Back to Trademark registration process

If an issue is raised during the trademark registration process, can I make some changes/iterations to the brand name/logo while it is pending?

Written by Jan Buza

Co-founder of Trama

No. The mark cannot be changed after the application is filed. The trademark is examined as filed; changing the name or logo would require a new application covering the updated version.

What can be changed in response to an office action is the goods and services list (which can be narrowed) and administrative details such as the owner's address. If the examiner's objection is that the mark as filed is too similar to an earlier mark, the response must address that through legal arguments, consent arrangements, or narrowing the classes; not by changing the mark itself.

Related questions

Healthy competition or monopoly over Oats? The case of Oatly AB vs Glebe Farm Foods

Cases of multinational companies putting claims against much smaller businesses are far from uncommon, but their result is almost always the same - an absolute PR nightmare for the corporate giants. Oatly AB, a leading plant-based dairy alternatives producer, is amongst the companies that have fallen under public scrutiny after their overly aggressive trademark enforcement actions.

Avoid these 5 risks of unregistered trademarks

Many entrepreneurs still consider trademark registration to be the least important step in the process of establishing their brand. This can become a big issue. Not registering a trademark from the start leaves a company vulnerable to potential copycats and other forms of brand infringement that can significantly damage its reputation and hamper growth. Here are 5 main risks associated with not registering a trademark that can be detrimental to your brand

glenn-carstens-peters-0woyPEJQ7jc-unsplash

Stories of our clients: Red Phantom Games

Richard Ogden, the founder of Red Phantom Games, has devoted his professional life towards making great video games and we are thrilled to see the success of the upcoming game developed by this independent gaming studio - Gearshifters.