Chapter 1100 Intent-to-Use Applications and Requests to Divide

Intent-to-Use Applications and Requests to Divide

1101 Bona Fide Intention to Use the Mark in Commerce

Trademarks and Service Marks

Section 1(b)(1) of the Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. §1051(b)(1) , provides that an applicant may file a trademark or service mark application based on a bona fide intention to use a mark in commerce “under circumstances showing the good faith of such person.”

A verified statement that the applicant has a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce must be included in intent-to-use (ITU) applications under §1(b), and in applications under §44 and §66(a). 15 U.S.C. §1051(b)(3)(B) , 1126(d)(2) , 1126(e) , 1141f(a) ; 37 C.F.R. §2.33(b)(2) , 2.33(e)(1) , 2.34(a)(2) , 2.34(a)(3)(i) , 2.34(a)(4)(ii) , 2.34(a)(5) . See TMEP §804.02 and §1008 regarding the requirements for a verified statement in §1(b) and §44 applications, and §1904.01(c) regarding the requirement for a declaration of the applicant’s bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce in a §66(a) application.

If the verification is not filed with the initial application, the verified statement must also allege that the applicant had a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce as of the application filing date. 37 C.F.R. §2.34(a)(2) , 2.34(a)(3)(i) , 2.34(a)(4)(ii) . See TBMP §804–804.05 regarding verifications.

A verified statement of the applicant’s continued bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce must also be included in a request for an extension of time to file a statement of use. 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(2) ; 37 C.F.R. §2.89(a)(3) , (b)(3) ; TBMP §1108.02 , 1108.02(e) .

For permitted paper filings ( see TMEP §301.02 ), reasonable variations in the wording of the statement may be acceptable. For example, the applicant may state that it has “a bona fide intention to use in commerce the mark on or in connection with . . .,” or may use the words “good faith” instead of “bona fide.” In re B.E.L.-Tronics Ltd., 24 USPQ2d 1397, 1400 (Comm’r Pats. 1992). However, the wording “in commerce” is required and cannot be varied. In re Custom Techs., Inc., 24 USPQ2d 1712 (Comm’r Pats. 1991); In re B.E.L.-Tronics Ltd., 24 USPQ2d at 1400.

See TMEP §1008 regarding the requirement for an allegation of a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce in an application filed under §44 of the Trademark Act.

The USPTO will not evaluate the good faith of an applicant in the ex parte examination of applications. Generally, the applicant’s sworn statement of a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce will be sufficient evidence of good faith in the ex parte context. Consideration of issues related to good faith may arise in an inter partes proceeding, but the USPTO will not make an inquiry in an ex parte proceeding unless evidence of record clearly indicates that the applicant does not have a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce. See, e.g., M.Z. Berger & Co. v. Swatch AG, 787 F.3d 1368, 114 USPQ2d 1892 (Fed. Cir. 2015).

Collective Marks and Certification Marks

For an application of a collective trademark, collective service mark, collective membership mark, or certification mark filed under Section 1(b) of the Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. §1051(b) , the verified statement must specify that the applicant has a bona fide intention, and is entitled, to exercise legitimate control over the use of the mark in commerce because use of these types of marks is by someone other than the actual owner. 37 C.F.R. §2.44(a)(4)(ii) , 2.45(a)(4)(ii)(C) ; TBMP §1303.01(b)(i) , 1304.02(b)(i) , 1306.02(b)(i) .

A verified statement of the applicant’s bona fide intention and entitlement to exercise legitimate control over the use of the mark in commerce must be included in intent-to-use (ITU) applications under §1(b), and in applications under §44 and §66(a). 37 C.F.R. §2.44(a)(4)(ii) , (a)(4)(iii)(B) , (a)(4)(iv)(B) , (a)(4)(v) , 2.45(a)(4)(ii)(C) , (a)(4)(iii)(C) , (a)(4)(iv)(C) , (a)(4)(v)(B) ; TBMP §1303.01(b)(i)-(b)(ii) , 1304.02(b)(i)-(b)(ii) , 1306.02(b)(i)-(b)(ii) ; see 15 U.S.C. §1051(b)(3)(B) , 1126(d)(2) , 1126(e) , 1141f(a) . See TMEP §804.02 and §1008 regarding the requirements for a verified statement in §1(b) and §44 applications, and § 1904.01(c) regarding the requirement for a declaration of the applicant’s bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce in a §66(a) application.

If the verification is not filed with the initial application, the verified statement must also allege that, as of the application filing date, the applicant had a bona fide intention, and was entitled, to exercise legitimate control over the use of the mark in commerce. 37 C.F.R. §2.44(b)(2) , 2.45(b)(2) . See TMEP §1303.01(b)(i) , §1304.02(b)(i) , and §1306.02(b)(i) regarding verifications.

A verified statement of the applicant’s continued bona fide intention, and entitlement, to exercise legitimate control over the use of the mark in commerce must also be included in a request for an extension of time to file a statement of use. 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(2) ; 37 C.F.R. §2.89(a)(3) , (b)(3) ; TMEP §1108.02 .

1102 Initial Examination of Intent-to-Use Applications

In an intent-to-use application, the examining attorney will potentially examine the application twice: first, when the trademark or service mark application is initially filed based on a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce under 15 U.S.C. §1051(b) (or is initially filed based on the applicant’s bona fide intention, and entitlement, to exercise legitimate control over the use of the mark in commerce, for a collective or certification mark application), and second, when the applicant files an allegation of use (i.e., either an amendment to allege use under 15 U.S.C. §1051(c) or a statement of use under 15 U.S.C. §1051(d) ). See TBMP §1104–1104.11 regarding amendments to allege use and §1109–1109.18 regarding statements of use. After receipt of the application, the examining attorney will initially examine the application to determine whether the mark is eligible for registration but for the lack of evidence of use. If the mark is determined to be eligible, the mark will be approved for publication and then published for opposition. If the applicant has not submitted an amendment to allege use before approval for publication, and the application is not successfully opposed, the USPTO will issue a notice of allowance. 15 U.S.C. §1063(b)(2) ; 37 C.F.R. §2.81(b) . See TBMP §1106–1106.04 regarding a notice of allowance. In such a case, the applicant must submit a statement of use. 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(1) ; 37 C.F.R. §2.88 .

An intent-to-use application is subject to the same requirements and examination procedures as other applications, except as specifically noted. The examining attorney must raise all possible refusals and requirements in initial examination.

1102.01 Substantive Refusals

To the fullest extent possible, the examining attorney will examine an intent-to-use application for registrability under Trademark Act §1 and §2(a) through (e), 15 U.S.C. §1051 , 1052(a) – (e) , according to the same procedures and standards that apply to any other application. That is, the examining attorney must make all appropriate refusals and/or requirements with respect to issues such as ownership, deceptiveness, likelihood of confusion, mere descriptiveness, geographic significance, and surname significance. In re Bacardi & Co. , 48 USPQ2d 1031, 1035 (TTAB 1997) ; In re Am. Psychological Ass’n, 39 USPQ2d 1467, 1469 (Comm’r Pats. 1996).

The examining attorney should not issue a requirement or refusal under these sections during examination of the statement of use if the issue could or should have been raised during initial examination, unless the failure to issue the refusal or requirement would be a clear error. See TBMP §706.01 , 1109.08 .

Where a significant length of time has elapsed since the initial examination, a mark may have become descriptive or even generic with respect to the goods/services. In such a case, since the evidence of the descriptive or generic use would not have been available during initial examination, the requirement or refusal must be issued during second examination.

The examining attorney should investigate all possible issues regarding registrability through all available sources. If appropriate, the examining attorney may require that the applicant provide literature or an explanation concerning the intended manner of use of the mark, or the meaning of the mark in relation to the goods/services, under 37 C.F.R. §2.61(b) . See TMEP §814 ; In re DTI P'ship LLP , 67 USPQ2d 1699, 1701 (TTAB 2003) ; In re Page, 51 USPQ2d 1660, 1665 (TTAB 1999).

The examining attorney should also search applicant’s website to see if it provides information about the goods/services. See In re Promo Ink , 78 USPQ2d 1301, 1303 (TTAB 2006) (rejecting applicant’s argument that it was improper for the examining attorney to rely on evidence obtained from applicant’s website when the application was based on intent to use and no specimens were yet required, and stating that “[t]he fact that applicant has filed an intent-to-use application does not limit the examining attorney’s evidentiary options, nor does it shield an applicant from producing evidence that it may have in its possession.”); TMEP §710.01(b) .

While the examining attorney must examine and act on all possible issues in the initial examination of the application, requirements or refusals specifically tied to use of the mark (e.g., ornamentation) should generally be addressed after the applicant submits an allegation of use and a specimen showing use of the mark in commerce. See TBMP §1202–1202.17(e)(vi) regarding use as a mark. However, an examining attorney may review a §1(b) application for which no allegation of use and specimen have been submitted, and believe it likely that a refusal of registration on the ground that the subject matter does not function as a mark may be made after an allegation of use is submitted. In that instance, this potential refusal should be brought to the applicant’s attention in the first action issued by the USPTO. This is done strictly as a courtesy. If information regarding this possible ground for refusal is not provided to the applicant before the allegation of use is filed, the USPTO is not precluded from later refusing registration on this basis.

1102.02 Drawings

The examination of the drawing during initial examination, before submission of an allegation of use and specimen, will focus primarily on the form of the drawing and compliance with 37 C.F.R. §2.52 , 2.53 , and 2.54 . Intent-to-use applicants must comply with all formal requirements related to drawings, whether in standard characters or in special form. See TBMP §807–807.18) . See TMEP §1104.10(b)(vi) regarding examination of the drawing after submission of an amendment to allege use, and §1109.12 regarding examination of the drawing after submission of a statement of use. The applicant may not amend the mark in a drawing if the amendment constitutes a material alteration of the mark. 37 C.F.R. §2.72(b)(2) .

1102.03 Intent-to-Use Applications and the Supplemental Register

A mark in an intent-to-use application under 15 U.S.C. §1051(b) is not eligible for registration on the Supplemental Register until the applicant has submitted an acceptable allegation of use (i.e., either an amendment to allege use that meets the requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.76(b) and (c) , or a statement of use that meets the requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.88(b) and (c) ). 37 C.F.R. §2.47(d) , 2.75(b) .

If an intent-to-use applicant requests registration on the Supplemental Register before filing an acceptable allegation of use, the examining attorney will refuse registration under §23 of the Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. §1091 , on the ground that the mark is not in lawful use in commerce. See 37 C.F.R. §2.75(b) ; TMEP §714.05(a)(i) . If an application is based on intent-to-use in addition to another basis, registration of the entire application will be refused on the Supplemental Register unless the applicant either deletes the §1(b) basis or files a request to divide. See TBMP §1110–1110.12 regarding requests to divide. The examining attorney will withdraw the refusal if the applicant submits an acceptable allegation of use.

If an application is based solely on §1(b), and the applicant files an acceptable amendment to allege use or statement of use and an acceptable amendment to the Supplemental Register, the USPTO will consider the filing date of the amendment to allege use or statement of use to be the effective filing date of the application. 37 C.F.R. §2.75(b) ; TMEP §206.01 . The filing date of an amendment to allege use is the date on which the applicant meets the minimum filing requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.76(c) , and the filing date of a statement of use is the date on which the applicant meets the minimum filing requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.88(c) . Due to the change in the effective filing date, the examining attorney must conduct a new search of USPTO records for conflicting marks. In this situation, the USPTO does not alter the original filing date in its automated records. TMEP §206 . If the new search shows that a later-filed conflicting application now has an earlier filing date (based on the change in the effective filing date of the subject application), the examining attorney must suspend action on the subject application pending disposition of the other application, if the application is otherwise in condition for suspension. See TBMP §1208–1208.03(c) regarding the procedures for handling conflicting marks in pending applications.

Amendment of an application from the Supplemental to the Principal Register does not change the effective filing date of an application. Kraft Grp. LLC v. Harpole, 90 USPQ2d 1837, 1840 (TTAB 2009) (stating the filing date did not change when applicant, who originally sought registration on the Supplemental Register without alleging use in commerce, amended to seek registration on the Principal Register under §1(b), because use in commerce is not required for receipt of a filing date on the Supplemental Register).

When the applicant files an amendment to allege use that complies with the minimum requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.76(c) together with an amendment to the Supplemental Register, the examining attorney must follow the procedures outlined in TMEP §714.05(a)(i) .

See TBMP §815–816.05 for additional information about the Supplemental Register.

1102.04 Claims of Acquired Distinctiveness under §2(f)

See TBMP §1212.09–1212.09(b) regarding claims of distinctiveness under §2(f), 15 U.S.C. §1052(f) , in intent-to-use applications.

1103 Allegations of Use

While §1(b) of the Trademark Act provides for filing a trademark or service mark application based on the applicant’s bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce (or the applicant’s bona fide intention, and entitlement, to exercise legitimate control over the use of the mark in commerce, for a collective or certification mark application), registration may not be granted until the applicant files an acceptable allegation of use. The allegation of use must include verified dates of first use ( see TBMP §903–903.08 ), and a specimen of use for each class ( see TBMP §904–904.07(b) , 1301.04–1301.04(d) ).

An allegation of use may be filed as either an amendment to allege use or a statement of use. The principal difference between the amendment to allege use and the statement of use is the time of filing. The amendment to allege use may be filed after the application filing date but before approval of the mark for publication. 37 C.F.R. §2.76(a) ; TMEP §1104.03 . If the applicant does not file an acceptable amendment to allege use during initial examination, or if an amendment to allege use is filed and withdrawn, and the USPTO issues a notice of allowance under 15 U.S.C. §1063(b)(2) ( see TBMP §1106–1106.04 ), the applicant must file a statement of use within six months of the issuance date of the notice of allowance, or within an extension of time granted for filing of the statement of use. 15 U.S.C. §1051(d) ; 37 C.F.R. §2.88(a) . See TBMP §1109–1109.18 regarding statements of use.

The applicant may not file the allegation of use during the period after approval of the mark for publication and before issuance of the notice of allowance. 37 C.F.R. §2.76(a) , 2.88(a) ; TMEP §1104.03 . This period is known as the “blackout period.” See TMEP §1104.03(b) .

See TMEP §1104.02 and §1109.05 regarding the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) form to use for filing allegations of use.

1104 Amendment to Allege Use Under §1(c) of the Act

As previously stated, an intent-to-use applicant under 15 U.S.C. §1051(b) must file either an amendment to allege use under 15 U.S.C. §1051(c) or a statement of use under 15 U.S.C. §1051(d) before issuance of the registration. This section pertains only to amendments to allege use. Statements of use are discussed in TBMP §1109 -1109.18 .

An amendment to allege use is treated as a non-responsive filing. Therefore, filing an amendment to allege use does not relieve the applicant of the duty to file a response to an outstanding Office action or to take any other action required in the case, including filing a notice of appeal to the Board or a petition to the Director. See 37 C.F.R. §2.63(d) . See TMEP §1104.07 regarding the filing of an amendment to allege use in conjunction with an appeal. Therefore, the applicant must file a separate response to any outstanding Office action. Failure to respond to an outstanding Office action will result in abandonment of the application. See TMEP §718.06 regarding notice of abandonment for failure to respond.

1104.01 Minimum Filing Requirements for an Amendment to Allege Use

The amendment to allege use must include the following minimum elements before it will be referred to the examining attorney for examination on the merits:

• (1) the prescribed fee for at least one class;
• (2) one specimen of the mark as used in commerce; and
• (3) a verification or declaration properly signed (see TMEP §611.03(a) regarding who may sign a verification) and stating that the mark is in use in commerce.

37 C.F.R. §2.76(c) .

An amendment to allege use that omits the allegation of use in commerce, but asserts a verified date of first use in commerce, may be accepted as substantially in compliance with the minimum filing requirement of 37 C.F.R. §2.76(c) for a verified statement that the mark is in use in commerce. Cf. In re Carnicon Dev. Co., 34 USPQ2d 1541, 1543 (Comm’r Pats. 1992) (holding that the petitioner’s verified date of first use in commerce and the statement that the mark was used in advertising combined to substantially comply with the “the mark is in use in commerce” requirement for purposes of filing a statement of use); In re Conservation Tech. Inc., 25 USPQ2d 1079, 1080 (Comm’r Pats. 1992) (finding, for purposes of the requirement that the statement of use state that “the mark is in use in commerce,” the wording “in use in commerce at least since” satisfied the requirement based on the term “since,” defined as “from a definite past time until now”). The examining attorney will require an allegation that the “mark is in use in commerce” during examination.

See TMEP §1104.08 regarding the requirements for a complete amendment to allege use.

1104.01(a) Review by Legal Instruments Examiner for Compliance with Minimum Filing Requirements

A legal instruments examiner (LIE) will conduct a preliminary review of an amendment to allege use to determine whether it is timely and complies with the minimum filing requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.76(c) . If so, the LIE will refer the amendment to allege use to the examining attorney for examination on the merits.

With respect to the requirement that the amendment to allege use include a properly signed verification or declaration (see TMEP §611.03(a) regarding who may sign a verification) stating that the mark is in use in commerce, the LIE will review the document only to determine whether it bears a signed verification stating that the mark is in use in commerce. The examining attorney will determine whether the amendment to allege use was properly signed and filed by the owner. See TBMP §611.03(a) , 1104.10(b)(i) .

See TMEP §1104.01(b) regarding processing an amendment to allege use that does not meet minimum filing requirements and §1104.03(c) regarding processing an untimely amendment to allege use.

1104.01(b) Processing an Amendment to Allege Use that Does Not Meet Minimum Filing Requirements

If an amendment to allege use is timely, but does not comply with the minimum filing requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.76(c) ( see TMEP §1104.01 ), the LIE will advise the applicant in writing of the deficiency. The applicant may correct the deficiency, provided the applicant does so before the mark is approved for publication. 37 C.F.R. §2.76(d) . If an acceptable amendment to correct the deficiency is not filed before the mark is approved for publication, the amendment to allege use will not be referred to the examining attorney and will not be examined on the merits. Id.

If the filing fee for at least a single class is omitted or is deficient (e.g., if the fee is charged to a deposit account with insufficient funds, an electronic funds transfer (EFT) or credit card payment is refused or charged back by a financial institution, or a check is returned unpaid for a permitted paper filing ( see TMEP §301.02 )), the LIE will advise the applicant that the applicant must repay the fee before the mark is approved for publication, or the amendment to allege use will not be examined. In addition, when an EFT or credit card is refused or charged back or a check is returned unpaid for a permitted paper filing, the applicant must pay the processing fee required by [37 C.F.R. §2.6(b)(10)(#) . This processing fee must be paid even if the applicant withdraws the amendment to allege use. See TMEP §405.06 regarding payments that are refused.

If the amendment to allege use is not signed, the LIE will notify the applicant of the deficiency and advise that the applicant must submit a properly signed amendment to allege use before the mark is approved for publication, or the USPTO will not examine the amendment to allege use.

An amendment to allege use that does not meet the minimum filing requirements will remain in the record. If the applicant does not correct all deficiencies before approval of the mark for publication, the examining attorney will not examine the amendment to allege use. In such a case, if the applicant has submitted the fee, the fee will not be refunded and cannot be applied to a later-filed statement of use. If the mark is published for opposition and a notice of allowance issues, the applicant must file a statement of use or request for extension of time to file a statement of use within six months of the date of issuance to avoid abandonment of the application.

If the applicant wishes to establish that the amendment to allege use as filed met the minimum requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.76(c) , the applicant must file a petition under 37 C.F.R. §2.146 using the TEAS Petition to Director. In addition to the petition fee ( 37 C.F.R. §2.6 , 2.146(c) ), the petition should include the amendment to allege use and specimen, and any evidence establishing that the amendment to allege use as filed met the minimum filing requirements. See Chapter 1700 for additional information about petitions. If the petition is granted, the amendment to allege use will be considered filed on the date it was originally received in the USPTO.

If a permitted paper amendment to allege use does not include a specimen, the LIE will advise the applicant that the applicant must submit a specimen, supported by an affidavit or declaration under 37 C.F.R §2.20 stating that the specimen is in use in commerce on or in connection with the goods/services (or stating that the specimen is in use in commerce in connection with the collective membership organization, for collective membership marks), before the mark is approved for publication, or the USPTO will not examine the amendment to allege use.

See TMEP §1104.03(c) regarding processing an untimely amendment to allege use.

1104.01(c) Processing Defective Amendment to Allege Use Filed with Other Amendments

After the LIE has taken appropriate action on a defective amendment to allege use ( see TMEP §1104.01(b) ), the LIE will process any other amendments filed with the amendment to allege use and refer the application to the assigned examining attorney for appropriate action on those other amendments.

If the amendment to allege use did not meet the minimum filing requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.76(c) , the examining attorney will act on any other amendments in the application without considering the amendment to allege use. The examining attorney should issue requirements or refusals according to standard examination procedure without considering the amendment to allege use. Any specimen submitted becomes part of the record and may be relied on in relation to issues other than use.

If the examining attorney determines that the LIE erred in holding that the amendment to allege use did not meet the minimum filing requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.76(c) , the examining attorney should advise the applicant by telephone or email that the amendment to allege use will be examined on the merits and to disregard the LIE’s action, and should enter an appropriate Note to the File in the record.

1104.02 Form of Amendment to Allege Use

Applicants must file an amendment to allege use through the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) at https://teas.uspto.gov , unless an exception to the requirement to file documents electronically applies. See 37 C.F.R §2.23(a) ; TMEP §301.01 . See TMEP §301.02 regarding the limited exceptions for paper submissions.

1104.03 Time for Filing Amendment to Allege Use

An applicant may file an amendment to allege use at any time between the application filing date and the date the examining attorney approves the mark for publication. 37 C.F.R. §2.76(a)(1) .

An amendment to allege use may be filed after commencement of an ex parte appeal. See TMEP §1104.07 .

An applicant may not file either an amendment to allege use or a statement of use between the date the examining attorney approves the mark for publication and the date of issuance of the notice of allowance. This period, during which no allegation of use may be filed, is known as the “blackout period.” See TMEP §1104.03(b) .

1104.03(a) Use on All Goods/Services Required Before Filing

An applicant may not file an amendment to allege use until the mark has been in use in commerce on or in connection with all goods/services for which the applicant seeks registration under §1(b), unless the applicant files a request to divide. 37 C.F.R. §2.76(a)(2)(i) . If the applicant files an amendment to allege use before using the mark on or in connection with all the goods/services, but does not file a request to divide, the examining attorney will require the applicant to: (1) withdraw the amendment to allege use ( see TMEP §1104.11 ); (2) delete from the application the goods/services not covered by the amendment to allege use ( see TMEP §1104.10(b)(iii) ); or (3) file a request to divide out the goods/services that are not yet in use ( see TBMP §1110–1110.12) .

1104.03(b) The “Blackout Period”

Under 37 C.F.R. §2.76(a)(1) , the USPTO will not review an amendment to allege use filed after the date that the application is approved for publication by the examining attorney. Under 37 C.F.R. §2.88(a)(1) , the USPTO will not review a statement of use filed before the date of issuance of the notice of allowance. These two rules combine to create a time period when neither an amendment to allege use nor a statement of use may be filed. This period is known as the “blackout period.” An applicant will not be permitted to electronically file an amendment to allege use or statement of use during the blackout period using TEAS. Any permitted paper-filed amendment to allege use or statement of use ( see TMEP §301.02 ) submitted during this period will be deemed untimely and the fee refunded. In re Sovran Fin. Corp ., 25 USPQ2d 1537 (Comm’r Pats. 1991). See TMEP §1104.03(c) regarding processing amendments to allege use filed during the blackout period.

Intent-to-use applicants who filed under 15 U.S.C. §1051(b) are encouraged to check the TSDR database on the USPTO website at https://tsdr.uspto.gov/ to determine the status of the application before filing an amendment to allege use.

If a review of the prosecution history of the application shows that the application has been approved for publication and a notice of allowance has not issued or was cancelled, the blackout period is in effect and an amendment to allege use should not be filed. The applicant should instead wait until the notice of allowance issues and then file a statement of use.

1104.03(c) Processing Amendment to Allege Use Filed During the Blackout Period

An applicant will not be permitted to electronically file an amendment to allege use or statement of use during the blackout period using TEAS. If the applicant attempts to do so, the applicant will receive an error message indicating that the application is in the blackout period and advising that the applicant must wait until the status of the application changes to “Notice of Allowance issued” to file the form, and the applicant may monitor the status of the application at https://tsdr.uspto.gov .

Permitted paper filings. If an applicant submits a permitted paper-filed amendment to allege use ( see TMEP §301.02 ) during the blackout period, the USPTO will notify the applicant that the amendment to allege use is untimely and will not be reviewed, and refund any filing fee. See 37 C.F.R. §2.76(a)(1) .

1104.04 Processing Timely Amendment to Allege Use Discovered After Publication

If an amendment to allege use is timely ( see TMEP §1104.03 ) and complies with the minimum filing requirements such that it may be examined on the merits ( see TMEP §1104.01 ), but the mark was published for opposition before the amendment to allege use was examined, the USPTO will proceed as follows.

The examining attorney will contact the applicant or the applicant’s attorney by telephone or email, and give the applicant the opportunity to withdraw the amendment to allege use. The examining attorney should advise the applicant that the application will be withdrawn from publication if the amendment to allege use is not withdrawn. See 37 C.F.R. §2.76(f) and TMEP §1104.11 regarding withdrawal of amendment to allege use.

Amendment to Allege Use Withdrawn

If the applicant elects to withdraw the amendment to allege use, the examining attorney should advise applicant that a notice of allowance will issue if the application is not successfully opposed, and that the applicant must file a statement of use, or request for an extension of time to file a statement of use, within six months after the issuance of the notice of allowance. See 37 C.F.R. §2.88(a) .The examining attorney should also advise applicant that, instead of filing a statement of use, the applicant may file a written request that the USPTO treat the amendment to allege use as a statement of use. Such requests must be filed within six months after the issuance of the notice of allowance using the TEAS Post-Publication Amendment form. The examining attorney should enter a Note to the File in the record reflecting the substance of the communication with the applicant. The filing date of the statement of use will be the date of receipt of the applicant’s written request to treat the amendment to allege use as a statement of use. See TMEP §1104.11 regarding withdrawal of an amendment to allege use prior to publication.

The applicant has the option of receiving a refund of the filing fee for the amendment to allege use, or applying the fee toward the statement of use. If the applicant requests a refund, the examining attorney should ask an LIE to arrange for the refund.

Because §1(d)(1) of the Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(1) , explicitly requires that a statement of use be filed within six months after the issuance date of the notice of allowance, the USPTO cannot process the amendment to allege use as a statement of use unless the applicant files a written request within six months after the issuance date of the notice of allowance. If the applicant does not file a statement of use, a request for an extension of time to file a statement of use, or a written request to treat the amendment to allege use as a statement of use within six months after the issuance of the notice of allowance, the application will be abandoned, even if the amendment to allege use is still in the record and the filing fee for the amendment to allege use has not been refunded.

Amendment to Allege Use Not Withdrawn

If the applicant elects not to withdraw the amendment to allege use, and no notice of allowance has issued, the examining attorney will withdraw the application from publication and examine the amendment to allege use. If the notice of allowance has issued, the examining attorney must ask the ITU/Divisional Unit to cancel the notice of allowance. The examining attorney should enter an appropriate Note to the File in the record, and then examine the amendment to allege use. If the amendment to allege use can be approved, and does not raise any issues that require the examining attorney to issue an Office action requiring a response, the examining attorney should approve the amendment to allege use. The mark must then be republished.

If examination of the amendment to allege use raises issues that would require the examining attorney to issue requirements or refusals in an Office action, the examining attorney should request jurisdiction for the purpose of issuing the relevant requirements or refusals. See TMEP §1504.04(a) . The proposed Office action setting forth the relevant requirements or refusals must accompany the request for jurisdiction. If the applicant ultimately complies with all requirements and overcomes all refusals, the amendment to allege use will be approved. The mark must then be republished.

Applications that Are the Subject of an Opposition

If a notice of opposition has been filed when a timely amendment to allege use is associated with the application, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (Board) will usually suspend the opposition proceeding and remand the application to the examining attorney for examination of the amendment to allege use. The examining attorney should follow the procedures explained above, except that no request for jurisdiction is necessary. Once the amendment to allege use is ultimately approved or withdrawn, the application should be referred back to the Board for appropriate action. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Manual of Procedure (TBMP) §219 .

Applications that Are the Subject of an Extension of Time to Oppose

If the application is under an extension of time to file an opposition when the amendment to allege use is associated with the application, the potential opposer must continue to file further request(s) for extension(s) of time to oppose, or file a notice of opposition, if it wishes to preserve its right to oppose if the amendment to allege use is withdrawn by the applicant or approved by the examining attorney. TBMP §219. The Board will not suspend the potential opposer’s time to file a notice of opposition. See TBMP §209.01 .

1104.05 Amendment to Allege Use Filed in Conjunction with Application

If an applicant files an intent-to-use application under 15 U.S.C. §1051(b) , and, at the same time, files an amendment to allege use asserting dates of use before the filing date of the application, the applicant will be required to comply with all requirements related to the amendment to allege use, including the payment of the required fees for all classes.

1104.06 Processing Amendment to Allege Use Received Before Application Is Assigned to an Examining Attorney

If an amendment to allege use is received before an application has been assigned to an examining attorney, the LIE will review the amendment to allege use to determine whether it complies with the minimum filing requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.76(c) and will take appropriate action. See TBMP §1104.01–1104.01(c) . If the amendment to allege use complies with the minimum filing requirements, it will be placed in the record and examined on the merits when the application is assigned to an examining attorney. If it does not, the LIE will advise the applicant in writing of the deficiency and advise the applicant that it must correct the deficiency before the mark is approved for publication, or the amendment to allege use will not be examined on the merits. See 37 C.F.R. §2.76(d) .

1104.07 Amendments to Allege Use and Ex Parte Appeals

An amendment to allege use may be filed together with a notice of appeal to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, or it may be filed while an appeal is pending.

Once the appeal is filed, the Board has jurisdiction over the application. If the applicant files the amendment to allege use with the notice of appeal, the Board will institute the appeal, suspend action on the appeal, and remand the case to the examining attorney to examine the amendment to allege use. When the applicant files the amendment to allege use after commencement of the appeal, the Board may, in its discretion, suspend action on the appeal and remand the application to the examining attorney for consideration of the amendment to allege use, or it may continue action on the appeal, thus deferring examination of the amendment to allege use until after disposition of the appeal.

If the Board remands the application, the examining attorney should continue examination according to standard examining procedures until final resolution of any new issues that arise in the examination of the amendment to allege use. If all issues are resolved or made the subject of a final action, the examining attorney should refer the application back to the Board for resumption of the appeal. TBMP §1206.01 .

If the examining attorney withdraws the refusal or requirement that is the subject of the appeal, he or she should advise the applicant or the applicant’s attorney by telephone or email, and enter an appropriate Note to the File in the record.

1104.08 Requirements for a Complete Amendment to Allege Use

Trademarks and Service Marks

The requirements for a complete amendment to allege use are:

• (1) a verification or declaration properly signed (see TMEP §611.03(a) regarding who may sign a verification) and stating that the applicant is believed to be the owner of the mark and that the mark is in use in commerce, specifying the dates of first use of the mark anywhere and first use of the mark in commerce, and setting forth or incorporating by reference those goods/services specified in the application on or in connection with which the mark is in use in commerce;
• (2) one specimen per class of the mark as used in commerce that meets the requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.56 ; and
• (3) the prescribed fee for each class ( see 37 C.F.R. §2.6(a)) .

37 C.F.R. §2.76(b) .

Collective Marks

The requirements for a complete amendment to allege use are:

• (1) a verification or declaration properly signed (see TMEP §611.03(a) regarding who may sign a verification) and stating that: the applicant is believed to be the owner of the mark; the applicant is exercising legitimate control over the use of the mark in commerce; and the mark is in use in commerce, specifying the dates of first use of the mark anywhere and first use of the mark in commerce, and setting forth or incorporating by reference the goods/services/nature of the collective membership organization specified in the application on or in connection with which the mark is in use in commerce;
• (2) one specimen per class of the mark as used in commerce that meets the requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.56 ;
• (3) the prescribed fee for each class ( see 37 C.F.R. §2.6(a) ); and
• (4) a statement specifying the nature of the applicant’s control over the use of the mark by the members (37 CF.R. §2.44(a)(4)(i)(A); TMEP §1303.01(a)(i)(A) ).

37 C.F.R. §2.76(b) .

Certification Marks

The requirements for a complete amendment to allege use are:

• (1) a verification or declaration properly signed (see TMEP §611.03(a) regarding who may sign a verification) and stating that the applicant is believed to be the owner of the mark; the applicant is exercising legitimate control over the use of the mark in commerce; and the mark is in use in commerce, specifying the dates of first use of the mark anywhere and first use of the mark in commerce, and setting forth or incorporating by reference those goods/services specified in the application on or in connection with which the mark is in use in commerce;
• (2) one specimen per class of the mark as used in commerce that meets the requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.56 ;
• (3) the prescribed fee for each class ( see 37 C.F.R. §2.6(a) );
• (4) a statement specifying what the applicant is certifying about the goods or services in the application ( 37 C.F.R. §2.45(a)(4)(i)(A) ; TMEP §1306.03(a) );
• (5) a copy of the certification standards governing use of the certification mark ( 37 C.F.R. §2.45(a)(4)(i)(B) ; TMEP §1306.03(b) ); and
• (6) a statement that the applicant is not engaged in the production or marketing of the goods or services to which the mark is applied, except to advertise or promote recognition of the certification program or of the goods or services that meet the certification standards of the applicant ( 37 C.F.R. §2.45(a)(4)(i)(C) ; TMEP §1306.03(c) ).

37 C.F.R. §2.76(b) .

1104.09 Acceptance of Amendment to Allege Use that Meets Minimum Filing Requirements by Examining Attorney

At the outset, the examining attorney must accept the submission of the amendment to allege use if it is timely filed and meets the minimum filing requirements, unless (1) USPTO records show title in a party other than the party filing the amendment to allege use or (2) the applicant specifies an intention to retain goods/services not yet in use (or an intention to retain the collective membership mark not yet in use) and fails to file a request to divide. See TBMP §1104.01 , 1104.03–1104.03(c) , 1104.10(b)(i) , 1104.10(b)(ii) . Acceptance of the amendment to allege use does not signify that all the requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.76(b) for a complete amendment to allege use have been met and the application is in condition for approval for publication.

The examining attorney's acceptance of the amendment to allege use ensures that (1) a computer-generated notice issues advising the applicant that the amendment to allege use has been accepted and forwarded to the examining attorney for substantive review and (2) the basis of the application is changed from §1(b) to §1(a). Thus, even if the amendment to allege use raises issues related to, for example, the dates of use, inconsistencies between the mark on the drawing and the mark on the specimen, ornamentation, or descriptiveness, the examining attorney must accept it before issuing an Office action that addresses the relevant refusals or requirements.

See TBMP §1104.10–1104.10(b)(vii) regarding examination of an amendment to allege use for compliance with statutory requirements.

1104.10 Examination of Amendment to Allege Use on the Merits for Compliance with Statutory Requirements

After accepting an amendment to allege use that meets the requirements discussed above ( see TBMP §1104.01 , 1104.03–1104.03(c), 1104.09) , the examining attorney will then examine it on the merits to determine compliance with all statutory requirements (e.g., valid ownership, acceptable specimen, and fees for all classes). If all statutory requirements are met, no further action with regard to the amendment to allege use is necessary.

1104.10(a) Issuance of Office Action Related to Amendment to Allege Use

If, after examination on the merits, the examining attorney determines that the amendment to allege use necessitates any refusals or requirements, an Office action must be issued. Before issuing the Office action, the examining attorney must accept the amendment to allege use. See TMEP §1104.09 . If the amendment to allege use was filed before the application was assigned to the examining attorney, the Office action must address all refusals or requirements related to both the application and the amendment to allege use. If the amendment to allege use is referred to an examining attorney after issuance of an Office action, the examining attorney must accept it, if appropriate, and issue a supplemental Office action that supersedes any outstanding action, incorporates all outstanding refusals and/or requirements, and provides a new six-month response period.

Generally, the Office action must be nonfinal, because the issues arising from examination of the amendment to allege use would be raised for the first time. In rare cases, an issue arising from examination of the amendment to allege use will already have been raised. For example, if the examining attorney issued a final refusal of registration in a §1(a) application because the specimen failed to show use of the mark in commerce or failed to demonstrate use as a mark, the applicant may amend the application to seek registration under §1(b). If the applicant subsequently submits an amendment to allege use that includes the same specimen (or a different specimen that is deficient for the same reason), no new issue is raised because the requirement to submit a specimen showing acceptable use of the mark in commerce has already been raised. Cf. In re GTE Educ. Servs. , 34 USPQ2d 1478, 1480 (Comm'r Pats. 1994) (holding that examining attorney properly determined that no new issue had been raised in request for reconsideration of final refusal based on inadequate specimens, where the substitute specimens submitted with the request were deficient for the same reason as the original specimens).

If the application is suspended at the time the amendment to allege use is referred for examination, the examining attorney must accept and review it. If no further action on the amendment to allege use is required because all statutory requirements are satisfied, the application must be resuspended. If the amendment to allege use does not meet all statutory requirements, the examining attorney must remove the application from suspension and issue a nonfinal Office action that maintains and continues any requirements and refusals that were operative at the time of the suspension.

If the amendment to allege use is referred for examination at the same time as a response to an outstanding Office action, or when a response is awaiting review, the examining attorney must accept it and review both the response and the amendment to allege use. If the amendment to allege use does not meet all statutory requirements, the examining attorney must issue a new nonfinal Office action that includes all refusals and/or requirements related to the amendment to allege use and maintains and continues all refusals and/or requirements not overcome or satisfied by the response. If the amendment to allege use meets all statutory requirements, the examining attorney must issue a final refusal regarding all refusals and/or requirements not overcome or satisfied by the response, or approve the mark for publication if all refusals and/or requirements have been overcome or satisfied.

See TBMP §1104.01–1104.01(c) regarding the minimum filing requirements for an amendment to allege use, §1104.03–1104.03(c) regarding the time for filing an amendment to allege use, §1104.07 regarding an amendment to allege use filed with a notice of appeal or after commencement of an appeal, §1104.09 regarding acceptance of an amendment to allege use that meets minimum filing requirements, and §1104.10–1104.10(b)(vii) regarding examination of an amendment to allege use on the merits.

1104.10(b) Common Examination Issues Related to Amendments to Allege Use

The following sections represent the most common issues to be considered during examination of an amendment to allege use. These sections do not exhaust all possible grounds for issuing a refusal or making a requirement. Moreover, any amendments filed with an amendment to allege use that do not pertain to use of the proposed mark (e.g., changes to the identification of goods/services or drawing), must be separately considered and examined according to standard examination procedures.

1104.10(b)(i) Ownership

The examining attorney must confirm that the proper party has filed the amendment to allege use. Only the applicant or a valid assignee under §10 of the Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. §1060 , may file an amendment to allege use. If USPTO records show title in a party other than the party filing the amendment to allege use, the examining attorney must refuse registration on the ground that the amendment to allege was not filed by the owner of record. See 37 C.F.R. §2.76(b)(1)(i) . In such cases, the examining attorney must withhold acceptance of the amendment to allege use until the party who filed the amendment to allege use establishes ownership. If the party filing the amendment to allege use was not the owner of the mark at the time of filing, the true owner may file a substitute amendment to allege use (including the filing fee for each class) on or before the date the application is approved for publication.

If the party filing the amendment to allege use was the owner at the time of filing, the party may submit evidence to establish chain of title within the response period specified in the Office action. See 37 C.F.R. §3.71(d) , 3.73(b) . To establish ownership, the party who filed the amendment to allege use must either: (1) record an assignment or other document of title with the Assignment Recordation Branch, and include a statement in the response to the Office action that the document has been recorded; or (2) submit other evidence of ownership, in the form of a document transferring ownership from one party to another or an explanation, in the form of an affidavit or declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20 , that a valid transfer of legal title has occurred. 37 C.F.R. §3.73(b)(1) . See TMEP §502.01 regarding establishing the right to take action in an application or registration.

If an amendment to allege use is filed by the owner of the mark, but there is a minor error in the manner in which the name of the owner is identified, the mistake may be corrected by amendment. See TMEP §1201.02(c) for examples of correctable and non-correctable errors in how the applicant is identified.

See 37 C.F.R. §3.85 and TMEP §502.02(a) regarding the issuance of a registration certificate in the name of the new owner, and §502.02(c) regarding an examining attorney’s handling of an application after the mark has been assigned.

1104.10(b)(ii) Verification and Date of Execution

The verification must be properly signed. See 37 C.F.R. §2.76(b)(1) . See 37 C.F.R. §2.193(e)(1) and TMEP §611.03(a) regarding who may sign a verification.

If the amendment to allege use is not filed within a reasonable time after its execution, the examining attorney must require a substitute or supplemental verification or declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20 stating that, for a trademark or service mark, the mark is in use in commerce, or, for a collective or certification mark, the mark is in use in commerce and the applicant is exercising legitimate control over such use. See 37 C.F.R. §2.76(g) ; TMEP §804.03 (defining a “reasonable time” for filing after execution of documents filed in a §1 application).

1104.10(b)(iii) Identification of Goods/Services

The examining attorney must examine the identification of goods/services in an amendment to allege use to ensure that it conforms to the goods/services specified in the application. The applicant may delete, limit, or clarify the goods/services, but may not add to or expand the identification. 37 C.F.R. §2.71(a) . The amendment to allege use must specify all the goods/services for which the applicant seeks registration under §1(a), by listing or incorporating by reference the goods/services on or in connection with which the mark is in use in commerce. See 37 C.F.R. §2.76(b)(1)(iv) . To incorporate the goods/services in the application by reference, the applicant may elect the TEAS form option that states that "the mark is in use in commerce on or in connection with all of the goods/services, or to indicate membership in the collective organization listed in the application or Notice of Allowance or as subsequently modified for this specific class.” The form requires the applicant to designate the goods/services for each class for which use is being asserted.

If goods/services identified in the application are omitted from the amendment to allege use and it is not accompanied by a request to divide, the omitted goods/services must be deleted from the application and the amendment to allege use accepted. However, if an amendment to allege use is submitted for only some of the goods/services and the applicant specifies an intention to retain the goods/services not yet in use, the amendment to allege may not be accepted until a request to divide the goods/services that are not in use is filed. See 37 C.F.R. §2.76(a)(2) ; TMEP §1104.03(a) .

If the amendment to allege use includes an amended identification of goods/services, to determine whether the amended identification is acceptable and within the scope of the previous identification, the amended identification must be examined in relation to the last acceptable identification of record. TMEP §1402.07(d), (e) . When the amended goods/services exceed the scope of a previous acceptable identification, the amended goods/services must be refused. If both an amendment to allege use and a response to an outstanding Office action are received and the two filings contain different amendments to the identification of goods/services, this creates an ambiguity that must be clarified by the applicant.

1104.10(b)(iii)(A) Identification of Nature of Collective Membership Organization

The examining attorney must ensure that the identification of the nature of the collective membership organization in an amendment to allege use conforms to that specified in an application for a collective membership mark. The applicant may delete, limit, or clarify the description of the collective membership organization, but may not add to or expand the identification. See 37 C.F.R. §2.71(a) . See TMEP §1304.02(c) regarding identifications in applications for collective membership marks.

1104.10(b)(iv) Use in Commerce and Dates of Use

An amendment to allege use must include a verified statement that “the mark is in use in commerce,” and must specify the dates of first use of the mark and first use of the mark in commerce for each class. 37 C.F.R. §2.76(b)(1)(ii)-(iii) . The date of first use in commerce may not be earlier than the date of first use anywhere. TMEP §903.03 . In addition, the dates of use may not be after the date the amendment to allege use was signed, because current use of the mark must be properly alleged; an applicant may not allege use that has not yet occurred. See 37 C.F.R. §2.76(b)(1)(ii) ; see also TBMP §903.04 (regarding amending dates of use), 903.06(a) (regarding discrepancies between dates of use and date of execution).

The applicant may amend the dates of use if the amendment is supported with an affidavit or declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20 . 37 C.F.R. §2.71(c) . The applicant may not amend the dates of use to recite dates of use that are subsequent to the filing of the amendment to allege use. However, the applicant may withdraw the amendment to allege use. 37 C.F.R. §2.76(f) .

The requirement for a verified statement that “the mark is in use in commerce” is a minimum filing requirement that must be satisfied before the amendment to allege use may be examined on the merits. 37 C.F.R. §2.76(c)(3) . See TBMP §1104.01–1104.01(c) regarding amendments to allege use that do not meet minimum filing requirements.

See TMEP §903 regarding dates of use for a trademark or service mark application. See TMEP §1303.01(a)(i)(B) , §1304.02(a)(i)(B) , and §1306.02(a)(i)(A) regarding dates of use for a collective or certification mark application.

1104.10(b)(v) Specimen

An amendment to allege use must include a specimen for each class. The examining attorney must review the specimen for compliance with all relevant requirements. See TBMP §904.03–904.03(m) regarding trademark specimens, §1301.04-1301.04(j) regarding service mark specimens, §1202–1202.19 and §1301.02–1301.02(f) regarding use as a trademark or service mark and §1303.01(a)(i)(C) , §1304.02(a)(i)(C) , and §1306.02(a)(i)(B) regarding material appropriate as a collective or certification mark specimen.

If the applicant submits a substitute specimen in conjunction with an amendment to allege use, the applicant must verify that the substitute specimen was in use in commerce on or in connection with the goods/services (or to indicate membership in the collective organization, for a collective membership mark) prior to filing the amendment to allege use. Similarly, if the applicant submits an additional specimen in support of a multiple-class application that is not identical to the specimen originally filed, the applicant must verify that the new specimen was in use in commerce on or in connection with the goods/services (or to indicate membership in the collective organization) prior to filing the amendment to allege use. See TMEP §904.05 regarding affidavit supporting substitute specimens.

If, in fact, the mark was first used on dates other than those asserted in the amendment to allege use, the dates of use must be corrected. 37 C.F.R. §2.71(c) . See TMEP §903.04 and §1104.10(b)(iv) regarding amending the dates of use.

See TMEP §904.02 regarding requirements for specimens.

1104.10(b)(vi) Drawing

Under 37 C.F.R. §2.51(b) , the drawing in an intent-to-use application must be a substantially exact representation of the mark as intended to be used and as actually used, as shown on the specimen filed with the amendment to allege use. An applicant may not amend the mark in the original drawing if the amendment constitutes a material alteration of the mark. 37 C.F.R. §2.72(b)(2) ; TBMP §807.14–807.14(f). The same standards that apply to use applications in determining whether the specimens supports use of the mark and whether an amendment to the drawing can be permitted also apply to amendments to allege use.

Therefore, if the mark in the drawing filed with the original application is not a substantially exact representation of the mark as used on the specimen filed with the amendment to allege use, the examining attorney must require: (1) either submission of a new specimen or an amendment of the mark in the drawing to agree with the mark shown on the specimen, if such an amendment would not be a material alteration of the mark as shown in the original drawing; or (2) submission of a new specimen, if amendment of the mark would be a material alteration of the mark as shown in the original drawing. See 37 C.F.R. §2.72(b)(2) . See TBMP §807.14–807.14(f) regarding material alteration.

1104.10(b)(vii) Fees

While the payment of the fee for at least one class is enough to meet the minimum filing requirements for an amendment to allege use ( 37 C.F.R. §2.76(c)(1) ), the examining attorney must require payment of fees to cover all classes identified in the application before approving the amendment to allege use. The applicant may amend the identification to delete class(es).

If class(es) that do not broaden the scope of the identification are added to the application after the filing of the amendment to allege use, the examining attorney must require payment of the fee(s) for filing the amendment to allege use in the added class(es), in addition to the fee(s) required by 37 C.F.R. §2.6(a)(1) for adding class(es) to the application. See TMEP §1402.06 regarding amendments to the identification, §1402.07 regarding the scope of the identification for purposes of amendment, and §1403.02(c) regarding the amount of the fee(s) for adding class(es) to an application.

If the applicant submits a filing fee that is deficient (e.g., if the fee is charged to a deposit account with insufficient funds, a check is returned unpaid for a permitted paper filing ( see TMEP §301.02 ), or an EFT or credit card payment is refused or charged back by a financial institution), the examining attorney must require repayment of the fee before approving the amendment to allege use. In addition, when an EFT or credit card is refused or charged back, or a check is returned unpaid for a permitted paper filing, the examining attorney must require a processing fee under [37 C.F.R. §2.6(b)(10)(#) . This processing fee must be paid even if the applicant withdraws the amendment to allege use or deletes a class(es). See TMEP §405.06 regarding payments that are refused.

1104.11 Amendment and Withdrawal of Amendment to Allege Use

The applicant may amend the amendment to allege use to correct deficiencies or errors, to overcome a refusal, or to comply with a requirement.

The applicant may withdraw the amendment to allege use at any time before approval of the mark for publication. 37 C.F.R. §2.76(f) . The USPTO will not refund the fee for filing an amendment to allege use that is withdrawn (except as provided in TMEP §1104.04 ) and the fee cannot be applied toward another allegation of use filed after the amendment to allege use is withdrawn. The applicant may authorize the withdrawal via an examiner’s amendment.

To process the withdrawal, if the amendment to allege use is timely and meets the minimum filing requirements, it must first be accepted before it may be withdrawn. See TBMP §1104.01–1104.01(c) regarding minimum filing requirements for amendment to allege use, §1104.03–1104.03(c) regarding time for filing an amendment to allege use, and §1104.09 regarding acceptance of amendment to allege use that meets minimum filing requirements. And see TMEP §1109.17 regarding the prohibition against withdrawing a statement of use.

The withdrawn amendment to allege use, specimen(s), and any other materials filed with the amendment to allege use will remain part of the record. If, prior to publication, the applicant wishes to reassert use and amend the application to §1(a) after withdrawing an amendment to allege use, the applicant may not rely on the amendment to allege use that was withdrawn. Because the applicant expressly withdrew the prior amendment to allege use, it must file a new amendment to allege use in order to amend the basis to use in commerce.

If the applicant wishes to request withdrawal of an amendment to allege use during an ex parte appeal, the applicant should direct the request to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

If the applicant withdraws the amendment to allege use, the application will be processed as an intent-to-use application under 15 U.S.C. §1051(b) , subject to publication and issuance of a notice of allowance. After the notice of allowance issues, the applicant must file a statement of use under 15 U.S.C. §1051(d) . See TBMP §1109–1109.18 for information on statements of use.

If the amendment to allege use is withdrawn, the examining attorney will withdraw any requirements or refusals specifically related to use of the mark, such as objections related to the form of the verified statement itself, the agreement of the mark as used on the specimens with the mark shown on the drawing, or the use of the applied-for designation evidenced by the specimen. The examining attorney should also withdraw any requirement or refusal related to the execution of the amendment to allege use.

The examining attorney should maintain any requirement or refusal arising from the amendment to allege use not specifically related to the dates of use or use of the mark, such as refusals under 15 U.S.C. §1052(e)(1) through (e)(4) . The amendment to allege use, specimen(s), and any materials submitted with the amendment to allege use may be relied on to support refusals or requirements under these sections. Furthermore, if the amendment to allege use contains an amendment to the identification and the amended identification is acceptable and within the scope of the previous identification, the amended identification remains of record and replaces all previous identifications. TBMP §1104.10(b)(iii) , 1402.07(e) .

1105 Publication of Intent-to-Use Applications for Opposition

If an amendment to allege use has been submitted and accepted, the intent-to-use application is processed as a use application. If the examining attorney determines that the mark is entitled to registration, the examining attorney will approve the mark for publication and the mark will be published for opposition. If the application is not successfully opposed, the mark will register and the USPTO will issue a certificate of registration. 15 U.S.C. §1063(b)(1) ; 37 C.F.R. §2.81(a) .

If no amendment to allege use has been accepted for an intent-to-use application, and the examining attorney determines that the mark is entitled to registration but for the submission of an allegation of use, the examining attorney will approve the mark for publication and the mark will be published for opposition. If the application is not successfully opposed, the USPTO will issue a notice of allowance. 15 U.S.C. §1063(b)(2) ; 37 C.F.R. §2.81(b) .

1106 Notice of Allowance

1106.01 Issuance of the Notice of Allowance

Section 13(b)(2) of the Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. §1063(b)(2) , provides for issuance of a notice of allowance if a §1(b) application is published for opposition and is not successfully opposed. The notice of allowance in an intent-to-use application will issue about eight weeks after the date the mark was published. The USPTO does not publish any notification in the Trademark Official Gazette that a notice of allowance has been issued. The notice of allowance is a key document because its issue date establishes the due date for filing a statement of use. See 37 C.F.R. §2.88(a)(1) .

The accuracy of the information stated on the notice of allowance is important. If there are any errors in the notice of allowance, or if the applicant believes that the notice of allowance issued in error (e.g., because an amendment to allege use was previously approved by the USPTO or the filing basis of the application should not be designated as intent-to-use under §1(b)), the applicant should notify the ITU/Divisional Unit immediately by telephone. See TMEP §1106.04 . Currenttelephone numbers are posted on the USPTO website at https://www.uspto.gov .

If an applicant asserts other bases for registration in addition to §1(b), the USPTO will publish the mark for opposition and will issue a notice of allowance if there is no successful opposition. The identification of goods, services, or nature of the collective membership organization specified for all the bases will remain in the application pending the filing and approval of a statement of use for the goods/services/collective membership organization based on §1(b), unless the applicant files a request to divide, a request to delete the §1(b) goods/services/collective membership organization, or a request to delete the §1(b) basis when there is an additional basis for registration. See TMEP §806.04(a) regarding the deletion of a §1(b) basis after issuance of a notice of allowance, §1107 regarding amendments after notice of allowance, and §1110–1110.11(a) regarding requests to divide.

If the applicant fails to timely file a statement of use or a request for an extension of time to file a statement of use in response to a notice of allowance, the entire application will be abandoned unless, before the expiration of the deadline for filing the statement of use, the applicant files a request to divide, a request to delete the §1(b) goods/services/collective membership organization, or a request to delete the §1(b) basis when there is an additional basis for registration. 37 C.F.R. §2.88(a) , (k) ; TMEP §806.02(d) . For example, if all the goods/services are based on both §44(e) and §1(b), the failure to file a timely statement of use or extension request will result in the abandonment of the entire application. In such case, the applicant may file a petition to revive if the delay in filing the statement of use, extension request, or request to delete the §1(b) basis was unintentional. See TBMP §1714, 1714.01, 1714.01(b)–(g) .

1106.02 Action by Examining Attorney After Issuance of the Notice of Allowance

If, after issuance of the notice of allowance but before submission of the statement of use, the USPTO determines that a clear error ( see TMEP §706.01 ) was made in approving the mark for publication, the USPTO will cancel the notice of allowance and return the application to examination. The examining attorney will issue an appropriate Office action that includes the relevant requirement or refusal and informs the applicant of the cancellation of the notice of allowance. See TMEP §1106.03 regarding cancellation of the notice of allowance.

After the notice of allowance issues, the examining attorney has jurisdiction to act in the case. 37 C.F.R. §2.84(a) . Therefore, the examining attorney does not have to request jurisdiction to take an action, as would be required after publication but before the notice of allowance issues. See id. However, after a notice of allowance issues, the examining attorney should not make a refusal or requirement that could or should have been made during initial examination of the application unless the initial failure to make the refusal or requirement was a clear error. If the examining attorney determines that he or she must make a refusal or requirement after issuance of the notice of allowance that could or should have been made during initial examination, the examining attorney must consult with his/her managing attorney or senior attorney before taking the action. This must be done whether the action is to be taken before, during, or after examination of the statement of use, and regardless of whether the notice of allowance is cancelled. This applies to any refusal that arguably could or should have been made during initial examination, such as most refusals under §2(d) or §2(e)(1) of the Act.

Neither the Trademark Act nor the Trademark Rules of Practice restrict the USPTO from issuing a new requirement or new refusal at any time prior to registration. The USPTO has a duty to issue valid registrations and has broad authority to correct errors made by examining attorneys and other USPTO employees. See Last Best Beef LLC v. Dudas, 506 F.3d 333, 340, 84 USPQ2d 1699, 1704 (4th Cir. 2007) (“[F]ederal agencies, including the USPTO, have broad authority to correct their prior errors.”); see also BlackLight Power Inc. v. Rogan , 295 F.3d 1269, 63 USPQ2d 1534 (Fed. Cir. 2002) (concluding that USPTO officials acted within their authority to withdraw a patent from issuance in order to fulfill the USPTO’s mission to issue valid patents, even after issuance of a Notice of Allowance, payment of the issue fee and notification of the issue date, and with publication of the drawing and claim in the Trademark Official Gazette ).

Thus, if the USPTO discovers that a mistake was made during initial examination that would result in issuance of a registration in violation of the Trademark Act or applicable rules, the USPTO must issue any necessary requirements or refusals, even if they could or should have been raised during initial examination.

See TMEP §1109.08 regarding the issuance of refusals and requirements during examination of a statement of use.

1106.03 Cancellation of Notice of Allowance

If the USPTO cancels the notice of allowance before the filing or examination of the statement of use, the USPTO will refund any fees paid in conjunction with a statement of use or request(s) for extension(s) of time to file a statement of use, except where: (1)the applicant files a request to delete the §1(b) basis from a multiple-basis application ( see TMEP §806.04(a) ); or (2)the notice of allowance is cancelled as a result of an amendment to the filing basis after publication, pursuant to a petition to the Director ( see TMEP §806.03(j)(ii)) .

Cancellation of the notice of allowance is done by the ITU/Divisional Unit of the USPTO. To request that a notice of allowance be cancelled, a USPTO employee must send an email request to the ITU/Divisional Unit’s internal mailbox with a clear statement of the reason why the notice of allowance is being cancelled. The ITU staff will enter an appropriate Note to the File in the record, stating who requested the cancellation and why. When the notice of allowance is cancelled, the examining attorney must inform the applicant that this has been done.

When the notice of allowance is cancelled and reexamination is required, the application is returned to the examining attorney. The examining attorney does not have to request jurisdiction to issue an Office action. If an Office action issues and the applicant subsequently overcomes all refusals and complies with any requirements made in the Office action, the examining attorney must approve the mark for republication.

If the application is returned to initial examination, any statement of use previously submitted will remain in the record but will not be examined unless it is resubmitted with the required fee as an amendment to allege use or statement of use at the appropriate time.

If the applicant files a statement of use or request for an extension of time to file a statement of use after the notice of allowance has been cancelled, the ITU/Divisional Unit will inform the applicant in writing that the statement of use or extension request is untimely, and will refund the filing fee.

1106.04 Correction of Errors in Notice of Allowance

When the applicant receives a notice of allowance, the applicant should check the accuracy of the information. If there are any errors in the notice of allowance, the applicant should notify the ITU/Divisional Unit of the USPTO immediately by telephone. Current telephone numbers are posted on the USPTO website at https://www.uspto.gov .

Correction of USPTO Error

If an error in the notice of allowance was the result of a USPTO error (e.g., entering data incorrectly or failing to enter a timely filed amendment), the USPTO will determine whether the change requires republication. If necessary, the ITU staff will contact the examining attorney by email to approve the change and determine whether republication is required.

If the change may be made without republication, the ITU staff will make the correction and issue a corrected notice of allowance. The USPTO will not issue a new notice of allowance or otherwise change the time for filing a statement of use .

If republication is required, and no action by the examining attorney that requires a response is necessary, the ITU staff will make the correction, cancel the notice of allowance, and refund any fees paid for filing a statement of use or request(s) for extension of time to file a statement of use. The application will then be scheduled for republication. If the application is not successfully opposed, the USPTO will issue a new notice of allowance.

If the examining attorney must issue an Office action that requires a response as a result of the requested correction, the ITU staff will cancel the notice of allowance, refund any fees paid for filing a statement of use or request(s) for extension of time to file a statement of use, and forward the application to the examining attorney for further action.

Correction of Applicant’s Error

If an error in the notice of allowance is the result of an applicant’s error (e.g., providing incorrect information in the application or in an amendment to the application), the applicant must file a written amendment using the TEAS Post-Approval/Publication/Post-Notice of Allowance (NOA) Amendment form, which will be processed like any other amendment filed after issuance of the notice of allowance and before filing of the statement of use. See TMEP §1107.

1107 Amendment After Issuance of the Notice of Allowance and Before Filing of the Statement of Use

Generally, the only amendments that may be entered in an application between the issuance of the notice of allowance and the submission of a statement of use are: (1)the deletion of specified goods or services, or the entire description of the nature of the collective membership organization, from the identification; (2) the deletion of a basis in a multiple-basis application; and (3) changes of attorney and changes of address. See 37 C.F.R. §2.77(a) .

The “deletion of specified goods or services, or the entire description of the nature of the collective membership organization,” within the meaning of 37 C.F.R. §2.77(a)(1) , means the elimination of an existing entry in an identification in its entirety. Deletion is distinct from other types of amendments to modify or limit an identification, such as amendments to limit the goods/services as to types, channels of trade or classes of purchasers, or to restrict an existing item in scope by the introduction of some qualifying language, or the substitution of specific terms for more general terms.

Although 37 C.F.R. §2.77(a)(2) permits the deletion of a basis in a multiple-basis application after issuance of the notice of allowance, an applicant cannot delete a §1(b) basis if the only other basis is §44(d). Section 44(d) of the Trademark Act provides only a basis for receipt of a priority filing date, not a basis for publication or registration. See TMEP §1003.03 . In such situations, the applicant may request deletion of the §1(b) basis only by filing a petition to allow consideration of an amendment to a §44(e) filing basis. 37 C.F.R. §2.35(b)(2) . The request must be filed using the TEAS Petition to Change the Filing Basis After Publication form, unless a paper submission is permitted ( see TMEP §301.02 ). See TMEP §806.03(j)(ii) .

The USPTO will enter other amendments during this period only with the express permission of the Director, after consideration on petition under 37 C.F.R. §2.146 . If the Director determines that the amendment requires review by the examining attorney, the petition will be denied and the amendment may be resubmitted with the statement of use in order for the applicant to preserve its right to review. 37 C.F.R. §2.77(b) ; TMEP §1107.01 . The petition must be accompanied by the fee required by 37 C.F.R. §2.6 . See TMEP Chapter 1700 regarding petitions.

The filing of an amendment after issuance of the notice of allowance does not extend the deadline for filing a statement of use or request for an extension of time to file a statement of use.

See TMEP §1106.04 regarding correction of errors in a notice of allowance, §806.04(a) regarding the deletion of a §1(b) basis after issuance of a notice of allowance, and §806.03(j)(ii) regarding amendments to add or substitute a basis between issuance of the notice of allowance and filing the statement of use.

1107.01 Examination of Amendment Filed After the Notice of Allowance Issues but Before a Statement of Use Is Filed

As noted in TMEP §1107 , an applicant may file a petition to the Director under 37 C.F.R. §2.146 to permit an amendment to be entered (other than an amendment deleting a basis or deleting specified goods/services) during the period between the issuance of a notice of allowance and the filing of a statement of use. If the Director determines that the amendment requires review by the examining attorney, the petition will be denied and the amendment may be resubmitted with the statement of use in order for the applicant to preserve its right to review. 37 C.F.R. §2.77(b) .

The granting of a petition to enter an amendment between issuance of the notice of allowance and filing of the statement of use does not extend the deadline for filing a statement of use or request for an extension of time to file a statement of use. Regardless of whether an applicant has received a response to a proposed amendment, the applicant must file its extension request or statement of use when it becomes due. The extension request or statement of use may refer to the proposed amendment.

1108 Requests for Extensions of Time to File the Statement of Use

Section 1(d) of the Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. §1051(d) , requires that a statement of use be filed within six months after the issuance of the notice of allowance, or before the expiration of a previously granted extension of time to file a statement of use. 37 C.F.R. §2.88(a)(1) . If the mark is not in use in commerce before the expiration of the six-month period following the issuance of the notice of allowance, the applicant must file a request for an extension of time to file a statement of use within the six-month period to avoid abandonment of the application. See 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(4) ; 37 C.F.R. §2.89 .

The first six-month extension may be requested without a showing of good cause. Up to four additional six-month extensions may be requested; each must include a showing of good cause. 37 C.F.R. §2.89(c) ; see 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(2) . Thus, the total time available for filing the statement of use may not be extended beyond thirty-six months from the issuance date of the notice of allowance. See 15 U.S.C. §1051(d) .

Applicants must file extension requests through the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) at https://teas.uspto.gov , unless an exception to the requirement to file electronically applies. See 37 C.F.R. §2.23(a) ; TMEP §301.01 . See TMEP §301.02 regarding the limited exceptions for paper submissions. Extension requests are processed by the ITU/Divisional Unit of the USPTO.

1108.01 Time for Filing Requests for Extensions of Time to File the Statement of Use

Under 15 U.S.C. §1051(d) , the applicant must file an extension request within six months of the issuance date of the notice of allowance, or before the expiration of a previously granted extension; otherwise the application is abandoned. 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(4) ; 37 C.F.R. §2.65(c) , 2.88(k) , 2.89(a)–(b) .

Extensions of time are granted in six-month increments. 37 C.F.R. §2.89(a)-(c) . Only one extension request may be filed in each six-month extension period that has been granted. See id. The first extension request must be filed within six months of the date the notice of allowance issued. 37 C.F.R. §2.89(a) . The second and subsequent extension requests must be filed before the expiration of the previously granted extension period. 37 C.F.R. §2.89(b) . The total time available for filing the statement of use may not be extended beyond thirty-six months from the issue date of the notice of allowance. 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(1)-(2) ; 37 C.F.R. §2.89(e)(1) . If a statement of use is not filed by the end of thirty-six months, the application will be abandoned and cannot be revived. See 37 C.F.R. §2.88(k) .

One extension request may be filed with or after a statement of use is filed (sometimes called an “insurance” extension request), if there is time remaining in the existing six-month period during which the statement of use was filed. 37 C.F.R. §2.89(e) . Granting the extension request may not extend the time for filing the statement of use more than thirty-six months beyond the issuance of the notice of allowance. 37 C.F.R. §2.89(e)(1) . See TMEP §1108.03 regarding filing an “insurance” extension request.

An applicant will receive the full benefit of each extension period before a subsequent extension period will begin to run. The six-month period following the issuance of the notice of allowance, or any subsequent six-month extension period, will not be cut short by the grant of an extension request. No extension will be granted for more than six months. 37 C.F.R. §2.89(a) , (c) .

Example: The following table presents an example of the complete timeline for filing five extension requests that meet the requirements of 15 U.S.C. §1051(d) and 37 C.F.R. §2.89 .

The USPTO will notify the applicant of the grant or denial of an extension request, and of the reasons for a denial. 37 C.F.R. §2.89(g) . However, failure to notify the applicant of the grant or denial of an extension request before the expiration of the requested extension does not relieve the applicant of the duty to file a statement of use or further extension request. Id.

Under 37 C.F.R. §2.195(a) , an extension request filed through TEAS is considered to have been filed on the date the USPTO receives the transmission (Eastern Time), regardless of whether that date is a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday within the District of Columbia. TMEP §303.01 . When an extension request is filed electronically, TEAS almost immediately displays a “Success” page that confirms receipt. TMEP §301.01(a) This page is evidence of filing should any question arise as to the filing date of the extension request, and it may be printed or copied-and-pasted into an electronic record for storage. TEAS also separately sends an email acknowledgement of receipt, which includes a summary of the filed information. Id.

Permitted paper filing. A permitted paper extension request ( see TMEP §301.02 ), is considered timely if it is received in the USPTO by the due date or mailed by the due date in accordance with 37 C.F.R. §2.197 (certificate of mailing) or 37 C.F.R. §2.198 (Priority Mail Express®). See TBMP §305.02–305.02(h) regarding certificate of mailing procedures and §305.03–305.03(e) regarding Priority Mail Express®.

1108.02 Requirements for Request for an Extension of Time to File a Statement of Use

First Extension Request

The first request for an extension of time to file a statement of use must include: (1)a written extension request from the applicant, before expiration of the six-month period following issuance of the notice of allowance; (2) the prescribed fee for each class; and (3)a verification or declaration properly signed (see TMEP §611.03(a) regarding who may sign a verification) and stating that, for a trademark or service mark, the applicant has a continued bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce, for a collective or certification mark, the applicant has a continued bona fide intention, and is entitled, to exercise legitimate control over the use of the mark in commerce, and specify the relevant goods/services/collective membership organization identified in the notice of allowance. 37 C.F.R. §2.89(a) .

Second and Subsequent Extension Requests

A second or subsequent extension request must be submitted before expiration of a previously granted extension of time and must include: (1)a written extension request from the applicant; (2) the prescribed fee for each class; (3)a verification or declaration properly signed (see TMEP §611.03(a) regarding who may sign a verification) and stating that, for a trademark or service mark, the applicant has a continued bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce, for a collective or certification mark, the applicant has a continued bona fide intention, and is entitled, to exercise legitimate control over the use of the mark in commerce, and specify the relevant goods/services/collective membership organization identified in the notice of allowance; and (4) a showing of good cause, as required by 37 C.F.R. §2.89(d) . 37 C.F.R. §2.89(b) . Extensions of time under 37 C.F.R. §2.89(b) (i.e., second and subsequent extension requests) are granted in six-month increments and may not aggregate more than 24 months. 37 C.F.R. §2.89(c) .

1108.02(a) Ownership

The party filing the extension request must be the owner of the application, i.e., the person or entity who is entitled to use or exercise legitimate control over the use of the mark, at the time of filing. See 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(2) ; 37 C.F.R. §2.89(a)(3) , (b)(3) . If the party filing the extension request is not the owner of record, the request should include either a statement that the assignment or other document of title is recorded (or filed for recordation) in the Assignment Recordation Branch of the USPTO, or other evidence that the party filing the extension request is the owner of the application in accordance with 37 C.F.R. §3.71(d) and §3.73(b) . ( Note: An application under §1(b) cannot be assigned before the applicant files an allegation of use, except to a successor to the applicant’s business, or portion of the business to which the mark pertains. See TMEP §501.01(a) .)

If the extension request is filed by someone other than the owner of record and does not include the necessary evidence of ownership, the ITU staff will issue an Office action denying the request. If the party who filed the extension request was the owner at the time of filing, the applicant may submit evidence to establish the chain of title after expiration of the statutory filing period, within the time provided in the Office action advising the applicant of the denial.

To establish ownership, the new owner must either: (1) record an assignment or other document of title with the Assignment Recordation Branch, and state in the response to the Office action that the document has been recorded; or (2)submit other evidence of ownership, in the form of a document transferring ownership from one party to another or an explanation, supported by an affidavit or declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20 that a valid transfer of legal title has occurred. 37 C.F.R. §3.73(b)(1) ; TMEP §502.01 . The USPTO recommends that requests to record documents with the Assignment Recordation Branch be filed through Electronic Trademark Assignment System (ETAS) at https://etas.uspto.gov .

If an extension request is filed by the owner, but there is a minor error in the manner in which the name of the owner is set out, the mistake may be corrected by amendment. See TMEP §1201.02(c) for examples of correctable and non-correctable errors.

If the party who filed the extension request was not the owner at the time of filing, the true owner may not file a substitute extension request unless there is time remaining in the statutory period for filing the extension request. Cf. In re Colombo Inc., 33 USPQ2d 1530, 1531 (Comm’r Pats. 1994) (indicating that a statement of use filed by the wrong party cannot be corrected with a properly signed verification unless it is submitted within the statutory period for filing the statement of use). See TMEP §1108.05 for applicant's recourse if an extension request is denied.

If the applicant notifies the ITU/Divisional Unit during the processing of an extension request that an assignment or other document of title has been recorded, and there is a clear chain of title, the ITU staff will update the owner of record in the Trademark database. See 37 C.F.R. §3.85 and TMEP §502.02(a) regarding the issuance of a registration certificate in the name of a new owner, and §504 regarding the circumstances in which the “Ownership” field in the Trademark database will be automatically updated after recordation of a document with the Assignment Recordation Branch, even if the new owner does not notify the Trademark Operation that the document has been recorded.

1108.02(b) Verification and Date of Execution

The verification must be properly signed. See 37 C.F.R. §2.89(a)(3) , (b)(3) . See 37 C.F.R. §2.193(e)(1) and TMEP §611.03(a) regarding who may sign a verification. If the extension request is unsigned or signed by the wrong party, a properly signed substitute verification must be submitted before the expiration of the deadline for filing the statement of use. 37 C.F.R. §2.89(a)(3) , (b)(3) .

If the extension request is not filed within a reasonable time after its execution, the USPTO may require a substitute verification or declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20 that the applicant has a continued bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce, for a trademark or service mark, or that the applicant has a continued bona fide intention, and is entitled, to exercise legitimate control over the use of the mark in commerce, for a collective or certification mark. 37 C.F.R. §2.89(h) ; see TMEP §804.03 (defining a “reasonable time” for filing after execution of documents submitted in a Section 1 application).

See TBMP §611-611.06(h) regarding signature on correspondence filed with the USPTO.

1108.02(c) Fees

A filing fee sufficient to cover at least one class must be submitted within the statutory time for filing the extension request, or the request will be denied. 37 C.F.R. §2.89(a)(2) , (b)(2) . In a multiple-class application, if the applicant files a fee sufficient to pay for at least one class, but insufficient to cover all the classes, the ITU staff will issue a notice of fee deficiency allowing the applicant thirty days to remit the amount by which the fee is deficient or specify the class(es) to be abandoned. If the USPTO does not receive a timely response to a fee deficiency letter, the USPTO will apply the fees paid beginning with the lowest-numbered class(es) in ascending order, and will delete from the application the remaining class(es) not covered by the submitted fees. 37 C.F.R. §2.89(a)(2) , (b)(2) .

If the filing fee for at least a single class is omitted or is deficient (e.g., if the fee is charged to a deposit account with insufficient funds, an EFT or credit card payment is refused or charged back by a financial institution, or a check is returned unpaid for a permitted paper filing ( see TMEP §301.02 ), the fee for at least one class must be submitted before the expiration of the statutory filing period. See 37 C.F.R. §2.89(a)(2) , (b)(2) . If the extension request was not accompanied by an authorization to charge deficient fee(s) to a deposit account (37 C.F.R. §2.208) that has sufficient funds to cover the fee, and the applicant does not resubmit the fee before expiration of the statutory deadline, the extension request will be denied and the application will be abandoned. See 37 C.F.R. §2.89(a)(2) , (b)(2) . In addition, when an EFT or credit card is refused or charged back or a check is returned unpaid for a permitted paper filing, the applicant must pay the processing fee required by [37 C.F.R. §2.6(b)(10)(#) . See TMEP §405.06 regarding payments that are refused or charged back.

1108.02(d) Identification of Goods/Services

In an extension request, the applicant must identify or reference the goods/services on or in connection with which the applicant has a continued bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce. 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(2) ; 37 C.F.R. §2.89(a)(3) , (b)(3) . The goods/services identified in the extension request must conform to those identified in the notice of allowance. 37 C.F.R. §2.89(f) . If the applicant wants to delete goods/services from the application, the applicant should clearly specify those goods/services to be deleted.

The applicant may incorporate by reference the goods/services listed in the notice of allowance. See 37 C.F.R. §2.89(f) . This is advisable where applicant intends to retain all the goods/services identified in the notice of allowance to avoid the possibility that goods/services may be inadvertently omitted. Thus, the applicant may specify all the goods/services in the notice of allowance by electing the TEAS form option that covers “all the goods/services listed in the Notice of Allowance” for a trademark or service mark, and covers “the goods/services/collective membership organization listed in the Notice of Allowance” for a collective/certification mark.

If the applicant lists the goods/services with specificity in the extension request, and omits any goods/services that were listed in the notice of allowance, the USPTO will presume these goods/services to be deleted. 37 C.F.R. §2.89(f) . The applicant may not thereafter request that the goods/services be reinserted in the application. Id. In this situation, the applicant cannot file a petition under 37 C.F.R. §2.66 , claiming unintentional delay in filing an extension request for the omitted goods/services.

Permitted paper filings. If an extension request permitted to be filed on paper ( see TMEP §301.02 ) fails to identify the goods/services on or in connection with which the applicant has a continued bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce, the ITU staff will assume that the applicant has a continued bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce on or in connection with all the goods/services identified in the notice of allowance, and will grant the extension request, if it meets all other requirements of 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(2) and 37 C.F.R. §2.89 . In re Omega-3 Mktg., Inc., 35 USPQ2d 1158, 1159 (Comm’r Pats. 1994).

If the paper-filed extension request lists goods/services to be deleted and the result would be to delete all of the goods/services in the notice of allowance, or if the applicant fails to identify or incorporate by reference any goods/services, the USPTO will presume this was a clerical error. Applicant will be allowed to correct the mistake. The ITU staff will issue a letter noting that no goods/services were specified or incorporated by reference in the extension request, and granting applicant thirty days in which to submit a verified statement clarifying the goods/services. However, if by mistake the applicant lists goods/services to be deleted and removal does not result in the deletion of all goods/services, the goods/services specifically listed will be deleted and may not later be reinserted.

See TMEP §1107 regarding amendments to the identification of goods/services filed between the issuance of the notice of allowance and the filing date of the statement of use.

1108.02(d)(1) Identification of Collective Membership Organization

In an extension request for a collective membership mark, the applicant must, in lieu of goods or services, instead identify or reference the nature of the collective membership organization in connection with which the applicant has a continued bona fide intention, and is entitled, to exercise legitimate control over the use of the mark in commerce. 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(2) ; 37 C.F.R. §2.89(a)(3) , (b)(3) . The collective membership organization identified in the extension request must conform to the notice of allowance. 37 C.F.R. §2.89(f) .

Permitted paper filings. If an extension request permitted to be filed on paper ( see TMEP §301.02 ) fails to identify the goods/services/collective membership organization with which the applicant has a continued bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce, the ITU staff will assume that the applicant has a continued bona fide intention, and entitlement, to exercise legitimate control over the use of the mark in commerce on or in connection with all the goods/services/collective membership organization identified in the notice of allowance, and will grant the extension request, if it meets all other requirements of 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(2) and 37 C.F.R. §2.89 . In re Omega-3 Mktg., Inc., 35 USPQ2d 1158, 1159 (Comm’r Pats. 1994).

1108.02(e) Bona Fide Intention to Use the Mark in Commerce

Trademarks and Service Marks

A request for an extension of time to file a statement of use must include a verified statement that the applicant has a continued bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce on or in connection with the goods/services identified in the notice of allowance. 37 C.F.R. §2.89(a)(3) , (b)(3) . The USPTO will accept an allegation of actual use in commerce as meeting the requirement for an allegation of bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce in an extension request. In re Vitamin Beverage Corp ., 37 USPQ2d 1537, 1539 (Comm’r Pats. 1995).

This is a statutory requirement that must be satisfied before expiration of the statutory period for filing the extension request. 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(2) ; In re Custom Techs., Inc. , 24 USPQ2d 1712 (Comm’r Pats. 1991).

See TMEP §1101 for additional information about the requirement for an allegation of the applicant’s bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce.

Collective Marks and Certification Marks

For a collective trademark, collective service mark, collective membership mark, or certification mark filed under Section 1(b) of the Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. §1051(b) , a request for an extension of time to file a statement of use must include a verified statement that the applicant has a continued bona fide intention, and is entitled, to exercise legitimate control over the use of the mark in commerce because use of these types of marks is by someone other than the actual owner. 37 C.F.R. §2.44(a)(4)(ii) , 2.45(a)(4)(ii)(C) ; TBMP §1303.01(b)(i) , 1304.02(b)(i) , 1306.02(b)(i) . The USPTO will accept an allegation of actual use in commerce as meeting this requirement. Cf. In re Vitamin Beverage Corp. , 37 USPQ2d 1537, 1539 (Comm’r Pats. 1995).

This is a statutory requirement that must be satisfied before expiration of the statutory period for filing the extension request. 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(2) ; cf. In re Custom Techs., Inc. , 24 USPQ2d 1712 (Comm’r Pats. 1991).

See TMEP §1101 for additional information about the requirement for an allegation that the applicant has a bona fide intention, and is entitled, to exercise legitimate control over the use of the mark in commerce.

1108.02(f) Good Cause Required for Extensions Beyond the First Six-month Extension –Trademarks and Service Marks

No showing of good cause is required in a first request for an extension of time to file a statement of use, but each subsequent extension request must include a showing of good cause. See 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(2) ; 37 C.F.R. §2.89(a) , (b)(4) , (d) . A showing of good cause for a trademark or service mark must include a statement of the applicant’s ongoing efforts to make use of the mark in commerce on or in connection with each of the goods/services covered by the extension request. 37 C.F.R. §2.89(d) . Efforts to use the mark in commerce may include product or service research or development, market research, manufacturing activities, promotional activities, steps to acquire distributors, steps to obtain required governmental approval, or other similar activities, such as efforts to secure funding. Id. In the alternative, a satisfactory explanation for the failure to make such efforts may be submitted. Id. Examples of activities that would not be acceptable to show good cause include physical illness or disability and lack of staff and resources due to economic downturn.

A mere assertion that the applicant is engaged in ongoing efforts is not sufficient; the efforts must be specified. In re Comdial Corp ., 32 USPQ2d 1863, 1864 (Comm’r Pats. 1993). However, the USPTO will not require a detailed explanation or evidence in a showing of good cause. The statement concerning good cause should refer to the types of activities listed in the rule or other similar types of activities. For example, the applicant may simply state that the applicant is engaged in manufacturing and promotional activities.

The applicant may also satisfy the requirement for a showing of good cause by asserting that the applicant believes it has made valid use of the mark in commerce and (1) is in the process of preparing a statement of use but may need additional time to file it, or (2) is concurrently filing a statement of use but is requesting the extension of time to file a statement of use in case the USPTO finds the original statement of use to be fatally defective. However, such a statement will be accepted only once as a statement of the applicant’s ongoing efforts to make use of the mark in commerce. Repetition of these same allegations in a subsequent extension request is not, without more, deemed to be a statement of the applicant’s ongoing efforts, as required by 37 C.F.R. §2.89(d) . In re SPARC Int’l Inc., 33 USPQ2d 1479, 1480 (Comm’r Pats. 1993). If these allegations are repeated, the extension request will be denied.

If an extension request does not include a showing of good cause, or if the showing of good cause in an extension request is deemed insufficient, the ITU staff will issue an Office action denying the extension request but granting the applicant thirty days to overcome the denial by submitting a verified showing of good cause (or a substitute extension request that includes a showing of good cause). This showing may be submitted even if the statutory period for filing the statement of use has expired.

See TMEP §1108.02(g) for information regarding good cause in an extension request for a collective mark and §1108.02(h) for information regarding good cause in an extension request for a certification mark.

1108.02(g) Good Cause Required for Extensions Beyond the First Six-month Extension – Collective Marks

No showing of good cause is required in a first request for an extension of time to file a statement of use, but each subsequent extension request must include a showing of good cause. See 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(2) ; 37 C.F.R. §2.89(a) , (b)(4) , (d) . A showing of good cause for a collective trademark, collective service mark, or collective membership mark must include a statement of ongoing efforts to make use of the mark in commerce by members on or in connection with each of the relevant goods/services/collective membership organization covered by the extension request. Efforts to use the mark in commerce may include the development of standards, steps taken to acquire members such as marketing or promotional activities targeted to potential members, training members regarding standards, and other similar activities. 37 C.F.R. §2.89(d)(2) . In the alternative, a satisfactory explanation for the failure to make such efforts may be submitted. Id.

If an extension request does not include a showing of good cause, or if the showing of good cause in an extension request is deemed insufficient, the ITU staff will issue an Office action denying the extension request but granting the applicant thirty days to overcome the denial by submitting a verified showing of good cause (or a substitute extension request that includes a showing of good cause). This showing may be submitted even if the statutory period for filing the statement of use has expired.

See TMEP §1108.02(f) for general information regarding good cause in an extension request and §1108.02(h) for information regarding good cause in an extension request for a certification mark.

1108.02(h) Good Cause Required for Extensions Beyond the First Six-month Extension – Certification Marks

No showing of good cause is required in a first request for an extension of time to file a statement of use, but each subsequent extension request must include a showing of good cause. See 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(2) ; 37 C.F.R. §2.89(a) , (b)(4) , (d) . A showing of good cause for a certification mark must include a statement of ongoing efforts to make use of the mark in commerce by authorized users on or in connection with each of the relevant goods or services covered by the extension request. Efforts to use the mark in commerce may include the development of certification standards, steps taken to obtain governmental approval or acquire authorized users, marketing and promoting the recognition of the certification program or of the goods or services that meet the certification standards of the applicant, training authorized users regarding the standards, or other similar activities. 37 C.F.R. §2.89(d)(3) . In the alternative, a satisfactory explanation for the failure to make such efforts may be submitted. Id.

If an extension request does not include a showing of good cause, or if the showing of good cause in an extension request is deemed insufficient, the ITU staff will issue an Office action denying the extension request but granting the applicant thirty days to overcome the denial by submitting a verified showing of good cause (or a substitute extension request that includes a showing of good cause). This showing may be submitted even if the statutory period for filing the statement of use has expired.

See TMEP §1108.02(f) for general information regarding good cause in an extension request for a trademark or service mark and §1108.02(g) for information regarding good cause in an extension request for a collective mark.

1108.03 Only One Extension Request May Be Filed with or After a Statement of Use – “Insurance” Extension Request

An applicant may file a request for an extension of time to file a statement of use with a statement of use, or after filing the statement of use if there is time remaining in the existing six-month period in which the statement of use was filed, provided that granting the extension request would not extend the time for filing the statement of use more than thirty-six months beyond the issuance of the notice of allowance. 37 C.F.R. §2.89(e)(1) . The applicant may not request any further extensions of time after this request . Id.

The purpose of such an extension request, also called an “insurance” extension request, is to secure additional time to correct any deficiency in the statement of use that must be corrected before the expiration of the deadline for filing the statement of use. See TMEP §1109.16(a) regarding the deficiencies that must be cured before expiration of the statutory filing period, such as specimen issues. Consider the following examples:

Example: If the notice of allowance was issued February 6, 2009, and the applicant files a statement of use on August 6, 2009 (but does not file an “insurance” extension request), the applicant has until August 6, 2009 to cure any deficiency that must be corrected before the expiration of the statutory period for filing the statement of use. After August 6, 2009, it is too late to file an “insurance” extension request, because no time remains in the existing six-month period in which the statement of use was filed.

Example: If the notice of allowance was issued February 6, 2009, the applicant could file a statement of use, together with an “insurance” extension request, on or before August 6, 2009. If the extension request were granted, this would give the applicant until February 6, 2010 to cure any deficiency that must be corrected before the expiration of the statutory filing period. No further extension request may be filed.

Example: If the notice of allowance was issued February 6, 2009, and the applicant filed a statement of use on February 7, 2009, the applicant could file an “insurance” extension request within the time remaining in the existing six-month period in which the statement of use was filed, i.e., on or before August 6, 2009. If the request were granted, this would give the applicant until February 6, 2010 to cure any deficiency that must be corrected before the expiration of the statutory filing period. No further extension request may be filed.

Example: If the notice of allowance was issued February 6, 2009, and the applicant files a request for an extension of time to file a statement of use on August 6, 2009, the applicant has until February 6, 2010 to file a statement of use or a second extension request. If the applicant files a statement of use, together with an “insurance” extension request, on or before February 6, 2010, and the extension request is granted, the applicant would have until August 6, 2010 to cure any deficiency that must be corrected before the expiration of the statutory filing period. No further extension request may be filed.

An “insurance” extension request filed with or after a statement of use must meet all relevant requirements, including payment of the applicable fee. If the request is not the first request for an extension of time, and thus a showing of good cause is required, the applicant may satisfy the requirement for a showing of good cause by asserting that the applicant believes that valid use of the mark in commerce has been made, as evidenced by the statement of use, but that if the statement of use is found to be fatally defective, the applicant will need additional time to correct defects or file a substitute statement of use. 37 C.F.R. §2.89(e)(2) ; TMEP §1108.02(f) .

The filing fee for the “insurance” extension request will not be refunded, even if the extension is not needed to perfect the statement of use.

In a multiple-class application, the “insurance” extension request must cover all the classes stated in the notice of allowance. If the applicant intends to submit an “insurance” extension request for less than all the classes, the applicant must either (1) identify in the extension request the classes being deleted or (2) submit a request to divide for those classes that will retain the §1(b) filing basis and a separate extension request for those classes. See TBMP §1110–1110.11(a) regarding a request to divide an application and §1110.07 regarding dividing an application when the statement of use is due. If the applicant does not comply with these requirements, the ITU staff will contact the applicant to clarify the deficiencies and process the “insurance” extension request accordingly. If the ITU staff issues a letter regarding the deficiencies and the applicant fails to respond within the time permitted, the “insurance” extension request will not be processed.

If the applicant files an “insurance” extension request in conjunction with a statement of use, and the applicant submits fees sufficient for one but not both filings, the USPTO will apply the fees as follows: (1) if there is enough money to cover the extension request, the USPTO will apply the fees to the extension request to avoid abandonment of the application; or (2) if there is enough money to cover the statement of use, but not enough to cover the extension request, the USPTO will apply the fees to the statement of use. See TMEP §1110.07 regarding the application of fees when an applicant submits a request to divide along with an extension request and statement of use.

If an applicant files an “insurance” extension request with a statement of use and the extension request is defective, the ITU staff will deny the request and advise the applicant of the reason for denial. If the statement of use meets the minimum requirements for examination on the merits, the ITU staff will then forward the application to the examining attorney. If there is time remaining in the current period for filing a statement of use, the applicant may file a substitute extension request.

See TMEP §1108.03(a) regarding the processing of an extension request after a statement of use has been referred to an examining attorney.

1108.03(a) Processing Extension Request Filed After Statement of Use Has Been Referred to Examining Attorney

Under 37 C.F.R. §2.89(e)(1) , an applicant may file a request for an extension of time to file a statement of use after filing a statement of use if: (1) there is time remaining in the existing six-month period in which the statement of use was filed; (2) no extension request was filed together with the statement of use; and (3) granting the extension would not extend the time for filing the statement of use more than thirty-six months beyond the issuance of the notice of allowance. See TMEP §1108.03 .

When an extension request is filed after the statement of use has been referred to the examining attorney, the request will be referred to the examining attorney. The USPTO will not examine the extension request unless the applicant needs the extension to perfect the statement of use.

If the examining attorney issues a requirement or refusal based on the statement of use, the examining attorney should note in the Office action that the extension request is being referred to the ITU/Divisional Unit for processing of the extension request. The filing of such an extension request is not in itself a proper response to an outstanding Office action, and does not extend the time for responding to an outstanding Office action. See TMEP §1109.16(c), (d) . If the examining attorney does not issue a requirement or refusal based on the statement of use, the USPTO will not take formal action on the extension request.

The USPTO will not refund the filing fee for the extension request, even if the extension is not needed to perfect the statement of use.

1108.04 Recourse After Denial of Extension Request

If an extension request is denied, the applicant will be notified of the reason(s) for the denial.

To avoid abandonment of the application, the applicant must meet the minimum requirements for filing the extension request on or before the deadline for filing a statement of use.

If the USPTO denies the extension request because the applicant failed to meet minimum filing requirements on or before the statutory deadline, and there is time remaining in the applicant’s existing period for filing the statement of use, the applicant may file the statement of use and/or a substitute extension request. Otherwise, the applicant’s only recourse after denial of the extension request is a petition under 37 C.F.R. §2.89(g) and 2.146 , or a petition to revive under 37 C.F.R. §2.66 , if appropriate. See TMEP §1108.05 regarding petitions that may be filed after the denial of an extension request.

For a trademark or service mark, the minimum filing requirements for an extension request that must be satisfied before expiration of the statutory deadline are: (1) a verification or declaration properly signed (see TMEP §611.03(a) regarding who may sign a verification) and stating that the applicant has a continued bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce; (2) an identification of the goods/services on or in connection with which the applicant has a continued bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce; and (3) payment of the prescribed fee for at least one class of goods or services. In re El Taurino Rest., Inc ., 41 USPQ2d 1220, 1222 (Comm’r Pats. 1996).

For a collective mark or certification mark, the minimum filing requirements for an extension request that must be satisfied before expiration of the statutory deadline are: (1) a verification or declaration properly signed (see TMEP §611.03(a) regarding who may sign a verification) and stating that the applicant has a continued bona fide intention, and is entitled, to exercise legitimate control over the use of the mark in commerce; (2) an identification of the goods/services/collective membership organization on or in connection with which the applicant has a continued bona fide intention, and is entitled, to exercise legitimate control over the use of the mark in commerce; and (3) payment of the prescribed fee for at least one class of goods or services. Cf. In re El Taurino Rest., Inc. , 41 USPQ2d 1220, 1222 (Comm’r Pats. 1996).

1108.05 Petitions from Denial of Request for an Extension of Time to File a Statement of Use

If an extension request is denied, and there is no time remaining in the statutory filing period, the application is abandoned. Applicant’s recourse is as follows:

• Petition to Revive Under 37 C.F.R. §2.66 . If the applicant unintentionally failed to comply with the minimum filing requirements (see TMEP §1108.04 for a list of these requirements), the applicant may file a petition to revive under 37 C.F.R. §2.66 , by not later than two months after the issue date of the denial of the extension request or the notice of abandonment or two months after the date of actual knowledge of the abandonment and not later than six months after the date the Trademark electronic records system indicates that the application is abandoned, where the applicant declares under §2.20 or 28 U.S.C. §1746 that it did not receive the notice of abandonment. The petition must include the fee required by 37 C.F.R. §2.6 . See TBMP §1714–1714.01(g) regarding petitions to revive.
• Request for Reinstatement Under 37 C.F.R. §2.64 . If the applicant has proof that shows on its face that the extension request met the minimum requirements when filed, the applicant may request reinstatement under 37 C.F.R. §2.64 by not later than two months after the issue date of the denial of the extension request or the notice of abandonment or two months after the date of actual knowledge of the abandonment and not later than six months after the date the Trademark electronic records system indicates that the application is abandoned, where the applicant declares under §2.20 or 28 U.S.C. §1746 that it did not receive the notice of abandonment. For example, if the extension request is denied due to the omission of a fee, and the applicant has proof that shows on its face that the fee was included, the applicant may request reinstatement. No fee is required for the reinstatement request. See TMEP §1712 regarding requests for reinstatement.
• Petition Under 37 C.F.R. §2.146. The applicant may file a petition under 37 C.F.R. §2.146 if the applicant believes that the ITU staff’s denial of an extension request was improper (e.g., if applicant contends that the extension request actually met the requirements of 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(2) and 37 C.F.R. §2.89 , but was improperly denied). 37 C.F.R. §2.89(g) , 2.146(a)(3) . For example, the applicant might file a petition claiming that the denial was improper if the ITU staff denied an extension request because the applicant’s showing of good cause was insufficient, but applicant believes that the showing was sufficient. The applicant must file the petition by not later than two months after the issue date of the denial of the extension request or two months of actual knowledge of the abandonment of the application and not later than six months after the date the Trademark electronic records system indicates that the application is abandoned where the applicant declares under §2.20 or 28 U.S.C. §1746 that it did not receive the notice of abandonment. The petition must include the fee required by 37 C.F.R. §2.6 . 37 C.F.R. §2.146(c) . See TMEP Chapter 1700 regarding petitions.

Filing a petition or request for reinstatement does not stay the time for filing a statement of use or further extension request. See 37 C.F.R. §2.89(g) . However, if the applicant fails to file a statement of use or further request(s) for extension(s) of time to file a statement of use during the pendency of a petition, the applicant will be given an opportunity to perfect the petition by paying the fee(s) for each missed extension request and filing the last extension request, or statement of use, that should have been filed. In re Moisture Jamzz, Inc., 47 USPQ2d 1762, 1763-64 (Comm’r Pats. 1997).

If a petition is granted, the term of the requested six-month extension will run from the date of the expiration of the previously existing six-month period for filing a statement of use. 37 C.F.R. §2.89(g) .

No petition or request for reinstatement will be granted if it would extend the deadline for filing a statement of use beyond thirty-six months after the issuance of the notice of allowance. See 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(2) ; 37 C.F.R. §2.89(e)(1) .

1109 Statement of Use Under §1(d) of the Trademark Act

An intent-to-use applicant must file an allegation of use to obtain a registration. See TMEP §1103 . See TBMP §1104–1104.11 regarding amendments to allege use.

Under 15 U.S.C. §1051(d) , a statement of use must be filed within six months of the issue date of the notice of allowance, or within a previously granted extension of time to file a statement of use.

1109.01 Minimum Filing Requirements for a Statement of Use

The statement of use must meet the following minimum filing requirements before it may be referred to an examining attorney for examination on the merits:

• (1) the prescribed fee for at least one class;
• (2) one specimen of the mark as used in commerce; and
• (3) a verification or declaration properly signed (see TMEP §611.03(a) regarding who may sign a verification) and stating that the mark is in use in commerce.

37 C.F.R. §2.88(c) .

A statement of use that omits the allegation of use in commerce, but asserts a verified date of first use in commerce, may be accepted as substantially in compliance with the minimum filing requirement of 37 C.F.R. §2.88(c)(3) for a verified statement that the mark is in use in commerce. In re Carnicon Dev. Co., 34 USPQ2d 1541, 1543 (Comm’r Pats. 1992); see In re Conservation Tech. Inc., 25 USPQ2d 1079, 1080 (Comm’r Pats. 1992). In such case, the examining attorney will require a verified allegation that the “mark is in use in commerce” during examination. See TMEP §1109.09 .

See TMEP §1109.02 regarding review of the statement of use for compliance with minimum filing requirements and §1109.06 regarding the requirements for a complete statement of use.

1109.02 Review for Compliance with Minimum Filing Requirements

Statements of use are reviewed by the ITU/Divisional Unit to determine whether they are timely under 37 C.F.R. §2.88(a)(1) and in compliance with the minimum filing requirements listed in 37 C.F.R. §2.88(c) . If the statement of use is untimely, either because it is premature or late, the ITU staff will notify the applicant in writing that the statement of use cannot be considered because it is untimely, and refund the filing fee.

If the statement of use is timely, but does not comply with one or more of the minimum filing requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.88(c) , the ITU staff will notify the applicant in writing of the defect and advise the applicant that the USPTO will not examine the statement of use on the merits unless the applicant corrects the defect before expiration of the deadline for filing a statement of use. 37 C.F.R. §2.88(d) .

If the statement of use is filed by someone other than the owner of record, the ITU staff will issue an Office action granting the applicant thirty days in which to submit evidence to establish chain of title. See TMEP §1109.10 for further information regarding ownership issues.

If the applicant does not correct the deficiency before the expiration of the statutory deadline, the application will be abandoned. 37 C.F.R. §2.88(k) . In such a case, the USPTO will not refund the filing fee.

The applicant may not withdraw the statement of use and return the application to the previous status of awaiting filing of the statement of use, even if the statement of use fails to meet the minimum filing requirements. 37 C.F.R. §2.88(f) ; TMEP §1109.17 . However, in limited circumstances, an applicant may file an “insurance” extension request with or after the filing of a statement of use, if there is time remaining in the existing six-month period in which the statement of use was filed, to gain more time to comply with the statutory requirements for filing the statement of use. 37 C.F.R. §2.89(e)(1) . See TMEP §1108.03 and §1109.16(c) for further information.

1109.02(a) Petition to Review Refusal Based on Noncompliance with Minimum Filing Requirements

If the ITU staff determines that a statement of use does not meet the minimum filing requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.88(c) , and there is no time remaining in the statutory filing period, the application is abandoned. The applicant’s recourse is as follows:

• Petition to Revive Under 37 C.F.R. §2.66 . If the applicant unintentionally failed to comply with the minimum filing requirements, the applicant may file a petition to revive under 37 C.F.R. §2.66 by not later than two months after the issue date of the notice of abandonment or two months after the date of actual knowledge of the abandonment and not later than six months after the date the trademark electronic records system indicates that the application is abandoned, where the applicant declares under §2.20 or 28 U.S.C. §1746 that it did not receive the notice of abandonment. See TBMP §1714–1714.01(g) regarding petitions to revive.
• Request for Reinstatement Under 37 C.F.R. §2.64 . If the applicant has proof that shows on its face that the statement of use met the minimum requirements when filed, the applicant may request reinstatement by not later than two months after the issue date of the notice of abandonment or two months after the date of actual knowledge of the abandonment and not later than six months after the date the trademark electronic records system indicates that the application is abandoned, where the applicant declares under §2.20 or 28 U.S.C. §1746 that it did not receive the notice of abandonment. For example, if the statement of use is rejected due to the omission of a specimen or fee, and the applicant has proof that shows on its face that the missing element was included, the applicant may request reinstatement. No fee is required. See TMEP §1712 regarding requests for reinstatement.
• Petition Under 37 C.F.R. §2.146 . If the applicant contends that the statement of use met the minimum requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.88(c) when filed but was improperly denied by the ITU staff, and the applicant does not have proof that shows on its face that the statement of use was complete when filed ( see TMEP §1712.01 ), the applicant may file a petition under 37 C.F.R. §2.146(a)(3) , asking the Director to review the action of the ITU staff. The petition must be filed by not later than two months after the issue date of the notice of abandonment or two months after the date of actual knowledge of the abandonment and not later than six months after the date the trademark electronic records system indicates that the application is abandoned, where the applicant declares under §2.20 or 28 U.S.C. §1746 that it did not receive the notice of abandonment. 37 C.F.R. §2.146(d) . The petition must include the petition fee required by 37 C.F.R. §2.6 , proof in the form of an affidavit or declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20 , and any available evidence showing that the statement of use was complete when filed. 37 C.F.R. §2.146(c) . See TMEP §1705.03 regarding proof of facts on petition.

No petition or request for reinstatement will be granted if it would extend the deadline for filing a statement of use beyond thirty-six months after the issuance of the notice of allowance. See 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(2) .

1109.03 Use on All Goods/Services Required Before Filing

The applicant may file a statement of use only when the mark has been in use in commerce on or in connection with all the goods/services specified in the notice of allowance, unless the applicant files a request to divide for those goods/services not yet in use in commerce. 37 C.F.R. §2.88(a)(2) . See TBMP §1110–1110.11(a) regarding requests to divide.

If the applicant files a statement of use for some of the goods/services identified in the notice of allowance, and a request for an extension of time to file a statement of use for other goods/services that are identified in the notice of allowance, but does not file a request to divide, the ITU/Divisional Unit will issue an Office action granting the applicant additional time to either: (1) file a request to divide, or (2) file an amendment to delete from the application the goods/services that are not in use. If the applicant met the minimum requirements for filing the statement of use and extension request before expiration of the deadline for filing the statement of use, the applicant may file the request to divide after expiration of the statutory deadline for filing the statement of use. If the applicant does not file an acceptable request to divide within the time specified in the Office action, the goods/services that are not covered by the statement of use will be deleted from the application.

See TMEP §1109.13 regarding examination of a statement of use that omits, but does not expressly delete, some of the goods/services identified in the notice of allowance.

1109.04 Time for Filing Statement of Use

The statement of use must be filed within six months after the issuance date of the notice of allowance or within a previously granted extension of time for filing a statement of use. 37 C.F.R. §2.88(a)(1) ; see 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(1)-(2) . See TBMP §1108–1108.05 regarding extension requests.

If the applicant does not timely file a statement of use within this time period, the application is abandoned. 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(4) ; 37 C.F.R. §2.88(k) . When the failure to timely file a statement of use is unintentional, the applicant may file a petition to revive if it is within the deadlines listed in 37 C.F.R. §2.66(a) . See TBMP §1714–1714.01(g) .

A statement of use filed through TEAS is considered to have been filed on the date the USPTO receives the electronic submission, based on Eastern Time, regardless of whether that date is a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday within the District of Columbia. 37 C.F.R. §2.195(a) ; TMEP §303.01 .

Any statement of use filed after the examining attorney approves the mark for publication but before the issuance of the notice of allowance is untimely and will not be considered. 37 C.F.R. §2.88(a)(1) . The USPTO will refund the filing fee. 37 C.F.R. §2.88(a) ; see TMEP §1104.03(b), (c) .

A statement of use filed on paper, if permitted ( see TMEP §301.02 ), is considered timely if it is received in the USPTO by the due date or mailed by the due date in accordance with 37 C.F.R. §2.197 (certificate of mailing) or 37 C.F.R. §2.198 (Priority Mail Express®). See TBMP §305.02-305.02(h) regarding certificate of mailing procedures and §305.03-305.03(e) regarding Priority Mail Express®.

1109.05 Form of Statement of Use

Applicants must file a statement of use through the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) at https://teas.uspto.gov , unless an exception to the requirement to file electronically applies. See 37 C.F.R. §2.23(a) ; TMEP §301.01 . See TMEP §301.02 regarding the limited exceptions for paper submissions.

1109.06 Requirements for a Complete Statement of Use

Trademarks and Service Marks

A complete statement of use must include the following elements:

• (1) a verification or declaration properly signed (see TMEP §611.03(a) regarding who may sign a verification) and stating that the applicant is believed to be the owner of the mark and that the mark is in use in commerce, specifying the dates of first use of the mark anywhere and first use of the mark in commerce, and setting forth or incorporating by reference those goods/services specified in the notice of allowance on or in connection with which the mark is in use in commerce;
• (2) one specimen per class of the mark as used in commerce that meets the requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.56 ; and
• (3) the prescribed fee for each class ( see 37 C.F.R. §2.6(a)) .

37 C.F.R. §2.88(b) .

Collective Marks

A complete statement of use must include the following elements:

• (1) a verification or declaration properly signed (see TMEP §611.03(a) regarding who may sign a verification) and stating that the applicant is believed to be the owner of the mark; the applicant is exercising legitimate control over the use of the mark in commerce; and the mark is in use in commerce, specifying the dates of first use of the mark anywhere and first use of the mark in commerce, and setting forth or incorporating by reference those goods/services/collective membership organization specified in the notice of allowance on or in connection with which the mark is in use in commerce;
• (2) one specimen per class of the mark as used in commerce that meets the requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.56 ;
• (3) the prescribed fee for each class ( see 37 C.F.R. §2.6(a) ); and
• (4) a statement specifying the nature of the applicant’s control over the use of the mark by the members ( 37 C.F.R §2.44(a)(4)(i)(A) ; TMEP §1303.01(a)(i)(A) ).

37 C.F.R. §2.88(b) .

Certification Marks

A complete statement of use must include the following elements:

• (1) a verification or declaration properly signed (see TMEP §611.03(a) regarding who may sign a verification) and stating that the applicant is believed to be the owner of the mark; the applicant is exercising legitimate control over the use of the mark in commerce; and the mark is in use in commerce, specifying the dates of first use of the mark anywhere and first use of the mark in commerce, and setting forth or incorporating by reference those goods/services specified in the notice of allowance on or in connection with which the mark is in use in commerce;
• (2) one specimen per class of the mark as used in commerce that meets the requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.56 ;
• (3) the prescribed fee for each class ( see 37 C.F.R. §2.6(a) );
• (4) a statement specifying what the applicant is certifying about the goods or services in the application ( 37 C.F.R. §2.45(a)(4)(i)(A) ; TMEP §1306.03(a) );
• (5) a copy of the certification standards governing use of the certification mark ( 37 C.F.R. §2.45(a)(4)(i)(B) ; TMEP §1306.03(b) ); and
• (6) a statement that the applicant is not engaged in the production or marketing of the goods/services to which the mark is applied, except to advertise or promote recognition of the certification program or of the goods/services that meet the certification standards of the applicant ( 37 C.F.R. §2.45(a)(4)(i)(C) ; TMEP §1306.03(c) ).

37 C.F.R. §2.88(b) .

1109.07 Examination of the Statement of Use — In General

If the statement of use is timely and complies with the minimum filing requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.88(c) , the ITU staff will refer it to the examining attorney for examination on the merits. If available, the same examining attorney who initially examined the application will examine the statement of use. Examination of the statement of use is sometimes referred to as “second examination.”

The examining attorney will review the statement of use to confirm that it meets the requirements of the Act and the rules. See TMEP §1109.06 for the requirements for a complete statement of use.

The examining attorney will examine the specimen to confirm that it shows appropriate use as a mark on or in connection with the goods/services/collective membership organization specified in the statement of use (see TBMP §1202–1202.17(e)(vi) regarding use of subject matter as a trademark, §1301.02–1301.02(f) regarding use of matter as a service mark, and §1306.04(b)(ii) regarding use of matter as a certification mark). The examining attorney will also determine whether the mark shown on the drawing is a substantially exact representation of the mark as used on the specimen ( see TBMP §807.12(a)–(a)(iii) , 1109.12 ).

If the applicant has complied with the statutory requirements for a statement of use before the expiration of the deadline for filing the statement of use, the applicant may amend or correct the statement of use during examination. See TMEP §1109.16(a)–(d) regarding compliance with statutory requirements before the expiration of the time for filing the statement of use.

If the examining attorney finds the statement of use acceptable, the USPTO will notify the applicant that the statement of use is approved. See TMEP §1109.18 regarding approval of the statement of use. The USPTO will then issue the registration and publish notice of the registration in the Trademark Official Gazette . The application is not subject to opposition again.

See TMEP §1109.15 regarding statements of use filed on paper for multiple-class applications and §1109.16–1109.16(d) regarding the issuance of Office actions and correction of defects in a statement of use.

1109.08 Examination of the Statement of Use – New Requirements and Refusals

Generally, in examining the statement of use, the USPTO will issue only requirements or refusals concerning matters related to the statement of use. The examining attorney should not make a requirement or refusal concerning matters that could or should have been raised during initial examination, unless the failure to do so in initial examination constitutes a "clear error;" i.e., would result in issuance of a registration in violation of the Act or applicable rules. See TMEP §706.01 regarding “clear error.”

If the examining attorney determines that he or she must make a refusal or requirement that could or should have been made during initial examination of the application, the examining attorney must consult the managing or senior attorney before taking action. This applies to any refusal that arguably could or should have been made during initial examination, such as most refusals under §2(d) or §2(e)(1) of the Act.

The examining attorney must act on all new issues arising in the examination of the statement of use. For example:

• The examining attorney must issue a refusal if the specimen fails to show use of the designation as a mark. See TBMP §1202–1202.17(e)(vi) and 1301.02–1301.02(f) regarding use as a mark.
• The examining attorney must issue an appropriate refusal or requirement if there is evidence that the mark has become descriptive or generic as applied to the goods/services during the time that has elapsed since initial examination.

The applicant may also submit amendments to the application with the statement of use. Such amendments will be examined according to the same standards used during initial examination. If an amendment is not acceptable, and thus raises a new issue, the examining attorney will inform the applicant of the reason(s) why the amendment(s) is unacceptable and of any defect(s) that can be corrected to make the amendment acceptable.

Generally, the USPTO will not conduct a search for conflicting marks or issue any refusals under §2(d) of the Act during examination of the statement of use. However, if the examining attorney determines that, based on use on the specimen, for example, a second search is necessary, the examining attorney will conduct a second search and take any action that is appropriate.

1109.09 Use in Commerce

A verified statement that “the mark is in use in commerce” is a minimum requirement that must be satisfied before the expiration of the statutory period for filing the statement of use. 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(1) ; 37 C.F.R. §2.88(c)(3) . If the examining attorney determines, before taking an action in connection with the statement of use, that the verified statement of use in commerce was omitted as of the filing date, the examining attorney should refer the application to the ITU/Divisional Unit for appropriate action.

An application that omits the allegation of use in commerce, but asserts a verified date of first use in commerce, is considered to be substantially in compliance with the minimum filing requirements under 37 C.F.R. §2.88(c)(3) . In re Carnicon Dev. Co., 34 USPQ2d 1541 (Comm’r Pats. 1992); see also In re Conservation Tech. Inc., 25 USPQ2d 1079 (Comm’r Pats. 1992). Thus, if the applicant files a statement of use containing a verified date of first use in commerce on or before the expiration of the period for filing the statement of use, the applicant has met the minimum filing requirements. The examining attorney must require a verified statement that the “mark is in use in commerce” before approving the statement of use. This statement may be filed after expiration of the deadline for filing the statement of use, within the period for response to the examining attorney’s Office action.

An applicant is not required to specify the method of use or the type of commerce in which a mark is used. TBMP §901.03 , 905 .

1109.09(a) Dates of Use

The statement of use must include the dates of first use of the mark and first use of the mark in commerce on or in connection with the goods/services/collective membership organization specified in the notice of allowance. 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(1) ; 37 C.F.R. §2.88(b)(1)(iii) . The date of first use in commerce may not be earlier than the date of first use anywhere. TMEP §903.03 . In addition, the dates of use may not be after the date the statement of use was signed, because current use of the mark must be properly alleged; an applicant may not allege use that has not yet occurred. See 37 C.F.R. §2.88(b)(1)(ii) ); see also TBMP §903.04 (regarding amending dates of use) and §903.06(a) (regarding discrepancies between dates of use and date of execution).

Where the applicant claims a §1(a) filing basis for some of the goods/services and/or the collective membership organization and a §1(b) filing basis for other goods/services and/or the collective membership organization, the statement of use must include dates of use for the §1(b) goods/services/collective membership organization covered by the notice of allowance. See 37 C.F.R. §2.86(a)(3) , (b)(3) . See TMEP §903.08 regarding applications in which more than one date is specified for a particular class.

Setting forth the dates of use is not a minimum filing requirement that must be met before the application will be referred to the examining attorney. If the dates of use are omitted from the statement of use, but the statement that “the mark is in use in commerce” is included, the dates may be supplied after the expiration of the statutory period for filing the statement of use. The applicant may also amend or correct the dates of use after the expiration of the deadline for filing the statement of use, if the applicant meets the requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.71(c)(2) . Any amendment to the dates of use must be verified. 37 C.F.R. §2.71(c) .

The applicant must state dates of use for each class. 37 C.F.R. §2.86(a)(3) , (b)(3) . The dates of first use for each class must apply to at least one item in the class but do not have to apply to more than one item. 37 C.F.R. §2.88(b)(1)(iii) . However, the applicant must have used the mark in commerce on all items listed in the notice of allowance before filing the statement of use, unless the applicant files a request to divide. 37 C.F.R. §2.88(a)(2) ; TMEP §1109.03 . See TMEP §1110.07 regarding the division of an application in which a statement of use is due.

While the dates of use may be supplied after expiration of the statutory filing period, valid use of the mark in commerce on or in connection with all the goods/services/collective membership organization in the application must be made before the expiration of the statutory filing period. See 37 C.F.R. §2.71(c)(2) . If the applicant attempts to amend the dates of use to state a date of first use in commerce that is later than the time permitted for filing the statement of use, the examining attorney must refuse registration because the mark was not in use within the time permitted, and also inform the applicant that the application is deemed abandoned. When refusing registration on this ground, the examining attorney must issue an Office action that includes a six-month response clause. See TMEP §1109.16(b) .

1109.09(b) Specimens

The examining attorney must examine the specimens to confirm that they show use of the subject matter as a mark on or in connection with the goods/services identified in the statement of use. See TBMP §1202–1202.17(e)(vi) regarding use of subject matter as a trademark and §1301.02–1301.02(f) regarding use of matter as a service mark. The examining attorney must also determine whether the mark as used on the specimens is a substantially exact representation of the mark on the drawing. See TBMP §807.12(a)–(a)(iii) , 1109.12 . The examining attorney must issue requirements and refusals, as appropriate, based on the examination of the specimens, subject to the same standards that govern the examination of specimens in a §1(a) application. TBMP §904–904.07(b) .

The submission of at least one specimen with a statement of use is a minimum filing requirement. 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(1) ; 37 C.F.R. §2.88(e)(2) ; In re Campbell, 33 USPQ2d 1055 (Comm’r Pats. 1993). If the examining attorney determines, before taking an action regarding the statement of use, that no specimen was submitted with the statement of use, the examining attorney should refer the application to the ITU/Divisional Unit for appropriate action.

In a multiple-class application, the applicant must submit one specimen for each class of goods/services in the statement of use before the statement of use may be approved. 37 C.F.R. §2.86(b) , 2.88(b)(2) . However, only one specimen for one class is needed to comply with the minimum filing requirements. If at least one specimen is filed within the time permitted for filing the statement of use, the applicant may submit specimen(s) for the other class(es) after the expiration of the statutory filing period, if the applicant verifies that the additional specimen(s) was in use in commerce before the expiration of the deadline for filing the statement of use. 37 C.F.R. §2.59(b) .

If the applicant files at least one specimen with the statement of use, but the specimen is unacceptable, the applicant may provide a substitute specimen after the expiration of the time permitted for filing the statement of use, provided that the applicant verifies that the substitute specimen was in use in commerce before the expiration of the deadline for filing the statement of use. 37 C.F.R. §2.59(b) . If the applicant does not provide an acceptable specimen that was in use in commerce before the expiration of the deadline, the examining attorney must refuse registration because the applicant failed to make use of the mark within the time permitted, and inform the applicant that the application is deemed abandoned. The examining attorney must issue a regular Office action with a six-month response clause. TMEP §1109.16(b) . See TMEP §1108.03 regarding the filing of an “insurance” request for an extension of time to file a statement of use to gain additional time to make proper use of the mark.

If the dates of first use change as a result of the submission of a new specimen, the applicant must amend the dates of use in the statement of use. The amendment must be supported by an affidavit or declaration. 37 C.F.R. §2.71(c) ; TMEP §1109.09(a) .

See TMEP §904.02(a) regarding electronically filed specimens.

1109.10 Ownership

Review by the ITU/Divisional Unit

Section 1(d)(1) of the Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(1) , requires that “the applicant shall file ... a verified statement that the mark is in use in commerce ...” within six months of the notice of allowance, or within a previously granted extension of time to file a statement of use. The party filing the statement of use must be the owner of the mark at the time of filing. This is a statutory requirement that must be satisfied before the expiration of the deadline for filing the statement of use. In re Colombo, Inc ., 33 USPQ2d 1530 (Comm’r Pats. 1994).

If the party who files a statement of use was the owner of the mark at the time of filing, evidence to establish ownership may be provided after expiration of the deadline for filing the statement of use. However, if the party who files a statement of use was not the owner of the mark at the time of filing, and no time remains in the statutory period for filing the statement of use, the application is abandoned.

The question of whether the statement of use was filed by the owner is determined by the ITU/Divisional Unit. If a statement of use is filed by someone other than the owner of record, the ITU staff will issue an Office action granting the applicant thirty days in which to submit evidence to establish chain of title. If the party who filed the statement of use was the owner at the time of filing, evidence to establish ownership may be provided after expiration of the deadline for filing the statement of use. See 37 C.F.R. §3.71(d) , 3.73(b) . To establish ownership, the new owner must either: (1)record an assignment or other document of title with the Assignment Recordation Branch, and include a statement in the response to the Office action that the document has been recorded; or (2)submit other evidence of ownership, in the form of a document transferring ownership from one party to another, or an explanation, supported by an affidavit or declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20 , that a valid transfer of legal title occurred prior to filing the statement of use. 37 C.F.R. §3.73(b)(1) ; TMEP §502.01 .

If the applicant does not establish that the party who filed the statement of use was the owner of the application at the time of filing, the ITU/Divisional Unit will abandon the application. The true owner may then file a petition to revive within the deadlines specified in 37 C.F.R. §2.66(a) , accompanied by either a substitute statement of use or request for extension of time to file a statement of use, provided that granting the petition would not extend the period for filing the statement of use beyond thirty-six months after the issuance date of the notice of allowance. See TMEP §1714.01(b) regarding the requirements for petitions to revive.

If a statement of use is filed by the owner of the mark, but there is a minor error in the manner in which the name of the owner is set out, the mistake may be corrected by amendment. See TMEP §1201.02(c) for examples of correctable and non-correctable errors.

Review by Examining Attorney

If an examining attorney determines, before taking an action in connection with the statement of use, that the statement of use was filed by someone other than the owner of record, the examining attorney should return the statement of use to the ITU/Divisional Unit for appropriate action.

If the examining attorney determines, after taking an action regarding the statement of use, that the statement of use was filed by someone other than the owner of record, the examining attorney must require the applicant to submit evidence to establish chain of title, as discussed above. If the party who filed the statement of use was not the owner of the mark at the time of filing, and no time remains in the statutory period for filing the statement of use, the examining attorney must refuse registration because no acceptable statement of use was filed within the time permitted, and inform the applicant that the application is deemed abandoned. When refusing registration on this ground, the examining attorney must issue a regular Office action with a six-month response clause. See TMEP §1109.16(b) .

1109.11 Verification and Execution

The requirement that a statement of use include a signed verification or declaration is a minimum filing requirement. 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(1) ; 37 C.F.R. §2.88(e)(3) ; In re Kinsman, 33 USPQ2d 1057 (Comm’r Pats. 1993).

If, before taking an action in connection with the statement of use, the examining attorney determines that the statement of use does not include a signed verification or declaration, the examining attorney should return the application to the ITU/Divisional Unit for appropriate action.

1109.11(a) Authority of Signatory

The verification must be properly signed. See 37 C.F.R. §2.88(b)(1) .See 37C.F.R. §2.193(e)(1) and TMEP §611.03(a) regarding who may sign a verification. Anyone who can verify the initial application may verify the statement of use. See TMEP §611.03(a) .

1109.11(b) Verification of Essential Elements

The examining attorney must review the verified statement of use to confirm that it conforms to the requirements of the Act and the rules. The verified statement must include an allegation that the applicant believes it is the owner of the mark, and a verification of the dates of use and identification of the goods/services. 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(1) ; 37 C.F.R. §2.88(b)(1) . See TMEP §1109.10 regarding ownership, §1109.09(a) regarding dates of use, and §1109.13 regarding the identification of goods/services.

The averment of ownership is an essential element of the verification. 37 C.F.R. §2.88(b)(1)(i) . If it is omitted, the examining attorney must require the applicant to submit a verified statement that the applicant is the owner of the mark. This statement may be submitted after expiration of the time for filing the statement of use.

1109.11(c) Date of Execution

If the statement of use was executed before the stated dates of use, the examining attorney must require that the statement be re-executed. See TMEP §903.06(a) regarding apparent discrepancies between dates of use and execution dates, and §903.04 and §1109.09(a) regarding amendment of the dates of use. If the statement of use is filed more than one year after the date of execution, the examining attorney will require a substitute verification or declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20 stating that the mark is still in use in commerce. See 37 C.F.R. §2.88(k) ; TMEP §804.03 .

1109.11(d) Signature of Electronically Transmitted Statement of Use

See TMEP §611.01(c) regarding signature of documents filed electronically through the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS).

1109.12 Drawing

Under 37 C.F.R. §2.51(b) , the drawing in an intent-to-use application must be a substantially exact representation of the mark as intended to be used and as actually used upon filing the allegation of use. An applicant may not amend the mark in a drawing if the amendment is a material alteration of the mark on the drawing originally submitted with the application. 37 C.F.R. §2.72(b)(2) ; TBMP §807.13(a) , 807.14–807.14(f) . Also, the mark in the drawing must agree with the mark as used on the specimen(s). TMEP §807.12(a)–(a)(iii) . The same standards that apply to §1(a) applications for determining whether a specimen supports use of the mark and whether an amendment to the mark may be permitted also apply in the examination of the statement of use.

Therefore, if the mark in the drawing filed with the application is not a substantially exact representation of the mark as used on the specimen, the examining attorney must require: (1) either submission of a new specimen or an amendment of the mark in the drawing, if the amendment of the mark would not be a material alteration of the mark on the original drawing; or (2)submission of a new specimen, if the amendment of the mark would be a material alteration of the mark on the original drawing. 37 C.F.R. §2.72(b)(2) .

1109.13 Identification of Goods/Services in Statement of Use

The statement of use must either list or incorporate by reference the goods/services specified in the notice of allowance on or in connection with which the mark is in use in commerce. 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(1) ; 37 C.F.R. §2.88(b)(1)(ii) . The goods/services specified in the statement of use must conform to the goods/services identified in the notice of allowance. 37 C.F.R. §2.88(i)(1) . To incorporate the goods/services in the notice of allowance by reference, the applicant may elect the TEAS form option that states that “the mark is in use in commerce on or in connection with all of the goods/services, or to indicate membership in the collective organization listed in the application or Notice of Allowance or as subsequently modified for this specific class.” The form requires the applicant to designate the goods/services for each class for which use is being asserted.

If the applicant omits any goods/services that were listed in the notice of allowance, the ITU/Divisional Unit will delete these goods/services from the application. The applicant may not thereafter reinsert the deleted goods/services. 37C.F.R. §2.88(i)(2) . In this situation, the applicant cannot file a petition under 37 C.F.R. §2.66 , claiming unintentional delay in filing a statement of use for the omitted goods/services.

For a permitted paper filing ( see TMEP §301.02 ), if the applicant fails to identify or incorporate by reference any goods or services, or if the applicant designates all the goods/services as not in use, the USPTO will permit applicant to correct the mistake. The ITU staff will issue a letter noting that no goods or services were specified or incorporated by reference in the statement of use, and granting the applicant thirty days in which to submit a verified statement clarifying the goods/services.

1109.14 Classification

If the mark published in the wrong class of the goods/services, the examining attorney must ensure that the classification is corrected. This may be done in an examiner’s amendment without prior approval by the applicant ( see TMEP §707.02 ). Republication is not required.

If class(es) are added to the application after the filing of the statement of use, the examining attorney must require payment of the fee(s) for filing the statement of use for the added class(es), in addition to the fee(s) required by 37C.F.R. §2.6(a)(1) for adding a class(es) to the application. TMEP §1403.02(c) .

1109.15 Fees

Payment of the filing fee for at least a single class within the statutory time for filing the statement of use is a minimum filing requirement. See 37 C.F.R. §2.88(b)(3) , (e)(i) ; In re L.R. Sport Inc., 25 USPQ2d 1533 (Comm’r Pats. 1992).

In a multiple-class application, TEAS will require payment of the fees for all classes under an intent-to-use basis under Trademark Act §1(b) prior to issuance of the notice of allowance when the applicant files a statement of use.

Permitted paper filings. If a statement of use for a multiple-class application is permitted to be filed on paper ( see TMEP §301.02 ) and includes the fee for only one class of goods/services, the ITU staff will issue an Office action granting the applicant 30 days in which to submit the missing fees to cover all classes or specify the class(es) to be abandoned. The additional fees may be paid after the time for filing the statement of use has expired, within the period for response to the Office action. If the applicant does not submit the fees or specify the classes to be abandoned within the set time period, the USPTO will apply the fees paid to the lowest-numbered class(es) in ascending order, and will delete the goods/services in the higher-numbered class(es) from the application. 37C.F.R. §2.88(b)(3) .

If an applicant files a statement of use and a request to divide the application at the same time, and the fees submitted are sufficient for one but not both, the fees will be applied first to the statement of use, and the applicant will be notified of the deficiency. See TMEP §1110.02 and §1110.07 for further information about filing fees for requests to divide.

If the applicant files an “insurance” extension request in conjunction with a statement of use ( see TMEP §1108.03 ), and the applicant submits fees sufficient for one but not both, the USPTO will apply the fees as follows: (1)if there is enough money to cover the extension request, the USPTO will apply the fees to the extension request to avoid abandonment of the application; or (2) if there is enough money to cover the statement of use, but not enough to cover the extension request, the USPTO will apply the fees to the statement of use.

See TMEP §1109.15(a) regarding processing deficient fees.

1109.15(a) Processing Deficient Fees

If the filing fee for at least a single class is deficient (e.g., if the fee is charged to a deposit account with insufficient funds, an EFT or credit card payment is refused or charged back by a financial institution, or a check is returned unpaid for a permitted paper filing ( see TMEP §301.02 ), the fee for at least one class of goods/services must be repaid before the expiration of the statutory filing period, or the application will be abandoned.

If a check is returned unpaid or an EFT or credit card payment is refused or charged back, and the statement of use was accompanied by an authorization to charge deficient fee(s) to a deposit account (37 C.F.R. §2.208) that has sufficient funds to cover the fee, the USPTO will charge the filing fee for the statement of use and the fee for processing the returned check or refused payment ( [37 C.F.R. §2.6(b)(10)(#) ) to the deposit account.

If the examining attorney determines, before taking an action regarding the statement of use, that the filing fee for at least a single class of goods or services has not been paid, the examining attorney should email the ITU/Divisional Unit and request that the SOU Processing Complete status be withdrawn and that the ITU staff notify the applicant in writing of the defect. See TMEP §1109.15 .

If the examining attorney determines, after taking an action regarding the statement of use, that the filing fee for at least a single class of goods or services has not been paid, and there is time remaining in the statutory period for filing the statement of use, the examining attorney will issue an Office action refusing registration on the ground that the filing fee for the statement of use was not paid and will require the applicant to submit the filing fee on or before the statutory deadline. If the fee was not paid because a check was returned unpaid for a permitted paper filing, or an EFT or credit card was refused or charged back, the examining attorney will also require submission of the processing fee required by [37 C.F.R. §2.6(b)(10)(#) . The processing fee may be paid after expiration of the statutory deadline for filing the statement of use.

If the fee for at least a single class has not been paid, and there is no time remaining in the statutory period for filing the statement of use, the examining attorney will issue an Office action refusing registration and stating that the application is abandoned because a proper statement of use was not filed within the time required by statute. 37 C.F.R. §2.88(e)(1) , (h) . In such a case, the examining attorney must issue a regular Office action, with a six-month response clause. If the applicant does not establish within the six-month response period that the fee for at least a single class of goods/services was paid prior to the expiration of the statutory filing period, the application will be abandoned.

If the fee for at least a single class is paid before expiration of the statutory deadline, but the fee(s) for additional class(es) are deficient, the examining attorney will issue an Office action requiring the applicant to submit the missing fees to cover all class(es) or specify the class(es) to be abandoned. The additional fees may be paid after the time for filing the statement of use has expired, within the six-month period for response to the examining attorney’s Office action. If the applicant does not submit the fees or specify the classes to be abandoned within the set time period, the USPTO will apply the fees paid to the lowest-numbered class(es) in ascending order, and will delete the goods/services in the higher-numbered class(es) from the application. 37C.F.R. §2.88(b)(3) .

If the statement of use has been approved and the mark is registered when the USPTO learns that the fee for the statement of use was deficient, the USPTO will cancel the registration as inadvertently issued, because the statutory requirements for registration have not been met. If the fee for at least a single class of goods/services was not paid before the expiration of the statutory filing period, the application will be abandoned. If the fee for at least a single class of goods/services was timely paid, but the fees for additional class(es) have not been paid, the USPTO will restore the application to pendency and refer it to the examining attorney for appropriate action.

See TMEP §405.06 regarding payments that are refused.

1109.16 Correcting Defects in Statement of Use

The applicant must comply with the statutory requirements for filing a statement of use ( 37 C.F.R. §2.88(b) ) before the expiration of the deadline for filing the statement of use (i.e., within six months of the issuance date of the notice of allowance or before the expiration of an extension of time for filing a statement of use). Other defects may be cured after the expiration of the statutory filing period, within the period for response to the Office action notifying the applicant of the defect. See TMEP §1109.16(a) regarding defects that must be cured before the expiration of the statutory filing period.

1109.16(a) Statutory Requirements that Must Be Met Within Statutory Filing Period

The applicant must comply with the statutory requirements for filing a statement of use ( 37 C.F.R. §2.88(b) ) before expiration of the period for filing the statement of use (i.e., within six months of the issuance date of the notice of allowance or before the expiration of an extension of time for filing a statement of use). Thus, the following deficiencies must be cured before expiration of the statutory filing period:

• (1) Specimens and Dates of Use in Commerce . The applicant must make valid use of the mark in commerce and must provide one specimen that was in use before the expiration of the time permitted for filing the statement of use. 37 C.F.R. §2.59(b)(2) . If the applicant does not provide an acceptable specimen that was in use in commerce before the expiration of the deadline for filing the statement of use, the examining attorney must refuse registration because the applicant failed to make use within the time permitted. See TMEP §1109.09(b) .

The examining attorney must refuse registration on the same grounds if the applicant attempts to amend the dates of use to state a date of first use in commerce that is later than the time permitted for filing the statement of use. 37 C.F.R. §2.71(c)(2) ; TMEP §1109.09(a) .

• (2) Filing by Owner. The party filing the statement of use must be the owner of the mark at the time of filing. If the party who filed the statement of use was not the owner at the time of filing the statement of use, the applicant may not provide a substitute statement of use (or the equivalent) in the name of the true owner after the expiration of the deadline for filing the statement of use. In re Colombo, Inc. , 33 USPQ2d 1530 (Comm’r Pats. 1994). Therefore, if the party filing the statement of use was not the owner of the mark at the time of filing, and no time remains in the statutory period for filing the statement of use, the application will be abandoned for failure to file a statement of use. See TMEP §1109.10 for further information.
• (3) Verification. The verification must be properly signed. See 37 C.F.R. §2.88(b)(1) . See 37 C.F.R. §2.193(e)(1) and TMEP §611.03(a) regarding who may sign a verification. If the statement of use is unsigned or signed by the wrong party, a substitute verification must be filed before the expiration of the statutory period for filing the statement of use. 37 C.F.R. §2.88(e)(3) .
• (4) Filing Fee for at Least a Single Class . Payment of the filing fee for at least a single class is a statutory requirement that must be satisfied before the expiration of the statutory period for filing the statement of use. See TBMP §1109.15 , 1109.15(a) .

When refusing registration on the above grounds, the examining attorney must issue a regular Office action with a six-month response clause. This gives the applicant six months to establish that it met the statutory requirements on or before the expiration of the time for filing the statement of use. See TMEP §1109.16(b) .

1109.16(b) Issuance of Examining Attorney’s Office Action Holding that a Statement of Use Does Not Meet the Statutory Requirements

When the examining attorney determines that the applicant did not meet the statutory requirements within the period for filing the statement of use, the examining attorney must issue an Office action refusing registration on the ground that the applicant did not file a statement of use that meets the requirements of 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(1) . If there is time remaining in the statutory filing period, the Office action should state that the deficiency must be cured before the expiration of the deadline for filing the statement of use.

If there is no time remaining in the statutory filing period, the examining attorney must issue an Office action with a six-month response clause, stating that the application will be abandoned for failure to timely file a statement of use that meets the requirements of §1(d)(1) of the Act. Even though the statutory filing period has expired, the Office action must include a six-month response clause. This gives the applicant six months to establish that it met the statutory requirements on or before the expiration of the time for filing the statement of use.

If the applicant fails to respond to the Office action, the application will be abandoned for failure to respond. If the applicant responds to the Office action, but does not establish that the requirements for filing a statement of use had been satisfied as of the expiration of the deadline for filing the statement of use , the examining attorney will make the refusal of registration final. If the applicant does not respond, the application will be abandoned for failure to respond to the final refusal.

See TMEP §1109.16(e) regarding the applicant’s recourse after an examining attorney’s refusal of registration on the ground that the applicant did not comply with the statutory requirements for filing the statement of use within the statutory filing period.

1109.16(c) Requesting an Extension of Time to File a Statement of Use for the Purpose of Compliance with Statutory Filing Requirements

In limited circumstances, an applicant may file a request for an extension of time to file a statement of use after filing a statement of use, in order to gain more time to comply with the statutory requirements for filing the statement of use (sometimes called an “insurance” extension request). An applicant may file an extension request after filing a statement of use only if: (1) there is time remaining in the existing six-month period in which the statement of use was filed; (2) no extension request was filed together with the statement of use; and (3) granting the extension would not extend the time for filing the statement of use more than thirty-six months beyond the issuance of the notice of allowance. 37 C.F.R. §2.89(e)(1) . See TMEP §1108.03 regarding the time periods and requirements for filing an “insurance” extension request, and §1108.03(a) regarding the procedures for processing such a request.

The filing of an “insurance” extension request is not in itself a proper response to an Office action, and does not extend the six-month period for response to the Office action. See TMEP §1109.16(d) .

Example: Assume that a notice of allowance issues July 3, 2009, the applicant files a statement of use on July 22, 2009, and the examining attorney issues an Office action requiring substitute specimens on August 6, 2009. The applicant may file an “insurance” extension request on or before January 3, 2010, which would give the applicant until July 3, 2010 to make proper use of the mark. However, the applicant must file a response to the Office action on or before February 6, 2010. See TMEP §1109.16(d) for information about responding to an Office action in this situation.

1109.16(d) Response to Office Action Required Within Six Months of Issuance Date Regardless of Expiration Date of Period for Filing the Statement of Use

In limited circumstances, when the applicant files a timely “insurance” extension request in conjunction with or after filing a statement of use ( see TBMP §1108.03–1108.03(a) , 1109.16(c) ) and the examining attorney has issued an Office action, the six-month period for response to the Office action will expire before the statutory deadline for filing the statement of use. To avoid abandonment, the applicant must respond within six months of the issuance date of the Office action, regardless of the expiration date of the time for filing the statement of use.

If the time for filing the statement of use expires after the time for responding to a nonfinal Office action, and the applicant believes that it can cure a deficiency raised in the Office action before expiration of the time for filing the statement of use, the applicant should timely respond to the Office action, stating in the response that it intends to comply with the statutory requirements for filing the statement of use on or before the expiration of the statutory filing period.

If the applicant files such a response, the examining attorney must not suspend the application. Instead, the examining attorney must make final any outstanding refusal or requirement. The applicant will then have six months from the issuance date of the final Office action to cure statutory deficiencies. Of course, applicant still must comply with the statutory requirements for filing the statement of use before the expiration date of the deadline for filing the statement of use.

Example: If the deadline for filing the statement of use expires on July 3, 2009, and the examining attorney issues a final Office action requiring substitute specimens on March 4, 2009, the applicant has until September 4, 2009 to file the substitute specimens, but the applicant must verify that the specimens were in use in commerce on or before July 3, 2009.

If the applicant files a proper response to the final Office action within six months of the date of issuance, and complies with the statutory requirements for filing the statement of use before the expiration of the period for filing the statement of use, the examining attorney will withdraw the refusal based on non-compliance with the statutory requirements for filing the statement of use.

If the time for filing the statement of use expires after the time for responding to a final Office action, and the applicant can overcome any grounds for refusal or comply with any requirement raised in the final action before expiration of the time for filing the statement of use, but not within the time for responding to the final Office action, the applicant must still file a timely response to the Office action. The response must state that the applicant intends to comply with the statutory requirements for filing the statement of use on or before the expiration of the statutory filing period and request suspension of the application. The examining attorney will then suspend the application for only the amount of time remaining in the statutory period for filing the statement of use. The applicant will then have until the end of the extension period to overcome any grounds for refusal or comply with any requirement.

Example: The notice of allowance issues on September 30, 2010 and a statement of use and/or extension request is due on or before March 30, 2011. The applicant files a statement of use on October 15, 2010. On November 5, 2010, the examining attorney issues an Office action regarding the acceptability of the specimen and the applicant responds on November 8, 2010 but does not correct the specimen deficiency. The examining attorney then issues a final Office action on November 29, 2010 regarding the specimen issue. If the applicant files a timely “insurance” extension request on or before March 30, 2011, this would extend the time to perfect the statement of use to September 30, 2011. However, the applicant must still respond to the final Office action by May 29, 2011 (i.e., within six months of issuance of the final Office action). The response must include a request to suspend the application or the application will be abandoned for failure to respond. The examining attorney would then suspend the application until September 30, 2011, which is the date of expiration of the extension period and the deadline for complying with the statutory requirements for a statement of use.

If the applicant files a response to the final Office action prior to the expiration of the statutory period for filing a statement of use, and the response overcomes the grounds for refusal and/or complies with any requirement, the examining attorney will remove the application from suspension and withdraw the refusal.

If the applicant files a response to the final Office action prior to expiration of the statutory period for filing the statement of use, but the response does not overcome the grounds for refusal and/or comply with any requirement, the examining attorney must issue an “Examiner’s Subsequent Final Refusal,” thereby reissuing the final refusal, and the applicant will have six months to respond. See TMEP §716.06 .

1109.16(e) Applicant’s Recourse After Refusal of Registration

If the applicant unintentionally fails to meet the minimum requirements for filing a statement of use within the time permitted, as set forth in 37 C.F.R. §2.88(e) ( see TMEP §1109.01 ), the applicant may file a petition to revive within the deadlines specified in 37 C.F.R. §2.66(a) . However, if the applicant met the minimum filing requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.88(e) , but the examining attorney refuses registration on the ground that the applicant failed to satisfy the statutory requirements for a complete statement of use on or before the statutory deadline (e.g., because the specimen is unacceptable or the dates of use are subsequent to the deadline for filing the statement of use), the applicant cannot overcome the refusal by filing a petition to revive under 37 C.F.R. §2.66 . TMEP §1714.01(f)(ii)(B) . The applicant’s only recourse is to appeal the examining attorney’s refusal of registration to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

See 37 C.F.R. §2.88(b) and TMEP §1109.16(a) regarding the statutory requirements that must be met within the statutory period for filing the statement of use (i.e., within six months of the issuance date of the notice of allowance or before the expiration of an extension of time for filing a statement of use).

1109.17 Withdrawal of the Statement of Use Prohibited

Once an applicant has filed a statement of use, the applicant may not withdraw the statement of use, even if the USPTO determines that the statement of use does not comply with the minimum filing requirements. 37 C.F.R. §2.88(g) ; In re Informix Software, Inc. , 32 USPQ2d 1861 (Comm’r Pats. 1993). Thus, an applicant may not amend the basis from §1(a) to §1(b) after a statement of use has been filed.

See TMEP §1109.16(e) regarding the applicant’s recourse after an examining attorney’s refusal of registration on the ground that applicant did not meet the statutory requirements for filing a statement of use before the expiration of the statutory deadline.

1109.18 Approval of the Statement of Use

Approval of the statement of use indicates that the mark is eligible for registration. If the examining attorney determines that the application is in condition for registration, the examining attorney will approve the mark for registration under §1(d) of the Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. §1051(d) . Before approving the mark for registration, the examining attorney must ensure that the information contained in the record is accurate, that all amendments filed by the applicant have been examined, that material that should be published in the Trademark Official Gazette and included on the registration certificate has been properly entered into the Trademark database, and that material that should not be published has been deleted from the Trademark database. See TMEP §817 regarding preparation of an application for publication or registration. If an assignment has been recorded, the examining attorney should ensure that the ownership information in the Trademark database is updated to reflect the true owner of record. See TMEP §502.02(c) . The examining attorney must also perform the appropriate transaction to ensure that the notice of approval of the statement of use is issued.

If the applicant filed an amendment to the Supplemental Register with or after filing a statement of use, and the application is otherwise in condition to be approved for registration, the examining attorney must approve the statement of use and approve the application for registration on the Supplemental Register. See TMEP §1102.03 regarding the examination of intent-to-use applications for registration on the Supplemental Register.

1110 Request to Divide an Application

37C.F.R.Dividing an application.

• (a) Application may be divided. An application may be divided into two or more separate applications upon the payment of a fee for each new application created and submission by the applicant of a request in accordance with paragraph (d)of this section.
• (b) Fee. In the case of a request to divide out one or more entire classes from an application, only the fee for dividing an application as set forth in §2.6(a)(19) will be required. However, in the case of a request to divide out some, but not all, of the goods or services in a class, the applicant must submit the application filing fee as set forth in §2.6(a)(1) for each new separate application to be created by the division, in addition to the fee for dividing an application.
• (c) Time for filing. (1) A request to divide an application may be filed at any time between the application filing date and the date on which the trademark examining attorney approves the mark for publication; or during an opposition, concurrent use, or interference proceeding, upon motion granted by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
• (2) In an application under section 1(b) of the Act, a request to divide may also be filed with a statement of use under §2.88 or at any time between the filing of a statement of use and the date on which the trademark examining attorney approves the mark for registration.
• (3) In a multiple-basis application, a request to divide out goods or services having a particular basis may also be filed during the period between the issuance of the notice of allowance under section 13(b)(2) of the Act and the filing of a statement of use under §2.88.
• (d) Form. A request to divide an application should be made in a separate document from any other amendment or response in the application. The title “Request to Divide Application” should appear at the top of the first page of the document.
• (e) Outstanding time periods apply to newly created applications. Any time period for action by the applicant which is outstanding in the original application at the time of the division will apply to each separate new application created by the division, except as follows:
• (1) If an Office action pertaining to less than all the classes in a multiple-class application is outstanding, and the applicant files a request to divide out the goods, services, and/or class(es) to which the Office action does not pertain before the response deadline, a response to the Office action is not due in the new (child) application(s) created by the division of the application;
• (2) If an Office action pertaining to less than all the bases in a multiple-basis application is outstanding, and the applicant files a request to divide out the goods/services having the basis or bases to which the Office action does not pertain before the response deadline, a response to the Office action is not due in the new (child) application(s) created by the division of the application; or
• (3) In a multiple-basis application in which a notice of allowance has issued, if the applicant files a request to divide out the goods/services having the basis or bases to which the notice of allowance does not pertain before the deadline for filing the statement of use, the new (child) applications created by the division are not affected by the notice of allowance.
• (f) Signature. The request to divide must be signed by the applicant, someone with legal authority to bind the applicant (e.g., a corporate officer or general partner of a partnership), or a practitioner who meets the requirements of §11.14, in accordance with the requirements of §2.193(e)(2).
• (g) Section 66(a) applications - change of ownership with respect to some but not all of the goods or services. (1) When the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization notifies the Office that an international registration has been divided as the result of a change of ownership with respect to some but not all of the goods or services, the Office will construe the International Bureau’s notice as a request to divide. The Office will record the partial change of ownership in the Assignment Services Branch, and divide out the assigned goods/services from the original (parent) application. The Office will create a new (child) application serial number, and enter the information about the new application in its automated records.
• (2) To obtain a certificate of registration in the name of the new owner for the goods/services that have been divided out, the new owner must pay the fee(s) for the request to divide, as required by §2.6 and paragraph (b) of this section. The examining attorney will issue an Office action in the child application requiring the new owner to pay the required fee(s). If the owner of the child application fails to respond, the child application will be abandoned. It is not necessary for the new owner to file a separate request to divide.
• (3) The Office will not divide a section 66(a) application based upon a change of ownership unless the International Bureau notifies the Office that the international registration has been divided.

1110.01 Application May Be Divided

Under 37 C.F.R. §2.87(a) , an applicant may divide the application into two or more separate applications upon payment of the applicable fees. When dividing an application, the applicant preserves the filing date for all the goods/services covered by the application. See 37 C.F.R. §2.87(b) and TMEP §1110.02 regarding the fees for a request to divide.

An applicant may request division of an application for any reason. For example, in an intent-to-use application, the applicant may wish to proceed to publication or registration with the goods/services on or in connection with which the applicant has used the mark in commerce and retain an active intent-to-use application for any remaining goods/services.

The applicant must file a request to divide if the applicant files an amendment to allege use before making use on all the goods/services for which applicant seeks registration under §1(b), or a statement of use before making use on all the goods/services specified in the notice of allowance for which applicant seeks registration. 37 C.F.R. §2.76(c) , 2.88(c) ; TBMP §1104.03(a) , 1109.03 .

1110.02 Fees for Filing Request to Divide

Request to Divide Out One or More Entire Classes . With a request to divide out one or more entire classes from an application, only the fee for dividing the application (divisional fee), as set forth in 37 C.F.R. §2.6(a)(19) , is required. 37 C.F.R. §2.87(b) . A divisional fee is required for each new (child) application created by the division of the original (parent) application. No separate application filing fee is required for any new applications created.

Request to Divide Out Some, But Not All, of the Goods/Services in a Single Class . A request to divide out some, but not all, of the goods/services in a single class must be accompanied by both: (1)the divisional fee for each new (child) application created by the division of the original (parent) application ( 37 C.F.R. §2.6(a)(19) ); and (2)an application filing fee for each new separate application created by the division, as set forth in 37 C.F.R. §2.6(a)(1) . 37 C.F.R. §2.87(b) . The amount of the new application filing fee depends on the method used to file the original application and request to divide, and the filing fee in effect at the time of the request to divide, as follows:

• If the original application was filed using the previously available TEAS Regular or TEAS RF forms, or through TEAS Standard, and the request to divide is filed through TEAS, then the new application filing fee is the same as the TEAS Standard application filing fee ( 37 C.F.R. §2.6(a)(1)(iii) );
• If the original application was filed using TEAS Plus, and the request to divide is filed through TEAS, then the new application filing fee is the same as the TEAS Plus application filing fee ( 37 C.F.R. §2.6(a)(1)(iv) );
• If the original application was not filed through TEAS, and the request to divide is filed through TEAS, then the new application filing fee is the same as the TEAS Standard application filing fee ( 37 C.F.R §2.6(a)(1)(iii) ); and
• If the request to divide is permitted to be filed on paper ( see TMEP §301.02 ), then the new application filing fee is the same as the fee for filing an application on paper ( 37 C.F.R. §2.6(a)(1)(i) ), regardless of how the original application was filed.

The current fee schedule is available on the USPTO website at https://www.uspto.gov .

If the request to divide does not include the required fee(s), the ITU/Divisional Unit will notify the applicant in writing of the deficiency and grant the applicant time to submit the required fees. The applicant must submit the fee(s) within the time permitted, or the request to divide will be considered abandoned and the application will not be divided. If the applicant does not submit the necessary fees, the ITU/Divisional Unit will notify the applicant that the request to divide is considered abandoned.

See TMEP §1110.07 regarding the application of fees when an applicant files a request to divide in conjunction with a statement of use and/or request for an extension of time to file a statement of use, but submits insufficient fees.

1110.03 Time for Filing Request to Divide

An applicant may file a request to divide at any time between the filing of the application and the date the examining attorney approves the mark for publication; or during an opposition, concurrent use, or interference proceeding, upon motion granted by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. 37 C.F.R. §2.87(c)(1) .

A request to divide a §1(b) application may also be filed with a statement of use, or at any time between the filing of a statement of use and the date the examining attorney approves the mark for registration. 37 C.F.R. §2.87(c)(2) .

In a multiple-basis application, a request to divide out goods/services having a particular basis may also be filed during the period between the issuance of the notice of allowance and the filing of the statement of use. 37 C.F.R. §2.87(c)(3) .

If the USPTO receives a request to divide at any other time, the USPTO will deny the request, and refund any fees submitted with the request.

1110.04 Form and Processing of Request to Divide

Applicants must file a request to divide through the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) at https://teas.uspto.gov , unless an exception to the requirement to file electronically applies. See 37 C.F.R. §2.23(a) ; TMEP §301.01 . See TMEP §301.02 regarding the limited exceptions for paper submissions.

In TEAS, the applicant may file a request to divide directly as part of the TEAS “Allegation of Use” form, but only when the request to divide is limited to the creation of only one child application. If the applicant wishes to create more than one child application, or if the request to divide is being made in a context other than an “Allegation of Use” scenario, the applicant can still file electronically by doing the following: (1) choose the “Miscellaneous Forms” offering within TEAS, and (2) select therein the “Request to Divide Application” choice from the list of forms. A “Request to Divide Registration” offering is also available in the “Registration Maintenance/Renewal/Correction Forms” category.

All requests to divide must be immediately referred to the ITU/Divisional Unit for processing, unless the application is the subject of a proceeding before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. See TMEP §1110.09 regarding requests to divide applications that are the subject of a proceeding at the Board.

In pending applications in which a request to divide is filed, the ITU/Divisional Unit will process the request to divide and ensure that the USPTO records reflect current ownership information. Because the assignment records of the parent application do not appear in the newly created child application, the ITU staff will place a copy of the Trademark Assignment Abstract of Title for the parent application in the trademark records of the child application. The abstract will be viewable via the Trademark Image Capture Retrieval System (TICRS) and the Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TSDR) portal on the USPTO website. The assignment information in the parent application will remain accessible via the assignment database on the USPTO website. After the request to divide is processed and the child application is created, any new recordations in the child application will appear in the assignment database. See TMEP §501.06 regarding partial assignments.

Permitted paper filings. A permitted paper request to divide should be made in a separate document from any other amendment or response in the application. The title “Request to Divide Application” should appear at the top of the first page of the document. 37 C.F.R §2.87(d) .

1110.05 Outstanding Time Periods Apply to Newly Created Applications

Any outstanding deadline in effect at the time an application is divided applies not only to the original application, but also to each separate new application created by the division of the application, except in the following circumstances:

• (1) If an Office action pertaining to less than all the classes in a multiple-class application is outstanding, and the applicant files a request to divide out the goods, services, and/or class(es) to which the Office action does not pertain before the response deadline, a response to the Office action is not due in the new (child) application(s) created by the division of the application;
• (2) If an Office action pertaining to less than all the bases in a multiple-basis application is outstanding, and the applicant files a request to divide out the goods/services having the basis or bases to which the Office action does not pertain before the response deadline, a response to the Office action is not due in the new (child) application(s) created by the division of the application; or
• (3) In a multiple-basis application in which a notice of allowance has issued, if the applicant files a request to divide out the goods/services having the basis or bases to which the notice of allowance does not pertain before the deadline for filing the statement of use, the new (child) application(s) created by the division is/are not affected by the notice of allowance.

37 C.F.R. §2.87(e) .

1110.06 Signature of Request to Divide

A request to divide must be signed in accordance with the guidelines in TMEP §611.03(b) . The ITU/Divisional Unit must ensure that the request to divide is signed by a proper party. See TBMP §611.06–611.06(h) for more information about persons who have legal authority to bind various types of entities who are not represented by an attorney, §602-602.03(c) regarding persons who are qualified to represent others before the USPTO in trademark matters, and §611.05–611.05(c) regarding processing documents signed by an improper party.

1110.07 Dividing an Application when Statement of Use Is Due

Filing a request to divide does not extend the deadline for filing a statement of use or request for an extension of time to file a statement of use.

Any outstanding deadline in effect at the time the application is divided applies not only to the original application, but also to each new application created by the division of the application. 37 C.F.R. §2.87(e) . Therefore, if a notice of allowance has issued and a statement of use is due, a statement of use, or request for extension of time to file a statement of use, is due in each separate new application created by the division, unless the following exception applies:

• In a multiple-basis application, if the applicant files a request to divide out the goods/services having the basis or bases to which the notice of allowance does not pertain before the deadline for filing the statement of use, the new (child) application(s) created by the division are not affected by the notice of allowance. 37 C.F.R. §2.87(e)(3) ; TMEP §1110.05 .

A request to divide must be filed if the applicant files a statement of use before making use of the mark in commerce on all the goods/services specified in the notice of allowance as based on §1(b), unless the applicant deletes the goods/services that are not in use. 37 C.F.R. §2.88(c) ; TMEP §1109.03 .

Requests to divide are given priority in processing over any other document, with one exception: if the applicant submits a request for extension of time to file a statement of use that covers all the goods/services in the application at the same time as or before the request to divide, and the extension request applies to the resulting applications, the extension request will be processed first. This provides the applicant with an extension that applies to all resulting applications without requiring additional fees for extension requests.

When the applicant files a request to divide goods/services that are in use from goods/services that are not yet in use, the USPTO puts the goods/services in use in the newly created (child) application, and retains the goods/services not in use in the original (parent) application. More child applications may later be created from the parent application.

When the applicant files a request to divide goods/services based solely on §44(e) from goods/services that are not yet in use, the USPTO puts the goods/services that are based solely on §44 in a newly created (child) application, and retains the goods/services not in use in the original (parent) application.

If the applicant submits a request to divide along with a statement of use and a request for an extension of time to file a statement of use, and the fees are insufficient to cover all three, the fees will be applied first to the extension request (if there is enough to cover the extension request), second to the statement of use, and last to the request to divide. See TMEP §1108.02(c) regarding fee deficiencies in extension requests, §1109.15(a) regarding fee deficiencies in statements of use, and §1110.02 regarding fee deficiencies in requests to divide.

1110.08 Dividing an Application when Response to Office Action Is Due

Filing a request to divide is not a proper response to an Office action and does not relieve an applicant of the duty to respond to any outstanding Office action or to take any other required action.

Any outstanding deadline in effect at the time the application is divided applies not only to the original application, but also to each new application created by the division of the application. 37 C.F.R. §2.87(e) . Therefore, if a response to an Office action is due, the response is due in each separate new application created by the division of the application, unless one of the following exceptions applies:

• (1) If the Office action pertains to less than all the classes in a multiple-class application, and the applicant files a request to divide out the goods, services, or class(es) to which the Office action does not pertain before the response deadline, a response to the Office action is not due in the new (child) application(s) created by the division of the application.
• (2) If the Office action pertains to less than all the bases in a multiple-basis application, and the applicant files a request to divide out the goods/services having the basis or bases to which the Office action does not pertain before the response deadline, a response to the Office action is not due in the new (child) application(s) created by the division of the application.

37 C.F.R. §2.87(e)(1)-(2) .

If the applicant files a request to divide goods/services that are subject to a refusal from goods/services that are not subject to a refusal, the USPTO puts the goods/services that are not subject to refusal in the new (child) application, and retains the goods/services that are subject to refusal in the original (parent) application. More child applications may later be created from the parent application.

When a request to divide is filed with a response to an Office action, the response should be entered first, and then the request to divide should be referred to the ITU/Divisional Unit. The ITU/Divisional Unit will process the request and then return the application to regular processing. See TMEP §1110.04 regarding the form and processing of requests to divide.

1110.09 Dividing an Application Subject to a Proceeding at Trademark Trial and Appeal Board

A request to divide may be filed during an opposition, concurrent use, or interference proceeding, upon motion granted by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. 37 C.F.R. §2.87(c) . When an application is the subject of a proceeding before the Board, any request to divide must first be referred to the Board for appropriate action. If the Board determines that the request to divide should be granted, the Board will refer the request to the ITU/Divisional Unit with instructions for dividing the application. The ITU/Divisional Unit will process the request and then return the application to regular processing. See TBMP §516 .

See TBMP §1205.02 – 1205.02(b) regarding the filing of a request to divide filed with or after an appeal.

1110.10 Dividing a §44 Application

When the applicant divides an application that includes a claim of priority under §44(d), the separate new (child) application(s) created through the division retain the priority filing date, provided that each new application meets the requirements of §44(d). This is true even if the applicant does not ultimately perfect a §44(e) basis. See 37C.F.R. §2.35(b)(3)-(4) ; TBMP §806.01(c) , 806.02(f) .

In an application in which the same goods/services have both a §44(e) and §1(b) basis, and a notice of allowance has issued, the applicant, before the deadline for filing a statement of use, may file a request to divide out the goods/services under the §44(e) basis, and also request that the same goods/services remain in the parent application under §1(b).

When an applicant requests division of an application that includes a copy of a foreign registration, the applicant does not have to provide additional copies for each new application created by the division.

1110.11 Dividing a §66(a) Application

If ownership of an international registration changes for some but not all of the goods/services, the USPTO will not divide a §66(a) application unless the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization (IB) notifies the USPTO that the international registration has been divided. 37 C.F.R. §2.87(g)(3) . See TMEP §1110.11(a) for further information about division of a §66(a) application after a partial change of ownership.

In all other situations, a §66(a) applicant may divide a §66(a) application into two or more separate applications, if applicant meets all the requirements of 37C.F.R. §2.87 . See TBMP §1110.02 – 1110.06 for further requirements for filing a request to divide.

1110.11(a) Dividing a §66(a) Application After Change of Ownership with Respect to Some but Not All of the Goods/Services

When ownership of an international registration changes for some but not all of the goods/services for all designated Contracting Parties, the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization (IB) will create a separate new international registration for the goods/services that have been transferred, and notify the USPTO accordingly. See the IB’s Guide to the International Registration of Marks Under the Madrid Agreement & the Madrid Protocol , Para. B.II.67.01.

When the IB notifies the USPTO of the division of an international registration resulting from a change of ownership with respect to some but not all of the goods/services, the USPTO will construe the IB’s notice as a request to divide. The USPTO will record the partial change of ownership in the Assignment Recordation Branch, and divide out the assigned goods/services from the original (parent) application. The USPTO will create a new (child) application serial number, and enter the information about the new application in its automated records. 37 C.F.R. §2.87(g)(1) .

To obtain a certificate of registration in the name of the new owner for the goods/services that have been divided out, the new owner must pay the required fee(s) for the request to divide. 37 C.F.R. §2.6 , 2.87(b) , (g)(2) . The application will be forwarded to the examining attorney to issue an Office action in the new (child) application requiring the new owner to pay the required fees. See TMEP §1110.02 regarding the amount of the fee(s) for a request to divide. If the owner of the child application fails to respond, the child application will be abandoned. The USPTO will not approve the child application for publication or registration until the new owner pays the required divisional fees. It is not necessary for the new owner to file a separate request to divide.

The USPTO will not divide a §66(a) application based upon a change of ownership, unless the IB notifies the USPTO that the international registration has been divided. 37 C.F.R. §2.87(g)(3) .

See TMEP §1615.02 regarding division of registered extensions of protection of international registrations and §501.07 regarding assignment of extensions of protection.

1110.12 Division of Registrations

See TBMP §1615–1615.02 regarding division of registrations.