USPTO Launches Class ACT AI Tool for Trademark Classification – Cuts Processing Time from 5 Months to 5 Minutes

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced on March 19, 2026, the launch of Class ACT (Classification Agentic Codification Tool), an AI agent that automates trademark application pre-processing. The tool automatically assigns international classes to trademark applications that lack classification information, reducing processing time from months to minutes.

Class ACT Functionality and Time Reduction

Beyond assigning international classifications to unclassified trademark applications, Class ACT generates design search codes and pseudo marks to enhance searchability in USPTO databases. This comprehensive preprocessing accelerates subsequent examination workflows.

The speed improvement is dramatic. While trademark classification preprocessing previously required approximately five months, Class ACT completes the task in about five minutes. This 50,000-fold acceleration addresses critical examination backlogs and enables faster processing of incoming applications.

Background: Application Surge and Processing Bottleneck

Rising trademark application volumes have created significant bottlenecks in manual classification processes. Certain application categories have proven particularly challenging:

• Trademarks featuring logos, designs, or visual elements requiring detailed analysis
• Applications with unconventional spelling or linguistic combinations
• Applications lacking international class designation

USPTO Director John A. Squires has emphasized the office’s commitment to deploying AI examination tools to address the surge in trademark filings. Manual processes created backlogs of several months, while AI-powered classification enables immediate processing advancement.

Two-Tier Review: AI and Human Examination

Critically, Class ACT classifications are not final determinations. AI-generated classification data undergoes subsequent examination by USPTO personnel before becoming final. Class ACT functions as a preprocessing and searchability enhancement tool, not a replacement for human judgment.

This two-tier approach delivers multiple advantages:

• Accelerated processing: AI handles initial classification, allowing human examiners to focus on final review and quality assurance
• Improved applicant experience: Early generation of search codes and pseudo marks enables applicants to assess registration viability sooner
• Maintained accuracy: Human verification minimizes misclassification risk

Impact on Trademark Application Practice

Class ACT deployment significantly alters U.S. trademark application timelines. Processing intervals from filing to initial Office Action responses will compress, enabling applicants to receive examination feedback more rapidly. For businesses pursuing multi-jurisdictional trademark protection, accelerated U.S. processing facilitates optimized international brand protection strategies.

Applicants should note that opportunities exist to contest AI-assigned classifications if deemed inappropriate. Incomplete classification submissions at filing may now receive corrections more efficiently.

Part of USPTO’s Broader AI Initiative

Class ACT represents one component of USPTO’s comprehensive AI modernization strategy. Beyond trademark classification, AI tools are expanding into patent and design patent examination, positioning USPTO at the forefront of intellectual property system modernization.

For applicants, this evolution demands refined pre-filing research and enhanced understanding of international classification systems. Adaptation to AI-assisted processing workflows will maximize examination efficiency and trademark protection outcomes.

Applicant Considerations: The Class ACT launch presents an opportune moment to evaluate classification selection strategies and search protocols. Understanding the AI-assisted examination environment enables more effective trademark protection planning.