The Process of Obtaining a Trademark

The registration process generally takes six months from start to finish, although it can last longer if legal issues arise during the process. After filing an application, the USPTO will assign your file a serial number and mail you a receipt about two months after filing. An attorney for the USPTO will examine the application and will publish the mark in the Official Gazette. Other parties will have thirty days from the date of publication to object to the mark. Thereafter, the USPTO will either issue a Certificate of Registration (if the application was based on actual use) or will issue a Notice of Allowance (if the application was based on intended use).