Guides
Keep your trademark alive — the plain-English version
No legalese, no filing-mill scare tactics. Just what the deadlines are, what happens if you miss them, and how to stay ahead.
Trademark office action deadlines: how long do you have to respond?
What an office action is, how long you have to respond (the USPTO shortened this recently), what happens if you miss it, and why daily monitoring catches it.
What happens if your trademark expires or is cancelled?
Cancellation is permanent and can't be revived — but your common-law rights survive. What you lose, what you keep, and how refiling actually works.
How to check your trademark status on the USPTO's TSDR system
How to look up your mark on TSDR, tell a serial number from a registration number, and read what the status line actually means.
Trademark renewal for Amazon sellers: protect your Brand Registry
How maintenance deadlines keep your Amazon Brand Registry alive — the §8 window, the 10-year renewal, and what to watch beyond the calendar.
What does it cost to renew a trademark? (2026 USPTO fees)
The real 2026 numbers — §8, §9, combined §8&9, the grace surcharge, per-class math, and DIY vs. service cost.
How to file your Section 8 Declaration yourself, step by step
A DIY walkthrough of filing the §8 through TEAS — the window, the specimen, the fee, and the mistakes to avoid.
The Section 8 Declaration, explained
The years 5–6 filing that trips up more DIY owners than any other — what it is, when it’s due, and what proof you need.
Grace periods & the point of no return
You get six extra months and a surcharge. After that, the mark is gone for good. Here’s exactly how the window works.
Missed your renewal? Do this now
How to tell if you’re still in the grace period, what filing late costs, and the honest path back if the mark is already gone.
Trademarks & Amazon Brand Registry
Why a lapsed registration can take your entire Brand Registry — and storefront protections — down with it.
Spotting trademark renewal scams
The official-looking mail demanding $1,750 isn’t from the USPTO. Learn the red flags — or paste a notice into our free checker.