You’ve invested all this time and money in coming up with a trademark and now you’re finally ready to file your application with the US Patent and Trademark Office. But are they going to approve it? And how long will it take them to approve your trademark application?
What is a trademark application?
A trademark application is a request for the US government to grant you legal protection for your trademark. This protection allows you to stop others from using your trademark without your permission, and it gives you the right to sue them if they do. The process of applying for a trademark is not simple or quick, which is why it can take the USPTO several months to review your application. But if you’re patient and follow all the steps correctly, you should eventually get your trademark.
Why does it take so long for the USPTO to review an application?
The USPTO is a government agency that is responsible for reviewing and approving all applications for trademarks. The process of review can take several months, or even longer, depending on the workload of the office and the complexity of the application. There are a number of factors that can contribute to the length of time it takes for an application to be reviewed, including: -The number of applications received by the USPTO. The office receives a high volume of applications every day, which can delay the review process. -The complexity of the application. If an application is particularly complex, it may take longer to review. -The accuracy and completeness of the information submitted. If an application is missing information or contains inaccurate information, it can delay the review process. It is important to note that the USPTO does not guarantee that all applications will be approved. In fact, many applications are rejected each year. The office may reject an application for a number of reasons, including:
- The trademark is too similar to another existing trademark.
- The trademark is generic and cannot be registered.
- The trademark is offensive or includes inappropriate language.
- The trademark violates federal law.
The process
The USPTO is currently facing a backlog of over 700,000 trademark applications, which is taking an average of 18 months to review. The problem has been exacerbated by the pandemic, as many trademark examiners are now working remotely, which has slowed down the process even further. There are a few things you can do to try and speed up the review process, such as requesting an expedited review or hiring a registered patent attorney to represent you. However, ultimately it is up to the USPTO to decide how quickly they can get through the backlog, so it is important to be patient. Thankfully, the USPTO offers a trademark processing wait time tracker online so you can see current processing times for applications. Note, however, that the tracker only shows average times. So your application review could take much longer than what’s shown.
Expedited reviews
The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is the federal agency responsible for reviewing and approving trademark applications. The USPTO’s trademark review process is notoriously slow, with most applications taking several months to be processed. One way to try and speed up the review process is to file for an expedited review. Expedited reviews are available for applications that meet certain criteria, such as those that are time-sensitive or involve a celebrity endorsement. If you’re wondering why your trademark application is taking so long to be reviewed, one possibility is that you didn’t file for an expedited review. If you think your application meets the criteria for an expedited review, it’s worth contacting the USPTO to see if they can speed up the process.
Best Ways To Reduce Processing Delays With Your Trademark Application
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is the federal agency responsible for reviewing and approving trademark applications. The USPTO’s trademark processing time can vary depending on the complexity of the application. However, there are some ways that you can help reduce delays in processing your trademark application. Here are some tips to help reduce delays in processing your trademark application:
- File your application online: Filing your trademark application online through the USPTO’s website is the quickest and most efficient way to file. Paper applications can take up to several weeks longer to process.
- Make sure your application is complete: Incomplete applications can delay the review process. Make sure to include all required information and documents when you file.
- Pay the filing fee: The filing fee must be paid before your application can be processed. Be sure to include the correct fee amount with your payment method.
- Use an experienced trademark attorney: An experienced trademark attorney can help ensure that your application is complete and accurate, and can answer any questions you may have about the process. Using an attorney can help avoid potential delays down the road.
By following these tips, you will likely reduce the application review timeline.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped shed some light on why the USPTO may be taking longer than usual to review your trademark application. As we mentioned, there are a variety of factors that can contribute to delays, but the good news is that the USPTO is aware of the issue and is working to improve its turnaround time. In the meantime, we recommend staying patient and keeping in communication with your trademark attorney to ensure that your application is on track.