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2020 USPTO Trademark Year in Review

Trademark filing statistics and trends for 2020

324,305

Total Filings in 2020

364,520

Total Filings in 2019

-11%

Change from 2019

Insight

The 11% decline in total filings in 2020 was largely driven by the economic uncertainties and operational disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led businesses to delay new product launches and branding initiatives. This indicates a cautious approach by companies prioritizing cost savings and risk management during an unpredictable year.

"Trademark filings were down 11% in 2020 vs 2019"

Monthly Filing Trend

Number of trademark applications filed each month in 2020. Shows seasonal patterns and peak filing periods.

Status Breakdown

Current status of all trademarks filed in 2020.

68.7% Registration Success Rate

The 68.7% registration success rate suggests that while a majority of applications are successful, there remains a significant proportion that fail, possibly due to increased scrutiny or application errors. Businesses should ensure meticulous preparation and legal guidance to navigate the complexities of trademark filing.

Busiest Filing Days

Distribution of filings by day of the week in 2020.

"68.7% of 2020 trademark applications achieved registration"

Attorneys with Most Filings

Law firms and attorneys who filed the most trademarks in 2020.

5,473

2,937

2,805

2,689

2,580

2,105

2,088

8 Jeffrey S.Firestone

1,898

9 WILLIAM SCOTT GOLDMAN

1,794

10 Nyall Engfield

1,785

Owners with Most Filings

Companies and individuals who filed the most trademark applications in 2020.

1 Guangzhou Biaomei Business Co., Ltd.

189

2 GARAN SERVICES CORP.

165

3 World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.

157

4 Fiberhome Technology Co., Ltd.

156

5 Guangzhou Tiancheng Pinpai Management Co., Ltd.

143

6 LG HOUSEHOLD & HEALTH CARE LTD.

140

7 U.S. Marine Corps

128

8 LIGHT & WONDER, INC.

122

9 Walmart Apollo, LLC

117

10 NEW ZEALAND ART RAIN LIMITED

116

Top 10 Classes

Most popular Nice Classification categories for trademark filings in 2020.

25 Clothing

39,676

9 Computers & Electronics

37,226

41 Education & Entertainment

30,849

35 Advertising & Business

29,909

42 Computer & Scientific

19,894

28 Toys & Sporting Goods

19,435

21 Housewares

19,327

3 Cosmetics & Cleaning

16,002

11 Environmental Control

15,148

5 Pharmaceuticals

13,246

The dominance of Classes 25, 9, and 41 reflects the sustained consumer interest in fashion, technology, and digital entertainment, sectors that have seen robust demand even during economic downtimes, showing resilience and adaptability to shifting consumer preferences.

Fastest Growing Classes

Categories with the highest percentage increase in filings compared to 2019.

Environmental Control

10,493 → 15,148

+44.4%

Hand Tools

4,036 → 5,625

+39.4%

Housewares

14,450 → 19,327

+33.8%

Medical Apparatus

8,530 → 11,086

+30%

Toys & Sporting Goods

15,080 → 19,435

+28.9%

The significant growth in Class 11 filings points to an increased focus on sustainability and energy efficiency, driven by heightened environmental awareness and regulatory pressures, while the rise in Class 8 and 21 suggests a pandemic-induced surge in DIY and home improvement activities as people spent more time at home.

Declining Classes

Categories with fewer filings compared to 2019.

Hotels & Restaurants

11,222 → 6,328

-43.6%

Smokers Articles

3,109 → 1,817

-41.6%

Light Beverages

6,222 → 3,714

-40.3%

Wine & Spirits

7,229 → 4,470

-38.2%

Building Materials

2,666 → 1,652

-38%

Popular Trademark Words

Most frequently used words in trademark names filed in 2020. Larger words appear more often.

life home care health love solutions one com good all new real world black services better live coffee est power blue beauty american house city clean design time pro big more technology studio center made business first smart way day club air global foundation food family living best wellness make not energy university management future original insurance red products happy

Processing Time

How long it took for 2020 trademark applications to get registered.

385

Avg Days

Fastest

2,183

Slowest

Based on 218,211 registered trademarks

An average processing time of 385 days highlights the need for businesses to plan their trademark applications well in advance, factoring in potential delays that could affect product launch timelines and market entry strategies. This extended timeline underscores the importance of strategic foresight in brand management.

Highest Approval Rates

Nice Classes with the highest percentage of applications successfully registered in 2020.

Class 23

78.2%

Class 17

76.3%

Class 22

75.3%

Class 8

75.1%

Class 6

75%

"Average time to trademark registration in 2020: 385 days"

Looking Ahead

As businesses adapt to the post-pandemic landscape, we can expect a rebound in trademark filings, particularly in sectors like travel and hospitality, which saw steep declines. The focus on digital transformation and environmental sustainability is likely to continue driving growth in relevant trademark classes.

Want to explore class trends over multiple years?

View Class Trends

Data sourced from USPTO public records. Statistics computed on January 9, 2026.

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