HOW DO I DEFEND MY BRAND FROM OPPOSITION?
A Basic Clearance Search provides a review of the registered Trademarks and pending applications that are similar to yours both phonetically and in overall appearance. The Basic Clearance Search is helpful in finding obvious and direct conflicts that may prevent the registration of your proposed mark, or cause potential disagreement with another party down the road.
The length of the process can vary. Once filed, an application is typically assigned to an Examining Attorney within approximately 3 months. If no conflicts are found and if no third-party protests or opposes the registration, then it is feasible for a registration to be issued 4-6 months after that. Therefore, at a minimum, the registration process will require 7-9 months, but it can require much more time (possibly years) if the Examining Attorney issues a refusal or if a third-party files an opposition to the application.
This is often a question requiring careful analysis. If you have received a demand letter or believe your use might affect others’ rights, it is always best to consult with an attorney specializing in brand protection and enforcement matters.
