search

After a trademark application is filed, the USPTO will conduct a search of USPTO records for conflicting marks as part of the official examination process. The official search is not done for the applicant but rather to determine whether the mark applied for can be registered. The USPTO advises applicants and/or their representatives to search the records before filing the application. A search may be conducted through TESS, or by visiting the Trademark Public Search Library, between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. at Madison East, 1st Floor, 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA 22313. Use of the Public Search Library is free to the public. Also, certain information may be searched at a Patent and Trademark Depository Library. These libraries have CD-ROMS containing the database of registered and pending marks, and Internet access to the Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS). (However, the CD-ROMS do not contain images of the design marks.)

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Context: Trademark 

The search is made to identify any documents considered to be necessary to determine whether the invention is new and involves an inventive step. Types of search:

(1) According to technical means used e.g.: manual search (in a paper collection), on-line search (in a computerized file), offline electronic search (e.g. in a DVD collection).

(2) According to the purpose of the search: state of the art search, novelty search, infringement search, etc.

(3) According to the means used: classification search, name search, catchword (keyword) search, full text search, text mining etc.