1613.11 "Excusable Nonuse" of Mark

37 C.F.R. §7.37 (Extract)

A complete affidavit or declaration under section 71 of the Act must:

. . .

(f) . . .
(2) If the registered mark is not in use in commerce on or in connection with all the goods or services in the registration, set forth the date when use of the mark in commerce stopped and the approximate date when use is expected to resume and recite facts to show that nonuse as to those goods or services is due to special circumstances that excuse the nonuse and is not due to an intention to abandon the mark[.]

The purpose of Section 71 of the Trademark Act is to remove from the register those registrations that have become deadwood. See Morehouse Mfg. Corp. v. J. Strickland & Co., 407 F.2d 881, 160 USPQ 715 (C.C.P.A. 1969). It is not intended, however, to cancel registrations because of a temporary interruption in the use of the mark due to circumstances beyond the control of the holder of the registration. See In re Moorman Mfg. Co., 203 USPQ 712 (Comm’r Pats. 1979). Thus, if the mark is not in use in commerce but the holder believes the registration should not be cancelled, the holder may file an affidavit or declaration showing that nonuse is due to special circumstances that excuse the nonuse, and is not due to any intention to abandon the mark. 15 U.S.C. §1141k(b)(2). See Ex parte Kelley-How-Thomson Co. , 118 USPQ 40 (Comm’r Pats. 1958).

Requirements for Affidavit or Declaration

Since "showing" implies proof, merely stating that special circumstances exist and there is no intention to abandon the mark is not sufficient. See In re Conusa Corp., 32 USPQ2d 1857 (Comm'r Pats. 1993); In re Moorman Mfg. Co., supra; Ex parte Astra Pharmaceutical Products, Inc., 118 USPQ 368 (Comm’r Pats. 1958); Ex parte Denver Chemical Mfg. Co. , 118 USPQ 106 (Comm’r Pats. 1958). The affidavit or declaration must state when use in commerce stopped and give the approximate date when use is expected to resume. 37 C.F.R. §7.37(f)(2). If the holder was unable to commence use due to special circumstances beyond the holder’s control that excuse the nonuse, the holder should state that the mark was never in use and give the approximate date when use is expected to begin. The affidavit or declaration must also specify the reason for nonuse, the specific steps being taken to put the mark in use, and any other relevant facts to support a finding of excusable nonuse.

Sufficient facts must be set forth to demonstrate clearly that nonuse is due to some special circumstance beyond the holder's control or "forced by outside causes." See In re Conusa Corp., supra ; In re Moorman Mfg. Co., supra; Ex parte Kelley-How-Thomson Co., supra.

The goods/services for which excusable nonuse is claimed must be specified. See TMEP §§1613.09 et seq . regarding proper specification of the goods and services.

In a multiple-class registration, there must be a recitation of facts as to nonuse for each class to which the affidavit or declaration pertains, or it must be clear that the facts recited apply to all the classes.

Presumption of Abandonment

If the mark has not been in use for three consecutive years and the holder has done nothing to try to resume use of the mark, the Office may presume that the holder has abandoned the mark. 15 U.S.C. §1127. See Imperial Tobacco Ltd. v. Phillip Morris Inc. , 899 F.2d 1575, 14 USPQ2d 1390 (Fed. Cir. 1990); Stromgren Supports Inc. v. Bike Athletic Co., 43 USPQ2d 1100 (TTAB 1997).

Examples of Special Circumstances That Do and Do Not Excuse Nonuse

In addition to a showing that there is no intention to abandon the mark, the holder must show that nonuse is due to special circumstances beyond the holder's control that excuse nonuse. The following examples provide general guidelines as to what is considered to be a special circumstance that excuses nonuse:

Business Decision. Nonuse related to a business decision is not beyond the holder’s control and does not excuse nonuse.
Decreased Demand . Decreased demand for the product sold under the mark, resulting in its discontinuance for an indefinite period, does not excuse nonuse. The purpose of the requirement for an affidavit or declaration is to eliminate registrations of marks that are in nonuse due to ordinary changes in social or economic conditions. See In re Conusa Corp ., supra ; In re Parmalat S.p.A ., 32 USPQ2d 1860 (Comm’r Pats. 1991); Ex parte Astra Pharmaceutical Products, Inc ., supra ; Ex parte Denver Chemical Mfg. Co ., supra .
Trade Embargo or Other Circumstance Beyond Holder’s Control . Nonuse may be considered excusable where the holder of the registration is willing and able to continue use of the mark in commerce, but is unable to do so due to a trade embargo.
Sale of a Business . Temporary nonuse due to the sale of a business might be considered excusable.
Retooling . The mark might be out of use temporarily because of an interruption of production for retooling of a plant or equipment, with production possible again at a scheduled time. However, nonuse due to retooling is excusable only if the holder shows that the plant or equipment being retooled was essential to the production of the goods and that alternative equipment was unavailable on the market. See In re New England Mutual Life Insurance Co ., 33 USPQ2d 1532 (Comm’r Pats. 1991).
Orders on Hand . If the product is of a type that cannot be produced quickly or in large numbers (e.g., airplanes), yet there are orders on hand and activity toward filling them, nonuse might be considered excusable.
Illness, Fire, and Other Catastrophes . Illness, fire, and other catastrophes may create situations of temporary nonuse, with the holder being able to outline arrangements and plans for resumption of use. Such nonuse is often excusable. However, a mere statement that the holder is ill and cannot conduct his or her business will not in itself excuse nonuse; the holder must show that the business is an operation that could not continue without his or her presence. See New England Mutual Life Insurance, supra .
Negotiations with Distributors . A recitation of efforts to negotiate agreements that would allow for resumption of use of the mark, or a statement that samples of the goods have been shipped to potential distributors, may establish lack of intention to abandon the mark, but does not establish the existence of special circumstances that excuse the nonuse. See In re Parmalat, supra; In re Moorman, supra .
Use in Foreign Country . Use of the mark in a foreign country has no bearing on excusable nonuse of a mark in commerce that can be regulated by the United States Congress. See In re Conusa, supra .
Use of Mark on Different Goods/Services . Use of the mark on goods/services other than those recited in the registration does not establish either special circumstances or lack of intention to abandon the mark. See Ex parte Kelley-How-Thomson Co., supra .
Use of Mark in Another Form . Use of a mark as an essential part of a materially different composite mark does not excuse the failure to use the mark at issue. See In re Continental Distilling Corp ., 254 F.2d 139, 117 USPQ 300 (C.C.P.A. 1958).

Supplementary Evidence or Explanation of Nonuse

If the USPTO determines that the facts set forth do not establish excusable nonuse, the holder may file supplementary evidence or explanation, within the response period set forth in the Office action. If the affidavit or declaration included a claim of excusable nonuse when filed, no deficiency surcharge will be required for supplementing this claim with additional evidence or an explanation.

Substitute Affidavit or Declaration Claiming Use

If the holder responds to the Office action by submitting a substitute affidavit or declaration with a claim of use, the USPTO will examine the substitute use affidavit or declaration.