The formal examination of a trademark is the initial stage of the trademark registration process, where the trademark office checks whether the application meets the formal requirements for filing a trademark registration. The purpose of the formal examination is to ensure that the trademark application meets the minimum requirements for filing, and that the application is complete and accurate. The formal examination checks whether the application contains all the necessary information, such as the name and address of the applicant, a clear representation of the trademark, and the goods or services for which the trademark is being registered.
During the formal examination, the trademark office may also review the application to check for any procedural errors or inconsistencies. For example, if the trademark application is not signed by the applicant, or if the goods or services listed in the application are unclear or inconsistent with the trademark, the application may be rejected or returned for correction.
Once the formal examination is complete, the trademark office will either accept the application for further examination or reject it if it does not meet the formal requirements. If the application is accepted, it will move on to substantive examination, where the trademark office will evaluate the trademark's registrability based on factors such as distinctiveness, similarity to existing trademarks, and other legal requirements.