Federal trademark searching: Getting started

In this recorded webinar, we introduce you to the fundamental mechanics of using the USPTO's trademark search system, including searching using drop-down menus.
Additional resources
PDF handout with sample searches:
www.uspto.gov/sites/default/f...
PDF of the presentation slides:
www.uspto.gov/sites/default/f...

[@LunchinSports]

I plan to trademark a name for my online sports show. This show will be on RUclips and I plan to share it on Facebook. I currently do not have a website. I assume my show would be considered a service rather than a good. Please tell me what are acceptable specimens for my service. Do I simply use my logo/name as my profile picture and provide the date I first created my RUclips page? Thank you

[@USPTOvideo]

Great questions. For your question about whether you're providing goods or services, one of the best places to confirm your thinking is with our previously approved listing of acceptable goods and services. It's called the ID Manual: idm-tmng.uspto.gov/id-master-list-public.html. You can use it to look for wording that you'll use in your application to identify what goods or services you provide using the trademark.
For example, you might look for listings that include keywords of what you're providing. Like: Entertainment, namely, a continuing {indicate type, e.g. variety, news, comedy} show broadcast over {indicate form(s) of broadcast medium, e.g. television, radio, internet}. When you're filling out the application, you can simply call up that listing in the form and fill in the appropriate words required by the "indicate type" and "indicate form" language found between the curly braces. If accurate to your situation, it could be wording like "sports" and "internet."
With regard to a specimen for services, it must show how you're using the mark in the advertising or providing of the services. So a screenshot of your RUclips channel that shows both the mark and episodes of the show might be acceptable. You could also submit screenshots of any digital advertising you provide that shows both the mark and some reference to the services. There are many ways to go about it, but the main point is that the specimen must show a direct link association between your trademark and the services you provide. You can learn more about what a specimen is and check out examples of acceptable specimens on our "Specimens" webpage: www.uspto.gov/trademarks/laws/specimen-refusal-and-how-overcome-refusal.
Hopefully you'll find this helpful. The USPTO is not allowed to provide legal advice, so we can't advise you exactly on what to do, but we can provide information that you can use to make your own decisions.
If you'd like to learn more, be sure to check out our "Trademark basics" page: www.uspto.gov/trademarks/basics. It links to all sorts of useful information you may enjoying reviewing, such as our "Drawings and specimens" page: www.uspto.gov/trademarks/basics/drawings-and-specimens.

[@LunchinSports]

@@USPTOvideo Thank you!