Solicitations
Third-party websites and internet search engines may post your USPTO application information online as part of a legitimate service. Companies not associated with the USPTO, however, may mail or e-mail you misleading offers and notices concerning your trademark application that look very official. These companies often use names similar to the USPTO, for example, the terms “United States” or “U.S.” combined with “trademark.” The notices often mimic the look of official government documents by emphasizing official government data, such as the USPTO application serial number, the international class(es), and filing dates. Many refer to other government agencies and include legal-looking references. Most require “fees” to be paid.
You do not need to respond to these solicitations, even if they indicate there is a looming deadline at the USPTO. You may separately confirm a USPTO deadline directly on our website (see section “How do I check the status of my application?”). Keep in mind that all official correspondence from the USPTO will only be from the “United States Patent and Trademark Office” located in Alexandria, VA, and from the e-mail domain “@uspto.gov.” Read trademark-related communications carefully before determining whether you need to respond.
Letters claiming trademark infringement
If another trademark owner believes you don’t have the right to use your trademark, you could receive a “cease-and-desist” letter that:
- Demands you immediately stop using your trademark because of what the letter may allege is unlawful or infringing use
- Says you could face possible legal action if you don’t stop using your trademark.
This is a serious matter. We strongly encourage you to hire an attorney in this situation, if you don’t already have one representing you. See the “Hiring an attorney” section on page 10 for more information.