C. Different Ways to Register, Online and Off

The PTO now offers a quick and easy way to file a trademark registration application online. There are actually two systems available on the PTO website: e-TEAS and PrinTEAS. This book takes you through e-TEAS, which is a fully electronic system, allowing you to both fill in and file your application to the PTO online. PrinTEAS allows you to fill in the application online, but you must print out your filled-in application and send it to the PTO through the regular mail. If you decide to use PrinTEAS, you can easily adapt our instructions to fill in the application, and we provide instructions for mailing the application to the PTO.
Which program should you choose? It's faster and cheaper to use e-TEAS, because you don't have to pay for postage. One possible barrier to using e-TEAS, however, is the "specimen" requirement. If you are filing on the basis that you are already using the domain name (called an "actual use" application), you will have to submit a electronic file showing your domain name in actual use. (For more on specimen requirements, see Section D, Step 2, below.) This entails capturing your image in jpeg or gif format using a graphics program like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, ImageStyler, AppleWorks, SimpleImage or Microsoft ImageReady. If you don't have this type of software, or you are graphics-software challenged, you can always use PrinTEAS and accompany your application with a hard copy of your chosen specimen. There's one more wrinkle. If you are using a Macintosh computer, you will need Netscape Navigator to fully operate e-TEAS. Microsoft's Internet Explorer for Macintosh will not allow a proper image attachment. If you are filing on an "intent to use" basis, you won't have to worry about sending a jpeg or gif file.
Tip:-
If you want to fill out the application form on paper, you can download it from the PTO's website. If you prefer this method, you may want to use the instructions in The Trademark Registration Kit by Patricia Gima and Stephen Elias (Nolo).