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Trademark Registration in the United States
Registering your trademark in the United States is the first step to protect it legally and the starting point for taking it to other markets.
At Dubourg, we support you throughout the process, from the preliminary search to obtaining the registration certificate. Then we help you extend that protection to every country where you want to grow, through a single process and with clear costs from the start.
How to register a trademark in the United States with the USPTO
Trademark registration in the United States is handled by the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office). There is one requirement that surprises most Latin American applicants: since 3 August 2019, every applicant domiciled outside the United States is legally required to be represented by a U.S.-licensed attorney (37 CFR § 2.11). It is not a recommendation or a convenience: without qualified representation, the application does not move forward. Registration is valid for 10 years and renewable, but it requires a maintenance schedule that starts with a declaration of use between the 5th and 6th year.
| Competent office | USPTO — United States Patent and Trademark Office |
|---|---|
| Local agent or attorney required? | Yes, mandatory for applicants domiciled abroad (37 CFR § 2.11, in force since 3 August 2019) |
| Filing basis | Section 1 (use in commerce or intent to use) or Section 44 (registration or application in the country of origin) |
| Time to first examination | 4 to 8 months from filing |
| Estimated total time | 10 to 18 months without oppositions or complex office actions |
| Term of registration | 10 years, renewable indefinitely |
| Mandatory upkeep | Declaration of use (Section 8) between the 5th and 6th year. Failing to file it cancels the registration |
| Base official fee | USD 350 per class, electronic application (fee schedule in force since 18 January 2025) |
Trademark Registration in the United States
Protect Your Brand in the United States
Trademark registration grants exclusive rights of use throughout the territory of the United States, safeguards your commercial identity and blocks imitations or attempts to copy. Our law firm takes care of every stage of the process so you can focus on growing your business.
What we do for you:
- Prior search for similar existing trademarks
- Technical study and classification under the Nice Classification
- Filing of the application
- Handling of oppositions or office actions
- Full follow-up until official registration
Our Trademark Registration Service in the United States Includes
Search for registry records to avoid rejections.
Review and definition of the class according to products or services.
Technical preparation of the file and presentation
Answering oppositions, observations or objections.
Advantages of Registering Your Trademark in the United States
Legal protection against copying or misuse.
Exclusive right of use in the United States
Increased business value for your company or product.
Possibility to license, franchise or sell your brand.
Legal certainty to grow in new markets.
Legal support from a firm with more than 80 years of experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trademark Registration in the United States
How long does it take to register a trademark in the United States?
The process can take between 10 and 14 months, depending on objections or external opposition.
Can I register my trademark in the United States if I am already using it commercially?
Yes. It is even advisable to do so as soon as possible to protect it legally and avoid future conflicts.
What if there is a brand similar to mine?
We carry out a preliminary search to assess risks and advise you on modifications or alternative strategies.
Do I have to submit specific documents?
Yes, information about the owner, logo if applicable and the class of products/services is required. We prepare the entire file.
What happens if I don't register my trademark in the United States?
Any third party could use it or even register it before, generating legal conflicts, loss of identity and commercial risk.
How much does it cost to register a trademark in the United States?
The cost depends on the number of classes and on whether the mark includes a design or figurative element. We send you a detailed quote after the initial analysis. You can also read our guide on how much it costs to register a trademark in the United States (in Spanish).
In which countries do you provide trademark registration service?
Trademark Registration in the United States
Trademark Registration in Canada
Trademark Registration in Mexico
Trademark Registration in Guatemala
Trademark Registration in Honduras
Trademark Registration in El Salvador
Trademark Registration in Nicaragua
Trademark Registration in Costa Rica
Trademark Registration in Panama
Trademark Registration in Belize
Trademark Registration in the Caribbean
Trademark Registration in the Dominican Republic
Trademark Registration in Cuba
Trademark Registration in Jamaica
Trademark Registration in the Bahamas
Trademark Registration in Barbados
Trademark Registration in Haiti
Trademark Registration in Antigua and Barbuda
Trademark Registration in Saint Lucia
Trademark Registration in Grenada
Trademark Registration in Saint Kitts and Nevis
Trademark Registration in Dominica
Trademark Registration in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Trademark Registration in Argentina
Trademark Registration in Brazil
Trademark Registration in Paraguay
Trademark Registration in Chile
Trademark Registration in Bolivia
Trademark Registration in Peru
Trademark Registration in Ecuador
Trademark Registration in Colombia
Trademark Registration in Venezuela
Trademark Registration in Guyana
Trademark Registration in Suriname
Trademark Registration in Spain
Trademark Registration in Portugal
Trademark Registration in France
Trademark Registration in Germany
Trademark Registration in Italy
Trademark Registration in Belgium
Trademark Registration in the Netherlands
Trademark Registration in Luxembourg
Trademark Registration in Ireland
Trademark Registration in Denmark
Trademark Registration in Sweden
Trademark Registration in Finland
Trademark Registration in Austria
Trademark Registration in Poland
Trademark Registration in the Czech Republic
Trademark Registration in Slovakia
Trademark Registration in Hungary
Trademark Registration in Romania
Trademark Registration in Bulgaria
Trademark Registration in Croatia
Trademark Registration in Slovenia
Trademark Registration in Greece
Trademark Registration in Malta
Trademark Registration in Cyprus
Trademark Registration in Estonia
Trademark Registration in Latvia
Trademark Registration in Lithuania
Trademark Registration in the United Kingdom
Trademark Registration in Switzerland
Trademark Registration in Norway
Trademark Registration in Iceland
Trademark Registration in Liechtenstein
Trademark Registration in Ukraine
Trademark Registration in Serbia
Trademark Registration in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Trademark Registration in Albania
Trademark Registration in North Macedonia
Trademark Registration in Moldova
Trademark Registration in Montenegro
Trademark Registration in Morocco
Trademark Registration in China
Trademark Registration in Japan
Trademark Registration in South Korea
Trademark Registration in Taiwan
Trademark Registration in Mongolia
Trademark Registration in India
Trademark Registration in Pakistan
Trademark Registration in Bangladesh
Trademark Registration in Sri Lanka
Trademark Registration in Nepal
Trademark Registration in Bhutan
Trademark Registration in the Maldives
Trademark Registration in Indonesia
Trademark Registration in the Philippines
Trademark Registration in Malaysia
Trademark Registration in Singapore
Trademark Registration in Thailand
Trademark Registration in Vietnam
Trademark Registration in Cambodia
Trademark Registration in Laos
Trademark Registration in Myanmar
Trademark Registration in Brunei
Trademark Registration in the United Arab Emirates
Trademark Registration in Saudi Arabia
Trademark Registration in Qatar
Trademark Registration in Kuwait
Trademark Registration in Oman
Trademark Registration in Bahrain
Trademark Registration in Israel
Trademark Registration in Jordan
Trademark Registration in Lebanon
Trademark Registration in Turkey
Trademark Registration in Iran
Trademark Registration in Iraq
Trademark Registration in Russia
Trademark Registration in Australia
Trademark Registration in New Zealand
Trademark Registration in the Pacific Islands
Trademark Registration in Papua New Guinea
Trademark Registration in Fiji
Trademark Registration in Samoa
Trademark Registration in Tonga
Trademark Registration in Vanuatu
Trademark Registration in Kiribati
Trademark Registration in Micronesia
Trademark Registration in the Marshall Islands
Trademark Registration in the Solomon Islands
Trademark Registration in Tuvalu
Is a trademark what you need to protect in the United States?
A trademark protects the name and sign that identify your business, but it does not cover the shape of the product, the invention behind it or the creative work. In the United States there is a difference that surprises people coming from Latin America: what we call an industrial design is protected there as a patent, and copyright is not even handled by the USPTO. And the same requirement applies to every right: an applicant domiciled abroad needs a U.S.-licensed attorney.
Industrial design
Protects the external appearance of a product. In the United States it does not exist as a separate registration: it is filed with the USPTO as a “design patent”, under the same body of law as patents for inventions.
Example: the silhouette of a bottle or the design of a package.
Term: 15 years from grant, with no maintenance fees.
Register an industrial design in the United StatesPatent of invention
A “utility patent” protects an invention with novelty and industrial application. Fees are tiered: large entity, small entity and micro entity, with discounts of up to 80 %.
Example: a locking system or a manufacturing method.
Term: 20 years from filing, with maintenance fees.
Register a patent in the United StatesCopyright
Protects works: texts, music, software, photographs or audiovisual works. It is not registered with the USPTO but with the U.S. Copyright Office, a separate agency with its own fees.
Example: the code of an app or an illustrated catalog.
Term: The author's lifetime plus 70 years.
Register copyright in the United StatesIs your trademark already registered in the United States? Unlike most countries, there is no single renewal procedure: there is a maintenance schedule that starts with the Section 8 Declaration of Use, between the 5th and 6th year from registration. Missing any of those steps cancels the registration, even if the 10 years have not yet passed.
Who We Are
From Uruguay, to the world
Since 1930, at Dubourg we’ve been helping companies and entrepreneurs protect what sets them apart most: their brand. We work from Montevideo with clients around the world, supporting them at every stage of their growth—from the initial registration to entering new markets.
One firm, many countries
It all starts with registering your trademark where your business currently operates. When the time comes to expand, our network of international correspondents extends that protection to other countries—all through a single, coordinated process managed from here and at the best possible rates. Those same colleagues entrust us with their trademark filings in Uruguay, a relationship built on trust over decades.
Clarity from Day One
Uruguay is known for its stability and clear rules, and that’s how we work, too: transparent quotes, with no hidden costs or surprises.
Security Before Every Step
Before moving forward, we search intellectual property databases worldwide to verify that your trademark is available. That way, you make informed decisions—not ones based on uncertainty.
What Our Clients Say
Entrepreneurs and innovators in search of legal protection for their creations.
Are you in need of help?
Don’t risk your valuable work without legal protection. Contact me today for a personalized consultation. Together, we will ensure that your intellectual property is properly registered and protected, giving you peace of mind and allowing you to enjoy the fruits of your creativity.
