AI and trademark search basics: don't pick a name that gets you sued

Picking a brand name without a trademark search is how teens get cease-and-desist letters from giant brands. AI can run a basic search — and tell you when to pay for the real one.

How to use it

• Ask AI to search USPTO TESS for your name
• Ask AI to check social handles and domains
• Ask AI to flag 'similar enough to lose a fight' matches
• Ask AI when a $300 trademark lawyer is worth it

Try it

Pick any business name. Ask AI to run a basic trademark and handle search before you commit.

Practice this safely

Try this with a school, hobby, or family example where the stakes are low. Use the AI output as a draft you can question, not as the final answer.

1. 1Ask AI to explain trademark in plain language, then underline anything that sounds uncertain or too broad.
2. 2Give it one detail from "AI and trademark search basics: don't pick a name that gets you sued" and ask for two possible next steps plus one reason each step might be wrong.
3. 3Check USPTO against a trusted source, teacher, adult, expert, or original document before you use it.