Business owners in Chicago, Illinois often seek guidance on how to monitor, maintain, and enforce their trademark rights, including filing required maintenance documents, watching for potential infringers, and taking appropriate legal action if necessary. To maintain and enforce their trademark rights associated with a trademark registration issued by the USPTO, a business owner should undertake the following steps and actions:
Monitor the Marketplace: Sign up for a
trademark monitoring program to keep an eye on the marketplace for any potentially infringing uses of your trademark or similar trademarks by other businesses. This can include regular searches online and within your industry to identify potential infringers.
Use the Trademark Consistently: Ensure consistent use of your trademark in connection with the goods or services specified in your registration. This includes using the trademark on product packaging, marketing materials, and your website.
Proper Trademark Marking: Use appropriate trademark symbols (® for registered trademarks and ™ for unregistered trademarks) with your trademark to provide public notice of your trademark rights.
Enforce Your Trademark Rights: If you identify potential
trademark infringement, take appropriate action to enforce your trademark rights. This can include sending cease and desist letters to infringers, negotiating settlements, or pursuing legal action if necessary.
Maintain & Renew Your Trademark Registration: File the necessary maintenance documents and fees with the USPTO at regular intervals to keep your registration active. These filings include: (a) Declaration of Use and/or Excusable Nonuse (Section 8) between the 5th and 6th year after registration; (b) Declaration of Use and/or Excusable Nonuse (Section 8) and Application for Renewal (Section 9) between the 9th and 10th year after registration; and (c) Subsequent renewals (Section 8 and Section 9) every 10 years thereafter.
Update Your Trademark Registration: If there are any changes to your trademark, ownership, or the goods or services associated with your mark, file the appropriate documents with the USPTO to update your registration.
Consider International Trademark Registration: If your business operates or plans to operate in other countries, consider seeking
international trademark registration in those jurisdictions to maintain and enforce your rights on a global scale.
A trademark owner may lose their rights in connection with a federal trademark registration issued by the USPTO for several reasons. One common reason is the failure to maintain registration by not filing the required maintenance documents or paying associated fees within the specified timeframes, resulting in the cancellation of the registration. Another reason a trademark owner may lose their rights is abandonment through non-use. If a trademark owner stops using the mark in commerce without a valid reason for an extended period, typically three consecutive years, it can be considered abandoned. Additionally, a trademark may become generic if the public starts using the trademark as a generic term for the goods or services it represents, leading to the loss of trademark rights.
By following these steps and actions, a business owner can effectively maintain and enforce their trademark rights in connection with a USPTO-issued trademark registration. It is advisable to consult with a trademark attorney for guidance on monitoring, maintaining, and enforcing your trademark rights.
