Trademark Searching

A basic trademark check or knockout search can take just a few minutes if you use automated tools like Questel’s trademark finder. However, a comprehensive trademark lookup — which reviews federal, state, common law, and international databases — typically takes between 1 to 3 business days, depending on the complexity of the mark and the number of classes involved. 

Yes, you can start with a free trademark lookup using public databases such as the USPTO or WIPO Global Brand Database. However, these tools have limitations. They may not capture similar marks, unregistered uses, or domain names that could lead to conflicts. For a complete US patent and trademark search, it’s best to use a professional search solution like Questel, which includes phonetic, conceptual, and visual similarity detection. 

Questel’s trademark search platform connects to worldwide trademark databases, including USPTO, EUIPO, WIPO, and national offices in more than 180 countries. It also integrates common law and domain name data to provide a holistic trademark lookup experience. This ensures users can verify trademarks quickly and reduce the risk of infringement before filing. 

A knockout search is a quick trademark check designed to identify exact or very similar matches before investing in branding or filing. It helps you search for a trade mark efficiently but offers limited insight. 
A comprehensive search, on the other hand, analyzes phonetic, conceptual, and visual similarities, covering multiple databases, domain names, and unregistered marks. It’s essential for minimizing legal and commercial risks, especially when expanding into international markets. 

The cost of a US trademark search depends on the type and depth of the search. Basic screenings are generally affordable, while comprehensive searches that include expert analysis and detailed reporting are priced higher. Questel offers flexible options to match your needs and ensure you can move forward with confidence before filing or launching a new brand. 

Running a trademark check against your shortlist of names for your new company, products, or services is important because it will mitigate the risk of launching into a market where your chosen name is already in use. If another party has registered your chosen name as a trademark in that market, they could take action against you for infringement or oppose your trademark application. Even if they do not have a trademark registration in that market, they could act against you based on their prior use of the mark (common law rights). Your target customers may also be confused by your offering if you use a brand name that is already in use. 

Trademarks are territorial rights, so it's important to run a trademark check in the jurisdiction(s) of interest to you. This should include the markets in which you plan to retail your goods or services, as well as the ones in which you manufacture, transport, and market your goods. Each jurisdiction maintains a register of granted trademark rights so you can search directly at the trademark office in each place, use a cross-jurisdictional search tool, such as our Markify Clearance & Watch Platform, or instruct a specialist provider such as Questel to run a trademark search on your behalf. The benefit of working with a provider is that you can outsource the entire responsibility and process of trademark searching to an expert, thereby minimizing time and risk. As crucially, our software and service also run searches against common law sources (such as domain names, business names, and web content) to provide a more comprehensive trademark check.