I am working on starting my own clothing line from the ground up. I have a couple of ideas of names for the line but am struggling to find out if these names have been previously used/trademarked. I have tried just googling it but I just find stuff related to the words/subjects in the title. Is there anywhere I can go on the web and just check for trademarks and availability.
TM Express™
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Here are some links where you can do some preliminary checking. However, please be aware that this is merely scratching the surface of what's out there.
http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/index.jsp -- USPTO – Preliminary Search of Federal trademarks; Click Search Marks
http://www.statelocalgov.net/50states-secretary-state.cfm --Go to your state's Secretary of State page to see if they have a searchable database of business names
http://www.hoovers.com/free/
http://www.thomasnet.com – Must register (free) to search their database
Only comprehensive research will tell you if the name is truly available. But, these links are free & a great place to start, so I'd try them out first.
Comprehensive research consists of looking at marks that are similar in Sound, Appearance or Meaning in the pending & registered Federal AND State trademark files as well as the US National Common-Law files.
Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
falsi fiable
http://www.uspto.gov
The US Patent and Trademark Office.
Aaron Patton
check wit da gubmet (no seriously)