News

We have seen an uptick in scammers attempting to trick trademark owners by pretending to be the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and requesting money or personal information.  We previously wrote about that scam in our Client Alert dated June 16, 2023 (see below).  However, we understand that these scam communications are again on the rise.

As a reminder, the USPTO should not contact you directly.  Instead, if there are any concerns with your trademark application or registration, the USPTO will contact your Michael Best Brand Protection attorney.  If you receive any calls or other suspicious communications from anyone purporting to be associated with the USPTO or any other trademark office, please let us know.  We are happy to review the issue and confirm the status of your trademark applications and registrations. 

Original Intellectual Property Alert – Scam Targeting Trademark and Patent Owners June 16, 2023

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued an alert regarding a new scam targeting trademark and patent owners.  Scammers have started calling trademark and patent owners falsely asserting they work for the USPTO.  Some use spoofed phone numbers to appear as though the calls originate from the USPTO.  The scammers ask for personal information or payment information, asserting this information is needed by the USPTO, and then use the information to steal from their victims.

The USPTO should not be calling you directly.  If you are represented by Michael Best, the USPTO will communicate with us on any matter regarding your trademarks and patents.  Similarly, any information about payments will come to you from Michael Best, not the USPTO.  If you receive a call from someone claiming to be with the USPTO, do not provide them with any personal or payment information and please alert us to the call. 

If you ever have any question as to whether a communication is legitimate, please do not hesitate to contact your Michael Best attorney.