# USPTO Trademark Application Preparation Guide

**Cold Bore Ballistics™ LLC**
**Status:** Ready to file — complete all four applications simultaneously via TEAS Plus
**Est. cost:** 350/mark × 4 = **1,400 total**
**Filing URL:** https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/apply

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## Before You Start

1. Create or log into a USPTO account at **my.uspto.gov**
2. File all four applications in the same session if possible — establishes the same priority date
3. Use **TEAS Plus** application form (lowest fee, strictest ID-of-goods requirements — use the exact descriptions below)
4. Payment: credit/debit card, EFT, or USPTO deposit account — 350 per mark

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## Common Information (All Four Applications)

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Applicant Name | Cold Bore Ballistics LLC |
| Entity Type | LLC |
| State of Organization | Wisconsin |
| Applicant Address | [YOUR STREET ADDRESS], Village of Mukwonago, WI 53149 |
| Email | legal@coldboreballisticsllc.com |
| Attorney | [Leave blank unless retaining USPTO-registered attorney] |
| Basis | Section 1(b) — Intent to Use (file before app launch) OR Section 1(a) — Use in Commerce (file after first sale) |

**If filing before launch:** Use **Section 1(b) — Intent to Use**. You will have 6 months after the Notice of Allowance to submit a Statement of Use (with evidence of actual use). Extendable up to 3 years.

**If filing at or after launch:** Use **Section 1(a) — Use in Commerce**. Provide a specimen (screenshot of the app store listing showing the mark in use) and date of first use.

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## Application 1: ScopeDOPE™

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Mark | SCOPEDOPE |
| Mark Type | Standard Characters (word mark, no design element) |
| International Class | **Class 9** — Downloadable mobile software applications for precision rifle ballistic calculations and field data management |
| ID of Goods | "Downloadable mobile application software for use in precision rifle ballistics calculation, scope correction data management, and field shooting data recording" |
| Description | N/A for standard characters |
| Filing basis | Section 1(b) (ITU) or 1(a) (in use) |
| Specimen (if 1(a)) | Screenshot of Google Play or App Store listing showing "ScopeDOPE" in context of the app |

**Notes:**
- "ScopeDOPE" is an arbitrary coined mark — strongest possible category for trademark protection
- Expect straightforward examination; no obvious conflicts anticipated
- Use ™ symbol immediately upon first commercial use; switch to ® only after USPTO grants registration

**USPTO search before filing:** Run a search at tmsearch.uspto.gov for "SCOPEDOPE" — confirm no live registrations as of filing date.

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## Application 2: Ballistic Computer

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Mark | BALLISTIC COMPUTER |
| Mark Type | Standard Characters (word mark) |
| International Class | **Class 9** — Downloadable mobile software applications; also consider **Class 42** (software as a service) for future coverage |
| ID of Goods | "Downloadable mobile application software for use in precision rifle ballistics calculation, scope correction data management, and field shooting data recording" |
| Description | N/A for standard characters |
| Filing basis | Section 1(b) (ITU) or 1(a) (in use) |
| Specimen (if 1(a)) | Screenshot showing "Ballistic Computer" used as a brand descriptor in the app or app store listing |

**Notes:**
- No live registration found at USPTO as of 2026-05-27 — window is open
- **Expect a descriptiveness challenge** from the USPTO examiner. Prepare a response brief in advance:
  - Argument: ScopeDOPE is technically distinct from a "ballistic calculator" — it employs a DOPE-Blend™ methodology that incorporates confirmed field data, making it a computing system rather than a calculator. The distinction is technical and meaningful in the precision rifle community.
  - Evidence to gather: (1) community usage of "Ballistic Computer" as a specific product term vs. "ballistic calculator"; (2) the patent application (if filed) explaining the technical distinction; (3) user testimonials or community posts using the exact phrase "ballistic computer" to describe ScopeDOPE
- File anyway — even a pending application puts competitors on notice

**USPTO search before filing:** Run a search at tmsearch.uspto.gov for "BALLISTIC COMPUTER" — confirm no live conflicting registrations as of filing date.

---

## Application 3: Cold Bore Ballistics

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Mark | COLD BORE BALLISTICS |
| Mark Type | Standard Characters (word mark) |
| International Class | **Class 9** — Software; **Class 42** — Software development and technology services |
| ID of Goods (Class 9) | "Downloadable mobile application software for use in precision rifle ballistics calculation, scope correction data management, and field shooting data recording" |
| ID of Services (Class 42) | "Software as a service (SaaS) services featuring software for use in precision rifle ballistics calculation and field shooting data management; design and development of mobile application software" |
| Description | N/A for standard characters |
| Filing basis | Section 1(b) (ITU) or 1(a) (in use) |
| Specimen (if 1(a)) | Screenshot of app store listing, website, or any commercial use showing "Cold Bore Ballistics" as company brand |

**Notes:**
- Company name/brand mark — straightforward filing
- Filing in both Class 9 and Class 42 provides broader coverage for the company beyond just the app
- Each class is a separate fee (350 each) — if budget is tight, Class 9 only is sufficient for now; add Class 42 when budget allows
- "Cold bore" as individual words are descriptive of the shooting technique, but the combination "Cold Bore Ballistics" as a company name has sufficient distinctiveness

**USPTO search before filing:** Run a search at tmsearch.uspto.gov for "COLD BORE BALLISTICS" — confirm no live conflicting registrations as of filing date.

---

## Application 4: DOPE-Blend

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Mark | DOPE-BLEND |
| Mark Type | Standard Characters (word mark, hyphenated) |
| International Class | **Class 9** — Downloadable mobile software applications; consider **Class 42** (software services) for additional coverage |
| ID of Goods (Class 9) | "Downloadable mobile application software for use in precision rifle ballistics calculation, scope correction data management, and field shooting data recording" |
| ID of Services (Class 42) | "Software as a service (SaaS) services featuring software for use in precision rifle ballistics calculation and field shooting data management" |
| Description | N/A for standard characters |
| Filing basis | Section 1(b) (ITU) or 1(a) (in use) |
| Specimen (if 1(a)) | Screenshot of the app or app store listing showing "DOPE-Blend" used in context of the product feature |

**Notes:**
- Coined compound mark — "DOPE" (Data On Previous Engagements) is a ballistics term of art; "Blend" in this combination is novel and not used this way in the industry. The compound falls in the **suggestive** category — strong for registration.
- No known prior use of "DOPE-Blend" or "DOPE Blend" in the ballistics industry as of 2026-06-01.
- Dual-protection strategy: methodology is protected as a trade secret; the name is protected as a trademark. These do not conflict.
- If USPTO raises a descriptiveness challenge, argue: "DOPE" is an acronym (not the common word), "Blend" describes no specific ballistic concept, and the compound is a coined mark identifying a proprietary field-correction system.
- **™ usage rule:** Write **DOPE-Blend™** on first mention in any document or marketing material; write **DOPE-Blend** on subsequent mentions in the same document. Never write "dope-blend" (lowercase b) or "DOPE-blend."
- Each class is a separate TEAS Plus fee (350 each). File Class 9 now; add Class 42 at the same time to establish priority.

**USPTO search before filing:** Run a search at tmsearch.uspto.gov for "DOPE BLEND" and "DOPE-BLEND" — confirm no live conflicting registrations as of filing date.

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## After Filing

1. Record each application number in the table below immediately after submission
2. USPTO will send a filing receipt email — save it to OneDrive/03_-_Confidential/Legal_and_Trademarks/USPTO_Filings/
3. USPTO examination takes approximately **8–12 months**
4. Monitor status at tsdr.uspto.gov using the application serial numbers
5. Respond to Office Actions within the specified deadline (typically 3 months, extendable to 6)
6. After publication: 30-day opposition period; no opposition → Notice of Allowance
7. If ITU: file Statement of Use within 6 months of Notice of Allowance (extendable)
8. Upon registration: apply ® symbol; record in the register below

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## Application Register

**Filing target:** Before ScopeDOPE v1.0.0 launch.

| Mark | Serial No. | Filing Date | Status | Registration No. | Reg. Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCOPEDOPE | | | | | |
| BALLISTIC COMPUTER | | | | | |
| COLD BORE BALLISTICS | | | | | |
| COLD BORE BALLISTICS (Class 42) | | | | | |
| DOPE-BLEND (Class 9) | | | | | |
| DOPE-BLEND (Class 42) | | | | | |

*Update this table as each application progresses.*

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## Specimen Requirements (Section 1(a) — Use in Commerce)

A specimen must show the mark as used in commerce. For software apps, acceptable specimens include:

- **Screenshot of the app store listing page** showing the mark in the app title, description, or header — this is the easiest and most accepted specimen for Class 9 software
- **Screenshot of the app running on a device** showing the mark in the UI (splash screen, about screen, etc.)
- **Screenshot of the app's website** at coldboreballistics.com or scope-dope.com showing the mark in context of a purchase/download flow

**What is NOT accepted:** business cards, letterhead, press releases, advertisements. The specimen must show the mark in direct connection with the goods (i.e., the app).

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*[END OF DOCUMENT]*

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## Document Control

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| **Document owner** | `jschwefel@coldboreballisticsllc.com` |
| **Classification** | Confidential (03_-_Confidential/) |
| **Location** | `OneDrive/CBB_Corporate/03_-_Confidential/Legal_and_Trademarks/USPTO_TRADEMARK_PREP.md` |
| **Cross-references** | `COPYRIGHT_REGISTRATION_PREP.md`; `PROVISIONAL_PATENT_GUIDE.md`; `COLD_BORE_STARTUP_GUIDE.md` |
| **Created** | 2026-06-04 |
| **Last updated** | 2026-06-09 |
| **Next full review due** | 2027-06-04 |

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## Revision Control Block

| Rev | Date | Changed By | Reviewed By | Approved By | Summary |
|-----|------|------------|-------------|-------------|---------|
| 0.9 | 2026-06-04 | jschwefel | — | — | Initial release |
| DRAFT | 2026-06-09 | Claude (Opus 4.8) | — | — | Fixed the one lowercase "DOPE-blend" in the §descriptiveness-argument → "DOPE-Blend™" per BRAND_LEGAL_LANGUAGE_GUIDE; applied ™ to first use of ScopeDOPE/Cold Bore Ballistics. Deliberately left the ™-usage-rule line intact (it quotes "dope-blend"/"DOPE-blend" as the forbidden forms it prohibits — not a violation). |
