Trademark Search & Clearance
Before you build a brand around a name, find out if it is available. A proper clearance search is the only way to know what you are walking into.
Do You Actually Need This?
These four situations signal that you need a clearance search before you move forward.
You are naming a new product, company, or brand.
Launching on a name someone else has rights to exposes you to an infringement claim, a forced rebrand, and liability for their legal fees. A clearance search costs a fraction of a rebrand.
You are about to spend on branding, packaging, or marketing.
Investing in a logo, packaging run, or ad campaign on an unchecked name is a bet you cannot afford to lose. Discovery of a conflict after launch can mean scrapping everything.
Your attorney or investor is asking for an IP opinion.
Deal counsel routinely requests clearance opinions before closing. Showing up without one signals that IP diligence was not done — and creates a negotiating liability.
You operate in multiple countries and need cross-border coverage.
A clean U.S. search tells you nothing about Canada, the EU, or other markets. If you operate internationally, your clearance search needs to cover every market you plan to enter.
What You Get
- Database Search
Full-Scope Clearance Search
We search USPTO, CIPO, all 50 state trademark registers, common-law databases, and domain name records to identify every potential conflict.
- Written Opinion
Legal Risk Assessment
A written legal opinion analyzing each identified conflict — likelihood of confusion, priority, and whether the risk is blocking, manageable, or negligible.
- Strategic Guidance
Go / No-Go Recommendation
Clear guidance on whether to proceed with the name, modify it, or pivot — with an explanation of the reasoning you can share with investors or deal counsel.
Flat Fee. No Surprises.
- Recommended
U.S. Clearance Search
From $750per mark, per class- USPTO federal register search
- All 50 state register search
- Common-law and domain search
- Written legal opinion letter
U.S. + Canada Clearance
From $1,200per mark- USPTO + CIPO register searches
- Provincial and common-law search
- Domain and social handle check
- Combined written opinion (EN + FR)
Your Questions Answered
A full clearance search covers federal registers (USPTO, CIPO), all 50 state registers, common-law use databases, and domain names. A basic search that only checks the USPTO misses a significant portion of potential conflicts.
You can search TESS for free, but it only shows federally registered marks and pending applications. It misses state registrations, common-law rights, and international marks with U.S. priority — any of which can block your use of the name.
We analyze the conflict and give you a clear recommendation: proceed, modify the name, negotiate a coexistence agreement, or pivot. Not every conflicting mark is a blocking conflict — the analysis is what matters.
A full clearance search and written opinion typically takes 5–7 business days. Rush turnaround is available for an additional fee when you are on a deal timeline.
No. A clearance search is a one-time snapshot of what exists before you launch. A trademark watch service is an ongoing monitoring service that alerts you when new conflicting marks are filed after you are already in market.
