What is common law trademark search and why is it important?

Common law search is an important aspect of comprehensive trademark search process and every professional trademark search service provider undertake this task at some point in their professional life. With this article, our main aim is to understand what common law trademark search is all about and how to do it.

common law search

 

What is Common Law Trademark Search?

One of the common misconceptions that are prevailing in the United States about trademark is that these are required by law to be registered, which is not the case because a party can be held liable for infringing a trademark even if the infringed trademark is not registered. Read, how to avoid trademark infringement successfully.

In fact, the grant of trademarks in the United States is based on a first-use system and trademark rights can be established simply by continuous use of the mark in connection with goods or services. Federal registration is, therefore, not a prerequisite to trademark rights in the U.S.

And, common law trademark search is thus the method to search these trademarks which are not registered federally or are not there in official records.

How to do common law trademark search?

There are plenty of options which are available for searchers to do their common law trademark searches and some of which are as follows:

  • National yellow pages
  • Top newspapers
  • Business names and records
  • Financial sources
  • SEC filings
  • Top internet search engine results

Benefits of doing common law trademark search

Eradicating likelihood of confusion:

Doing a common law search along with other trademark searches could help companies eradicate likelihood of confusion at any point in time at a later stage. It may help companies give customers a clear cut idea about the specific product and the mind behind it. Confusing customers with other brands could be a punishable act. Also, find out why trademarks are important for your brands.

Avoiding trademark infringement:

A common law trademark search could help companies avoid the likeliness of trademark infringement that may appear at a later date as there might be brands that are not in the Government official records.

Avoiding brand devaluation:

Conflicting brand names, logos, and trademark could be detrimental to businesses as it defames the worth of a brand. No matter whichever side you are in, it may lead to monetary loss and hence it is important for businesses to avoid it right at the beginning. Doing a common law trademark research could help companies ensure that they are not devaluing product of other companies and/or their own.

Federally registered trademarks vs common law trademark:

Contrary to Federal trademark right, common law trademark right has some limitations. In common law, rights conferred to a trademark holder is substantially limited than the rights you would have if you federally registered your mark. Rights from a common law trademark are limited to the geographical area in which you sell or offer your goods or services.

We at TMReady not only conduct the Trademark Search Service for you but also provide assistance in maintaining the reputation of your mark through our dedicated Trademark Watch Services. Let us help you achieve success through our timely and affordable services. Just fill up the Contact Form or drop a mail at [email protected] for more details.

Trademark Search Monitoring Resources

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