Reliable Trademark Attorneys for
Office Action Responses
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After you’ve submitted your
trademark application, it’s not uncommon for the registration process to be delayed with an office action. Receiving an office action from the United States Patent and Trademark Office can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t always mean that your application will be rejected. However, it’s crucial to respond to any questions or issues raised by the examining attorney to move forward with your application and protect your brand.
Although office actions are a standard part of the trademark registration process, they can put an obstacle in your way that you may not have expected. It’s best to work with a diligent trademark attorney who can ensure your office action response is clear, complete, and in the proper format to avoid ultimate refusal of your mark. The attorneys at the Brand Legal Services, PLLC have extensive experience responding to office actions with precision and efficiency to help you overcome any challenges and successfully register your trademark.
What is a USPTO Office Action?
Entrepreneurs and business owners may become concerned if they receive a trademark office action. But it’s important to understand that an office action is not an outright denial of your application. Specifically, an office action is a formal letter sent by the USPTO indicating that there is a problem with your application — or a legal issue with the mark itself — and gives you an opportunity to cure it.
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Every office action is different. While some office actions require a written response, others can be resolved with a phone call to the examining attorney. Office actions can be nonfinal and allow you to respond to the issue identified in your trademark application for the first time. The examining attorney may also issue a final office action if they deem your response to the first office action inadequate. A final office action gives you one last chance to assert your legal argument and make any necessary corrections.
Other common types of USPTO office actions include:
- Examiner’s amendments
- Priority actions
- Suspension letters
- Suspension inquiries
- Notices of incomplete response
Sometimes, there are issues in a trademark application that are unresolvable. But in many cases, any errors, omissions, or legal issues raised in a trademark office action can be remedied with an office action response. Generally, you must respond within six months from the date of issuance of the office action — failure to do so by the necessary deadline can result in your trademark application being declared abandoned.
Office actions typically contain nuanced legal arguments, and crafting a response can be complex and time-consuming. Our attorneys have in-depth knowledge concerning all aspects of trademark law and are skilled in drafting strong office action responses. We are committed to helping entrepreneurs overcome hurdles during the trademark registration process so that your focus can remain on growing a thriving and successful business.
High-Quality Legal Services for Trademark Office Action Responses
The USPTO may issue an office action for both administrative and substantive reasons. Depending on the deficiencies identified in your application, a highly detailed response may be required. Importantly, any concerns raised by the USPTO examining attorney regarding your proposed trademark must be specifically addressed to prevent the rejection of your application.
When filing a trademark application, it’s essential to ensure that the description of your goods and/or services is specific, accurate, and “definite.” Office actions can be issued if the wording used to describe your goods and services is unclear or too broad, holding up your trademark application until you’ve provided clarification. You might also receive an office action if there is a term in your trademark that isn’t registrable. For instance, if a word in your trademark would need to be used by other businesses without the risk of litigation, you might be required to “disclaim” that part of your trademark in order to register it.
Another reason your trademark registration might be stalled with an office action is if there would be a likelihood of confusion with your brand and another registered trademark. Additionally, if you failed to provide the specimen on which your mark would be used — or the mark that appears on the specimen is different from that of the drawing — you can expect to receive an office action.
Having the guidance of an adept trademark attorney from the beginning of the trademark registration process can help ensure you avoid any difficulties or pitfalls and get your mark approved as quickly as possible. However, even if you filed the trademark application on your own, it’s not too late to seek legal assistance if you’ve received an office action. Our trademark attorneys regularly assist business owners and entrepreneurs with filing office action responses so they can obtain legal protection for their brands and maintain a competitive edge in their respective industries.
Contact a Knowledgeable Trademark Attorney to Assist with Your Office Action Response
Office actions are a routine part of trademark registration, and it’s helpful to have a trademark attorney on your side to help you navigate the process. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the Brand Legal Services, PLLC provides a wide variety of trademark services for business owners, startup companies, and entrepreneurs in many different industries nationwide. With an impressive track record of successfully registering more than 6,000 trademarks with the USPTO, we are dedicated to providing our clients with exceptional legal services at reasonable rates.
Contact us today to schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation with a trademark attorney concerning your office action response.
