Trade-marks Database Tutorial

Lesson 2: Search Basics

The Trade-marks Database search system is a flexible, yet powerful tool that can be used in many ways to meet your particular requirements. You can perform simple searches or you can perform very complex searches. In this section we will cover the following:
Trade-mark records and their data categories
Performing a basic search
Using wildcards to enhance searches

Trade-mark records and their data categories

Example of trade-mark record A trade-mark record captures critical data about a trade-mark registrant and the registration steps, along with dates, company information and more. Click on the thumbnail to see an example.

Below are data categories found on trade-mark records:

Data categories found on trade-mark records
Numbers
An application number is assigned when the trade-mark process begins and a registration number is assigned when the trade-mark is registered
Status
The current status of the trade-mark
Dates
Record of when the trade-mark was first filed, formalized, advertised, registered, inactivated
Contact Information
Names and addresses of both the owner and her/his representatives for service and legal counsel
Trade-mark Information
Text and/or image of the trade-mark and descriptions including description of the trade-mark design
Wares and/or Services
Description of the wares/services that the business offer
Additional Information
Further information such as claims, associated trade-marks, and footnotes
Action
A record of the trade-mark process including relevant dates

For a more detailed description of each data category see the "Searchable Fields" section of the database Help file.

Performing a basic search

  1. To go to the Trade-marks Database, click on the "Trade-marks Database" tab in the left navigation.

    Basic Search of Trade-marks Database

  2. Then, click on the "Basic Search" tab underneath the "Trade-marks Database" tab in the left navigation.
  3. Go to Search Box and enter the text you want to search for in the "Enter search criteria" field.

    Field to enter search criteria

  4. Click on the "Search" button and then view your results.

    Search button

Go to the Trade-marks Database's Basic Search page now.

Using Wildcards to Enhance Searches

Wildcards are characters that the search engine recognizes. They add flexibility to your searches:

*
Use an asterisk to replace a sequence of characters (e.g., to search for pharmacy and pharmaceutical, use "pharm*").
?
Use a question mark to replace a single character (e.g., "organi?ation" will match different spellings: "organization" or "organisation").

Wildcards can be used in multiple search terms (e.g., Canad*, Gov*).

Wildcards can also be used in front of the search term (e.g., "*national" will match different terms such as "national" and "international").

For more detailed information on wildcards see the "Truncation and Wildcard Characters" section of the database Help file.

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Lesson 3