The 7 Year Battle for Trademark Approval: Lessons We Learned From The USTPO Experience
- Anointed Works®
- Oct 22
- 6 min read
Updated: 19 hours ago
On October 23, 2025, a significant milestone was reached in a long and arduous journey. President Wilson received an email from the United States Trademark & Patent Office (USTPO) after a seven-year battle to obtain a trademark. This journey was fraught with challenges, devastating rejections and a relentless pursuit of a goal that seemed increasingly elusive. In this blog post, we will explore the lessons learned from this experience, the importance of perseverance and the strategies that can help others facing similar challenges in the trademark approval process.
Understanding The Trademark Process
The trademark process can be complex and daunting. It involves several steps, including conducting a thorough search to ensure that the desired trademark is not already in use, filing an application with your home state. For us, we had to go through the Kentucky Secretary Of State (KSOS), pay a registration fee and government fees. After that, we had to hire a trademark lawyer, pay them to file on our behalf, then pay the additional government fees and responding to any objections, Office Actions and refusals from the USTPO. The initial search for your state is crucial, as it helps to identify potential conflicts with existing names.
Likewise on the USTPO, searching the trademark database is important before you go to hire a lawyer and start the application process. Researching the name you want to operate under or use, can save time and resources in the long run. However, even with a comprehensive search, it is not uncommon for the USTPO to issue rejections based on various grounds, such as likelihood of confusion with existing marks or failure to meet the distinctiveness requirements for your registered Class were the mark will be used. Something you must keep in mind if you're pursing a trademark.
A registered business name, is limited to the state you file in and if someone else goes to trademark that name you selected for your business and get approved for it, it will be a legal matter between you and the one who trademarked the name you have for your business. In short terms, limited to state, protects in the state you live. A Federal trademark registration provides protection throughout the entire United States and its territories, not just in a single state.
The Importance Of Persistence
Throughout the seven-year journey, persistence was key. Each rejection from the USTPO felt like a setback and a ice slap across the face, but it also provided an opportunity to reassess and refine the application. Rather then see it as a negative, we made our content better, motivated to show the USTPO that we could do better and meet their standards, despite that we personally felt our evidence was justified. The process taught the importance of resilience in the face of adversity. Rejection prompted a deeper understanding of the trademark laws and the specific reasons for the USTPO's decisions. This knowledge became invaluable in crafting more compelling arguments for subsequent applications.
Building A Strong Case
One of the most critical aspects of successfully obtaining a trademark is building a strong case and having a good Legal Team. We hired The Trademark Company to help us with the filing and wordage on the application. This involves not only understanding the legal requirements for a Class for a mark, but also effectively communicating the uniqueness and value of the trademark and proving that your mark is unique and fits the Class you file for. Four our company's case, it was essential for us to gather evidence demonstrating the distinctiveness of the mark in eCommerce and offline use. This included website use, merchandise use, business cards use, all of which is not related to the Class we applied for.
Applying the mark on our digital goods, is where the mark is primary used, but we still had to show the government that we (Anointed Works L.L.C.), have used the name, the mark since 2017 and have the mark on our intellectual property. This was not a guarantee to be approved. What this was about and what we were responsible to prove, is to demonstrate examples of how the trademark was used in commerce outside of our Class. The more robust the evidence for "specimens", the stronger the case presented to the USTPO and that our company was dominating the Class space as well as in the niche we specialize in.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Navigating the trademark process can be overwhelming, especially for those unfamiliar with intellectual property law. Seeking professional guidance from a trademark agency or attorney law office, can make a significant difference. A knowledgeable attorney can provide insights into the nuances of trademark law, help craft a compelling application and offer strategies for overcoming objections. In our situation the involvement of a trademark attorney proved to be a game-changer, providing the expertise needed to navigate the complexities of the USTPO process. Do not, we repeat, do not attempt to file and fill out a trademark application if you do not know the lingo, text format that is required for the application to be approved. Google professional help for your state, go into town and consult a attorney of the law who could direct you to a person or provide resources for you to consider. We highly recommend The Trademark Company.
Why would we recommend them? We assure you it's not because they helped us win our case and countless others. Anointed Works® recommends The Trademark Company because they serve businesses and individuals nationwide across all 50 territories of the United States. While it has a physical presence and phone number associated with New York and North Carolina, its services are not limited by state lines.
As a service that helps clients apply for federal trademark registration with the USTPO, its operations are inherently national.
The Emotional Toll
The emotional toll of a prolonged trademark battle should not be underestimated. The constant cycle of hope and disappointment can be draining. Throughout the seven years, there were moments of doubt and frustration. However, it was essential to maintain focus on the end goal and to celebrate small victories along the way. Each step forward, no matter how minor, was a reminder of the progress being made. Support from your team, friends or a family member who sees you, understands and has empathy and is willing to remind you not to give up, is important, but if you are a Christian who owns a Christian company, business, organization, etc. it's vital to pray and give Elohim the glory, no matter what your feelings and devils try to make you feel. Feeling a emotion, such as disappointment is unavoidable. Giving up is s choice. Choose to fight, choose to pray, choose to be patient and don't give into the pressure of rejection, Hell or your own thoughts.
Learning From Rejections
Each rejection from the USTPO provided valuable lessons. Instead of viewing them as failures, they were reframed as opportunities for growth. Analyzing the reasons for each rejection allowed for a better understanding of the USTPO's perspective. This knowledge was instrumental in adjusting the approach for future applications we will file for more marks.
The Final Approval
After years of hard work, persistence, learning and refining, the email from the USTPO on October 23, 2025, brought a sense of relief and accomplishment. The trademark was finally approved, marking the end of a long and challenging journey. We called Dillion, a trademark agent to confirm the email and he verified we were in and currently, we are in the opposition phase, but we have full emunah in Elohim to protect us during this time. This moment was not just a victory for the trademark itself, but also a testament to the power of Elohim, our perseverance and the importance of learning from setbacks. After opposition, the true final approval will be known, intentionally and that is exactly what we want.
Conclusion
For anyone embarking on a similar journey, the key takeaways include understanding the trademark process, building a strong case, seeking professional guidance and reframing rejections as opportunities for growth. While the road to trademark approval can be long and winding, the lessons learned along the way can make the journey worthwhile. As we celebrate this hard earned victory, we hope that others can find inspiration and guidance in our experience, empowering them to navigate their own trademark battles with confidence and determination.
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