A West Virginia trademark search is provided by the Secretary of State to allow entities and applicants to lookup trademark and service mark names. State statutes define a mark as any signifier that identifies the brand of an entity selling goods (trademark) or services (service mark).[1]
A mark can be registered for a period of 10 years, and can be renewed for successive 10-year periods. To prevent the mark from expiring, renewal forms must be submitted during the six months leading up to the expiration date.[2]
Trademark Search
1. Trademarks Search Platform
2. Mark Number/Applicant Search
The main search functions offered on the platform are Trademark or Service Mark Number or Applicant. If either the mark number or applicant is known, enter it into the appropriate field and click Search.
3. Advanced Search
Click Show Advanced Search Options to bring up additional search parameters. Any number of options can be added on top of each other.
The Words option can be useful for determining whether a trademark is already taken. Click Add This Search Option next to Words, enter a keyword, and click Search to view all marks that contains the provided word.
4. Search Results
Once a search is performed, a list of trademarks will be displayed showing their expiration date, registration number, status, applicant name, and description. To view additional information on a specific mark, select the View button in the corresponding row.
5. Mark Details
After clicking View, additional information on the selected mark will be shown, such as:
- Mark name
- Status
- State of origin
- Address
- Partners
- Comments on applicant
- Date of Application
- First use dates (anywhere + WV)
- Original and latest registration dates
- Expiration date
- WV book/page numbers
- Goods or services
- Class(es)
- Where the brand is used
- Description + visual details
- Amendments
- Assignments
