1209.03(d)    Combined Terms

When two or more descriptive terms are combined, the determination of whether the composite mark also has a descriptive significance turns on whether the combination of terms evokes a new and unique commercial impression. See In re Oppedahl & Larson LLP, 373 F.3d 1171, 1174-75, 71 USPQ2d 1370, 1372 (Fed. Cir. 2004) (citing In re Nat’l Data Corp., 753 F.2d 1056, 1058, 224 USPQ 749, 750-51 (Fed. Cir. 1985)) ("[T]he PTO must . . . determine whether the mark as a whole, i.e., the combination of the individual parts, conveys any distinctive source-identifying impression contrary to the descriptiveness of the individual parts."); In re Omniome, Inc., 2020 USPQ2d 3222, at *4 (TTAB 2019) (citing In re Colonial Stores Inc., 394 F.2d 549, 551-52, 157 USPQ 382, 384 (C.C.P.A. 1968); In re Shutts, 217 USPQ 363, 364-65 (TTAB 1983)) ("A mark comprising a combination of merely descriptive components is registrable only if the combination of terms creates a unitary mark with a non-descriptive meaning, or if the composite has a bizarre or incongruous meaning as applied to the goods or services.").

If each component retains its descriptive significance in relation to the goods or services, the combination results in a composite that is itself descriptive. DuoProSS Meditech Corp. v. Inviro Medical Devices, Ltd., 695 F.3d 1247, 103 USPQ2d 1753 (Fed. Cir. 2012) (SNAP SIMPLY SAFER merely descriptive for "medical devices, namely, cannulae; medical, hypodermic, aspiration and injection needles; medical, hypodermic, aspiration and injection syringes"); In re Oppedahl & Larson LLP, 373 F.3d at 1171, 71 USPQ2d at 1370 (PATENTS.COM merely descriptive of computer software for managing a database of records that could include patents and for tracking the status of the records by means of the Internet); In re Gould Paper Corp., 834 F.2d 1017, 1018, 5 USPQ2d 1110, 1111–12 (Fed. Cir. 1987) (SCREENWIPE held generic as applied to premoistened antistatic cloths for cleaning computer and television screens); In re Fallon, 2020 USPQ2d 11249, at *12 (TTAB 2020) (THERMAL MATRIX merely descriptive of a heat-responsive, malleable liner that is an integral component of an oral dental appliance); In re Omniome, Inc., 2020 USPQ2d 3222, at *10-11 (SEQUENCING BY BINDING merely descriptive of various goods and services used to sequence DNA by the process of binding); In re Nat’l Ass’n of Veterinary Technicians in Am., Inc., 2019 USPQ2d 269108, at *1, *5 (TTAB 2019) (VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST merely descriptive of "veterinary medicine services" provided by persons certified as having "completed the required curriculum of a defined body of veterinary technology knowledge pertinent to that particular specialty"); In re Mecca Grade Growers, LLC, 125 USPQ2d 1950, 1955 (TTAB 2018) (MECHANICALLY FLOOR-MALTED merely descriptive of malt for brewing and distilling and processing of agricultural grain); In re Positec Gr. Ltd., 108 USPQ2d 1161 (TTAB 2013) (SUPERJAWS merely descriptive for a variety of machine and hand tools including jaws); In re Petroglyph Games, Inc., 91 USPQ2d 1332 (TTAB 2009) (BATTLECAM merely descriptive for computer game software); In re Carlson, 91 USPQ2d 1198 (TTAB 2009) (URBANHOUZING merely descriptive of real estate brokerage, real estate consultation, and real estate listing services); In re Leonhardt, 109 USPQ2d 2091 (TTAB 2008) (BOBBLE POPS held merely descriptive for "candy," which the record showed was a lollipop candy featuring a bobble head device); In re Cox Enters. Inc., 82 USPQ2d 1040 (TTAB 2007) (THEATL – a compressed version of the term "THE ATL," a recognized nickname for the city of Atlanta – held merely descriptive of printed matter of interest to residents of and tourists and visitors to Atlanta, Georgia); In re King Koil Licensing Co., 79 USPQ2d 1048 (TTAB 2006) (THE BREATHABLE MATTRESS held merely descriptive of "beds, mattresses, box springs and pillows," based on dictionary definitions of "breathable" and "mattress," and excerpts of web pages that refer to "breathable mattresses" and "breathable bedding"); In re Finisar Corp., 78 USPQ2d 1618 (TTAB 2006) (SMARTSFP held merely descriptive of optical transceivers), aff’d per curiam, 223 Fed. App'x 984 (Fed. Cir. 2007); In re Tower Tech, Inc., 64 USPQ2d 1314 (TTAB 2002) (SMARTTOWER merely descriptive of "commercial and industrial cooling towers and accessories therefor, sold as a unit"); In re Sun Microsystems Inc., 59 USPQ2d 1084 (TTAB 2001) (AGENTBEANS merely descriptive of computer software for use in development and deployment of application programs on global computer network); In re Putman Publ'g Co., 39 USPQ2d 2021 (TTAB 1996) (FOOD & BEVERAGE ONLINE merely descriptive of news and information service for the food processing industry); In re Copytele Inc., 31 USPQ2d 1540 (TTAB 1994) (SCREEN FAX PHONE merely descriptive of "facsimile terminals employing electrophoretic displays"); In re Entenmann’s Inc., 15 USPQ2d 1750 (TTAB 1990) (holding OATNUT merely descriptive of bread containing oats and hazelnuts), aff’d per curiam, 928 F.2d 411 (Fed. Cir. 1991); In re Serv-A-Portion Inc., 1 USPQ2d 1915 (TTAB 1986) (SQUEEZE N SERV merely descriptive of ketchup and thus subject to disclaimer); In re Wells Fargo & Co., 231 USPQ 95 (TTAB 1986) (EXPRESSERVICE merely descriptive of banking and trust services); In re Uniroyal, Inc., 215 USPQ 716 (TTAB 1982) (STEELGLAS BELTED RADIAL merely descriptive of vehicle tires containing steel and glass belts); In re Bright-Crest, Ltd., 204 USPQ 591 (TTAB 1979) (COASTER-CARDS merely descriptive of coasters suitable for direct mailing).

However, a mark comprising a combination of merely descriptive components is registrable if the combination of terms creates a unitary mark with a unique, nondescriptive meaning, or if the composite has a bizarre or incongruous meaning as applied to the goods. See In re Colonial Stores Inc., 394 F.2d at 549, 157 USPQ at 382 (SUGAR & SPICE held not merely descriptive of bakery products); In re Shutts,217 USPQ at 363 (SNO-RAKE held not merely descriptive of a snow removal hand tool).

When there is evidence that the composite mark itself has been used together to form a phrase that is descriptive of the goods or services, it is unnecessary to engage in an analysis of each individual component. In re Shiva Corp., 48 USPQ2d 1957, 1958 (TTAB 1998) (TARIFF MANAGEMENT merely descriptive of computer hardware and computer programs to control, reduce, and render more efficient wide area network usage).

The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board has held that the addition of the prefix "e" does not change the merely descriptive significance of a term in relation to goods or services sold or rendered electronically, where the record showed that the "e" prefix has become commonly recognized as a designation for goods or services sold or delivered electronically. In re Int’l Bus. Machs. Corp., 81 USPQ2d 1677, 1679 (TTAB 2006) ("We see no difference in the meaning or connotation of ‘e-server’ and ‘eserver,’ and consider them both to be an abbreviated form of ‘electronic server.’"); In re SPX Corp., 63 USPQ2d 1592 (TTAB 2002) (E-AUTODIAGNOSTICS merely descriptive of an "electronic engine analysis system comprised of a hand-held computer and related computer software"); In re Styleclick.com Inc., 57 USPQ2d 1445 (TTAB 2000) (E FASHION merely descriptive of software used to obtain beauty and fashion information, and for electronic retailing services); Cont'l Airlines Inc. v. United Airlines Inc., 53 USPQ2d 1385 (TTAB 1999) (E-TICKET generic for computerized reservation and ticketing of transportation services). Similarly, with appropriate evidence, the prefix "i" or "I" was held to be understood by purchasers to signify Internet, when used in relation to Internet-related products or services. See In re Zanova, Inc., 59 USPQ2d 1300 (TTAB 2000) (ITOOL merely descriptive of computer software for use in creating web pages, and custom design of websites for others). In these situations, the examining attorney should provide evidence of use of the prefix "e" or "i" in relation to the goods or services.

The addition of an entity designator (e.g., Corporation, Corp., Co., Inc., Ltd., etc.) to a descriptive term does not alter the term’s descriptive significance, because an entity designation has no source-indicating capacity. See Goodyear’s India Rubber Glove Mfg. Co. v. Goodyear Rubber Co., 128 U.S. 598, 602 (1888) ("The addition of the word ‘Company’ [to an otherwise generic mark] only indicates that parties have formed an association or partnership to deal in such goods . . . ." and does not render the generic mark registrable); In re Integrated Embedded, 120 USPQ2d 1504,1507 (TTAB 2016) ("The addition of the disclaimed term GROUP to Applicant’s mark . . . is incapable of lending source-identifying significance to the mark."); In re Cell Therapeutics Inc., 67 USPQ2d 1795 (TTAB 2003) (CELL THERAPEUTICS INC. generic for pharmaceutical preparations and laboratory research and development services); In re Taylor & Francis [Publishers] Inc., 55 USPQ2d 1213, 1215 (TTAB 2000) ("PRESS," as applied to a printing or publishing establishment, "is in the nature of a generic entity designation which is incapable of serving a source-indicating function"); In re Pat. & Trademark Servs. Inc., 49 USPQ2d 1537 (TTAB 1998) (PATENT & TRADEMARK SERVICES INC. is merely descriptive of legal services in the field of intellectual property; the term "INC." merely indicates the type of entity that performs the services, and has no significance as a mark); In re Paint Prods. Co., 8 USPQ2d 1863, 1866 (TTAB 1988) ("‘PAINT PRODUCTS CO.’ is no more registrable for goods emanating from a company that sells paint products than it would be as a service mark for the retail paint store services offered by such a company."); In re E. I. Kane, Inc., 221 USPQ 1203, 1205 (TTAB 1984) ("The addition of the term ‘INC.’ does not add any trademark significance to the matter sought to be registered. The complete term ‘OFFICE MOVERS, INC.’ is so highly descriptive that it is incapable of distinguishing applicant's services [which included "moving services, namely the moving of office facilities"]."). See TMEP §1213.03(d) regarding disclaimer of entity designators.