IP Resources

IP Resources

US Trademarks

• USPTO United States Patent & Trademark Office

  The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is the federal agency for granting U.S. patents and registering trademarks. The USPTO also provides training, education, and capacity building programs designed to foster respect for IP and encourage the development of strong IP enforcement regimes by U.S. trading partners.

• USPTO Trademark Search System

  The new USPTO trademark search system (formerly TESS) is a database of every U.S. trademark that has been registered or applied for. Each record includes many important elements of the mark. Each element is a searchable piece of information. Searching the USPTO trademark search system allows you to find any marks that have common elements.

• TSDR

  Use the Trademark Search and Document Retrieval (TSDR) system to retrieve status information and to review all documents currently in the record for pending applications and registered trademarks.

• TTABvue

  View a TTAB proceeding file by entering the proceeding number, or search for proceedings by application number, registration number, mark, party, correspondent.

• TMEP

  The Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure (TMEP) is a resource for trademark examining attorneys in the USPTO, trademark applicants, and attorneys and representatives to understand and research trademark prosecution before the USPTO.

• TMBP

  Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Manual of Procedure (TBMP) provides stakeholders with basic information generally useful for litigating trial cases before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

• Trademark ID Manual

  The Trademark Next Generation ID Manual (TMNG-IDM or ID Manual) is a web-based application that provides users the ability to search for acceptable identifications of goods and services and information related thereto within the USPTO.

• USPTO Coordinated Classes

  A how-to guide published by Alt Legal on using the USPTO's coordinated classes to perform knock out searches.

• USPTO Design Search Code Manual

  A manual from USPTO containing three sections concerning the maintenance and use of the automated design mark database: (1) the General Guidelines, (2) the design search code section and (3) an alphabetical index.

• USPTO Fees

  Find fees related to filings before the USPTO.

International Trademarks

• WIPO Basics: Key considerations, from cost to culture, when filing trademarks around the world

  This article provides an overview of WIPO and the Madrid System for filing international trademarks using WIPO's central database. It also discusses pros/cons for filing with WIPO versus filing in individual countries.

• Alt Legal International Trademark Law Resources

  To support your international trademark law work, we’ve compiled a list of our resources on international trademark law and practice, including blog articles, webinars, and Alt Legal Connect sessions.

• INTA

  The International Trademark Association (INTA) is a global association of brand owners and professionals dedicated to supporting trademarks and related intellectual property (IP) to foster consumer trust, economic growth, and innovation.

• WIPO

  The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a global forum for intellectual property (IP) services, policy, information and cooperation, with 193 member states.

• European Union IP Office (EUIPO)

  The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) is responsible for managing the EU trademark and the registered Community design. EUIPO also works with the IP offices of the EU Member States and international partners to offer a similar registration experience for trademarks and designs across Europe and the world.

• UK IP Office

  The United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office (IPO) website allows users to search UK IP filings, research UK law, and apply for IP rights in the UK

• Canadian IP Office (CIPO)

  The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) website allows users to search Canadian IP filings, research Canadian law, and apply for IP rights in Canada.

• Protecting IP in Mexico

  Includes websites relevant to selling US products and services in Mexico, highlighting resources for small- and medium-sized enterprises.

• The World Bank – Trademark Applications by Country

  The World Bank monitors trademark and other IP filings throughout the world, allowing users to monitor the volume of IP filings.

Other IP

• US Copyright Office

  On the U.S. Copyright Office website, users may search copyright records, register copyrights and file recordals and other documents, and research US copyright law and policy.

• US Customs and Border Protection – eRecordation Program

  United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has the authority to detain, seize, forfeit, and ultimately destroy merchandise seeking entry into the United States if it bears an infringing trademark or copyright that has been registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) or the United States Copyright Office (USCOP), and has subsequently been recorded with CBP.

• AIPLA Sample IP Agreements

  A collection of sample agreements relating to intellectual property transactions hosted by the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA). Each agreement is annotated to explain the impact of specific provisions contained in the sample agreements.

Domains

• ICANN Lookup

  ICANN's registration data lookup tool gives you the ability to look up the current registration data for domain names and Internet number resources.

• UDRP Information

  Find information regarding the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) here. Under the policy, most types of trademark-based domain-name disputes must be resolved by agreement, court action, or arbitration before a registrar will cancel, suspend, or transfer a domain name.

Industry Blogs & Publications

• Alt Legal Blog

  Learn about the latest topics impacting IP and trademark practitioners. Our blog contains articles, videos, webinars, and more, covering relevant, timely issues in IP law and practice management.

• The TTABlog

  Developed by trademark professional John Welch, the TTABlog contains the latest news on the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB).

• INTA – The Trademark Reporter

  The Trademark Reporter (TMR) is a resource for practitioners, brand owners, and others interested in the fascinating issues arising in the world of trademarks and related IP.

• INTA Bulletin

  The International Trademark Association (INTA) Bulletin is a weekly publication, bringing news, trends, and issues of interest to members and the wider intellectual property community worldwide.

• IP Watchdog

  Focuses on the business, policy and substance of patents and other forms of intellectual property.

Paralegal Resources

• Alt Legal Trademark Paralegal Course

  With the help of experienced and practicing professionals, we'll cover everything you need to level up your trademark skills.

• Trademark Administrators’ Exchange

  Join the growing Trademark Administrators’ Exchange, a place for trademark and other IP administrators, paralegals, legal assistants, docketers, and more to share resources and learn from one another. The TMAE is an email-based, threaded conversation space where trademark administrators can ask questions, provide resources, network, and support one another.