How to Monitor Your Trademark for Infringement

Your trademark rights weaken if you do not enforce them, and you cannot enforce what you do not know about. Monitoring is what keeps you ahead of copycats.

Infringers rarely announce themselves. They file similar marks, register lookalike domains and list counterfeit products quietly, so you need systems that watch for you.

What to watch

• New trademark applications that resemble your mark
• Domain registrations using your brand name
• Counterfeit listings on major marketplaces
• Social media accounts impersonating your brand

How to set up monitoring

• Use a trademark watch service for the registry
• Set domain monitoring for your brand keywords
• Register with marketplace brand protection programs
• Review alerts monthly and act on real threats

Consistent, documented monitoring is also what proves in court that you did not abandon your mark through inaction.

Documenting everything

Keep a log of every enforcement action, because courts look at whether you consistently defended your mark.

• Save every notice and response
• Record dates of each action
• Show a pattern of enforcement