Search for trademarks on state site

Each Monday, The Eagle highlights a government record that is available to the public. Open records help people keep government in check and help them better understand how government affects their lives.

For a complete list of You Oughta Know columns, go to www.kansas.com/oughta.

The record: A searchable database of trademarks and service marks registered with the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office.

Why you’d want it: To make sure a trademark you are considering isn’t already taken.

Where you get the record: Go to the Business Filing Center section of the secretary of state’s website, www.kssos.org/business. Then click on the “Trademark/Service-Mark Search” link.

How much it will cost: The information is free.

Deb Gruver