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Trademarks in the United States
Secure your brand in a first-to-use market where filing early still matters.
市場のポイント
Unlike China's first-to-file system, the US is fundamentally first-to-use: rights flow from actual use of a mark in commerce. But you don't have to wait — the USPTO allows “intent-to-use” (ITU) applications that reserve priority before launch, later perfected by proof of use.
Clearance matters: a full search across the USPTO register and common-law uses reduces the risk of conflicts and refusals. International brands can also extend via the Madrid Protocol, though a direct US filing is often cleaner through examination.
アプローチ
- Clearance search across the USPTO register and common-law uses
- File use-based (§1a) or intent-to-use (§1b) to fit your timeline
- Respond to office actions; manage specimens and proof of use
- Set renewals and a watch for conflicting marks
提供内容
- Clearance opinion
- Filing strategy & applications
- Watch + renewal calendar
よくある質問
- The US is first-to-use — do I still need to register?
- Yes. Registration gives nationwide constructive notice, presumptions of ownership, and stronger enforcement. Use alone gives only limited local rights.
- Can I file before I launch?
- Yes — an intent-to-use application reserves priority; you later file proof of use to complete registration.
- Madrid Protocol or direct US filing?
- Both work. Direct filings are often smoother through US examination; Madrid can be efficient if you're filing in many countries at once.