807.03(g) Drawings in "Typed" Format With No Standard Character Claim
Section 1 Applications. If the application does not include a standard character claim, but the mark is shown in a format that would have been considered "typed" prior to November 2, 2003 (i.e., the mark is shown in capital letters, or the mark is specified as "typed" in the body of the application, on a separate drawing page, or on a cover letter filed with the application), the drawing will initially be coded and entered into the automated records of the USPTO as a special form drawing. However, the examining attorney must treat the drawing of the mark as a standard character drawing and ensure that a standard character claim is entered into the record.
If the application is ready to be published for opposition, the examining attorney must enter the standard character claim by a no-call examiner’s amendment. In this situation, no prior authorization from the applicant is required to add a claim by an examiner’s amendment. See TMEP §707.02. If an Office action is necessary, it must include a requirement that the applicant submit a standard character claim.
Once the applicant submits a standard character statement, the examining attorney must ensure that the mark drawing code is changed to 4 (see TMEP §807.18).
Section 44 Applications. In a §44 application, the applicant cannot claim standard characters unless the foreign registration also claims standard characters. See TMEP §807.03(f).
Section 66(a) Applications. In a §66(a) application, the request for extension of protection forwarded by the IB normally indicates whether there is a standard character claim in the international registration. However, due to differences in requirements for standard character claims in different countries, there may be situations where the mark in the international registration meets the USPTO’s requirements for a standard character claim, but no standard character claim is set forth in the international registration. If the international registration does not indicate that the mark is in standard characters, and the applicant seeks to amend the §66(a) application to add a standard character claim, the examining attorney must contact the Supervisor of the Madrid Processing Unit ("MPU") via e-mail for instructions on how to proceed. The applicant may not add a standard character claim unless the mark meets the United States requirements for a standard character claim, as set forth in 37 C.F.R. §2.52(a) (see TMEP §§807.03(a) and (b)).