October 08, 2026
Last week, while checking the U.S. trademark database, we noticed something rather difficult to miss. Between August 31 and September 4, 2026, seven trademark applications were filed under the name of Konstantin Sokolov.
On August 31:
- KONSTANTIN SOKOLOV — Serial No. 50082288, Class 036 — $350 paid
- SOKOLOV ENDOWMENT FUND — Serial No. 50082273, Class 036 — $350 paid
- SOKOLOV CHARITABLE FOUNDATION — Serial No. 50082279, Class 036 — $350 paid
On September 4:
- BRONISLAVA GORELIK — Serial No. 50091820, Class 036 — $350 paid
- SOKOLOV FAMILY FOUNDATION — Serial No. 50091831, Class 036 — $350 paid
- KONSTANTIN SOKOLOV MEDIA — Serial No. 50091801, Classes 009, 035, 038, 041 and 045 — $1,750 paid
- KONSTANTIN SOKOLOV ARCHIVE — Serial No. 50091778, Classes 009, 035, 038, 041 and 045 — $1,750 paid
The two media-related applications are the ones that caught our attention. Both cover the same five classes: downloadable recordings and software; advertising and business services; telecommunications and streaming; education, entertainment and media production; and intellectual-property and copyright management.
In other words, this is not simply an application for a logo.
It is a fairly broad attempt to protect a name across digital content, media, communications and related intellectual-property activities.
A Long Road to a Trademark — There and Back
The filings are handled by Yuming (Violet) Zhang (“Zhang” is also the surname of Sokolov’s business partner Dr. Zhe Zhang, but since it’s one of the most common surnames in China, we’ll call it an ironic coincidence, probably ) of Buchalter LLP — a full-service business law firm founded in 1933, with offices including Chicago. The firm has its own history of courtroom mishaps: a $147,000 sanctions bill in 2023 for “misleading statements under oath,” and a November 2025 case involving AI-fabricated citations slipping into a federal filing.
None of the seven filings is currently a registered trademark. All seven show the USPTO status “630 — New Application — Record Initialized Not Assigned To Examiner.” The applications have been received, but they have not yet been assigned to an examining attorney.
So, legally speaking, nothing has been registered yet.
But Konstantin Sokolov filed them. All seven. And one of them is for a name very close to this site’s.
Under current USPTO timelines, a new application is typically assigned to an examiner within six to eight months of filing. From there, the process can take another year or more — through examination, publication, and a 30-day opposition window — before any registration is issued. None of that has started yet for the seven filings. The applications have been received. They have not been reviewed.
Many Millers. Many Sokolovs.
There is another detail worth mentioning. «Sokolov» is to the Slavs what «Miller» is to America — one of the most common surnames, shared by millions.
“Konstantin Sokolov” is not a unique name. There are other good people with that name working in completely different fields — including science, art, professional sport and technology.
One is Konstantin Sokolov, a biomedical researcher associated with MD Anderson. There are also public records for a Konstantin Sokolov identified as an artist, a professional hockey player and an AI-security specialist.
We are not suggesting that these people are automatically affected by the filings. Trademark rights are not that simple, and the existence of an application does not establish infringement.
But the coincidence is difficult to ignore.
The same applicant has sought protection for KONSTANTIN SOKOLOV, KONSTANTIN SOKOLOV MEDIA and KONSTANTIN SOKOLOV ARCHIVE, with the latter two extending across five classes that cover a remarkably broad range of digital and media activity.
Being Sokolov: What Is Actually Being Trademarked?
That is the interesting question. A trademark application does not tell us why it was filed. It does not prove an intention to interfere with this website, and we are not going to invent one.
What it does tell us is what someone decided was worth filing for.
Seven applications. Two media marks. Five classes each.
And, sitting in the middle of them, KONSTANTIN SOKOLOV ARCHIVE.
The USPTO will now decide what happens next.
We will be watching.
Credits: