What action should you take if a previously filed assignment does not appear in the records?

Contacting the USPTO for verification is the appropriate action if a previously filed assignment does not appear in the records. This step is critical because the USPTO can provide an authoritative confirmation regarding the status of the assignment. There could be several reasons for the absence of the assignment from the records, such as processing delays, administrative errors, or issues related to the submission itself. By reaching out to the USPTO, you can clarify the situation, determine whether the assignment was indeed recorded, and receive guidance on how to proceed, ensuring that your trademark ownership is properly documented.

Submitting the assignment again without changes might not resolve the underlying issue and could lead to further complications if the assignment was actually processed correctly the first time. Similarly, assuming it was rejected without notice does not provide a factual basis for understanding the situation and could lead to unnecessary confusion or wrongful actions. Waiting for the trademark to expire does not address the immediate concern of the assignment status and may potentially jeopardize your rights to the trademark. Thus, the best approach is proactive communication with the USPTO to ascertain the status of the assignment.