What must an applicant do if they want to maintain the status of their trademark application?

An applicant must respond to all office actions promptly to maintain the status of their trademark application. An office action is a communication from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that either raises issues regarding the application or requests additional information or clarification. Failure to respond to these office actions within the specified timeframe can result in the abandonment of the application.

Promptly addressing office actions ensures that the application proceeds through the examination process smoothly and reduces the risk of delays or rejection. This response can involve clarifications, arguments to overcome refusals, or complying with requests for additional documentation.

While paying required fees is essential for the application process, it is not a one-time action; it must be done at various stages, including the initial application submission and during maintenance filings. Submitting documentation in a language of choice is not applicable, as documents submitted to the USPTO must be in English. Waiting passively for the USPTO to make contact without proactively addressing any issues can jeopardize the status of the trademark application. Therefore, timely responses to office actions are critical to maintaining an application’s status.