Step 12: Registration Certificate Issues

<p>A certificate of registration will issue for applications based on use, on a foreign registration under Section 44 of the Trademark Act, or an extension of protection of an international registration to the United States under Section 66(a).  If the mark is published based upon the actual use of the mark in commerce, or on a foreign registration, and no party files an opposition or request to extend the time to oppose, the USPTO will normally register the mark and issue a registration certificate about eleven (11) weeks after the date the mark was published.  After the mark registers, the owner of the mark must file specific <a href="http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/process/maintain/prfaq.jsp" target="_blank" >maintenance documents</a> to keep the registration live.</p>