# Run a preliminary trademark check on a proposed brand name

Assesses a proposed name for distinctiveness and obvious conflict risks and gives a search plan before formal clearance.

- Topic: Legal & Compliance
- Framework: RTF
- Level: Standard
- Tags: Legal, Analyze, Brainstorm, Fill-in Template
- Source: https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/prompts/run-a-preliminary-trademark-check-on-a-proposed-brand-name

## Prompt

```text
Help me do a preliminary trademark assessment of a proposed brand name before we order a full clearance search.

**Proposed name / logo / tagline:** [MARK]
**Goods and services it will cover:** [DETAILS]
**Markets and countries:** [LIST]
**Launch timing and how much we will invest in it:** [DETAILS]
**Results of any searches I have done:** [PASTE register hits, web results, domain/social handle availability - or "none yet"]
**Our existing marks:** [LIST]

Do this:
1. **Distinctiveness** - place the mark on the spectrum (generic, descriptive, suggestive, arbitrary, fanciful) and explain; flag descriptive or laudatory elements, geographic terms, surnames, or meanings in other languages for the target markets.
2. **Likely trademark classes** for the goods and services [CONFIRM CLASSIFICATION].
3. **Conflict risk** - using only the search results I pasted, assess similarity in look, sound, meaning, and overall impression, plus relatedness of goods and services. Do not claim any mark exists or does not exist beyond what I gave you.
4. **Search plan** - registers and databases to search, variants to search (spelling, phonetic, translations, plurals), and common-law/unregistered use to check.
5. **Risk rating** - Low / Medium / High with reasons, and what would change it.
6. **Options** - modifications that would improve registrability, and fallback names to test.
7. **Next steps** - formal search, filing strategy, priority dates.

This is a screening aid only, not a clearance opinion; a qualified trademark lawyer must conduct and review a full search before adoption or filing.
```

## What to fill in

- MARK
- DETAILS
- LIST
- CONFIRM CLASSIFICATION

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