TOPIC

Examination

What Is Examination?

Trademark examination is the analysis that a government trademark office carries out on a trademark application to determine whether a mark is entitled to formal recognition through registration.

Our Position

We support the international development and harmonization of examination standards. Toward this end, our Guidelines for Trademark Examination are one of our most important tools used in furthering the international development and harmonization of examination standards. The Guidelines provide general direction on a full range of issues related to examination of applications for trademark registration, and are intended to be available as a reference document, particularly for trademark registration offices. The Board first adopted the Guidelines in 1998 and approved the Revision of Guidelines for Trademark Examination in 2007.

If you want to learn more about Examination, contact Member Operations.