModified":"2021-02-24T14:09:00Z"}],"relatedSponsoredArticles":null}},"pageContext":{"displayModified":"2020-04-27T19:50:00.000Z","template":"v1","title":"Important Things to Do After Your Trademark Is Registered","meta":{"robots":"index, follow"},"docType":"articles","slug":"important-things-to-do-after-your-trademark-is-registered","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/articles/important-things-to-do-after-your-trademark-is-registered/","skipTOC":false}},"staticQueryHashes":[]}