Quickstart

Get started with the Signa API in under 5 minutes.

1. Get an API key

Create an account and generate a key in your dashboard. Your API key will look like: tm_live_abc123xyz...

Keep your API key secure! Never commit it to version control or expose it in client-side code.

2. Make your first request

Basic Search

Search for trademarks that match “APPLE”:

export API_KEY=tm_live_abc123xyz

curl -H "Authorization: Bearer $API_KEY" \
  "https://api.signa.so/v1/search?q=apple&office=USPTO"

Example Response

{
  "results": [
    {
      "id": "tm_us_1234567",
      "canonical_id": "tm_canonical_apple_001",
      "office": {
        "code": "USPTO",
        "name": "United States Patent and Trademark Office",
        "country": "US"
      },
      "office_data": {
        "registration_number": "1078312",
        "serial_number": "73222079"
      },
      "mark": {
        "text": "APPLE",
        "type": "word"
      },
      "status": {
        "unified_status": "live_registered",
        "unified_status_code": "LR",
        "office_status": "Registered",
        "status_date": "1985-05-14"
      },
      "classifications": {
        "nice_classes": [9, 35, 42],
        "goods_services": "Computers; Computer software; Retail services"
      },
      "owners": [
        {
          "name": "Apple Inc.",
          "type": "corporation",
          "country": "US",
          "role": "owner"
        }
      ],
      "dates": {
        "filing_date": "1981-09-04",
        "registration_date": "1985-05-14"
      },
      "similarity_score": 1.0
    }
  ],
  "pagination": {
    "total_results": 23,
    "has_more": true,
    "next_cursor": "eyJvZmZzZXQiOjUwfQ=="
  },
  "search_metadata": {
    "query": "apple",
    "search_type": "exact",
    "query_time_ms": 142,
    "offices_searched": ["USPTO"],
    "credits_used": 1
  }
}

Fuzzy Search

Find trademarks similar to your query (handles typos):

curl -H "Authorization: Bearer $API_KEY" \
  "https://api.signa.so/v1/search?q=goggle&search_type=fuzzy&threshold=0.8"

This will find “GOOGLE” even though you misspelled it!

Example Response

{
  "results": [
    {
      "id": "tm_us_9876543",
      "mark": {
        "text": "GOOGLE",
        "type": "word"
      },
      "status": {
        "unified_status": "live_registered",
        "unified_status_code": "LR"
      },
      "owners": [
        {
          "name": "Google LLC",
          "type": "corporation"
        }
      ],
      "classifications": {
        "nice_classes": [9, 35, 42]
      },
      "similarity_score": 0.92
    }
  ],
  "search_metadata": {
    "query": "goggle",
    "search_type": "fuzzy",
    "threshold": 0.8,
    "credits_used": 1
  }
}

Phonetic Search

Find trademarks that sound similar:

curl -H "Authorization: Bearer $API_KEY" \
  "https://api.signa.so/v1/search?q=knight&search_type=phonetic"

This will find “NIGHT”, “NITE”, and other sound-alike marks!

3. Search across multiple offices

Search both US and EU trademarks in one request:

curl -H "Authorization: Bearer $API_KEY" \
  "https://api.signa.so/v1/search?q=tech&office=USPTO,EUIPO"

Pro tip: Omit the office parameter to search all offices simultaneously!

4. Filter by Nice classes

Search only in specific trademark classes (e.g., software = class 9, SaaS = class 42):

curl -H "Authorization: Bearer $API_KEY" \
  "https://api.signa.so/v1/search?q=tech&classes=9,42&status=live_registered"

Nice Classes are international classifications for goods and services:

Class 9: Computer software, electronics, mobile apps
Class 35: Advertising, business services, e-commerce
Class 42: Software as a service (SaaS), web development

View all 45 classes →

5. Get AI clearance analysis

Our most powerful feature - AI-powered trademark clearance analysis:

curl -X POST https://api.signa.so/v1/analysis/clearance \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "trademark": "TechFlow",
    "business_description": "SaaS platform for workflow automation",
    "product_type": "software"
  }'

Example AI Analysis Response

{
  "trademark": "TechFlow",
  "risk_level": "MEDIUM",
  "risk_score": 0.62,
  "recommendation": "INVESTIGATE FURTHER - Some potential conflicts detected",

  "relevant_classes": {
    "9": {
      "name": "Computer software",
      "reason": "Your SaaS platform is software-based",
      "confidence": 0.95,
      "ai_suggested": true
    },
    "42": {
      "name": "Software as a service (SaaS)",
      "reason": "SaaS platforms fall under Class 42",
      "confidence": 0.92,
      "ai_suggested": true
    }
  },

  "conflicts": [
    {
      "mark_id": "tm_us_5555555",
      "mark_text": "TECHSTREAM",
      "owner": "TechStream Inc.",
      "office": "USPTO",
      "classes": [9, 42],
      "status": "live_registered",
      "risk_score": 0.68,
      "conflict_reason": "Similar mark in the same classes (workflow software). Potential confusion due to shared 'Tech' prefix and software category overlap.",
      "recommendation": "MONITOR"
    }
  ],

  "analysis_summary": "The mark 'TechFlow' has moderate risk due to existing similar marks in the software/SaaS space. While not identical, marks like 'TECHSTREAM' could create confusion. Consider conducting a comprehensive search or modifying the name slightly.",

  "alternatives_suggested": [
    "FlowTech Pro",
    "AutomateFlow",
    "WorkFlowify"
  ],

  "next_steps": [
    "Review the conflicts in detail",
    "Consider a more distinctive name to reduce risk",
    "Consult with a trademark attorney for a full legal opinion"
  ],

  "legal_disclaimer": "This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.",
  "credits_used": 5
}

Why this is powerful:

AI automatically suggests relevant Nice classes for your product
Analyzes conflict risk with detailed explanations
Provides actionable recommendations
Suggests alternative names if conflicts exist

Perfect for:

E-commerce sellers (Etsy, Amazon)
Naming agencies
Startups checking brand availability
Law firms doing preliminary clearance searches

6. Lookup a specific trademark

If you know the trademark ID:

curl -H "Authorization: Bearer $API_KEY" \
  "https://api.signa.so/v1/trademarks/tm_us_1234567?include=related,history"

Or lookup by registration number:

curl -H "Authorization: Bearer $API_KEY" \
  "https://api.signa.so/v1/offices/USPTO/registrations/1078312"

7. Search for similar logos (image search)

Upload an image to find visually similar design marks:

curl -X POST https://api.signa.so/v1/search/image \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $API_KEY" \
  -F "image=@/path/to/logo.png" \
  -F "office=USPTO" \
  -F "threshold=0.75"

Or provide an image URL:

curl -X POST https://api.signa.so/v1/search/image \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "image_url": "https://example.com/logo.png",
    "office": "USPTO",
    "threshold": 0.75
  }'

8. Set up monitoring with webhooks

Get notified when new trademarks are filed that match your criteria:

curl -X POST https://api.signa.so/v1/monitors \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "Competitor watch - Tech industry",
    "description": "Monitor new filings in software/SaaS space",
    "watches": [
      {
        "type": "query",
        "value": "tech",
        "search_type": "fuzzy"
      },
      {
        "type": "class",
        "value": [9, 42]
      }
    ],
    "offices": ["USPTO", "EUIPO"],
    "webhook_url": "https://myapp.com/webhooks/trademarks",
    "webhook_events": ["new_filing", "trademark_published", "status_change"]
  }'

When a matching trademark is filed, you’ll receive a webhook:

{
  "event": "new_filing",
  "monitor_id": "mon_abc123",
  "triggered_at": "2025-10-15T14:30:00Z",
  "trademark": {
    "id": "tm_us_9999999",
    "mark": { "text": "TECHSTREAM PRO" },
    "status": { "unified_status": "live_pending" },
    "filing_date": "2025-10-14",
    "classes": [9, 42],
    "office": "USPTO"
  },
  "match_reason": "Fuzzy match with similarity score 0.85"
}

See Webhooks Guide for full implementation details.

9. Understanding credits

The API uses a simple credit-based system. Each operation costs credits based on complexity:

Text search: 1 credit
Fast conflict check: 2 credits
Deep clearance analysis: 5 credits
Image search: 3 credits

See the Rate Limits Guide for complete pricing, tiers, and how to manage your credits.

Next Steps

API Reference

Explore all endpoints and parameters

Authentication

Learn about API key management

Webhooks

Set up real-time monitoring

Best Practices

Optimize your integration

Code Examples

const TRADEMARK_API_KEY = process.env.TRADEMARK_API_KEY;
const BASE_URL = 'https://api.signa.so/v1';

async function searchTrademark(query, options = {}) {
  const params = new URLSearchParams({
    q: query,
    office: options.office || 'USPTO',
    ...options
  });

  const response = await fetch(`${BASE_URL}/search?${params}`, {
    headers: {
      'Authorization': `Bearer ${TRADEMARK_API_KEY}`
    }
  });

  if (!response.ok) {
    const error = await response.json();
    throw new Error(error.error.message);
  }

  const data = await response.json();

  console.log(`Found ${data.results.length} trademarks`);
  console.log(`Credits used: ${data.search_metadata.credits_used}`);
  console.log(`Credits remaining: ${response.headers.get('X-RateLimit-Remaining')}`);

  return data.results;
}

// Usage
const results = await searchTrademark('apple', {
  office: 'USPTO,EUIPO',
  classes: '9,35,42'
});

Remember: API results are informational only and not legal advice. Always consult a trademark attorney for official guidance.

Common Patterns

Check if a name is available

async function isNameAvailable(name, productClasses) {
  const exact = await searchTrademark(name, {
    search_type: 'exact',
    classes: productClasses.join(','),
    status: 'live_registered,live_pending'
  });

  const fuzzy = await searchTrademark(name, {
    search_type: 'fuzzy',
    threshold: 0.85,
    classes: productClasses.join(',')
  });

  if (exact.length === 0 && fuzzy.length === 0) {
    return { available: true, conflicts: [] };
  }

  return {
    available: false,
    conflicts: [...exact, ...fuzzy]
  };
}

Get AI recommendation

async function getTrademarkRecommendation(name, business) {
  const response = await fetch(`${BASE_URL}/analysis/clearance`, {
    method: 'POST',
    headers: {
      'Authorization': `Bearer ${API_KEY}`,
      'Content-Type': 'application/json'
    },
    body: JSON.stringify({
      trademark: name,
      business_description: business
    })
  });

  const analysis = await response.json();

  return {
    safe: analysis.risk_level === 'CLEAR' || analysis.risk_level === 'LOW',
    risk: analysis.risk_level,
    explanation: analysis.analysis_summary,
    alternatives: analysis.alternatives_suggested
  };
}

Ready to build? Get your API key →

Get Started

API Reference

Core Concepts

1. Get an API key

2. Make your first request

Basic Search

Fuzzy Search

Phonetic Search

3. Search across multiple offices

4. Filter by Nice classes

5. Get AI clearance analysis

6. Lookup a specific trademark

7. Search for similar logos (image search)

8. Set up monitoring with webhooks

9. Understanding credits

Next Steps

API Reference

Authentication

Webhooks

Best Practices

Code Examples

Common Patterns

Check if a name is available

Get AI recommendation

Get Started

API Reference

Core Concepts

​1. Get an API key

​2. Make your first request

​Basic Search

​Fuzzy Search

​Phonetic Search

​3. Search across multiple offices

​4. Filter by Nice classes

​5. Get AI clearance analysis

​6. Lookup a specific trademark

​7. Search for similar logos (image search)

​8. Set up monitoring with webhooks

​9. Understanding credits

​Next Steps

API Reference

Authentication

Webhooks

Best Practices

​Code Examples

​Common Patterns

​Check if a name is available

​Get AI recommendation

1. Get an API key

2. Make your first request

Basic Search

Fuzzy Search

Phonetic Search

3. Search across multiple offices

4. Filter by Nice classes

5. Get AI clearance analysis

6. Lookup a specific trademark

7. Search for similar logos (image search)

8. Set up monitoring with webhooks

9. Understanding credits

Next Steps

Code Examples

Common Patterns

Check if a name is available

Get AI recommendation