What Is The USPTO Principal Register?
The USPTO Principal Register is the primary register of trademarks maintained by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). It is a list of trademarks that have been granted the highest level of protection under U.S. Trademark Law. Trademarks on the Principal Register receive nationwide legal protection, meaning that the owner of the trademark has the exclusive right to use the trademark in connection with the goods or services identified in the trademark registration.
To be eligible for trademark registration on the Principal Register, a trademark must be distinctive, meaning it must either be inherently distinctive or have acquired distinctiveness through use in commerce. In addition, the trademark must not be merely descriptive of the goods or services, must not be primarily geographically descriptive or deceptively misdescriptive, and must not be confusingly similar to any existing trademarks or trade names.
Owners of trademarks on the Principal Register are entitled to use the ® symbol to indicate their trademark is registered and to bring legal actions in federal court or before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to pursue trademark oppositions, trademark cancellations, trademark infringement, and other legal actions. Registered trademarks also provide constructive notice to the public of the owner’s claim of exclusive rights in the trademark.
The Principal Register is an important tool for businesses to protect their branding and to ensure that consumers are able to easily identify and distinguish their goods and services from those of others.
Why Is Having A Trademark Registered On The Principal Register Important?
Having a trademark registered on the Principal Register is important for several reasons:
Overall, registering a trademark on the Principal Register with the USPTO provides a valuable tool for protecting and promoting a business’s branding efforts, increases sales and profitability, establishes credibility in the marketplace and loyalty with consumers, and enhances the legal and economic value of the trademark.
If you would like to apply for a USPTO trademark registration, our trademark attorneys can assist! Simply gives us a call or click on the “Contact” button, or the “Looking For Trademark Assistance” button and fill out our contact form. It takes less than a minute!