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How to check if a brand name is trademarked

10/24/2026 · Guides

A free domain name does not mean the name is free of rights. A trademark can be registered without any website, and using it anyway can force you to rebrand… after printing your packaging. Here is how to run a first free check.

The official databases

  • United States: the USPTO trademark search.
  • United Kingdom: the UKIPO trademark search (gov.uk).
  • European Union: TMview, which gathers EUIPO trademarks and many national offices.
  • International: WIPO’s Global Brand Database.

How to search effectively

  1. Search the exact name, then close variants (spelling, plural, sound).
  2. Filter on the classes of goods and services that concern you (Nice classification).
  3. Check the status: an expired or refused mark does not carry the same weight as a live one.
  4. Note similar marks in your industry: similarity within the same field is what creates risk.

The limits of a do-it-yourself search

An online search catches obvious conflicts, not subtle similarities or unregistered rights (trade names, reputation). Before a major launch, have a clearance search done by a trademark attorney.

OrbiBrand automatically removes names too close to well-known brands or the competitors you list, but it does not replace a trademark search: always run this check before adopting a name.

And do not forget the domain: checking domain name availability is the other half of the job.