Correcting the owner name in online forms

Avoid delays and fees

The trademark owner is the legal entity that owns the trademark. You can correct minor errors in the owner name. To avoid delays and fees, read the general instructions below when you need to correct the owner name.

If you change the owner name that appears in any Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) form without explaining why or recording an assignment, if required, you may receive an office action, and your application or registration processing will be delayed until you respond. You might also be required to pay additional fees.

Learn more about about assignments and ownership changes to understand the most common types of ownership changes and how to properly notify the USPTO of each type.

To correct the owner name but not ownership, due to a minor error

Use any form you need to file in TEAS

If you are filing a form with us during the application process, such as a Response to Office Action or a Statement of Use, you can correct the owner name at the same time. In the Owner Information section of the form you are filing, the Name field will show the current owner listed in the trademark database. If you need to correct this name because it contains a minor error, and ownership is remaining the same, check the appropriate box on the form. Enter the corrected name. Then you must fill out the Miscellaneous Statement section of the form to explain why you need to correct the owner name. Use these directions to make the following types of modifications:

Changes to correct minor errors in the owner name
Changes to correct mistakes in legal entity information

If your trademark has registered, you can correct the owner name as described above. To update the corrected name in the Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TSDR) system, you must also file the TEAS Section 7 Request form.

If you don't need to file another form

If you wish to correct the owner information and you do not need to file a response or other required submission, the form you use to request a correction to the owner name will depend on the status of the application or if the mark is registered.

If your trademark has not published in the Trademark Official Gazette, use the TEAS Voluntary Amendment form.
If your trademark has published but hasn't registered, use the TEAS Post-Publication Amendment form.
If your trademark has registered, use the TEAS Section 7 Request form.

To change trademark ownership or enter new legal name of owner

In the Owner Information section of the form you are filing, the Name field will show the current owner of record listed in TSDR. If you need to change this name because the owner changed or the owner had a legal name change, check the appropriate box on the form and enter the new name. You must also record an assignment using Assignment Center. See our how-to guide for trademarks on using Assignment Center.

Use these directions to make the following types of modifications:

Changes resulting from assignments, mergers, or other legal changes of ownership.
Changes to reflect a legal name change that occurred after the application was filed

Common examples

I mistakenly filed my application under John Doe, but I go by John M. Doe. I want to change the owner name to correct this mistake.

If your name was John M. Doe before you filed the application, check the box to indicate you want to correct the owner name that appears, then enter John M. Doe in the Name field. In the Miscellaneous Statement field later in whichever form you are filing, explain that you mistakenly entered John Doe in the initial application, and you want to correct the owner name in the application or registration record to John M. Doe.

I thought the legal name of the owner was ABC Corporation, but the actual name is The ABC Corporation.

Check the box to indicate you want to correct the owner name that appears, then edit the name to add "The." In the Miscellaneous Statement field later in the form you are filing, explain that you mistakenly left out "The" in the initial application and you want to correct the owner name in the application or registration record to "The ABC Corporation."

I need to change the spelling of the owner name from Mark to Marc because it was entered incorrectly in the initial application. Will I receive an office action?

No, you will not receive an office action when editing the owner name to correct this kind of minor error. Check the box to indicate you want to correct the owner name that appears, then enter the correctly spelled name. In the Miscellaneous Statement field later in the form you are filing, explain that you mistakenly entered Mark in the initial application and you want to correct the owner name in the application or registration record to Marc.

I had a legal name change before I filed my application, but I mistakenly filed my application under my former name.

Check the box to indicate you want to correct the owner name that appears, then enter your current legal name in the Name field. In the Miscellaneous Statement field later in the form you are filing, explain that you mistakenly entered your former name and you want to correct the owner name in the application or registration record to identify the correct legal name.