The USPTO has posted a warning on the Trademarks home page of its website to highlight the problem of non-USPTO solicitations resembling official USPTO communications. Although these solicitations have been an issue for some time, this warning underscores the current extent of the problem.

The warning explains that private companies not associated with the USPTO often use information from USPTO databases to make trademark-related solicitations, including offers for legal services, trademark monitoring and trademark registration in private registries. These companies may use names similar to the USPTO name and often seek payments.

The warning reminds trademark owners that official USPTO correspondence comes from the "United States Patent and Trademark Office" in Alexandria, VA, or if by e-mail, from the domain "@uspto.gov." Trademark owners who receive a deceptive solicitation may file an online complaint with the FTC or contact the USPTO at [email protected].