Trademark Searching:
MontaguLaw can handle your trademark searching needs.  Our trained trademark search department can be tasked to carry out anything from a quick preliminary "knock-out" search to a fully coordinated world-wide search with legal opinion. All searches will be carried out to minimize your work load and cost while providing quick and accurate results. You can use our services as a knockout tool or as a one-stop for worldwide clearances. 

Preliminary Searches.
A preliminary search is conducted to screen new marks for obvious conflicts with prior existing registered or pending trademarks. The search is performed using an in-house database to significantly control and reduce cost. The search can be complete in 2-3 business days.

Preliminary search results are communicated to the client verbally or via email.  Below are commonly sought jurisdictions:

Local Searches.
Once a trademark is cleared in through a preliminary search, more extensive searching is preformed in each jurisdiction. Local searches may sometimes be  instructed and, depending on the extent of planned use within a particular jurisdiction, local searching may be advised in addition to our standard search procedures.  

Common Law Searches.
Jurisdictions where trademark rights arise from use rather than registration are referred to as common law jurisdictions, the most notable being the U.S., U.K., India, Australia and South Africa. We strongly advise clients to search local databases for conflicting unregistered trademarks in all common law jurisdictions prior to adopting and renewing key trademarks.   

Miscellaneous Investigation.
As search results are reviewed it is common that more intensive investigation is required to uncover details of potentially conflicting trademarks. An investigation firm may be engaged to carry out "in use" investigations to determine whether a trademark owner is currently using its trademark in commerce. Clients are consulted before costs are incurred.

Advice.
No matter which search you might request, we will advise you regarding (i) whether the application is likely to prompt an office action by the reviewing trademark officer, (ii) whether others would be likely to contest the registration of the mark once the application is published and (iii) whether to proceed to apply for trademark rights or whether a new mark or name would be advisable.