How to Trademark Your Airbnb or Short-Term Rental Name: A Host's Guide

The quick answer

Search the USPTO database first for your unique property name or host brand. If it's clear, file a TEAS Plus application ($250/class) under Class 43 (Temporary Lodging Services). Add the TM symbol immediately to your listing description and marketing materials. Expect 8-18 months for full registration, then start using the registered trademark symbol (®). Total cost: $250-600 if you do it yourself, or $500-1,500 with an attorney. Protecting your brand upfront is far cheaper than legal disputes over a copied property name later.

Step 1: Search before you file

Before spending any money, check the USPTO's Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) at tess.uspto.gov. Search your exact Airbnb property name, host brand, and similar-sounding variations. A conflicting registration in Class 43 (temporary lodging) will cause your application to be rejected, and you'll still owe the filing fee. Also, search Google, popular booking sites (Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com), your state's business name registry (if you formed an LLC for your rental), and domain registrars. Even if a similar name isn't federally registered, its prior use in commerce for a rental property could block your application.

Step 2: Identify your goods and services class

Trademark protection is specific to certain categories. For an Airbnb or short-term rental, the primary category is **Class 43: Temporary lodging services**. This covers the rental of rooms, houses, or apartments for temporary use, exactly like your vacation rental. If you're building a brand for a larger property management business or offering related services beyond just lodging (e.g., bespoke local tour packages under the same brand), you *might* also consider Class 35 (business management services), but for a single first property, Class 43 is usually sufficient. Each class requires a separate filing fee, so start with the most relevant one.

Step 3: Choose your filing basis

If your short-term rental property is already listed on Airbnb/VRBO, has active bookings, and is generating income, you are 'using the name in commerce.' In this case, file under Section 1(a) — Use in Commerce. You'll need to submit proof, like a screenshot of your active listing page showing your property name. If your property is still being renovated, furnished, or you haven't officially launched your listing yet, file under Section 1(b) — Intent to Use. This 'reserves' your name and gives you a priority date while you prepare for launch. You will submit proof of use (e.g., a live listing) later, before the trademark fully registers.

Step 4: File the application

File your application at USPTO.gov using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS). Most first-time Airbnb hosts can use TEAS Plus, which costs $250 per class. It requires you to select from predefined descriptions, such as 'Temporary lodging services' within Class 43. TEAS Standard costs $350 per class and allows for a custom description, which is rarely needed for a straightforward short-term rental property name. Stick with TEAS Plus if your property name fits the standard description, saving you $100 that can go towards booking site fees or cleaning supplies.

Step 5: Respond to office actions

After you file, a USPTO examining attorney will review your application. They might send an 'office action' – a request for more information or a rejection. You get 3 months (can be extended to 6) to respond. Common reasons for office actions for rental property names include: confusion with an existing property or service name, the description of services (e.g., Class 43) being too vague, or issues with your proof of use (specimen). If you get an office action, especially one claiming 'likelihood of confusion,' an attorney can be very helpful to protect your unique property brand.

Step 6: After registration

Once approved, your trademark is published in the Official Gazette for 30 days, allowing others to oppose it. If there's no opposition, your property name or host brand officially registers. Start using the registered trademark symbol (®) on your listing, website, and marketing materials. To keep your registration active, you must file a Section 8 declaration between years 5 and 6, confirming you're still using the name for your rental business. You'll need to renew the registration every 10 years. This ongoing maintenance ensures your unique Airbnb brand remains protected and exclusive to you.

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