Change Summary

   CHANGES: INDEX TO CHANGES IN TMEP APRIL 2014

Attention is directed to the following changes in the April 2014 TMEP.

SECTION

CHANGE

TMEP

 

Incorporated precedential case law issued prior to May 1, 2014.

 

401

 

Added cross reference.

 

401.01

 

Corrected information regarding filing receipts for §66(a) applications and added procedure for requesting correction of filing receipt.  Clarified procedure for review of voluntary amendments filed prior to assignment of application to examining attorney.

 

403

 

Corrected procedure regarding duplicate courtesy copies of e-mails returned as undeliverable.

 

504.01

 

Clarified process for filing multiple assignments with the same execution date on the same date.

 

504.02

 

Clarified that Trademark database is not automatically updated upon recording of assignment.

 

602.01

 

Clarified the definition of "state."

 

702.01

 

Clarified examination procedure for voluntary amendments filed prior to assignment of application to examining attorney.

 

714.03

 

Clarified procedure for applications with claim of priority under §44(d).

 

714.05

 

Clarified that Madrid Processing Unit should be notified if new issue is raised.

 

715.03(a)(2)(C)

 

Added petition decision cite.

 

716.02(i)

 

New section added:  Pending Registry Agreement with ICANN for Marks Comprised Solely of gTLDs for Domain-Name Registry Operator and Registrar Services

 

718.02(a)

 

Clarified procedure for incomplete response to partial refusal or requirement.

 

718.03

 

Added cross references.  Clarified procedures for unsigned responses, responses signed by unauthorized persons, properly signed but incomplete responses to final actions, and failure to respond to notice of incomplete response.

 

806.03(j)(i)

 

Updated procedures for adding or substituting a §44(e) basis to a §1(b) application after publication.

 

806.03(j)(ii)

 

Updated procedures for adding or substituting a §44(e) basis to a §1(b) application after issuance of the notice of allowance and before filing a statement of use.

 

806.03(j)(iii)

 

Updated procedures for adding or substituting a §44(e) basis to a §1(b) application after filing a statement of use.

 

808.02

 

Clarified that statements in the mark description regarding how a mark is used must not be printed on the registration certificate and added examples of descriptions containing an appropriate level of detail.

 

808.03

 

Deleted references to Trademark database.

 

808.03(a)

 

Added examples of accurate and complete descriptions from Exam Guide 2-08.

 

808.03(b)

 

Added examples of descriptions that may be entered by examiner’s amendment without prior approval of the applicant from Exam Guide 2-08.

 

808.03(c)(i)

 

Added example of an accurate but incomplete description where a description must be printed from Exam Guide 2-08.

 

808.03(c)(ii)

 

Added examples of accurate but incomplete descriptions where a description need not be printed from Exam Guide 2-08.

 

808.03(d)

 

Added examples of inaccurate descriptions from Exam Guide 2-08.

 

808.03(g)

 

Added new section: Unacceptable Statements in Mark Descriptions

 

809.01

 

Clarified that examining attorney has discretion to inquire regarding whether a term has meaning in a foreign language.

 

809.01(a)

 

Clarified procedure for entering entering translation/transliteration statement.

 

810

 

Changed "preliminary amendment" to "voluntary amendment" to reflect change in name of TEAS form.

 

819.01(g)

 

Changed "Preliminary amendments" to "Voluntary amendments" to reflect change in name of TEAS form.

 

819.02(b)

 

Changed "preliminary amendment" to "voluntary amendment" to reflect change in name of TEAS form.

 

819.04

 

Changed "Preliminary Amendment" to "Voluntary Amendment Not in Response to USPTO Office Action/Letter" to reflect change in name of TEAS form.

 

904

 

Deleted reference to conditional refusal pending submission of acceptable specimen.

 

904.03(i)(C)(2)

 

Added case cite.

 

1002.01

 

Added case cite.

 

1005

 

Added case cite.

 

1106.01

 

Clarified procedure for issuance of notice of allowance and for failure to timely file statement of use or request for an extension of time to file a statement of use in response to a notice of allowance.

 

1202.02(b)(i)-1202.02(c)(iv)

 

Revised to clarify procedures for submission of applications for, and examination of, trade dress marks.

 

1202.02(c)

 

Section title revised:  Drawings, Descriptions, and Disclaimers in Trade Dress Applications

 

1202.02(c)(i)

 

Section title revised:  Drawings of Trade Dress Marks

 

1202.02(c)(i)(A)

 

New section:  Functional Matter

 

1202.02(c)(i)(B)

 

New section:  Nondistinctive Matter

 

1202.02(c)(i)(C)

 

New section:  Drawings in §44 and §66(a) Applications

 

1202.02(c)(iii)(A)

 

New section:  Functional Matter

 

1202.02(c)(iii)(B)

 

New section:  Nondistinctive Matter

 

1202.11

 

Added case cite.

 

1203.03(b)(ii)

 

Added case cite.

 

1203.03(c)(i)

 

Clarified elements of legal test.  Added case cites.

 

1203.03(c)(iii)

 

Added case cite.

 

1204

 

Updated case cite.

 

1204.01(a)

 

Added cross reference.

 

1205.01(d)(iv)

 

New section:  Examples.  Added examples from Exam Guide 2-12.

 

1206.02

 

Added case cite.

 

1207.01(a)(i)

 

Added case cite.

 

1207.01(a)(iii)

 

Added case cites. 

 

1207.01(b)(iii)

 

Added case cite.

 

1207.01(d)(vii)

 

Added case cite.

 

1207.01(d)(xi)

 

Added case cite.

 

1209.01(c)(i)

 

Added case cites.  Updated case cite.

 

1209.01(c)(ii)

 

Added case cites.  Updated case cite. 

 

1209.01(c)(iii)

 

Added case cite.  Updated case cite.

 

1209.03(m)

 

Updated to incorporate guidance from Examination Guide 1-14.

 

1212.05(a)

 

Clarified parenthetical example to indicate that product design is not inherently distinctive.

 

1212.06

 

Added case cite.

 

1213.08(a)(iii)

 

New section:  Unacceptable Statements in Disclaimers

 

1215-1215.10

 

Incorporated Examination Guide 1-14: Applications for Marks Comprised of gTLDs for Domain Name Registry Operator and Registrar Services

 

1215.02(d)

 

Revised section title:  Marks Comprised Solely of gTLDs for Domain-Name Registry Operator and Registrar Services

 

1215.02(d)(i)

 

New section:  Prior Registration(s) of the Same Mark for Goods or Services in the Same Field of Use

 

1215.02(d)(ii)

 

New section:  Additional Proof that the Mark Used as a gTLD Will Be Perceived as a Mark

 

1215.02(d)(iii)

 

New section:  Registry Agreement/ICANN Contract

 

1215.02(d)(iv)

 

New section:  Legitimate Service for the Benefit of Others

 

1215.08(c)

 

Revised section title:  Adding or Deleting "." in Marks for Domain Name Registry Operator or Registrar Registration Services

 

1215.10

 

Revised section title:  Marks Containing the Phonetic Equivalent of a Generic Top-Level Domain

 

1216.02

 

Added case cite.

 

1303.01

 

Clarified that in applications based on §1(b), §44, or §66(a), applicant must assert that it is entitled to exercise legitimate control over use of the mark in commerce.

 

1304.08(f)(i)

 

Clarified that in applications based on §1(b), §44, or §66(a), applicant must assert that it is entitled to exercise legitimate control over use of the mark in commerce.

 

1306.06(f)(iii)

 

Clarified that in applications based on §1(b), §44, or §66(a), applicant must assert that it is entitled to exercise legitimate control over use of the mark in commerce.

 

1401.02(a)

 

Updated Class Headings based on changes in Nice Classification, 10th edition, version 2014.  

 

1401.05(c)

 

Clarified nature of services classified in multiple classes on the basis of the purpose for which the service activity is rendered.

 

1402.01(b)

 

Added case cite.

 

1402.02

 

Added case cite.

 

1402.07(a)

 

Clarified that use of a class heading as an identification of goods or services is not deemed to include all the goods or services in the established scope of that class.  Added case cite.

 

1402.11(a)(i)

 

Changed internal italic heading to numbered heading:  Services Classified in Classes 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 44, and 45.  Revised examples of acceptable identifications.

 

1402.11(a)(ii)

 

Changed internal italic heading to numbered heading:  Content Providers.  Clarified that content provider services may be classified in a variety of classes depending upon the nature of the activity provided, i.e., Information provider services, audiovisual content, and other services.  Revised examples of acceptable identifications.

 

1402.11(a)(iii)

 

Changed internal italic heading to numbered heading:  Provision of Telecommunications Connections to the Internet.  Revised examples of acceptable identifications.

 

1402.11(a)(iv)

 

Changed internal italic heading to numbered heading:  Office-Function-Type and Computerized Web Traffic Services.  Revised examples of acceptable identifications.

 

1402.11(a)(v)

 

Changed internal italic heading to numbered heading:  Computer Installation and Repair Services. 

 

1402.11(a)(vi)

 

Changed internal italic heading to numbered heading:  Computer Retail Services.  Revised examples of acceptable identifications.

 

1402.11(a)(vii)

 

Changed internal italic heading to numbered heading:  Computer Entertainment Services.  Revised examples of acceptable identifications.

 

1402.11(a)(viii)

 

Changed internal italic heading to numbered heading:  Computer Design and Development Services. 

 

1402.11(a)(ix)

 

Changed internal italic heading to numbered heading:  Database Services.

 

1402.11(a)(x)

 

Changed internal italic heading to numbered heading:  Online Publications.

 

1402.11(a)(xi)

 

Added new section:  Electronic Storage, Hosting of Data, and Cloud Computing.

 

1403.02(c)

 

Changed "preliminary amendment" to "voluntary amendment" to reflect change in name of TEAS form.

 

1502.01

 

Clarified procedure for requesting corrections of clerical or typographical errors.

 

1601.01(b)

 

Clarified procedure for requesting duplicate certificate of registration.

 

1713.02

 

Changed section title to "Failure to Respond to Notice of Incomplete Response or Denial of Request for Reconsideration with No Appeal Filed."  Revised to clarify procedure when applicant fails to respond to notice of incomplete response or denial of request for reconsideration and has not filed an appeal.

 

1715.03(a)

 

Revised to clarify that letters of protest regarding applications that will issue on the Supplemental Register must be submitted as soon as possible after the filing of the application.

 

1715.03(b)

 

Revised to clarify exceptions to rule that letters of protest filed more than 30 days after publication are generally denied as untimely and requirements for timely filing of letter of protest based on an application under Trademark Act §66(a).

 

1715.04

 

Revised to clarify the preferred format for letters of protest and the type of evidence that should be submitted.

 

1715.04(a)

 

Revised to clarify that duplicate letters of protest should not be sent.

 

1902.02(b)

 

Clarified procedure when basic application or registration is divided after international application is filed.

 

1902.09

 

Clarified that international registration is dependent on the child application or registration of a basic application or registration.