1211.02(b)(iv) Surname of Person Associated with Applicant
The fact that a term is the surname of an individual associated with the applicant (e.g., an officer or founder) is evidence of the surname significance of the term. See, e.g., In re Etablissements Darty et Fils, 759 F.2d 15, 17, 225 USPQ 652, 653 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Colors in Optics, Ltd., 2020 USPQ2d 53784, at *3 (TTAB 2020); In re Olin Corp., 124 USPQ2d 1327, 1332 (TTAB 2017); In re Weiss Watch Co., 123 USPQ2d 1200, 1203 (TTAB 2017); In re Eximius Coffee, LLC, 120 USPQ2d 1276, 1278-80 (TTAB 2016). However, the lack of such an association does not necessarily reduce the likelihood that the mark would be perceived as a surname. See In re Adlon Brand GmbH & Co. KG, 120 USPQ2d 1717, 1724 (TTAB 2016).