Trademark Access Fairness Questioned With New ID Requirement (2)

Small businesses, particularly those run by people of color and women, will have a harder time filing for trademarks when a new verification system that requires AI technology and a credit check goes into effect, attorneys say.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will roll out the identity verification process on Jan. 8. Any attorney or business filing a trademark registration application will be required to use it effective April 9.

The agency has said identity verification will help deter fraudulent trademark filings.

Some attorneys, however, warn that the new system could block some entrepreneurs from registering trademarks, a requirement ...