The backlog of pending trademarks at the USPTO has surpassed 900,000 for the first time, highlighting the monumental challenge facing the registry.

In response, USPTO trademark commissioner David Gooder is pledging “increased productivity” to tackle the backlog.

Over the past couple of years, the USPTO has experienced a massive rise in trademark applications.

The office has also raised concerns of alleged misbehavior by foreign applicants, including numerous reports of improper specimens of use and identity theft targeting US trademark practitioners. In response it has adopted new rules and examination procedures, including (in August 2019) a requirement for all applicants not domiciled in the United States to engage US licensed attorneys to represent them before the office.

For the first time in history, the USPTO’s trademark application surpassed 900,000 on 28 June 2021. The backlog has risen sharply since the beginning of last year-from approximately 600,000 to 900,560, representing an “unwanted milestone” for the registry.