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ChecklistIntellectual PropertyHard
Trade Mark Search Checklist
Trade Mark Search Checklist for understanding trade mark search checklist, preparing consultation questions, and comparing related lawyers or law firms.
Prepared byLexuno legal resource team
Time to prepare1-3 hours
Last updatedJune 2026
Before you search
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Before the consultation
0/4 completedDuring the consultation
0/3 completedAfterwards
0/3 completedWhen It Applies
You want to check a business name, brand, logo, slogan, product name, or service name before applying for a South African trade mark.
You need to prepare clear search and filing questions for an intellectual-property lawyer or trade mark attorney.
Not For
- Giving a clearance opinion, confirming registrability, replacing a professional trade mark search, or drafting an application without advice.
Documents
- Proposed mark
- Logo files
- Goods and services list
- Applicant details
- Brand-use proof
- Search screenshots
- Competitor names
- Domain records
- Company records
- Question list
Timeline
- Before consultation: define the mark, goods, services, owner, and current use.
- During consultation: confirm search depth, risks, classes, and filing scope.
- After filing: save application records and calendar official dates.
- Ongoing: preserve brand-use proof and monitor conflicts.
Tips
- Search spelling, sound, logo, and meaning variations.
- Separate company-name and trade-mark questions.
- Think about future goods and services before filing.
- Do not treat a quick search as a clearance opinion.
Warning Signs
- A similar brand already exists.
- The owner entity is unclear.
- The mark describes the goods or services.
- A launch, investor, licensing, or rebrand deadline is close.
This checklist is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.
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