How to Register a Trademark in Alaska
Introduction
Understanding the process for registering a trademark in Alaska can save businesses valuable time and resources. If you are a business owner, you will likely want to protect your company's name and logo. Trademarks can be used to stop others from using your brand name or logo without permission. This article will explain how to register a trademark in Alaska.
Search your Trademark
If a trademark is already registered with the state, you will receive a message stating that your search was successful and providing information about the status of your application. If there are conflicting applications for similar-sounding names or companies, you may receive a message informing you to contact either the state office or an attorney.
Meet Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, you must:
- Be a business or entity that has its principal place of business in Alaska. This means that if your company is based out of Seattle and operates out of San Francisco, but also does business from its Anchorage office, then it would still be considered an Alaskan entity.
- Be an individual who lives in Alaska. If you're an aspiring entrepreneur who spends most of his time on the road and only occasionally visits Anchorage, then they won't meet this requirement by default.
Have a Statement of Use
If you choose not to submit a statement of intent to use, you must provide a statement of use within six months of your application filing date. The statement must include dates of first and last use, location(s) of first and last use, and an identification of the product or service. You will also need to sign and date the statement.
If you do not file a statement of use on time, your application will be abandoned. If this happens, it's possible that another applicant could later file an intent-to-use application based on your abandoned mark. They may receive priority over yours in obtaining registration rights for the specific goods and services identified in their own intents-to-use (ITU).
Prepare a Drawing of your Mark
You must submit a drawing of your mark to the USPTO. The drawing is required to show how your mark will look when used in commerce.
The USPTO recommends creating a black-and-white version that is no larger than 3 inches by 3 inches (7.62cm x 7.62cm), but they also allow color drawings if necessary for clarity's sake. If you are submitting black-and-white images with a colored text or other features that may be difficult for them to read.
Application for Registration
You must complete an application for registration and submit it to the USPTO. The application includes payment of any fees owed, as well as a description of your mark and its intended use. You should also include one or more specimens showing. It will show how your mark will appear when it is used in commerce on products or packaging.
Submit the Documentation
Once you have completed all the steps and are ready to file, you must mail or upload your application, fee, and any supporting documentation by mail or online.
- Mail: The fee for filing a trademark application is $200 dollars. This fee is non-refundable regardless of whether the mark is registered or not. You can pay this fee with a credit card (Visa/Mastercard), check, or money order payable to “USPTO”.
- Online: If you choose to submit your application electronically there is no additional cost. It takes longer than mailing it via snail mail. Instead, just go straight to the TESS registration portal and follow the instructions provided there.
Conclusion
The trademark registration process is not as complicated as it might appear to be. You only need to follow the steps and provide the documents required by the USPTO to register a trademark in Alaska. We hope we were able to shed some light on the topic for you today!
