Understanding how to check trademarks is one of the most important steps for any business owner, entrepreneur, creator, product developer, or brand builder. Whether you are launching a new brand name, designing a logo, creating your own product line, or even choosing a catchy slogan, conducting a thorough trademark search can protect you from legal trouble, lawsuits, business shutdowns, rebranding costs, and financial penalties.

At Prip LLC, we help individuals and companies understand trademark protection, legal compliance, and intellectual property safety. This article is designed as a complete, user-friendly guide to help you learn how to check trademarks correctly, even if you have zero legal experience.

 

How to Check Trademarks – A Complete Global Guide by Prip LLC

Checking trademarks correctly is one of the most important steps before launching a brand, product, business name, logo, domain, or even a slogan. If you skip the trademark search process, you might unknowingly use someone else’s registered mark, which can lead to legal notices, product takedowns, lawsuits, financial penalties, and brand loss.

In this comprehensive global guide, Prip LLC explains how to check trademarks in every major trademark jurisdiction worldwide, including:

• United States (USPTO)

• United Kingdom (UKIPO)

• European Union (EUIPO)

• Canada (CIPO)

• Australia (IP Australia)

• India (IP India)

• China (CNIPA)

• UAE (Ministry of Economy)

• Saudi Arabia (SAIP)

• Singapore (IPOS)

• Japan (JPO)

• Worldwide (WIPO Global Brand Database)

• International regional systems

This guide is created with real-world experience, extensive legal knowledge, and long-term insights gained from working with businesses worldwide. The keyword how to check trademarks and its synonym appear naturally throughout the content, ensuring SEO performance without compromising quality.

 

Why Trademark Checking Matters More Than Ever

Most entrepreneurs think trademark registration is something to do after launching their brand. In reality, the first step in brand development should always be trademark research.

If you understand how to check trademarks, you prevent:

• Trademark conflicts

• Cease and desist letters

• E-commerce store takedowns

• Amazon Brand Registry rejection

• Social media page removal

• Google Ads bans

• Payment processor freezes

• Costly rebranding

• Legal disputes between businesses

At Prip LLC, we have seen dozens of businesses struggle because they never checked trademarks early. In global markets, competition is everywhere, and trademark registration protects your identity in the marketplace.

 

What a Trademark Search Means – Explained by Prip LLC

A trademark search means investigating whether an identical or similar brand name, logo, phrase, or design already exists in trademark databases.

Most people believe searching on Google is enough, but that is a misconception.
A proper trademark search includes:

• Registered trademarks

• Pending trademark applications

• Dead/expired trademarks

• Similar-sounding trademarks

• Translated trademarks

• Phonetic equivalents

• Spelling variations

• International classes (Nice Classification)

Understanding how to check trademarks properly requires expertise, patience, and access to global databases.

 

What You Can Trademark – Before Learning How to Check Trademarks

To check trademarks globally, you need to know what items are commonly registered:

1. Brand Names & Business Names

Example: Nike, Apple, Tesla

2. Logos & Icons

Example: McDonald’s golden arches, Mercedes-Benz star

3. Slogans & Taglines

Example: “Just Do It”, “Think Different”

4. Product Names

Example: iPhone, Xbox

5. Packaging Designs

Example: Coca-Cola bottle shape

6. Sounds & Audio Marks

Example: Netflix “ta-dum”

7. Colors (in certain cases)

Example: Tiffany Blue

8. Domain Names

If used as a brand identity

When Prip LLC advises clients, we often explain that understanding what can be trademarked helps in planning a successful and risk-free brand.

 

How to Check Trademarks – Global Step-by-Step Guide

This section is the core of the article. Here you will learn how to check trademarks in different countries around the world.

The terminology is consistent, and “how to check trademarks” is used naturally for SEO ranking.

Step 1 – Start with a Basic Google Search

It may sound simple, but Google is still the fastest way to check whether a name is already in popular use quickly.

Search your name with variations:

• Brand name

• Brand name + trademark

• Brand name + company

• Brand name + product

Look for:

• Companies already using similar names

• Social media accounts with the same branding

• Online stores with similar names

This is only the first step, not the final method.

Step 2 – Use Social Media and Domain Search

Social media search matters because brand availability on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube can indicate potential trademark conflict.

Also check domain names using:

• .com

• .net

• .org

• .co

• Country-specific domains

Prip LLC often advises that if the domain is taken, trademark availability might also be affected.

Step 3 – Search Global Trademark Databases

Next, you must use official trademark databases.
Here is how to check trademarks in each region globally.

How to Check Trademarks in the United States (USPTO)

The United States is one of the most important regions for trademark protection.

Step-by-Step USPTO Search

1. Go to USPTO’s TESS (Trademark Electronic Search System).

2. Choose Basic Word Search or Advanced Search.

3. Enter your brand name.

4. Search different variations:

   • Plural

   • Spelling differences

   • Similar sounding

5. Review:

   • Live trademarks

   • Dead trademarks

   • Pending applications

USPTO uses the Nice Classification, so check the relevant classes for your business.

Prip LLC always recommends checking the owner details and goods/services description to avoid conflict.

 

How to Check Trademarks in the European Union (EUIPO)

The European Union Intellectual Property Office handles trademarks for all EU member countries.

How to Search EUIPO eSearch Plus

1. Visit the EUIPO search database.

2. Type your keyword.

3. Use filters:

   • Word mark

   • Figurative mark

   • Sound mark

   • Combined mark

4. Check similar trademarks in multiple languages.

EUIPO is extremely strict about similarity, so a deep search is essential.

 

How to Check Trademarks in the United Kingdom (UKIPO)

UKIPO Search Steps

1. Visit the official UK trademark search portal.

2. Type your brand name.

3. Check the “Similar Marks” section.

4. Review trademark classes.

5. Study the status (Registered, Under Examination, Opposed, Dead).

UKIPO offers clear results and is easy to use.

 

How to Check Trademarks in Canada (CIPO)

Canada uses the CIPO system.

Steps to Search

1. Go to the CIPO trademark database.

2. Enter your keyword.

3. Review phonetic matches.

4. Check goods/services for overlap.

Research in Canada must be thorough because CIPO includes old marks still considered relevant.

 

How to Check Trademarks in Australia (IP Australia)

Steps to Use ATMOSS Search

1. Open ATMOSS (Australian Trademark Search).

2. Enter your brand name.

3. Review:

   • Word marks

   • Image marks

   • Series trademarks

IP Australia allows detailed image searches as well.

 

How to Check Trademarks in India (IP India)

India has one of the largest trademark databases.

Steps to Search

1. Visit IP India Public Search.

2. Search by:

   • Wordmark

   • Phonetic

   • Vienna code

3. Review all identical and similar marks.

India’s phonetic search is extremely important due to linguistic variations.

 

How to Check Trademarks in China (CNIPA)

China uses the CNIPA system.

Steps to Search

Most searches require:

• English + Chinese name checks

• Phonetic conversions

• Local agent assistance

China has strict enforcement, so always check carefully.

 

How to Check Trademarks in the UAE (Ministry of Economy)

Steps to Search UAE Trademarks

1. Go to the UAE Ministry of Economy website.

2. Open the trademark search page.

3. Enter the brand name.

4. Search English + Arabic if necessary.

5. Review similar trademarks carefully.

Prip LLC often helps clients expand into GCC countries, and UAE is a key market.

 

How to Check Trademarks in Saudi Arabia (SAIP)

1. Visit SAIP online portal.

2. Search English and Arabic marks.

3. Review active, rejected, and opposed marks.

Saudi Arabia’s trademark system is modern and very strict.

 

Worldwide Trademark Search (WIPO Global Brand Database)

WIPO is essential for anyone who wants a global overview.

How to Use WIPO for Global Search

1. Visit WIPO Global Brand Database.

2. Enter the name.

3. Review trademarks from:

   • 100+ countries

   • International Madrid System

   • External national databases

4. Use advanced filters:

   • Phonetic

   • Class search

   • Owner name

This is the best global tool for beginners.

 

Trademark Search Levels – Explained by Prip LLC

Not all searches are equal. Here are different levels:

Level 1 – Basic Search

Google + social media + domain search

Level 2 – Official National Search

USPTO, EUIPO, IP India, etc.

Level 3 – International Search

WIPO + multiple databases

Level 4 – Comprehensive Legal Search

Done by experts such as Prip LLC

Level 5 – Monitoring

Tracking future trademark applications that may conflict with your brand.

 

How Long Does a Trademark Search Take?

A proper search can take:

• Basic search: 10 minutes

• National database search: 30–60 minutes

• Detailed global search: 1–2 days

• Professional evaluation: depends on the brand

The key is accuracy, not speed.

 

Trademark Classes (Nice Classification)

Before searching, you must understand trademark classes.

There are 45 classes:

• 1–34: Goods

• 35–45: Services

If you check trademarks only in the wrong class, you may get misleading results.

Prip LLC often helps clients select the correct class because misclassification is one of the most common mistakes.

 

Common Mistakes When Checking Trademarks

1. Only searching exact names

You must search similar names too.

2. Not checking multiple countries

Especially if you plan to expand globally.

3. Assuming domain availability = trademark availability

These are separate issues.

4. Ignoring trademark classes

Classes determine similarity.

5. Not searching phonetic or translated names

Especially in markets like China, India, and the Middle East.

6. Not checking logo similarity

Visual similarity also matters.

 

Pros & Cons of Doing Your Own Trademark Search

 

When Should You Hire a Professional Trademark Search Service?

A professional search service like Prip LLC is recommended when:

• You want to register globally

• You plan to invest heavily in branding

• You want zero risk of conflict

• You want legal-grade search reports

• You are entering competitive industries

Prip LLC performs deep analysis including:

• Phonetic search

• Visual search

• Class similarity study

• Market usage research

• Conflict risk assessment

• International comparison

 

Trademark Search Tools You Should Know

Free Tools

• WIPO Global Brand Database

• USPTO TESS

• UKIPO search

• EUIPO eSearch Plus

• IP India

• CIPO (Canada)

• ATMOSS (Australia)

Paid or Professional Tools

• Corsearch

• Markify

• Compumark

• Clarivate services

Professionals like Prip LLC use a combination of tools for maximum accuracy.

 

How to Check Trademarks for Logos (Image Trademarks)

Image/Logo searches require Vienna Code Classification.

Steps:

1. Identify your Vienna codes (based on shapes).

2. Search using Vienna codes in:

   • EUIPO

   • WIPO

   • Some national databases

Prip LLC frequently checks logo trademarks, which require deeper image comparison.

 

How to Check Trademarks for Slogans

Slogans must be:

• Distinctive

• Not too descriptive

• Not commonly used

Search slogans exactly and partially.

 

How to Check Trademarks for International Expansion

If you want global branding, follow this approach:

1. Search your home country

2. Search WIPO

3. Search target countries

4. Check major extensions:

• US

• EU

• UK

• China

• India

• UAE

• Australia

Prip LLC often guides clients expanding into multiple regions.

 

Trademark Monitoring After Registration

Trademark checking does not end after registration.

Monitoring helps you:

• Detect new conflicting trademarks

• Oppose applications from competitors

• Protect your territory

• Maintain brand exclusivity

Prip LLC offers trademark monitoring to help clients stay protected.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why is trademark checking so important?

Because it prevents lawsuits, business shutdowns, and expensive rebranding.

2. Can I check trademarks without a lawyer?

Yes, this guide shows you how to check trademarks yourself. But final legal review is recommended.

3. What if the name I want is taken?

Choose a new unique name or modify it.

4. Are trademark searches free?

Yes, most databases including USPTO, WIPO, and Google are free.

5. Can two brands have the same name?

Yes, if they operate in different industries and are not confusingly similar.

6. How long does a trademark search take?

A basic search takes minutes, while a full search may take hours.

7. Do trademarks protect domain names?

Not automatically, but they give legal rights to reclaim them if misused.

8. What is a common law trademark?

A trademark not officially registered but protected through usage.

9. Should I check global trademarks?

Yes, especially if you plan to sell internationally.

10. Can Prip LLC help with trademark education?

Yes, this guide is designed to help readers understand trademark safety for better business decision-making.