What to search for
- Identical and similar names — spelling variants, sound-alikes, translations and the same words in a different order.
- Related goods and services, not only your own class: a clothing brand can conflict with shoes or bags.
- Logos by their design elements, if your mark is a logo.
- Unregistered use — businesses, domain names and marketplace sellers already using the name. In the US, prior use can beat a later registration.
Free databases you can check yourself
- USPTO Trademark Search for US applications and registrations.
- TMview (EUIPO network) for the EU and many national offices.
- WIPO Global Brand Database for international registrations and many national collections.
- Every national register: see our official search databases by country.
What a professional search adds
A firm runs similar-mark searches across the right classes and markets, then gives you a risk opinion: go ahead, change the name, or narrow the goods. That opinion is what most brand owners are really paying for. On TrademarksHub, search-and-opinion requests are often fixed-fee.
A typical request on TrademarksHub
Example
“A Dubai coffee brand wants a knock-out search in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the EU before ordering packaging, with a short risk note per country.”
Illustrative example. On TrademarksHub requests are shown as “Private brand owner”, and only firms that cover the chosen countries can reply.Questions
Is a trademark search required before filing?
No office requires it, but filing without one risks refusal or opposition and losing the fees you paid.
Can I do a trademark search for free?
Yes — USPTO Trademark Search, TMview and the WIPO Global Brand Database are free. A professional search adds similar-mark logic and a risk opinion.
Does a clear search guarantee registration?
No. It lowers the risk; examiners and earlier owners can still object.