108    Status Inquiries

108.01    Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TSDR) Database

The Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TSDR) database on the USPTO website provides detailed information about the status and prosecution history of trademark applications and registrations.  The TSDR database is generally available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The TSDR database is normally updated shortly after the USPTO internal databases are updated. However, the TSDR database may not reflect changes in ownership that have been recorded in the Assignment Recordation Branch.  There are circumstances in which the Trademark database will be updated automatically upon the recordation of a change of ownership. See TMEP §504.  In all other cases, the new owner must separately notify the Trademark Operation in writing of the recordation of a document, and request that the Trademark database be updated manually. See TMEP §§503.01(a), 504.01, 505-505.02.

Information about documents recorded with the Assignment Recordation Branch can be viewed though the Trademark Assignment Search web page.

See also TMEP §109.01 regarding public access to electronic images of the contents of trademark application and registration records and Board proceeding records.

108.02    Trademark Assistance Center (TAC)

If additional information regarding the status of an application or registration is needed, applicants or registrants may contact the Trademark Assistance Center (TAC) by email at TrademarkAssistanceCenter@uspto.gov or telephone at (571) 272-9250 or (800) 786-9199. TAC staff also provide general information about the trademark registration process. Telephone assistance is available from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays within the District of Columbia.  Walk-in service is available from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays within the District of Columbia.

TAC staff will gladly answer questions about the application process.  However, USPTO employees cannot:

  • conduct trademark searches for the public (see TMEP §104);
  • comment on the validity of registered marks (see TMEP §1801);
  • answer questions as to whether a particular mark or type of mark is eligible for registration;
  • offer legal advice or opinions about common-law trademark rights, state registrations, or trademark infringement claims; or
  • aid in the selection of a private trademark attorney or search firm (37 C.F.R. §2.11(a) ).

See TMEP Chapter 1800 regarding public inquiries about applications and registrations.

108.03    Due Diligence:  Duty to Monitor Status

37 C.F.R. §2.23(d) 

Notices issued or actions taken by the USPTO are displayed in the USPTO's publicly available electronic systems. Applicants and registrants are responsible for monitoring the status of their applications and registrations in the USPTO's electronic systems during the following time periods:

  • (1) At least every six months between the filing date of the application and issuance of a registration;
  • (2) After filing an affidavit of use or excusable nonuse under section 8 or section 71 of the Act, or a renewal application under section 9 of the Act, at least every six months until the registrant receives notice that the affidavit or renewal application has been accepted; and
  • (3) After notice of the institution of an expungement or reexamination proceeding under § 2.92, at least every three months until the registrant receives a notice of termination under § 2.94.

Applicants and registrants are responsible for tracking the status of trademark matters pending before the USPTO in accordance with the time frames in 37 C.F.R. §2.23(d). A party who has not received a notice or action from the USPTO within that time frame is responsible for promptly checking the matter’s status and requesting corrective action, if necessary. See id. Failure to act diligently and follow up with appropriate action may result in denial of the requested relief. See TMEP §§1705.05, 1714.01(d).

See TMEP §108.01 regarding checking the status of an application or registration through the Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TSDR) database and §108.02 regarding telephone assistance and status checks with TAC.

See TMEP §1705.05 for more information regarding the responsibility of applicants and registrants to periodically check the status of a pending application or post-registration filing and the options available if the application has been abandoned or the registration has been cancelled or expired.

See TMEP §1716.04(b) regarding the duty to monitor the status of a registration after notice of the institution of an expungement or reexamination proceeding.