How To Register A Trademark In California

If the trademark will be registered at the federal level do i have to register it with california.

How to register a trademark in california. Applications to file a trademark or service mark registration can be submitted online through the california secretary of state s bizfile california portal in person at the sacramento office or through the mail. There is no intent to use option. This is the public record application system where you will fill out the forms to apply to register your trademark. In 1861 the state passed a law regarding the registration of trademarks for bottled products. These are companies that for a fee will do the legwork for you.

While this article solely focuses upon the trademark application and trademark registration process in california the same analysis can generally be applied to other state trademark registrations. The mark must be in use in california. The simplest way to search for a california trademark is to hire a professional search firm. You don t have that option when filing a california trademark application. Duration of a registration of trademark or service mark is five 5 years.

For a new trademark you will select initial application form. Registration form tm 100 with the california secretary of state. I check the california secretary website but cannot find the way to search online. Thanks in advance for your help. The registration is active for five 5 years from the date filed by the secretary of state.

Can t register a trademark and service mark with one form. California was the first state in the country to have general trademark statutes. A trademark search report with an attorney s analysis and opinion about registration probabilities in california. These firms subscribe to annual or more frequent trademark registration updates from the california secretary of state s office. Your trademark registration will be processed in california through the following steps.

A california trademark registration both costs less and provides less rights than a united states trademark registration. At the federal level you can file a trademark application based on your intent to use a mark in commerce. Acknowledgment of assignment of california trademark service mark only for use when filing an assignment online acknowledgment of assignment. Application to register description of brand on returnable containers or equipment supplies form tm cb 100 101. They maintain their own databases of california trademarks.