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Trademark Risk Checker

FreeLegal
star4.7(1,050 ratings)

Free trademark checker tool for business names. Analyze brand name legal risks, check trademark conflicts, and assess registration likelihood. Preliminary trademark search before USPTO filing.

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About Trademark Risk Checker

Before investing in branding, marketing materials, and domain purchases, smart founders check their brand name for potential trademark conflicts. Our free trademark risk checker provides a preliminary assessment to identify obvious legal red flags before you commit to a name.

Trademark conflicts can be devastating. Receiving a cease-and-desist letter after you've built your brand means rebranding costs, lost marketing investment, and potential legal fees. The earlier you identify potential issues, the less expensive they are to address. Our tool helps you spot common problems before they become costly mistakes.

Our analysis evaluates multiple risk factors: generic or descriptive terms that may not be protectable, similarity to famous marks that could trigger infringement claims, common naming patterns that reduce distinctiveness, and industry-specific concerns. Each factor contributes to an overall risk score with clear explanations.

This tool is not a substitute for professional legal advice. A comprehensive trademark search requires reviewing USPTO databases, state registrations, common law usage, and international marks. However, our preliminary check helps you eliminate obviously problematic names before investing in attorney fees—saving both time and money.

For names that pass our initial screening, we recommend proceeding with a professional trademark attorney for full clearance before registration. Think of our tool as the first filter in a multi-step trademark strategy that protects your brand investment.

Why Use This Tool?

  • checkIdentify obvious trademark risks before investing in branding and marketing
  • checkAnalyze multiple risk factors including genericness, famous mark similarity, and distinctiveness
  • checkGet clear explanations of each risk factor and what it means for your brand
  • checkSave money by filtering problematic names before hiring a trademark attorney
  • checkFree forever with no signup—check unlimited brand names instantly
  • checkUnderstand trademark basics through educational risk assessments

Common Use Cases

1Startup Name Selection

Screen your top name candidates for obvious trademark risks before finalizing your choice

2Pre-Domain Purchase Check

Verify a name is worth the domain investment by checking for legal risks first

3Rebranding Due Diligence

Assess trademark risks for potential new brand names during rebranding projects

4Product Line Naming

Check sub-brand and product names for conflicts with existing marks in your industry

5International Expansion

Identify potential trademark issues before expanding your brand to new markets

6Competitor Analysis

Understand the trademark strength of competitor brand names in your space

play_circleHow It Works

Enter your proposed brand name and select your industry category. Our tool analyzes the name against common trademark risk factors: genericness (descriptive terms that can't be trademarked), famous mark similarity (names too close to well-known brands), distinctiveness scoring (how unique and protectable the name is), and industry-specific conflicts. You receive an overall risk score with detailed explanations for each factor and recommendations for next steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a legal trademark search?expand_more
No, this is a preliminary risk assessment. Always consult a trademark attorney for official searches.
What risks are analyzed?expand_more
Generic terms, similarity to famous marks, common suffixes, and name distinctiveness.
Should I still register a trademark?expand_more
Yes, this tool helps you avoid obvious issues, but professional filing is still recommended.
How accurate is this trademark risk checker?expand_more
This tool provides a preliminary risk assessment based on common patterns and naming conventions. It can identify obvious red flags like generic terms or similarity to major brands, but it cannot replace a comprehensive trademark search by a legal professional. Use it as a first filter before investing in legal consultation.
What makes a brand name trademarkable?expand_more
The strongest trademarks are 'fanciful' (invented words like Kodak) or 'arbitrary' (real words used unexpectedly, like Apple for computers). Suggestive names that hint at benefits without describing them are also protectable. Descriptive names (like 'Fast Shipping Co') are weak or unprotectable unless they achieve secondary meaning through extensive use.
How much does trademark registration cost?expand_more
USPTO filing fees start at $250-350 per class of goods/services. Attorney fees for a comprehensive search and filing typically range from $500-2,000. Our free preliminary check helps you avoid wasting these fees on names with obvious conflicts.

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