Trademark Registration and Address Privacy
You can keep your domicile address private when filing for a trademark by providing separate mailing and domicile addresses. The mailing address will be public.
Address verification confirms applicant contact details, preventing legal issues and enabling communication through various methods like postal services, databases, and third-party services.
To change a trademark attorney address, file Form TM-M for a pending mark or Form TM-P for a registered mark.
Generic and Geographical Names in Trademarks
Registering a trademark allows exclusive use to distinguish your product/service from competitors. A domain name must also pass similar distinctiveness tests as physical marks.
Can you trademark the name of a location?
Short answer: No. Cities cannot trademark their name as it is considered part of the public domain.
Guidelines and Limitations on Trademarks
In general, certain words and designs cannot be registered as trademarks:
- Deceptive words, names, phrases, and slogans
- Merely descriptive words or phrases
- Geographical names
- Actual names (generic trademarks)
The USPTO guidelines prohibit registration of marks that may be confusingly similar to existing ones. Additionally, generic or descriptive words will not be granted trademark protection.