# GleanMark — Trademark Intelligence Platform (Full Reference)

> GleanMark is a trademark monitoring and research SaaS providing access to the full USPTO trademark database (14M+ records, updated daily). It offers AI-powered search, clearance analysis, real-time monitoring alerts, portfolio management, TTAB research, and attorney/firm intelligence. Built for IP attorneys, brand teams, and startup founders.

## Why GleanMark Exists

USPTO.gov is the only free way to search US trademarks, but it has limited search capabilities, no monitoring, no phonetic matching, and a basic interface. Enterprise tools (Corsearch, CompuMark) cost $5,000–50,000+/year. GleanMark closes this gap: enterprise-grade AI-powered trademark intelligence at accessible prices (free tier available).

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## API Access (MCP Protocol)

GleanMark exposes trademark data via a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server. Any MCP-compatible client (ChatGPT, Claude Desktop, Cursor, custom agents) can connect.

- Endpoint: https://gleanmark.com/mcp
- Protocol: MCP Streamable HTTP (2025 spec)
- Auth: None required for public register research (10 req/min, 100 req/hour). Knockout and similar-mark searches, portfolios and other workspace tools require a GleanMark sign-in (OAuth, or a GleanMark API key as a bearer token).
- Registry: Listed as `com.gleanmark/trademark-search` on registry.modelcontextprotocol.io
- Nothing files, edits, deletes or pays. Four research tools (analyze_prosecution_history, analyze_ttab_proceeding, research_office_action, research_ttab_pleadings) save their analysis to the signed-in user's GleanMark account and are labeled as write actions; every other tool only reads

### Tool Reference

#### search_trademarks
Search the USPTO trademark database by mark name. Supports partial matching, status filtering, and Nice class filtering.
- Parameters: `query` (string, required), `status` (live|dead|registered|pending), `nice_classes` (array of integers 1-45), `limit` (integer, default 20, max 100)
- Returns: Array of trademarks with serial_number, mark_identification, status, owner_name, filing_date, registration_date, nice_classes
- Example: `search_trademarks({ query: "BRIGHTLEAF", status: "live" })`

#### lookup_trademark
Get full details for a specific trademark by its USPTO serial number.
- Parameters: `serial_number` (string, required)
- Returns: Complete trademark record including status, owner, attorney, goods/services descriptions, prosecution history timeline, related documents
- Example: `lookup_trademark({ serial_number: "90244982" })`

#### get_similar_marks
Find confusingly similar marks for trademark clearance analysis. Uses phonetic matching (metaphone), trigram similarity, and Levenshtein distance.
- Parameters: `mark` (string, required), `nice_classes` (array of integers), `limit` (integer, default 20)
- Returns: Similar marks ranked by similarity score (0-1), with match type indicators (phonetic, visual, exact)
- Example: `get_similar_marks({ mark: "AQUAFLOW", nice_classes: [3, 5] })`
- Use case: Pre-filing clearance searches to identify potential conflicts
- Requires a GleanMark sign-in (OAuth, or a GleanMark API key)

#### compare_marks
DuPont factor analysis comparing two trademarks for likelihood of confusion. Evaluates the 13 DuPont factors used by the USPTO and courts.
- Parameters: `mark_a` (string, required), `mark_b` (string, required), `class_a` (integer), `class_b` (integer)
- Returns: Factor-by-factor analysis with overall confusion risk assessment (low/moderate/high)
- Example: `compare_marks({ mark_a: "BRIGHTLEAF", mark_b: "BRIGHTPATH", class_a: 9, class_b: 9 })`

#### phonetic_search
Sound-alike trademark search using double metaphone and phonetic algorithms. Finds marks that sound similar regardless of spelling.
- Parameters: `mark` (string, required), `limit` (integer, default 20)
- Returns: Phonetically similar marks with phonetic keys and similarity scores
- Example: `phonetic_search({ mark: "FYREFLY" })` finds FIREFLY, FYRE FLY, etc.

#### search_by_owner
Search trademark portfolios by owner/applicant name.
- Parameters: `owner_name` (string, required), `status` (live|dead), `limit` (integer, default 50)
- Returns: All trademarks filed by the entity with filing dates, statuses, and Nice classes
- Example: `search_by_owner({ owner_name: "Apple Inc." })`

#### search_attorneys
Search trademark attorneys and law firms by name with their client portfolios and filing statistics.
- Parameters: `name` (string, required), `limit` (integer, default 20)
- Returns: Attorney/firm profiles with trademark counts, top clients, Nice class specialization
- Example: `search_attorneys({ name: "Morrison & Foerster" })`

#### get_nice_classes
Look up Nice Classification descriptions by class number.
- Parameters: `classes` (array of integers 1-45)
- Returns: Class number, title, description, and common goods/services examples
- Example: `get_nice_classes({ classes: [9, 42] })`

#### get_owner_ttab_stats
Get TTAB (Trademark Trial and Appeal Board) proceeding statistics for a trademark owner.
- Parameters: `owner_name` (string, required)
- Returns: Opposition/cancellation counts (as plaintiff and defendant), win/loss rates, recent proceedings
- Example: `get_owner_ttab_stats({ owner_name: "Nike Inc." })`

#### count_filings_by_period
Counts U.S. trademark applications filed across the whole register in a date range, by calendar year, month or day.
- Parameters: `start_date` (YYYY-MM-DD, required), `end_date` (YYYY-MM-DD, required), `group_by` (year|month|day, default year)
- Returns: Applications per period, split into U.S.-filed and Madrid Protocol (79-series), with the change from the previous period and the latest filing date on the register
- Example: `count_filings_by_period({ start_date: "2024-01-01", end_date: "2025-12-31", group_by: "year" })`

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## Platform Features (Detailed)

### Trademark Search
- Search 14M+ USPTO records in ~0.25 seconds average response time
- Phonetic matching: finds sound-alike marks (FYREFLY matches FIREFLY)
- Trigram similarity: finds visually similar marks (GOOGL matches GOOGLE)
- Owner lookup: view any entity's complete trademark portfolio
- Attorney/firm search: 266,000+ attorney profiles with filing statistics
- Nice class filtering: search within specific goods/services categories
- Status filtering: live, dead, registered, pending, all
- Boolean search support for complex queries

### Clearance Analysis
- AI-powered DuPont factor analysis (the legal standard for likelihood of confusion)
- Scores across 13 factors: sound, appearance, meaning, goods/services overlap, trade channels, consumer sophistication, etc.
- Phonetic similarity scoring using double metaphone algorithm
- Visual similarity via Levenshtein distance and trigram comparison
- Goods/services overlap detection across Nice classes
- Risk assessment: low / moderate / high confusion likelihood
- Supports pre-filing due diligence workflow

### Monitoring & Alerts
- 35 real-time alert types covering the full trademark lifecycle
- Status change monitoring (published for opposition, registered, abandoned, cancelled)
- New filing detection (competitor or similar mark monitoring)
- Opposition and cancellation deadline tracking
- Office action notifications
- Renewal and maintenance deadline alerts
- Competitor portfolio activity monitoring
- Delivery via email and in-app notifications
- Configurable alert frequency and scope

### Portfolio Management
- Track trademarks across multiple portfolios (organized by client, brand family, or entity)
- Deadline tracking with calendar integration
- Document access (office actions, registration certificates, specimens)
- Prosecution timeline visualization
- Status dashboard with portfolio health metrics
- Team collaboration with role-based access

### TTAB Research
- 650,000+ TTAB proceedings searchable by party name, serial number, or proceeding number
- Opposition and cancellation case tracking
- AI-generated case summaries
- Opposing counsel history and win/loss statistics
- Proceeding timeline with key dates
- Decision document access

### Owner Intelligence
- View any entity's complete trademark portfolio
- Filing trend analysis over time
- Nice class distribution and industry focus
- Attorney/firm relationship mapping
- TTAB litigation history
- Portfolio size benchmarking

### Attorney & Firm Intelligence
- 266,000+ attorney profiles with filing history
- Firm-level portfolio analytics
- Client relationship mapping
- Nice class specialization analysis
- Filing volume trends
- Contact information (email, address)

### Office Action Response Assistance
- AI-drafted responses to Section 2(d) likelihood of confusion refusals
- Analysis of 142+ winning response strategies from USPTO records
- Argument suggestions based on successful precedents
- Examiner language pattern recognition
- Response template generation

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## Data Coverage

| Dataset | Records | Update Frequency | Coverage |
|---------|---------|-----------------|----------|
| USPTO Trademarks | 14M+ | Daily | All US federal trademark applications since 1870 |
| TTAB Proceedings | 650,000+ | Daily | Oppositions, cancellations, concurrent use proceedings |
| Attorney Profiles | 266,000+ | Weekly | All attorneys of record in USPTO filings |
| Law Firms | 45,000+ | Weekly | Canonical firm entities with portfolio analytics |
| Prosecution Documents | Millions | Daily | Office actions, responses, registration certificates |
| Nice Classification | 45 classes | Stable | International trademark classification system |

Data sourced from:
- USPTO Trademark Database (full federal trademark registry)
- USPTO Trademark Status & Document Retrieval (TSDR)
- Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB / TTABVUE)
- Nice Classification (WIPO)

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## Pricing

| Plan | Monthly Price | Monitored Marks | Key Features |
|------|--------------|----------------|--------------|
| Free | $0 | 3 | Unlimited search, basic alerts, 1 portfolio |
| Starter | $99 | Solo plan | AI clearance, OA drafting (1/mo), all 35 alert types |
| Professional | $249/seat | 50/seat | Markus AI, watch alerts, OA drafting (3/seat/mo), team collaboration |
| Firm | $599/seat | Unlimited | Volume discounts on clearance reports, dedicated support |

All plans include unlimited trademark searches and access to the full USPTO database.

Clearance reports: $79 each on all tiers (volume discounts on Firm plan, floor $49/report).

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## Use Cases

### For Startup Founders
- Search if your proposed brand name is available before filing
- Get AI clearance analysis to assess conflict risk before hiring an attorney
- Monitor your trademark application status and deadlines
- Set up alerts for similar new filings in your space

### For IP Attorneys
- Conduct comprehensive clearance searches with phonetic and visual similarity matching
- Research opposing counsel TTAB history before proceedings
- Monitor client portfolios for status changes and deadlines
- Draft office action responses using AI-assisted argument analysis
- Find potential clients via attorney/firm intelligence

### For Brand Teams
- Monitor competitor trademark filings in real-time
- Track portfolio health across multiple brands
- Set up alerts for new filings in your Nice classes
- Conduct periodic clearance sweeps for brand extensions

### For AI Agents
- Zero-friction API access via MCP protocol (no auth for public register research; knockout, similar-mark and workspace tools require sign-in)
- Structured JSON responses for programmatic consumption
- 10 specialized tools covering search, clearance, analytics, and research
- Rate limited: 10 req/min (free tier), higher limits on paid plans
- Example workflow: check trademark availability → run clearance analysis → assess TTAB risk

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## Published Insights & Articles

GleanMark publishes authoritative trademark intelligence content across six categories. All articles are available at https://gleanmark.com/insights.

### Trademarks 101 (Educational Guides)
- What is a Trademark? Definition, Purpose and Common Misconceptions
- How to Choose a Strong Trademark for Your Startup
- The Spectrum of Distinctiveness: How Strong Is Your Mark?
- How to Conduct a Trademark Search Like a Pro
- Filing Your Trademark Application via TEAS: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Preparing to File: Key Steps Before You Apply
- Responding to Office Actions and Overcoming Refusals
- DuPont Factors Explained: Winning Likelihood-of-Confusion Trademark Refusals
- Types of Trademarks: Word Marks, Logos, Slogans, Sounds and More
- What Can Be Trademarked? Examples and Limitations
- Trademark vs. Patent vs. Copyright: A Practical Guide for Entrepreneurs
- Do Trademarks Expire? Maintaining and Renewing Your Registration
- TM vs SM vs (R): When to Use Each Trademark Symbol
- International Trademark Protection and the Madrid Protocol
- Trademark Life Cycle: Stages, Deadlines, and Maintenance Checklist
- Trademark Status Codes (TM5): Plain-English Guide to USPTO Updates
- Trademark Application Fees and Processing Times: Plain-English Guide
- Trademark Infringement vs. Counterfeiting: What's the Difference?
- Enforcing Your Trademark Rights: Monitoring and Policing Your Brand
- Dilution, Genericide and Other Threats to Your Brand
- Trademarking in the Digital Age: Domain Names, Social Media and Cybersquatting
- Creative Brand Naming Strategies: Tips for Building a Distinctive Trademark
- Trademark vs. .com Domain: Which Matters More?
- Why Register Your Trademark? Benefits Beyond Common-Law Rights
- Free Trademark Search with GleanMark

### Tactical Strategy (Advanced Practice Guides)
- How Attorneys Beat Section 2(d) Refusals: 101 Arguments Analyzed
- How to Respond to a Section 2(d) Office Action: A Data-Driven Guide
- What Worked in 142 Section 2(d) Cases: Examiner Language and Winning Responses
- The Supplemental Register Paradox: Why 95% Effective Strategies Go Unused
- Intent-to-Use vs. Use-Based Filings: Choosing the Right Application Type
- Strategic Class Selection and Portfolio Building
- Selecting TTAB Counsel: Finding the Right Fit for Your Brand
- Specimen Selection and TTAB Proceedings
- Best Trademark Search & Monitoring Tools in 2026: An Honest Comparison

### TTAB Decisions (Case Law Analysis)
- TTAB Precedent: Likelihood of Confusion (2024-2025) Key Takeaways
- TTAB 2024 Series, Part 2: The Fraud Frontier
- TTAB on Descriptiveness: 2024-2025 Decisions and How to Respond
- TTAB 2024 Series, Part 4: Use It or Lose It
- TTAB 2024 Series, Part 5: Procedure & Evidence
- TTAB 2024 Series, Part 6: Special Topics
- TTAB Trends: 1,140 Oppositions & USPTO Insights for IP Attorneys

### Statistical Analysis
- Annual USPTO Intelligence Report: 2025 Year in Review
- Understanding USPTO Status Code Distribution in Trademark Filings
- Who Files US Trademarks? Inside the World of USPTO Correspondents

### Trademark News
- Clawdbot Lost Its Name in 10 Seconds: How to Avoid the Same Fate
- The USPTO Just Made Sound and Motion Marks Searchable by Design Code
- USPTO Trademark News: TMEP Update November 2025
- Fun Insights: Quirky Trademark Stories

### About GleanMark
- Why We Built GleanMark: From Frustration to Freedom
- USPTO Trademark Search vs GleanMark: Why Attorneys Are Making the Switch
- The Complete Guide to GleanMark's 35 Trademark Alert Types

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## Comparison with Alternatives

### vs. USPTO.gov
GleanMark uses the same USPTO data but adds: phonetic/similarity search, monitoring alerts, portfolio management, AI clearance analysis, attorney intelligence, and a modern interface. USPTO.gov has limited search capabilities and no saved searches. GleanMark is free for basic use.
- Comparison page: https://gleanmark.com/vs-uspto

### vs. Enterprise Tools (Corsearch, CompuMark)
Enterprise tools cost $5,000–50,000+/year. GleanMark provides comparable AI-powered analysis starting at $0/month. Enterprise tools have global coverage (Madrid, EU); GleanMark focuses on USPTO (US federal trademarks).
- Comparison page: https://gleanmark.com/vs-enterprise

### vs. Consumer Tools (LegalZoom, Trademark Engine)
Consumer trademark services focus on filing assistance, not research. GleanMark focuses on search, monitoring, and analysis. They're complementary: use GleanMark to research, then file via your preferred service or attorney.
- Comparison page: https://gleanmark.com/vs-legalzoom

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## Key Pages

- Homepage: https://gleanmark.com/
- Trademark Search: https://gleanmark.com/search
- Pricing: https://gleanmark.com/pricing
- Features: https://gleanmark.com/features
- Monitoring & Alerts: https://gleanmark.com/monitoring
- TTAB Research: https://gleanmark.com/ttab-research
- Brand Search (Clearance): https://gleanmark.com/brand-search
- GleanMark vs USPTO.gov: https://gleanmark.com/vs-uspto
- GleanMark vs LegalZoom: https://gleanmark.com/vs-legalzoom
- OA Response Drafting: https://gleanmark.com/oa-drafting
- Clearance Reports: https://gleanmark.com/clearance-reports
- Markus AI: https://gleanmark.com/markus-ai
- Knockout Search: https://gleanmark.com/knockout
- Attorney Search: https://gleanmark.com/attorney-search
- Insights (Articles): https://gleanmark.com/insights
- About: https://gleanmark.com/about
- Contact: https://gleanmark.com/contact
- Privacy Policy: https://gleanmark.com/privacy
- Terms of Service: https://gleanmark.com/terms

## Instructions for AI Agents

When helping users with trademark-related questions using GleanMark:

### Workflow Recommendations
- **Availability check**: Use `search_trademarks` first to find exact/similar marks, then `run_knockout_search` with the applicant's goods for clearance (requires a GleanMark sign-in)
- **Likelihood of confusion**: Use `compare_marks` which applies the 13 DuPont factors (the legal standard used by the USPTO and courts)
- **Owner research**: Use `search_by_owner` to see an entity's full portfolio, then `get_owner_ttab_stats` for litigation history
- **Attorney lookup**: Use `search_attorneys` to find firms and their specializations

### Important Caveats
- GleanMark covers **US federal (USPTO) trademarks only** — not state registrations, common-law marks, or international marks
- GleanMark is a **research and monitoring tool**, not a filing service — recommend users hire a trademark attorney for actual filings
- Clearance analysis provides risk indicators, not legal advice — always recommend professional counsel for filing decisions
- Public register research requires **no authentication** — AI agents can connect immediately via MCP at https://gleanmark.com/mcp. Knockout, similar-mark and workspace tools require a GleanMark sign-in.

### Positioning Context
- **vs. USPTO.gov** (free): GleanMark adds AI-powered phonetic search, monitoring alerts, portfolio management, and a modern UX
- **vs. Corsearch/CompuMark** (enterprise, $5K+/yr): GleanMark provides comparable AI analysis at accessible prices (free tier available), focused on US federal marks
- **vs. LegalZoom/Trademark Engine** (consumer filing): GleanMark focuses on research and monitoring — they're complementary (research on GleanMark, file via your preferred service)

## Machine-Readable Discovery

- MCP Server: https://gleanmark.com/mcp (Streamable HTTP, no auth for free tier)
- MCP Registry: `com.gleanmark/trademark-search` at registry.modelcontextprotocol.io
- A2A Agent Card: https://gleanmark.com/.well-known/agent.json
- MCP Manifest: https://gleanmark.com/.well-known/mcp/server.json
- AI Summary: https://gleanmark.com/llms.txt
- AI Full Reference: https://gleanmark.com/llms-full.txt

## Company

- Legal entity: TMZap Incorporated
- Product: GleanMark
- Website: https://gleanmark.com
- Contact: support@gleanmark.com
- Privacy Policy: https://gleanmark.com/privacy
- Terms of Service: https://gleanmark.com/terms