A New Way to Challenge Trademarks (And Why It Matters!)


February 17, 2025

Hello Reader,

Imagine you’re saving a great name for your business, but someone else already has the trademark. The problem? They’re not even using it!

That’s where the USPTO’s trademark reexamination and expungement come in—it’s like a cleanup crew for trademarks that shouldn’t be there.

Here’s how it works:

🔍 Reexamination – If a trademark owner claimed they were using the trademark when they applied but really weren’t, their trademark can be challenged and possibly canceled.

🚫 Expungement – If a trademark has never been used for some or all of the things it was registered for, it can be removed from the trademark register.

This is big news because it helps clear out trademarks that don’t belong—making room for businesses that actually want to use those names. If someone’s holding onto a trademark but not using it, you might be able to challenge it and get the name back in play.

And here’s the big part—if a trademark gets successfully challenged, it can be canceled. That means businesses who were blocked before might finally get their chance to register the name they want!

If you’ve ever run into a trademark that seemed unfairly taken, now might be your chance to do something about it. Want to know if this applies to you? Hit reply and let’s talk!

Keep Your Brand Safe and Protected,

J.J. Lee and the Trademark Lawyer Law Firm Team!

P.S. The USPTO is cracking down on trademarks that aren’t being used properly. If you own a trademark, now is a great time to make sure you’re using it correctly so it doesn’t get challenged! Let me know if you need help. 😊

J.J. Lee, Trademark Attorney

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