This page contains definitions of search fields and tips on the use of fields in your searches.

The PTO's Web Trademark database contains many searchable fields. By narrowing your search to terms in a field that you specify, you can greatly decrease the likelihood of retrieving extraneous documents.

This page shows a list of all the available fields, defines each field, shows the abbreviated field name or code, and provides examples of how do field searching.

Affidavits (AF)

This field contains notations on the types of affidavits filed on registrations. It refers to either or both Sec. 8 and Sec. 15 of the trademark law (Lanham Act, as amended), or to Section 12(c) for pre-1946 registrations.

Section 8: These affidavits are required for both the Supplemental and Principal Registers to show continuous use of the mark since registration. A Section 8 Affidavit must be filed between the fifth and sixth year anniversary of the registration date in order to maintain the registration.

Section 15: These affidavits apply only to the Principal Register. They must be filed within one year of any five-year period of continuous use to confer a status of incontestability in the registration.

Section 12(c): This affidavit may be filed for a registration that registered under trademark legislation that was in effect prior to the Lanham Act which was enacted in 1946. By filing this affidavit the registration takes on the benefits as well as the responsibilities (such as the requirement to file a Section 8 affidavit) of the 1946 Lanham Act.

TIP: Enter one of the following terms (using quotation marks) in the text entry box: Sect 8 , Sect 15 or Sect 12c.

(This field applies only to Registered marks.)

Amended Supplemental Registration (EF)

This field contains the date that the application was amended for placement on the Supplemental Register.

TIP: You can use one of three formats for to search in any of the date fields:

1. <four digit year><two digit month><two digit date>.

   For example, use 19960101 to retrieve documents filed on Jan 1, 1996.

2. <Month>-<Date>-<Year>.

   Month can be the number of the month, the full name of the month, or the abbreviation (e.g. 1, January or Jan).

   Date must be a number between 1 and 31 or *

   Year must be either a two or four digit year (e.g. 96 or 1996)

   Example: Use 1-1-96, Jan-1-96 or January-1-1996 to retrieve documents filed on January 1, 1996.

3. <Month>/<Date>/<Year>.

   Month can be the number of the month, the full name of the month, or the abbreviation (e.g. 1, January or Jan).

   Date must be a number between 1 and 31 or *

   Year must be either a two or four digit year. (e.g. 96 or 1996)

   Example: Use 1/1/96, Jan/1/96 or January/1/1996 to retrieve documents filed on January 1, 1996.

You can search for a range of dates using the -> operator.

Example: To search for documents with filing dates between January 1, 1995 and February 14, 1995, use EF/1/1/95->2/14/95

If you want to search for all documents with filing dates in January of 95, it is simpler to use EF/1/*/95 than to use EF/1/1/95->1/31/95, though both will return the same results.

Attorney of Record (AT)

This field contains the name of the attorney as specified in any power of attorney submitted with the trademark application. Note that the power of attorney expires when an application matures into a registration.

TIP: Since this information may be not updated in the database and is often changed prior to registration, you should contact the US Patent and Trademark Office or examine the application file to ensure retrieval of current information.

Change in Registration (CR)

This field indicates that a change in the registration of a mark has occurred.

The most common changes are:

• a change in the ownership of the mark;
• a change in the name of the owner (for example, International Harvester changes its name to Navistar);
• a change in address; and/or,
• a change in the goods or services classes in which the mark is used.

TIP: This field contains the words "Change in Registration Has Occurred". Enter * (or any of the words in the expression) in this field to retrieve all records for which a change in registration has occurred.

(This field applies only to Registered marks.)

Description of Mark (DE)

This field contains words contained in the written description of the mark.

Example: For the three musical notes that make up the sound mark registered to NBC, this field states, "The mark comprises a sequence of chime-like musical notes ..."

Design Search Code (DC)

This field contains a six-digit code (which must include the periods) used to identify design elements that comprise a mark that contain a design (drawing). A mark may have more than one design code associated with it. Design search codes are defined in the Design Search Code Manual. (This manual is available at the Trademark Search Library in Arlington VA, and at all Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries.)

TIP:

• Trademarks which have data design search code field should have an image associated with them. Please bear in mind that due to the production processes involved, the availability of trademark images lags several months behind the availability of text.

Example: Enter 15.05.01 to retrieve records for trademarks incorporating typewriters in the design.

Disclaimer (DS)

This field contains words in a statement waiving exclusive rights to specific words or elements of a mark. Without this disclaimer, the PTO would not register the mark.

Example: The trademark for Florida Gold states "no claim is made to the exclusive use of 'Florida' apart from the mark as shown."

Filing Date (FD)

This field contains the date when a complete application was received by the US Patent and Trademark Office, following receipt of all filing material requirements. Contingent upon registration, it constitutes date of constructive use (legal equivalent of actual use).

TIP: You can use one of three formats for to search in any of the date fields:

1. <four digit year><two digit month><two digit date>.

   For example, use 19960101 to retrieve documents filed on Jan 1, 1996.

2. <Month>-<Date>-<Year>.

   Month can be the number of the month, the full name of the month, or the abbreviation (e.g. 1, January or Jan).

   Date must be a number between 1 and 31 or *

   Year must be either a two or four digit year (e.g. 96 or 1996)

   Example: Use 1-1-96, Jan-1-96 or January-1-1996 to retrieve documents filed on January 1, 1996.

3. <Month>/<Date>/<Year>.

   Month can be the number of the month, the full name of the month, or the abbreviation (e.g. 1, January or Jan).

   Date must be a number between 1 and 31 or *

   Year must be either a two or four digit year. (e.g. 96 or 1996)

   Example: Use 1/1/96, Jan/1/96 or January/1/1996 to retrieve documents filed on January 1, 1996.

You can search for a range of dates using the -> operator.

Example: To search for documents with filing dates between January 1, 1995 and February 14, 1995, use FD/1/1/95->2/14/95

If you want to search for all documents with filing dates in January of 95, it is simpler to use FD/1/*/95 than to use FD/1/1/95->1/31/95, though both will return the same results.

Goods and Services (GS)

This field contains a written description which clearly identifies the nature of the goods and/or services as set forth in the application or registration. See Acceptable Identification of Goods and Services Manual for guidance and suggestions of acceptable descriptions of goods and services. (This manual is available at the Trademark Search Library in Arlington, VA and at all Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries.)

International Class (IC)

This field identifies the class(es) assigned to a mark under the International Classification of Goods and Services (Nice Agreement) based upon the goods or services on which the mark is used. The International Classification has been the primary classification for marks in the United States since September 1, 1973.

TIP: To search this field, enter as a 3-digit number, right-justified, with leading zeros if necessary.

Example: Enter 032 to retrieve documents classified in Class 32.

A list of International Trademark Class Numbers and Short Titles follows. Note that these short titles are not an official part of the International Classification. They are provided here as a means by which the general content of numbered International Classes can be quickly identified. See Section 6.1 of the Trademark Rules of Practice for the full names of the International Classes and Chapter 1400 of the Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure for additional trademark classification information.

Mark Drawing Code (MD)

This field provides a code to indicate the type of mark drawing.

There are six codes to indicate the types of mark drawings:

1. -- Typed drawing (words, letters, or numbers not depicted in special form)
2. -- Design only
3. -- Design plus words, letters and/or numbers
4. -- Words, letters and/or numbers in block form
5. -- Words, letters and/or numbers in stylized form
6. -- No drawing (sensory marks, such as sound and fragrance marks)

TIPS:

• Only trademarks with an MDC of "2" or "3" have images associated with them. Please bear in mind that due to the production processes involved, the availability of trademark images lags several months behind the availability of text.
• To search in this field, enter the desired mark drawing code in the search field.

Example: Enter 2 for design only. Enter 6 for no drawing (sensory marks such as sound and fragrance marks).

Mark Search (MS)

This field includes entries in Word Mark, Pseudo Mark, and Translation. That is, the Word Mark, the Pseudo Mark, the Translation have been combined into a single index. It is important to search for similar marks in all three of these fields since they are all considered by the PTO when making a determination as to whether to refuse an application based on a likelihood of confusion with a registered mark or prior-filed application. Using this field allows you to search all fileds simultaneously.

TIP: This search field is intended to simplify the most common trademark search. If you perform your keyword search in this search field, you can avoid repeating the same search in each of the Word Mark, Pseudo Mark, and Translation fields.

Other Data(OD)

This field contains information regarding any concurrent use of the mark, court ordered restriction, or other information which exists for the particular mark.

Other Registration Information (OR)

This field contains the registration numbers of other US registrations owned by the applicant or registrant.

TIP: Enter as a seven-digit number, right-justified, with leading zeros if necessary.

Owner Address (OA)

This field contains the address of the owner or applicant for the mark, including street, city, state or country and zip code. It also indicates if owner is an individual, corporation, partnership, association, etc., and the state or country of citizenship or incorporation.

Owner Name (ON)

This field contains the name of an individual, corporation, partnership, association, etc. having controlling interest in the use of the mark.

Priority Date (PD)

This field relates to Section 44(d) applications. It contains the date of filing in a foreign country which becomes the "priority" filing date in the United States.

TIP: You can use one of three formats for to search in any of the date fields:

1. <four digit year><two digit month><two digit date>.

   For example, use 19960101 to retrieve documents filed on Jan 1, 1996.

2. <Month>-<Date>-<Year>.

   Month can be the number of the month, the full name of the month, or the abbreviation (e.g. 1, January or Jan).

   Date must be a number between 1 and 31 or *

   Year must be either a two or four digit year (e.g. 96 or 1996)

   Example: Use 1-1-96, Jan-1-96 or January-1-1996 to retrieve documents filed on January 1, 1996.

3. <Month>/<Date>/<Year>.

   Month can be the number of the month, the full name of the month, or the abbreviation (e.g. 1, January or Jan).

   Date must be a number between 1 and 31 or *

   Year must be either a two or four digit year. (e.g. 96 or 1996)

   Example: Use 1/1/96, Jan/1/96 or January/1/1996 to retrieve documents filed on January 1, 1996.

You can search for a range of dates using the -> operator.

Example: To search for documents with filing dates between January 1, 1995 and February 14, 1995, use PD/1/1/95->2/14/95

If you want to search for all documents with filing dates in January of 95, it is simpler to use PD/1/*/95 than to use PD/1/1/95->1/31/95, though both will return the same results.

Pseudo Mark (PM)

This field provides an additional search tool for locating documents whose Word Mark may contain an alternative or intentionally corrupted spelling. for a normal English word. The Pseudo Mark field often contains spellings that are very similar or phonetically equivalent to the Word Mark.

Examples:

• A document with the Word Mark "4U" might contain a Pseudo Mark of "for you".
• Searching the Pseudo Mark field for "QUICK" should retrieve marks whose Word Mark field contains "KWIK", "KWIX", "QUIK", etc.

Published for Opposition (PU)

This field contains the date that the application was published for opposition in the Trademark Official Gazette.

TIP: You can use one of three formats for to search in any of the date fields:

1. <four digit year><two digit month><two digit date>.

   For example, use 19960101 to retrieve documents filed on Jan 1, 1996.

2. <Month>-<Date>-<Year>.

   Month can be the number of the month, the full name of the month, or the abbreviation (e.g. 1, January or Jan).

   Date must be a number between 1 and 31 or *

   Year must be either a two or four digit year (e.g. 96 or 1996)

   Example: Use 1-1-96, Jan-1-96 or January-1-1996 to retrieve documents filed on January 1, 1996.

3. <Month>/<Date>/<Year>.

   Month can be the number of the month, the full name of the month, or the abbreviation (e.g. 1, January or Jan).

   Date must be a number between 1 and 31 or *

   Year must be either a two or four digit year. (e.g. 96 or 1996)

   Example: Use 1/1/96, Jan/1/96 or January/1/1996 to retrieve documents filed on January 1, 1996.

You can search for a range of dates using the -> operator.

Example: To search for documents with filing dates between January 1, 1995 and February 14, 1995, use PU/1/1/95->2/14/95

If you want to search for all documents with filing dates in January of 95, it is simpler to use PU/1/*/95 than to use PU/1/1/95->1/31/95, though both will return the same results.

Register (RG)

This field identifies the mark as being either on

• the Principal Register
• the Principal Register with a Section 2(f) claim of acquired distinctiveness, or
• the Supplemental Register.

The Principal Register is where most marks are registered. The Supplemental Register exists to allow registration of marks that are not distinctive but are "capable" of becoming distinctive. Principal Register marks which have acquired distinctiveness through long use are registered based on a claim under Section 2(f) of the Lanham Act. Usually, at least five years of use is sufficient to support a Section 2(f) claim. Registration on the Supplemental Register does not bar later registration on the Principal Register once the mark has become capable of distinguishing the owner's goods or services from those of others.

(This field applies only to Registered marks.)

Registration Date (RD)

This field contains the date on which a mark was registered by the US Patent and Trademark Office.

TIP: You can use one of three formats for to search in any of the date fields:

1. <four digit year><two digit month><two digit date>.

   For example, use 19960101 to retrieve documents filed on Jan 1, 1996.

2. <Month>-<Date>-<Year>.

   Month can be the number of the month, the full name of the month, or the abbreviation (e.g. 1, January or Jan).

   Date must be a number between 1 and 31 or *

   Year must be either a two or four digit year (e.g. 96 or 1996)

   Example: Use 1-1-96, Jan-1-96 or January-1-1996 to retrieve documents filed on January 1, 1996.

3. <Month>/<Date>/<Year>.

   Month can be the number of the month, the full name of the month, or the abbreviation (e.g. 1, January or Jan).

   Date must be a number between 1 and 31 or *

   Year must be either a two or four digit year. (e.g. 96 or 1996)

   Example: Use 1/1/96, Jan/1/96 or January/1/1996 to retrieve documents filed on January 1, 1996.

You can search for a range of dates using the -> operator.

Example: To search for documents with filing dates between January 1, 1995 and February 14, 1995, use RD/1/1/95->2/14/95

If you want to search for all documents with filing dates in January of 95, it is simpler to use RD/1/*/95 than to use RD/1/1/95->1/31/95, though both will return the same results.

(This field applies only to Registered marks.)

Registration Number (RN)

This field contains the unique number assigned to applications that have received approval for registration. To search this field use the seven-digit registration number. If the registration number does not contain seven digits, pad with leading zeros.

Registration numbers of "0000000" in the database indicate marks protected as a result of US legislation or international treaty.

Examples: 1371604; 0916522

TIP: The registration number is 7 digits. Any commas included in a registration number will be ignored.

(This field applies only to Registered marks.)

Renewals (RE)

This field contains the date on which a renewal for a trademark was registered by the US Patent and Trademark Office. Trademarks may be renewed indefinitely for ten-year periods provided certain conditions are met.

TIP: Search * to retrieve all documents which have been renewed. Search this field for 1998 to retrieve all documents renewed in 1998. Format of the data in this field is: 1ST Renewal 1998.01.00

(This field applies only to Registered marks.)

Section 1(b) Indicator (IU)

This field signifies that the mark or application was filed on the basis of Intent to Use as provided by Section 1(b) of the trademark law (Lanham Act, as amended).

TIP: Enter * in this search field to retrieve records of all applications or registrations filed on this basis.

Section 2(f) Limitation (2F)

This field retrieves applications and registrations claiming the benefits of Section 2(f) of the trademark law (Lanham Act, as amended), and indicates the part of the mark for which acquired distinctiveness was established as a condition for placement on the Principal Register. "Acquired" means distinctiveness that is not inherent, but achieved through continuous use and consumer recognition of the word, phrase, symbol, etc. acting as a trademark.

TIP: Enter * in this search field to retrieve records of all applications or registrations claiming the benefits of Section 2(f).

Section 44 Indicator (S4)

This field indicates whether registrations or applications are claiming the benefits of that section of trademark law (Lanham Act, as amended) allowing registration in the United States of trademarks registered in foreign countries.

TIP: Enter * in this field to retrieve all records for registrations or applications claiming the benefits of Section 44.

Serial Number (SN)

This field contains the unique identification number assigned by the US Patent and Trademark Office to applications which have received a filing date.

TIP: A serial number is 8 digits long. Search this field using the two-digit series code and a six-digit serial number (right-justified, with leading zeroes if necessary), with or without the hyphen between the code and the number.

Example: 70-011210 or 70011210

Series Code designations are:

• 70 indicates filing dates ranging from 1881 through 3/31/1905
• 71 indicates filing dates ranging from 4/1/1905 through 12/31/1955
• 72 indicates filing dates ranging from 1/1/1956 through 8/31/1973
• 73 indicates filing dates ranging from 9/1/1973 through 11/15/1989
• 74 indicates filing dates ranging from 11/16/1989 to 9/30/95
• 75 indicates filing dates ranging from 10/1/95 to the present
• 80-81 indicates a pseudo serial number
• 89 indicates a Non-Registration document (Registration number is "0000000".)

Translation (TL)

This field contains other language equivalents of English language Word Marks or English language equivalents of other language Word Marks.

Example: Enter wolf to retrieve documents containing the words "lupo", "ookami", "lobo", and other language equivalents in the Word Mark field. Marks containing other langauage equivalents may prevent the registration of a Mark containing the English word. As the Italian equivalent to wolf, "lupo", and other foreign language words, may or may not be registerable based upon other criteria.

Type of Mark (TM)

This field indicates the type of mark: trademark, service mark, collective mark, collective membership mark, or certification mark.

• Trademark: Any word, name, symbol or device, or any combination thereof, used or intended to be used by a person to identify and distinguish his goods from those manufactured or sold by others and to indicate the source of those goods.
• Service Mark: Any word, name, symbol or device or any combination thereof, used or intended to be used by a person to identify and distinguish his services from the services of others, to indicate the source of the services (i.e., banking activities).
• Collective Mark: Any trademark or service mark used or intended to be used by the members of an association, cooperative, or other collective group to identify and distinguish their goods or services. For example, the FTD mark is used by member florists of the Florists' Transworld Delivery Association.
• Collective Membership Mark: A mark adopted or intended to be adopted for the purpose of indicating membership in an organized group. For example, the letters AAA inside an oval indicates membership with the American Automobile Association.
• Certification Mark: A mark which is used or intended to be used to certify that goods or services of others meet certain standards established by the owner. The most common types of certification marks are those which: (1) originate from a specific geographic region, such as Roquefort cheese; (2) meet standards in relation to the quality, materials, or mode of manufacture, such as Underwriters Laboratory approval; or (3) were performed by an individual who has met certain standards or belongs to a certain organization or union, such as a union label in clothing

Word Mark (WM)

This field contains a mark, or portion of a mark, which contains words, letters or numbers.

TIP: This field cannot be used to search marks using only a design, fragrance, sound, etc. See field contents for Mark Drawing Code for information on searching these types of marks.

Last modified: 1 September 1998