1213.05(b)(ii)(A)    Verbs

Verbs indicate "the performance or occurrence of an action or the existence of a condition or a state of being." The Chicago Manual of Style ¶ 5.95 (16th ed. 2010). The presence of a verb may indicate that a mark or portion of a mark is a unitary phrase or slogan by linking a subject and an object, or by referring to something that is ongoing, thereby creating continuity of thought or expression. See id. ¶ 5.96.

Example 1: TIP YOUR HAT for "hats"

When linked with the phrase YOUR HAT, the verb TIP renders the mark as a unitary phrase that creates the commercial impression of touching or raising a hat as a greeting or polite gesture. No disclaimer of HAT is required.

Example 2: TRANSFORMING STATE GOVERNMENT for "providing information in the field of government affairs"

The verb TRANSFORMING indicates an ongoing activity being performed on STATE GOVERNMENT, thereby unifying the terms so that they function as a unit. No disclaimer of STATE GOVERNMENT is required.

Some additional examples of phrases in which the verb renders the phrase unitary are:

FILING TAXES SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO for "tax preparation"

BOATS ARE FUN for "boats"

TAKE THIS MEDICINE for "cough syrup"

See TMEP §1213.05(b)(ii)(B) for examples in which the combination of a verb and a preposition link the wording to create a unitary phrase.