And in 2021, the operator of two entities sending out misleading solicitations under the names 'Patent and Trademark Office' and Patent and Trademark Bureau' pled guilty to four counts of federal mail fraud. For example, in March 2017, the operators of a private company-the Trademark Compliance Center-were convicted of money laundering in a trademark renewal scam.

Beware of all types of offers and notices not from the USPTO. Some offer services of dubious value, such as offering to record trademarks in a private registry. attorneys, and cannot lawfully provide such services. But many of these companies are not affiliated with licensed U.S. Such services may be legitimate if provided under the supervision of a licensed U.S. attorney. They may offer legal services, such as assistance with filings or responding to an office action.

Watch this video to learn about potentially misleading trademark offers and notices, the types of services they offer, and how to detect them.ĭownload a printable transcript What kinds of trademark-related services do private companies offer? Trademark Information Network News Video: Solicitation Alert While these solicitations may often contain correct information (for example, that a filing is due to keep a registration active), you are never required to use the services offered by these companies, and indeed, some are actual scams offering unneeded services or requesting the payment of fees that are not due. Private companies often use trademark application and registration information from USPTO databases to mail, email, or text trademark-related solicitations to trademark applicants and registrants. What is a trademark-related solicitation?Ī solicitation is an offer of services, or a notice of an upcoming filing deadline with an offer of services, usually requiring a fee. Criminal conviction in trademark renewal solicitation scam.Are there examples of potentially misleading offers or notices?.I received a misleading trademark offer or notice.Are the deadlines in these offers and notices accurate?.How can I tell the difference between potentially misleading trademark offers and notices and legitimate USPTO emails and notices?.What kinds of trademark-related services do private companies offer?.Trademark Information Network News Video: Solicitation Alert.What is a trademark-related solicitation?.Even if some are offering legitimate services, we do not endorse any of these private companies sending these solicitations, and you are not required to use them.

Many are simply scams, and they are on the rise. Unfortunately, there are many businesses that are contacting trademark applicants and registrants and attempting to get them to pay fees and for services that are not needed or required, or to pay inflated fees, or to provide services which they, as non-attorneys, are not authorized to provide. Transferring ownership / Assignments helpĭon't be fooled by offers and notices from private companies some are scams.International intergovernmental organizations.Enforcing your trademark rights/trademark litigation.Checking registration status & viewing documents.Checking application status & viewing documents.Madrid Protocol international protection.

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