IP Accelerator cannot take over an existing USPTO-direct application for Brand Registry purposes — Amazon requires a new filing through their network. Piqki has three real options: (A) Refile through IP Accelerator, lose the April 2025 priority date, gain Brand Registry in 2–4 weeks; (B) File a second mark (e.g., logo trademark) through IP Accelerator while keeping the existing application active; or (C) Wait for full registration via proof-of-use — which may be only months away since the application is already ~10.5 months old. The critical missing piece: nobody knows the current status of Serial 99124468 without checking TSDR. Ask Lena on Feb 23 to check the status first.
No. IP Accelerator is designed exclusively for new trademark filings made through Amazon's vetted attorney network. An existing USPTO-direct application cannot be "enrolled" retroactively.
Confirmed by Amazon Seller Central (official rep "Connor," June 2025, n=1):
"A pending U.S. trademark that was filed directly with the USPTO (not through IP Accelerator) is not currently eligible for Brand Registry enrollment. You would need to wait until your trademark is fully registered before you can enroll using that method."
However, there are three workaround options (sourced from IdeaLegal, an IP Accelerator-approved law firm):
An IP Accelerator-approved firm can take over prosecution of the existing application. Cost: ~$250 flat fee (IdeaLegal). Critical caveat: this does NOT qualify for Brand Registry. The existing application cannot be used in the IP Accelerator program regardless of who manages it. This is purely legal support.
Withdraw the existing application and have an IP Accelerator attorney file a new one. The new application qualifies immediately for Brand Registry once filed. Downside: permanently lose the April 7, 2025 priority date. This matters for trademark rights — earlier dates win conflicts.
If Piqki only filed a word mark (the name "Piqki"), an IP Accelerator attorney could file a design mark (logo trademark) as a separate application. Both applications proceed simultaneously. The new IP Accelerator application unlocks Brand Registry immediately; the original continues on its own timeline and can be added to the Brand Registry account when it registers. This preserves the April 2025 priority date.
Sources: Amazon Seller Central (official mod, June 2025), IdeaLegal.com (IP Accelerator firm FAQ), ecomclips.com · Confidence: High
Amazon IP Accelerator is a free Amazon referral program — Amazon charges nothing. It is a curated network of pre-vetted IP law firms. Amazon is not the operator of the legal services; independent firms do the work.
How it works in practice:
The key differentiator: Amazon has special data-sharing agreements with network firms so it can verify new filings are legitimate. That's why pending applications through IP Accelerator qualify for Brand Registry — it's a trust chain Amazon can verify.
Sources: sell.amazon.com/programs/ip-accelerator, ecomclips.com, brandservices.amazon.com · Confidence: High
Amazon's fee: $0 (referral is free)
| Service | Amazon pre-negotiated maximum |
|---|---|
| High-level brand search (USPTO records) | $500 |
| Comprehensive brand review (USPTO + unregistered) | $1,800 |
| Filing a U.S. trademark application | $600 |
| USPTO government fee (per class, fixed) | $250–$275 |
| Scenario | Attorney fee | Gov fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Option 1: Take over existing (no Brand Registry benefit) | $250 | $0 | $250 |
| Option 2: Refile through IP Accelerator (2 classes) | ~$600 | ~$550 | ~$1,150 |
| Option 3: New design mark (1 class) | ~$600 | ~$275 | ~$875 |
| Option 3: New design mark (2 classes) | ~$600 | ~$550 | ~$1,150 |
| Option C: Wait for registration (no action) | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Note: Pre-negotiated maximum rates — some firms charge less. Government fees are fixed by USPTO.
Sources: ecomclips.com (fee schedule), zonhack.com (April 2025), IdeaLegal.com · Confidence: Medium (maximums confirmed; actual quotes may vary)
| Step | Estimated time |
|---|---|
| Select a firm and engage them | 1–3 days |
| Attorney prepares and files application | 1–2 weeks |
| Amazon notified of new filing | Automatic / days |
| Amazon sends Brand Registry invitation | Days after filing |
| Brand Registry enrollment complete | 2–4 weeks from decision |
Brand Registry access comes while the trademark is still pending. The trademark itself still takes 8–12 months to fully register, but Brand Registry doesn't wait for that.
Sources: sell.amazon.com/programs/ip-accelerator, ecomclips.com, avenue7media.com (Nov 2025) · Confidence: High
Piqki's application (Serial 99124468, filed April 7, 2025) is an intent-to-use (ITU) application. To convert to full registration, Piqki must file a Statement of Use (SOU) proving the mark is in commerce.
Where Piqki likely stands today (Feb 21, 2026 — ~10.5 months since filing):
| Stage | Average time | Estimated date for Piqki |
|---|---|---|
| Filing | Day 0 | April 7, 2025 |
| First examination action | 4.5 months avg | ~Aug/Sept 2025 ✓ (likely past) |
| If approved: published for opposition | +1 month | ~Sept/Oct 2025 |
| Opposition period | 30 days | ~Oct/Nov 2025 |
| Notice of Allowance (NOA) issued | ~2 months after publication | ~Nov 2025 – Jan 2026 |
| SOU filing deadline | 6 months from NOA | May–July 2026 |
| SOU processing by USPTO | ~20 days | ~20 days after SOU filed |
| Registration issued | After SOU approved | June–August 2026 |
Key implication: If everything has gone smoothly (no office actions, no oppositions), Piqki may already have a Notice of Allowance in hand or be weeks away from receiving one. Filing a SOU at launch (May 2026) could result in full registration by June–August 2026 — just 1–3 months post-launch. A registered trademark immediately qualifies for Brand Registry.
⚠️ Critical caveat: This assumes no office actions have caused delays. Only checking tsdr.uspto.gov with Serial 99124468 reveals the real status. If there's a pending office action or the application was refused, the timeline extends materially.
Sources: USPTO.gov Section 1(b) ITU timeline, USPTO trademark processing wait times (Jan 31, 2026 data), stemerlaw.com (May 2025) · Confidence: Medium (based on USPTO averages; actual status unknown without TSDR check)
| Factor | Option A: Refile via IP Accelerator | Option B: New mark via IP Accelerator | Option C: Wait for Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand Registry access | 2–4 weeks | 2–4 weeks | June–Aug 2026 (if clean) |
| Cost | ~$1,150 | ~$875–$1,150 | $0 additional |
| April 2025 priority date | ❌ Lost | ✅ Preserved | ✅ Preserved |
| Risk | Restart examination clock; lose exam progress | Two parallel applications; some complexity | Office actions or opposition could delay |
| Classes 003 + 021 covered | ✅ Yes (refile covers both) | ⚠️ Depends on new application scope | ✅ Yes (existing covers both) |
| Good if... | Brand Registry needed before May launch; priority date not critical | Brand Registry needed soon; want to keep original TM | Application is clean, post-launch timing OK |
The unknown that changes everything: Is Serial 99124468 clean (on track for ~mid-2026 registration), or has it hit problems?
Go to tsdr.uspto.gov → enter Serial 99124468 → check current status. Takes 2 minutes. Key things to look for:
• Notice of Allowance issued? → Great news; proceed to SOU at launch
• Pending office action? → Options A or B become more compelling
• Published for opposition? → Still on track; expect NOA soon
If Piqki needs A+ Content, Sponsored Brand ads, and full Brand Registry tools from day one on Amazon, Options A or B are the only paths. If Brand Registry can wait 1–3 months post-launch, Option C is likely the cheapest and cleanest play.
Priority date matters if there's concern about a competing brand filing a similar mark after April 2025. If "Piqki" is distinctive enough that this risk is low, losing the date (Option A) is less costly. Lena's call.
If the existing application is only a word mark ("Piqki"), Option B (file a design mark for the logo through IP Accelerator) is the cleanest solution — Piqki gets both marks registered, Brand Registry access immediately, and no priority date loss on the word mark.
| # | Source | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amazon Seller Central forum (official rep "Connor," June 2025) | Confirmed USPTO-direct pending TMs not eligible for Brand Registry |
| 2 | IdeaLegal.com — IP Accelerator approved firm FAQ | Three options for existing applicants; $250 takeover fee; Option 2 and 3 detail |
| 3 | sell.amazon.com/programs/ip-accelerator (official Amazon) | How IP Accelerator works; enrollment timing; pre-negotiated fees |
| 4 | ecomclips.com — IP Accelerator guide | Pre-negotiated fee schedule ($600 filing, $275/class gov fees) |
| 5 | zonhack.com — Amazon IP Accelerator Cost (April 2025) | Fee ranges ($950+ starting point) |
| 6 | USPTO.gov — Section 1(b) ITU timeline (official) | ITU pipeline steps; NOA timing; SOU deadline |
| 7 | USPTO.gov — Trademark processing wait times (Jan 31, 2026 data) | Specific averages: 4.5 months to first action; SOU processing ~20 days |
| 8 | avenue7media.com (Nov 2025) | IP Accelerator Brand Registry timing |
| 9 | stemerlaw.com (May 2025) | ITU process: SOU deadline = 6 months from NOA |
✅ QC Sign-Off
Reviewed by Max QC · Feb 21, 2026
Analyst standards: ✅ Pass · Completeness: ✅ Pass · Documentation: ✅ Pass
Brand accuracy: ✅ Pass · Approval boundaries: ✅ Pass · Data integrity: ✅ Pass
Issues found: None