What is a clearance search?
The clearance search is an identical search of the UK and CTM (European) trademark registers, which will reveal both the exact word on its own as well as the word combined with other words (that is ‘similar marks’). Depending on your mark, it also includes a limited search of the most obvious similar sounding names, or words having strong elements in common. The clearance search helps reduce the risk of a failed trademark application, and the danger of choosing a business name that is someone else’s trade mark. It is important to appreciate that a search of the CTM registers (or US registers where we are doing a US search for you) only reveal what is on the central EU (or Federal) registers and not what is on the registers of each individual country within the EU (or each individual state within the USA).
