Research Guides: Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC): Trademarks

Types of Trademarks

Per the USPTO, a trademark "can be any word, phrase, symbol, design, or a combination of these things that identifies your goods or services. It’s how customers recognize you in the marketplace and distinguish you from your competitors. ...

A trademark:

Identifies the source of your goods or services.
Provides legal protection for your brand.
Helps you guard against counterfeiting and fraud."

Trademarks can be many different things including words, designs, logos, slogans, symbols, colors, sounds, even fragrances! Basically anything you can argue helps a consumer distinguish the source of a good or service.

Trademark Searching and Registration Process

Trademark Basics (USPTO)
This page from the USPTO walks you through learning the essentials about trademarks, understanding the registration process, and preparing to file.
Trademark Design Search Code Manual
"A Design Code is a searchable numeric classfication that organizes design elements into three tiers: categories, divisions, and sections." This is essentially classification code searching for trademarks, which would be a good idea to explore along with keyword searching. This manual helps you find which codes might be most relevant to your search.
Trademark ID Manual (USPTO)
Per the USPTO, "The ID Manual generally provides a list of identifications of goods or services from which an applicant may choose in order to accurately identify the goods and/or services on or in connection with which the applicant uses, or has a bona fide intention to use, its mark in commerce."
Trademarks (WIPO)
This site provides a good introduction to trademarks in an international context and WIPO's Madrid System as an alternative to filing for trademark protection individually in each nation within which you wish to operate.
Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (USPTO)
The TSDR can be used "to retrieve status information and to view and download documents for pending and registered trademarks."
Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure (TMEP)
"The Manual is published to provide trademark examining attorneys in the USPTO, trademark applicants, and attorneys and representatives for trademark applicants with a reference work on the practices and procedures relative to prosecution of applications to register marks in the USPTO. The Manual contains guidelines for Examining Attorneys and materials in the nature of information and interpretation, and outlines the procedures which Examining Attorneys are required or authorized to follow in the examination of trademark applications."
TEAS Nuts and Bolts (USPTO)
These 'Nuts and Bolts' videos from the USPTO are intended to help you navigate the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS).
Trademarks Apply Online (USPTO)
Access to and guidance for using the Trademark Electronic Application System from the USPTO.

Databases

Trademark Search System (USPTO)
This search tool from the USPTO allows you to search for US trademarks by word, description, owner and more.
Global Brand Database (WIPO)
This database can be searched by keywords, numbers, goods and services, image similarity and/or a combination of elements. Includes trademarks from participating national offices as well as international trademarks under the Madrid System.
TMview (European Union Intellectual Property Network)
As well as word searching, you can actually search this database by uploading an image (of your logo, etc.) as well, which is pretty cool. You can also specify which territories or offices you're interested in as well as the goods/services that are most relevant to your search.

Additional Resources

Hiring a US-licensed attorney (USPTO)
As the USPTO describes this page: "Discover if you are required to hire an attorney and why you should hire an attorney, even if you are not required to."
State Trademark Information Links (USPTO)
Each state has their own trademark registration requirements/process, so this site from the USPTO links you to each individual state trademark office. You can scroll until you find your state.
ICANN Lookup
"Search for registered domain names. This may help you determine whether or not a domain name is taken for the business name you intend to use."