| name | trademark-search |
| description | Search the USPTO trademark database to check name availability and get registration details. Use when the user wants to check if a name is trademarked, research trademark availability, or look up registration status. No API key required. |
USPTO Trademark Search
Search the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database to check trademark availability and get registration details. Uses web search as the primary method — most USPTO and trademark database sites block automated requests.
When to Use
- User wants to check if a name/brand is trademarked
- User is researching trademark availability before naming a product
- User wants details on an existing trademark registration
- User asks "is [name] trademarked?" or "can I use [name]?"
Important Disclaimer
This skill provides informational data only — not legal advice. Always recommend the user consult a trademark attorney for definitive guidance. Trademark availability depends on many factors beyond exact-match searches (similarity, likelihood of confusion, goods/services classes, etc.).
Known Limitations
Direct web_fetch calls to trademark databases will not work — they block automated requests:
| Source | Direct Fetch | Status |
|---|
| tmsearch.uspto.gov | ❌ JS-rendered, no useful content | Blocked |
| tsdr.uspto.gov | ❌ Returns 403 | Blocked |
| trademarkia.com | ❌ Returns 403 | Blocked |
| branddb.wipo.int | ❌ JS-rendered | Blocked |
Web search is the primary (and reliable) approach. Search engines index these databases, so you can find trademark records through web_search queries with site: filters.
Step 1: Web Search for Trademark Records (Primary Method)
Use web_search to find trademark registrations. This is the most reliable approach.
Search USPTO Records
web_search: "BRAND_NAME" trademark site:tsdr.uspto.gov
web_search: "BRAND_NAME" trademark site:uspto.gov
Search Trademarkia (Indexed by Search Engines)
web_search: "BRAND_NAME" site:trademarkia.com
Trademarkia results typically include: mark name, serial/registration number, status (LIVE/DEAD), owner, filing date, and Nice Classification class.
Search Broadly
web_search: "BRAND_NAME" trademark registered
web_search: "BRAND_NAME" site:tmdn.org
What to Look For in Results
- TSDR links (tsdr.uspto.gov/statusview/sn... or rn...) → existing trademark record with serial/registration number
- Trademarkia listings → status, owner, class, filing/registration dates
- Company websites claiming "®" or "™" → claimed/registered marks
- Nice Classification class for goods/services — critical for determining if a mark conflicts with your intended use
Step 2: Extract Details from Search Results
Search results from Trademarkia and USPTO typically contain enough detail in the snippet:
- Mark name and any design description
- Serial number (application) or Registration number
- Status: LIVE (active) or DEAD (abandoned/cancelled/expired)
- Owner name
- Class(es) of goods/services
- Filing and registration dates
If you need more detail, try fetching the specific Trademarkia result URL — some individual pages may load, though the search pages are blocked.
Key Status Values
| Status | Meaning |
|---|
| LIVE | Active trademark — registered or pending |
| DEAD | Abandoned, cancelled, or expired |
| Registered | Fully registered and active |
| Published for Opposition | Pending — 30-day window for objections |
| Abandoned | Application was abandoned |
| Cancelled | Registration was cancelled |
| Expired | Registration expired (not renewed) |
Step 3: Check International Marks (Optional)
For products with international reach, also search:
web_search: "BRAND_NAME" trademark site:branddb.wipo.int
web_search: "BRAND_NAME" trademark international WIPO
Trademark Classes (Nice Classification)
When reporting results, include the goods/services class:
| Class | Category |
|---|
| 9 | Software, apps, electronics |
| 25 | Clothing, footwear |
| 35 | Advertising, business management |
| 36 | Financial services, insurance |
| 41 | Education, entertainment |
| 42 | Software design, SaaS, tech services |
A trademark only protects within its registered class(es). A name can be registered by different entities in different classes.
Output Format
Availability Check
### Trademark Search: "BRAND NAME"
**⚠️ Disclaimer:** This is an informational search only, not legal advice. Consult a trademark attorney before making business decisions.
#### Findings
**Exact Matches Found:** Yes/No
1. **BRAND NAME** — Registration #1234567
Status: 🟢 LIVE / Registered
Owner: Company Name, Inc.
Filed: Jan 15, 2020 · Registered: Aug 3, 2020
Class: 9 (Software), 42 (SaaS)
Goods/Services: "Computer software for project management..."
🔗 https://tsdr.uspto.gov/statusview/rn1234567
2. **BRAND NAME** — Serial #90123456
Status: 🔴 DEAD / Abandoned
Owner: Other Company LLC
Filed: Mar 1, 2019 · Abandoned: Sep 15, 2019
Class: 35 (Business services)
#### Similar Marks Found
- BRAND NAYME — Reg #2345678 (Class 9, LIVE)
- BRANDNAME — Reg #3456789 (Class 42, LIVE)
#### Assessment
- [Summary of what was found]
- [Note relevant classes vs user's intended use]
- [Recommend next steps]
Quick Check
### Trademark: "BRAND NAME"
✅ No exact matches found in USPTO database.
⚠️ Similar marks exist: [list]
📋 Recommended classes to check: 9, 42 (if software)
**Next steps:** Consider a comprehensive search with a trademark attorney before filing.
Error Handling
- No results from web search: This doesn't mean the name is available — it may not be indexed yet, or it may be too new. Note this uncertainty.
- Conflicting info across sources: Trademarkia may lag behind USPTO. When in doubt, note the discrepancy and recommend checking the official USPTO site directly.
- Too many results: Narrow with class filters or add the specific goods/services category to the search query.
Important Caveats to Always Mention
- Common law trademarks exist without registration — a name can be "taken" even if not in the USPTO database
- State registrations are separate from federal (USPTO) registrations
- International marks may conflict — check WIPO if relevant
- Likelihood of confusion matters — similar (not just identical) marks can conflict
- Class matters — same name can coexist in different goods/services classes
- This is not legal advice — always recommend consulting a trademark attorney
Examples
Example 1: "Is 'Stellar' trademarked?"
web_search: "Stellar" trademark site:tsdr.uspto.govweb_search: "Stellar" site:trademarkia.com- Review search result snippets for serial/registration numbers, status, class
- Present findings with class info and assessment
Example 2: "Can I use 'NovaPay' for a fintech app?"
web_search: "NovaPay" trademarkweb_search: "NovaPay" site:trademarkia.com- Check results for marks in Class 9 (software) and Class 36 (financial services)
- Present findings and note relevant classes for fintech
Example 3: "Check trademark status for registration number 5678901"
web_search: USPTO trademark registration 5678901- Look for TSDR or Trademarkia links in results with status details
- Present the current status, owner, and class information
Data Sources
All accessed via web_search (direct fetch is blocked by these sites):
