Trademark search and clearance

The USPTO examines every application against prior registrations and applications. If your mark is likely to cause confusion with an earlier mark for related goods or services, the examining attorney will issue a refusal. USPTO fees are generally non-refundable, and you cannot change your mark after filing. A pre-filing search surfaces obvious conflicts early.

A knockout search screens federal trademark records for clear blockers—identical or nearly identical marks in related classes. It is faster and less expensive than a full clearance. The goal is to avoid filing applications that are obviously doomed, not to deliver a formal legal opinion on every risk.

A comprehensive search covers federal applications and registrations, state records, domain databases, business names, and common-law uses. Counsel analyzes results for likelihood of confusion, related classes, and zones of expansion. You receive a legal opinion on viability—not a guarantee, because unrecorded uses can still exist.

The USPTO's Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) is free but unforgiving. First-time searchers often miss phonetic equivalents, design marks, and related classes. Missing a conflict is one of the most common reasons applications are refused and abandoned.