At Business Law Group, we are committed to protecting our clients not only throughout the trademark application process but also from deceptive practices that follow it. One of the most persistent threats facing trademark owners today? Scam invoices designed to appear as legitimate government communications.  And our clients receive them almost as soon as we file their application.  

Trademark Owners: You're Being Targeted

 Once a trademark application is filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the applicant's name, address, and application details become part of the public record. Unfortunately, this transparency also opens the door for predatory third parties.

Scammers harvest this public data and send official-looking invoices to trademark owners, requesting payment for services that are unnecessary, misleading, or entirely fake. These notices often claim to provide “trademark monitoring,” “registration in international directories,” or “renewal publication services”—none of which are required by the USPTO.

Signs You're Being Scammed 

Scam invoices targeting trademark owners often share a few common traits: they look official, use legal jargon, include government-sounding names, and demand payment for vague services such as “trademark monitoring,” “international registration,” or “renewal publication.” These documents are designed to confuse recipients into thinking they originate from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) or a related authority.

These scam invoices often mimic the look and tone of government correspondence. If you examine these solicitations closely, you'll often find small-print disclaimers revealing that the letter is not from a government agency. Unfortunately, those disclaimers are easy to miss—especially when the overall appearance is crafted to instill urgency and legitimacy. While the format may vary, what's consistent is the intent: to pressure businesses into paying for unnecessary or entirely fictitious trademark-related services.

What the USPTO Says

The USPTO has repeatedly issued public warnings about these deceptive practices. Key points they emphasize include:

• The USPTO does not send invoices via third-party companies.
• All official correspondence comes from a “.gov” email address or the official USPTO mailing address in Alexandria, Virginia.
• All trademark-related fees are clearly listed on the USPTO's official website.

The USPTO even maintains a sample list of misleading solicitations to help trademark owners recognize and avoid scams.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Be skeptical of any trademark invoice you receive, especially if you don't recognize the sender or weren't expecting a bill.
2. Never pay a trademark-related fee without confirming its authenticity. When in doubt, contact your attorney.
3. Forward questionable communications to your legal counsel. As your representatives, we will manage all legitimate trademark deadlines and payments on your behalf.
4. Report suspected scams to the USPTO and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to help protect others from falling victim.

We're Here to Help

If you've received a suspicious invoice, letter, or email regarding your trademark, don't respond or send payment. Instead, send a copy to your trademark attorney who will confirm whether it's legitimate and guide you through the appropriate next steps.

Your trademarks are valuable intellectual property assets. Business Law Group is here to ensure they're protected—legally and financially—from start to finish.