How to Fill out a Goods and Services Trademark Application

Louis Kroeck reports:

"When applying for trademark registration with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, you will be required to select a classification describing the goods and services that your mark is intended to identify. The USPTO requires you to specifically identify the goods and services your mark identifies in order to prevent an unlimited monopoly for the use of a mark...When drafting your goods and services description in your trademark application you must first select at least one of the international class numbers that best describes your goods and services...It is always permissible to look at a competitor's trademark registration to see what class numbers they've selected. You can do this by using the USPTO's Trademark Electronic Search System...After selecting a class number, or multiple class numbers, you will need to provide a brief description of the specific goods and services you intend to provide. It is important to only claim goods or services that you are actually providing as an overly broad description can result in denial of your application. Your description should be succinct, but it should also include all goods and services currently offered by your company. If you wish to expand the goods and services offered by your company you may alter your goods and services description when you renew your trademark or through an additional USPTO filing following registration...An example of a goods and services statement for a t-shirt company might read, 'clothing and apparel including men's and women's t-shirts, sweaters, pants and [sweatshirts]." In order to obtain an example goods and services statement for your specific mark you may check the registration record for a competitor's mark on the USPTO website. An example of a goods and services statement for a snack company might read, 'processed foods and salty snacks namely potato chips, pretzels, crisps and crackers.'...When completing your trademark application, in addition to a statement as to the goods and services your mark protects, you must provide the USPTO with your name and contact information, the name of your mark, a statement as to when your mark was first used and proof of your mark being used in commerce."