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Thomas B. James Esq.

Cokato, Minnesota attorney

Is it necessary to use design codes to do a design mark search?

By Tom James / May 3, 2026
A

Is it necessary to use design codes to do a design mark search?

Yes. It is possible to conduct an image trademark search without using design codes. Historically, it was necessary to use design codes and/or descriptive phrases to conduct a search for logos, designs, and other images. In April, 2026, the USPTO rolled out USPTO Image Search , an AI-powered search tool that searches for images that are similar to the one the user uploads. This tool is intended to supplement, not replace, the traditional image search method using design codes and descriptive word searches. Combining methods ensures more comprehensive search results. As with any USPTO trademark search, the search is limited to trademarks that are in the USPTO database. For step-by-step instructions, read How to Do a Trademark Image Search.

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