Unsolicited Trademark Related Services Solicitation

The Secretary of State Corporation Division warns all Oregon Businesses to beware of a new business-to-business mailing that looks deceptively like a mailing from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The unsolicited "offer" comes from an Idaho company calling itself United States Trademark Information Services. This offer is similar to other solicitations that have been reported around the country for some time.

The company sends an "official-looking" notice marked IMPORTANT ADVISORY and URGENT instructing the recipient to complete the form and return to the company for assistance in registering their business name as a Trademark.

The International Trademark Association has issued an advisory warning about similar types of unsolicited mass-mail solicitations that offer, for a substantial fee, to assist businesses with unnecessary and duplicate services the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) provides for free.

Read the International Trademark Association warning at
inta.org/TrademarkBasics/FactSheets/Pages/UnsolicitedOffersUS.aspx

The Secretary of State Corporation Division suggests that businesses need to read solicitations carefully to determine if they are, in fact, from a government agency and require a response. Solicitations from some private organizations are difficult to distinguish from government correspondence at first glance, even though they may contain disclaimers noting that the organization is not government affiliated.

Generally, a business name may be eligible for registration as a Trademark, if the name and application meet legal requirements. The Corporation Division can assist businesses with registration of Oregon Trademarks (503-986-2200), and suggest that businesses contact a reputable Trademark attorney for advice and assistance in registering federal Trademarks.

Contact the Oregon State Bar Association’s free Lawyer Referral Service for more information at
Phone: 503-684-3763 or toll-free in Oregon at 800-452-7636.
Hours: 8 am to noon and 1 pm to 5 pm Monday-Friday