IP Monday Law Blog 

The United State Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently released its year-end trademark performance report. Examination timelines are improving, backlogs are shrinking, and quality remains consistently high; strong news for businesses working to build and protect their brands.

First Actions Are Much Faster

In FY 2025, the average time to first Office Action dropped to 5.6 months, outperforming the USPTO’s 6.7-month goal.

For businesses, that means:

• Earlier clarity on registrability
• Faster brand decision-making
• More efficient trademark protection timelines

USPTO’s long-term target goal is a 4.5-month first action by FY 2028.

Total Pendency Is Under a Year

The average time from filing to final disposition decreased to 11.7 months.

With a smooth examination, a trademark can now move from filing to registration in under a year, restoring predictability that helps with brand launches and product rollouts.

Quality Scores Are Strong

The USPTO exceeded its quality targets:

• 96.3% first action compliance
• 98.5% final compliance

This means more consistent Office Actions, fewer unpredictable rejections, and more reliable results for applicants.

Demand Is Growing, Yet Backlogs Are Shrinking

Even with a 7.4% increase from last year in terms of 2025 filings, the USPTO reduced its inventory of unexamined classes by more than 90,000.

To continue the trend, the USPTO plans to hire more examining attorneys in FY 2026. Long-term goals for FY 2028:

• 4-month first action pendency
• 9-month total pendency

What This Means for Companies and Entrepreneurs

For those planning new brands, rebrands, or market expansions in 2026, the environment is increasingly favorable. Faster timelines mean:

• Earlier insight into conflicts
• Quicker enforcement posture
• More alignment between trademark strategy and business timelines

These improvements benefit both emerging startups and established brand owners.

Final Takeaway

The USPTO’s latest data shows a more efficient and predictable trademark ecosystem, with improving processing times and high levels of examination quality. This is encouraging news for any business that depends on strong brand protection.

If you’re gearing up for a new brand launch or want to strengthen your trademark portfolio, now’s a great time to take advantage of shorter examination timelines. Reach out to your IP attorney if you’d like to review your marks, plan new filings, or create a proactive brand protection strategy to safeguard your brand early and effectively.