By
Steve Laut
| At Sherman IP LLP, we understand that your trademark is more than just a logo or a name; it’s the cornerstone of your brand’s identity and value. Protecting it requires more than registration; it demands proactive vigilance. In fact, the failure to police your trademark and confront infringers will limit or eliminate your claim to trademark protection. That’s where Sherman IP LLP’s expanded U.S. and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) trademark monitoring services—come in. Below, we explore what these monitoring services offer, their benefits, how Sherman IP delivers trademark watch reports, why they’re essential, and how you can use them to police your intellectual property rights.
What Are Trademark Watch Services?
A trademark watch service monitors trademark databases and registers—both in the U.S. and abroad[1]—for new applications or registrations that could conflict with your trademark. In the U.S., we track filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, including pending trademark applications and publications of approved trademark applications in the Trademark Official Gazette. Worldwide, we extend this vigilance to 131 countries and territories, covering the Madrid Protocol international filing system. By scanning for identical or confusingly similar marks (e.g., visually, phonetically, or conceptually), we help you stay ahead of potential infringements and confront those infringements early with a heightened chance of convincing the potential infringer to change course, i.e., before they invest so much money and time promoting their brand that change becomes a large obstacle. Think of it like a security camera for your brand—spotting trouble before it knocks. |
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| Key Benefits of Sherman IP LLP’s Watch Services
1. Early Detection: Catch conflicting marks before they escalate, when action is easier and usually less costly.
2. Cost Savings: Avoid expensive litigation by addressing threats early—proactive monitoring beats reactive fixes.
3. Global Reach: Protect your brand in key markets and online ecosystems, ensuring consistency as you expand.
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| Flexible Reporting Options: Weekly, Biweekly, or Monthly
Sherman IP LLP tailors our watch services to your needs with flexible reporting options: |
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| Weekly Reports |
- Ideal for fast-moving industries or urgent threats, providing near-real-time alerts on trademarks.
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| Bi-Weekly Reports |
- A practical choice for balanced oversight, delivering comprehensive updates every two weeks to keep you informed without overwhelming your inbox.
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| Monthly Reports |
- A balanced option for most clients.
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| Each Sherman IP LLP report includes detailed findings—mark details, applicant/registrant info, goods/services, and filing status—delivered via email. Priority issues are flagged, ensuring you can act in time. |
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| Why You Need These Watch Services
Even with a registered trademark, your rights aren’t automatically enforced—trademark offices don’t always block similar marks. The USPTO saw over 765,000 new applications in 2024, while globally, registries grow more crowded. Without monitoring Imitators could register similar marks. They can dilute your brand recognition, depreciate your hard earned goodwill and/or diverting customer traffic away from your goods and services and to their own.
These Sherman IP LLP Watch Services are vital for any business—whether a startup building online equity or a global brand managing a vast portfolio—to maintain exclusivity and reputation in a digital-first world. |
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| How to Use Sherman IP LLP’s Trademark Watch Reports
The reports empower you with actionable intelligence to: |
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| Oppose |
- File Opposition Proceedings at the USPTO against conflicting trademarks.
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| Negotiate |
- Initiate negotiations with Applicants.
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| Enforce Rights |
- Issue cease-and-desist letters, hopefully stopping misuse fast.
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| Recent Trademark Watch Trends
Trademarks and online activity are surging. The USPTO processed over 765,000 applications in 2024, and WIPO reported ~64,200 Madrid Protocol filings—a 1.2% rise from 2023. These trends underscore the increasing need for comprehensive monitoring as brands face crowded registries.
Why Partner with Sherman IP LLP?
Protecting your trademark shouldn’t be a guessing game. At Sherman IP LLP, we blend cutting-edge technology with legal expertise to keep your IP secure—whether it’s a single mark in the U.S. or a global portfolio. Our watch services don’t just spot risks; they equip you with the information to act decisively.
Are you ready to safeguard your brand with our trademark watch services? Let Sherman IP LLP be your eyes and ears in the ever-evolving world of intellectual property. You may also receive emails in the coming months with more information on our watch services.
Best regards,
The Sherman IP LLP Team |
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[1] Madrid Agreement countries: Afghanistan, African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Eswatini, European Union, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands (for the Kingdom in Europe), New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, San Marino, São Tomé and Príncipe, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
