A holiday-themed trademark search lesson

Many of the folks who visit our reference desk to learn about trademark searching are interested in searching logos, which is why this year I'm thankful that the USPTO has provided us with the ingenious trademark design search code scheme.

Images are an subject where keyword searching often fails us. Here's the relatively simple procedure for finding designs in TESS, the USPTO's trademark database:

1. Point your browser to the Design Search Code Manual.
2. Click the link for keyword search, then type in a search term describing your logo.
3. If there's a match, jot down the number given for your design type.
4. Access TESS by clicking on Search Marks at the Trademark homepage. Choose either the structured search or the free form search.
   
5. Type in the design code number, plus any other search terms, in the search form. (In structured search, choose design code in the dropdown menu for the field you're using; in the advanced search, use the [DC] field code.

Another useful image-searching tip is to click on the blue "Images" button on the TESS results page. This will bring up a table allowing you to browse images.

If you want to practice over the holiday, I recommend trying Design Search Code 03.15.05. Gobble Gobble!