Native American Tribal Insignia: Database FAQs
Trademark Help - Native American Tribal Insignia - Basics - Technical Information - Native American Tribal Insignia Database - Basics
What is the Native American tribal insignia database?
The Native American tribal insignia database is a public collection database that is a component of the trademark search system, a larger database maintained by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This database records the official tribal insignia of federally or state-recognized Native American tribes, and we use it to help us examine applications for trademark registration. As part of the examination process, we determine whether trademarks may falsely suggest a connection to the tribal insignias of participating Native American tribes. See our Native American tribal insignia webpage for more information.
How can a federally or state-recognized Native American tribe request for its official tribal insignia to be included in the database?
A federally or state-recognized Native American tribe may submit its official tribal insignia to the database by submitting a written request in compliance with the guidelines listed on the Native American tribal insignia webpage. You can submit your request electronically, by mail, by fax, or by hand delivery. We invite tribes to submit more than one tribal insignia. Please submit only one per request.
When the USPTO enters a tribal insignia in the database, does it first make an official determination that the tribal insignia is the official tribal insignia of the Native American tribe that made the submission?
No. We do not investigate whether the tribal insignia is the official tribal insignia of the tribe that made the submission. We comply with every proper request to include tribal insignia in the database. See our Native American tribal insignia webpage for more information.