Legal Definitions - intent-to-use application

An intent-to-use application is a type of trademark application filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. It is used to protect a trademark or servicemark that is not currently in commercial use but whose owner has a bona fideintent to use the mark commercially in the foreseeable future.

For example, if a company plans to launch a new product with a unique name, they can file an intent-to-use application to protect that name before the product is actually available for sale.

Trademark rights have traditionally been restricted to marks actually used in trade, but an amendment to the Lanham Act in 1988 allowed for applications to be filed before actual use begins if the mark otherwise qualifies for the Principal Register.

Intent-to-use applications are important because they allow companies to secure their trademarks before they are actually using them in commerce, which can help prevent others from using similar marks in the future.