(以下内容先给出中文版本,随后对应给出英文版本,章节结构完全一致,方便读者对照阅读与检索)
———————————————— 一、导言
美国商标注册是中国企业和个人进入北美市场的首要合规步骤。相比仅依赖国内商标,美国联邦注册(USPTO)不仅能在全美范围获得专用权,还能通过海关备案、TACOMA 诉讼等方式有效遏制侵权。本文从准备—申请—审查—公告—注册—后续维持六大阶段,按最新规则(截至 2023 年底)梳理流程、费用与常见误区,并提供关键词对照表,供跨国业务团队或法律顾问快速参考。
二、准备阶段
商标检索
• 可在 USPTO TESS 系统进行同形/近似查询。
• 建议至少检索:文字、图形、同音异形、翻译。明确商品/服务类别
• 依据《尼斯分类》第 12 版。
• 多类申请须按类计费。确认申请人主体
• 公司:一致的英文法定名称(与公司注册证书保持一致)。
• 个人:护照拼写。
三、申请阶段
选择申请基础 (Filing Basis)
a) 1(a) 已使用 in commerce
b) 1(b) 意向使用 intent-to-use
c) 44(e) 基于国外注册
d) 66(a) 马德里延伸选择表格
• TEAS Plus($250/类)
• TEAS Standard($350/类)准备要件
• 商标图样 (jpg) 及尺寸
• 指定商品/服务描述
• 使用声明与样品(1(a) 基础)
• 代理人 US Attorney(境外申请人自 2019.8 起强制要求)
四、审查阶段
形式审查实质审查
• 可辨识性、混淆可能性 §2(d)、描述性 §2(e)…Office Action 应对
• 时限:三个月(2023.12 起)
• 可申请一次三个月延长 ($125/类)
五、公告与异议
• 公告期 30 天(可延长至 90/180 天)
• 对手可提 TTAB 异议或撤销
六、注册及维持
获取注册证(Intent-to-Use 需先提交 Statement of Use)后期文件
• 第 5-6 年:§8 使用声明 + §15 不可撤销声明
• 第 9-10 年:§8 + §9 续展美国海关备案 (CBP)
• 费用 $190/类/品牌
七、时间与成本概览
• 顺利申请约 8-12 个月,含 OA 约 12-18 个月
• 全流程常见预算:$1,500-3,000
八、常见误区
• 仅做马德里延伸即万无一失
• 忽视意向使用申报期限(36 个月)
• 未及时更新公司名称或地址导致注册失效
九、FAQ 速查
Q1:Logo 改版是否需重新申请?
Q2:是否必须提供美国地址?
Q3:可否合并多种商品于同一类?(可,但描述必须精准)
———————————————— I. Introduction
Registering a trademark with the USPTO is the first compliance step for any Chinese company or individual entering the North American market. Compared with relying solely on a home-country mark, a U.S. federal registration grants nationwide exclusive rights, enables U.S. Customs recordation, and strengthens enforcement in TACOMA-style litigation. This guide follows the latest rules (as of late 2023) and walks through six phases—Preparation, Filing, Examination, Publication, Registration, and Post-Registration—covering procedures, fees, and pitfalls, together with a bilingual keyword glossary for quick reference.
II. Preparation Phase
Trademark Search
• Conduct identical and similar searches via the USPTO TESS database.
• Include word marks, design marks, phonetic equivalents, and translations.Identify Goods/Services Class
• Based on Nice Classification, 12th edition.
• Multi-class filings are charged per class.Confirm Applicant Entity
• Company: legal English name identical to the registration certificate.
• Individual: spelling exactly as on passport.
III. Filing Phase
Choose a Filing Basis
a) 1(a) Use in commerce
b) 1(b) Intent to use
c) 44(e) Foreign registration
d) 66(a) Madrid Protocol extensionSelect Form
• TEAS Plus ($250/class)
• TEAS Standard ($350/class)Prepare Requirements
• Specimen and JPG rendering of the mark
• Precise identification of goods/services
• Declaration of use & specimen (for 1(a) basis)
• U.S. licensed attorney of record (mandatory for foreign applicants since Aug-2019)
IV. Examination Phase
Formalities CheckSubstantive Examination
• Distinctiveness, likelihood of confusion §2(d), descriptiveness §2(e), etc.Responding to Office Actions
• Deadline: 3 months (effective Dec-2023)
• One 3-month extension allowed ($125/class)
V. Publication & Opposition
• 30-day publication in the Trademark Official Gazette (extendable to 90/180 days).
• Oppositions or cancellations are filed before the TTAB.
VI. Registration & Maintenance
Registration Certificate (ITU cases must first file a Statement of Use).Post-Registration Filings
• Between 5th-6th year: §8 Declaration of Use + §15 Incontestability.
• Between 9th-10th year: Combined §8 + §9 Renewal.U.S. Customs Recordation (CBP)
• Fee: $190 per class per mark.
VII. Timeline & Budget Snapshot
• Smooth applications: 8-12 months; with OA: 12-18 months.
• Typical end-to-end budget: USD 1,500-3,000.
VIII. Common Pitfalls
• Assuming a Madrid extension is fail-safe.
• Missing the ITU Statement of Use deadline (max 36 months).
• Failing to update corporate name or address, causing cancellation.
IX. Quick FAQs
Q1: Must a redesigned logo be re-filed?
Q2: Is a U.S. physical address mandatory?
Q3: Can multiple goods be listed under one class? (Yes, but descriptions must be precise.)
———————————————— 温馨提示
以上时间与费用均基于 2023 年底 USPTO 官方标准,随政策调整需实时更新。本文件为信息摘要,不构成正式法律意见;复杂案件(如 §2(f) 获得显著性、TTAB 诉讼)建议咨询美国律师。