What Happens After You File Your Trademark

You’ve submitted your trademark application—now what? The trademark process doesn’t end when you click "submit." In fact, it’s just beginning.

Here’s what happens after you file, and what to expect at each stage of the USPTO review process.

1. USPTO Review and Examination

After your application is submitted, it’s assigned to a USPTO examining attorney. This usually happens within 4–6 weeks.

The examiner reviews your application to confirm that it meets all legal requirements, including proper classification, distinctiveness, and no conflicts with existing marks.

2. Office Actions (If Issued)

If the examiner identifies any problems, you’ll receive an Office Action—a letter explaining the issues. This could involve missing details, a confusingly similar mark, or a mark that's too descriptive.

You’ll typically have 3 to 6 months to respond. Failure to respond on time will result in abandonment of your application.

3. Publication in the Official Gazette

If there are no issues—or if your response resolves the examiner’s concerns—your trademark will be published in the USPTO’s Official Gazette for 30 days.

This public notice gives others the chance to oppose your trademark if they believe it conflicts with their own. If no one objects, your application proceeds to the next step.

4. Notice of Allowance or Registration

What happens next depends on your filing basis:

• Use in Commerce: If you’re already using the mark, you’ll receive a Registration Certificate.
• Intent to Use: You’ll receive a Notice of Allowance. From there, you must submit proof that you’re using the mark within six months—or file for an extension.

5. Ongoing Maintenance and Monitoring

A registered trademark isn’t one-and-done. To keep it active, you’ll need to file maintenance documents between years 5 and 6, then again every 10 years.

You should also monitor for infringement and take action against copycats or confusingly similar marks that may arise in the future.

Final Thoughts

Filing a trademark is an important first step—but understanding what happens next helps you stay on track. Whether you're waiting on review or responding to an Office Action, knowing the process helps you protect your brand the right way.

If you want help navigating what comes after filing, working with a trademark attorney can save you time, stress, and costly mistakes.

Make your mark—Tampa’s trademark attorney protects it.