Two companies cannot use the same mark for the same type of commercial activity. It is very important to perform a search before submitting an application, or even starting a business. You could be infringing upon another company's trademark. Applications are denied if your mark is the same or confusingly similar to another trademark.
A comprehensive search analyzes both registered and unregistered trademarks. Just because a company didn't file a federal registration, does not mean you are free to use the name. Searches examine Internet results, phone books, magazines, trade publications, domain names, business licenses, catalogs, etc.
The USPTO online registration database is called TESS (Trademark Electronic Search System), which displays both active and expired trademark and service marks.
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialized agency of the United Nations has an international resource called the Global Brand Database.
Classification
The USPTO uses an international classification system based on the Nice Agreement published by the WIPO to index all trademarks.
This classification system has 45 different categories for goods and services. Each trademark is assigned to one of these 45 categories.
However, that category is not enough. Each registration requires a written explanation that describes how the trademark is used in commerce within that classification category.
Examples
Consider the trademark IPHONE that is owned by Apple Inc. Every registration can only have one primary purpose, such as one classification. The same term can be registered numerous times under different classification categories and refer to both trademarks and service marks.
Below are five examples of how Apple registered the same term using different classifications and written descriptions.
IPHONE (#5015541) registered on 8-9-2016 as a service mark
Classification Category: IC 037 (Building construction; repair; installation services)
Description: Installation, maintenance, repair, and servicing of consumer electronic devices, digital audio and video players, handheld computers, personal digital assistants, electronic organizers and electronic notepads; providing technical support services, namely, technical advice in the field of installation, maintenance, repair, and servicing of consumer electronic devices and accessories therefor; technical support services, namely, troubleshooting in the nature of repair of computer hardware and electronics problems; information relating to installation, maintenance, repair, and servicing of computers.
IPHONE (#3736978) registered on on 1-12-2010 as a service mark
Classification Category: IC 038 (Telecommunications)
Description: Telecommunication access services; communication by computer; transmission of data and of information by electronic means; provision of telecommunications connections to computer databases and the Internet; electronic transmission of streamed and downloadable audio and video files via computer and other communications networks; delivery of messages by electronic transmission; provision of telecommunications connections to electronic communications networks, for transmission or reception of audio, video or multimedia content.
iPhone (#3669402) registered on 8-18-2009 as a trademark
Classification Category: IC 009 (Scientific, nautical, surveying, photographic, cinematographic, optical, weighing, measuring, signalling, checking (supervision), life-saving and teaching apparatus and instruments; apparatus and instruments for conducting, switching, transforming, accumulating, regulating or controlling electricity; apparatus for recording, transmission or reproduction of sound or images; magnetic data carriers, recording discs; compact discs, DVDs and other digital recording media; mechanisms for coin-operated apparatus; cash registers, calculating machines, data processing equipment, computers; computer software; fire-extinguishing apparatus)
Description: Handheld mobile digital electronic devices for the sending and receiving of telephone calls, electronic mail, and other digital data, for use as a digital format audio player, and for use as a handheld computer, personal digital assistant, electronic organizer, electronic notepad, and camera.
Logo of an Apple with the iPhone word (#3746840) registered on 2-9-2010 as both trademark and service mark (application explained that the apple logo was depicted with a bite removed)
Classification Category (one of multiple): IC 028 (Games, toys and playthings; video game apparatus; gymnastic and sporting articles; decorations for Christmas trees)
Description: Handheld unit for playing electronic games.
IPHONE (#4368745) registered on 7-16-2013 as a service mark
Classification Category: IC 039 (Transport; packaging and storage of goods; travel arrangement)
Description: Computerized data storage and retrieval services for digital text, data, image, audio, and video works; information and consultation in connection therewith.
Classification Index
These are the 45 classification categories that all trademarks are registered.
Goods
1. Chemicals used in industry, science and photography, as well as in agriculture, horticulture and forestry; unprocessed artificial resins, unprocessed plastics; manures; fire extinguishing compositions; tempering and soldering preparations; chemical substances for preserving foodstuffs; tanning substances; adhesives used in industry.
2. Paints, varnishes, lacquers; preservatives against rust and against deterioration of wood; colorants; mordants; raw natural resins; metals in foil and powder form for use in painting, decorating, printing and art.
3. Bleaching preparations and other substances for laundry use; cleaning, polishing, scouring and abrasive preparations; non-medicated soaps; perfumery, essential oils, non-medicated cosmetics, non-medicated hair lotions; non-medicated dentifrices.
4. Industrial oils and greases; lubricants; dust absorbing, wetting and binding compositions; fuels (including motor spirit) and illuminants; candles and wicks for lighting.
5. Pharmaceuticals, medical and veterinary preparations; sanitary preparations for medical purposes; dietetic food and substances adapted for medical or veterinary use, food for babies; dietary supplements for humans and animals; plasters, materials for dressings; material for stopping teeth, dental wax; disinfectants; preparations for destroying vermin; fungicides, herbicides.
6. Common metals and their alloys, ores; metal materials for building and construction; transportable buildings of metal; non-electric cables and wires of common metal; small items of metal hardware; metal containers for storage or transport; safes.
7. Machines and machine tools; motors and engines (except for land vehicles); machine coupling and transmission components (except for land vehicles); agricultural implements other than hand-operated; incubators for eggs; automatic vending machines.
8. Hand tools and implements (hand-operated); cutlery; side arms; razors.
9. Scientific, nautical, surveying, photographic, cinematographic, optical, weighing, measuring, signalling, checking (supervision), life-saving and teaching apparatus and instruments; apparatus and instruments for conducting, switching, transforming, accumulating, regulating or controlling electricity; apparatus for recording, transmission or reproduction of sound or images; magnetic data carriers, recording discs; compact discs, DVDs and other digital recording media; mechanisms for coin-operated apparatus; cash registers, calculating machines, data processing equipment, computers; computer software; fire-extinguishing apparatus.
10. Surgical, medical, dental and veterinary apparatus and instruments; artificial limbs, eyes and teeth; orthopedic articles; suture materials; therapeutic and assistive devices adapted for the disabled; massage apparatus; apparatus, devices and articles for nursing infants; sexual activity apparatus, devices and articles.
11. Apparatus for lighting, heating, steam generating, cooking, refrigerating, drying, ventilating, water supply and sanitary purposes.
12. Vehicles; apparatus for locomotion by land, air or water.
13. Firearms; ammunition and projectiles; explosives; fireworks.
14. Precious metals and their alloys; jewelry, precious and semi-precious stones; horological and chronometric instruments.
15. Musical instruments.
16. Paper and cardboard; printed matter; bookbinding material; photographs; stationery and office requisites, except furniture; adhesives for stationery or household purposes; artists' and drawing materials; paintbrushes; instructional and teaching materials; plastic sheets, films and bags for wrapping and packaging; printers' type, printing blocks.
17. Unprocessed and semi-processed rubber, gutta-percha, gum, asbestos, mica and substitutes for all these materials; plastics and resins in extruded form for use in manufacture; packing, stopping and insulating materials; flexible pipes, tubes and hoses, not of metal.
18. Leather and imitations of leather; animal skins and hides; luggage and carrying bags; umbrellas and parasols; walking sticks; whips, harness and saddlery; collars, leashes and clothing for animals.
19. Building materials (non-metallic); non-metallic rigid pipes for building; asphalt, pitch and bitumen; non-metallic transportable buildings; monuments, not of metal.
20. Furniture, mirrors, picture frames; containers, not of metal, for storage or transport; unworked or semi-worked bone, horn, whalebone or mother-of-pearl; shells; meerschaum; yellow amber.
21. Household or kitchen utensils and containers; combs and sponges; brushes, except paintbrushes; brush-making materials; articles for cleaning purposes; unworked or semi-worked glass, except building glass; glassware, porcelain and earthenware.
22. Ropes and string; nets; tents and tarpaulins; awnings of textile or synthetic materials; sails; sacks for the transport and storage of materials in bulk; padding cushioning and stuffing materials, except of paper, cardboard, rubber or plastics; raw fibrous textile materials and substitutes therefor.
23. Yarns and threads, for textile use.
24. Textiles and substitutes for textiles; household linen; curtains of textile or plastic.
25. Clothing, footwear, headgear.
26. Lace and embroidery, ribbons and braid; buttons, hooks and eyes, pins and needles; artificial flowers; hair decorations; false hair.
27. Carpets, rugs, mats and matting, linoleum and other materials for covering existing floors; wall hangings (non-textile).
28. Games, toys and playthings; video game apparatus; gymnastic and sporting articles; decorations for Christmas trees.
29. Meat, fish, poultry and game; meat extracts; preserved, frozen, dried and cooked fruits and vegetables; jellies, jams, compotes; eggs; milk and milk products; edible oils and fats.
30. Coffee, tea, cocoa and artificial coffee; rice; tapioca and sago; flour and preparations made from cereals; bread, pastries and confectionery; edible ices; sugar, honey, treacle; yeast, baking-powder; salt; mustard; vinegar, sauces (condiments); spices; ice.
31. Raw and unprocessed agricultural, aquacultural, horticultural and forestry products; raw and unprocessed grains and seeds; fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh herbs; natural plants and flowers; bulbs, seedlings and seeds for planting; live animals; foodstuffs and beverages for animals; malt.
32. Beers; mineral and aerated waters and other non-alcoholic beverages; fruit beverages and fruit juices; syrups and other preparations for making beverages.
33. Alcoholic beverages (except beers).
34. Tobacco; smokers' articles; matches.
Services
35. Advertising; business management; business administration; office functions.
36. Insurance; financial affairs; monetary affairs; real estate affairs.
37. Building construction; repair; installation services.
38. Telecommunications.
39. Transport; packaging and storage of goods; travel arrangement.
40. Treatment of materials.
41. Education; providing of training; entertainment; sporting and cultural activities.
42. Scientific and technological services and research and design relating thereto; industrial analysis and research services; design and development of computer hardware and software.
43. Services for providing food and drink; temporary accommodation.
44. Medical services; veterinary services; hygienic and beauty care for human beings or animals; agriculture, horticulture and forestry services.
45. Legal services; security services for the physical protection of tangible property and individuals; personal and social services rendered by others to meet the needs of individuals.