1211.02(b)(ii)    LexisNexis® Research Database Evidence

Excerpted newspaper, magazine, and newswire articles from the LexisNexis® research database are one type of evidence of the surname significance of a term. See In re Petrin Corp., 231 USPQ 902, 903 (TTAB 1986). There is no requirement that the examining attorney make of record every article found in a LexisNexis® search. However, the examining attorney is presumed to make the best case possible. See In re Federated Dep't Stores Inc., 3 USPQ2d 1541, 1542 n.2 (TTAB 1987) ; see also In re Monotype Corp. PLC, 14 USPQ2d 1070, 1071 (TTAB 1989) ("We must conclude that, because the Examining Attorney is presumed to have made the best case possible, the 46 stories not made of record [the search yielded 48 stories] do not support the position that CALISTO is a surname and, indeed, show that CALISTO has non surname meanings.") See TMEP §710.01(b) regarding evidence originating in foreign publications.

Examining attorneys may also show surname significance by providing evidence of the total number of occurrences of a particular surname in the LexisNexis® surname database, which is a regularly updated nationwide directory of mobile phone numbers and other numbers (such VOIP numbers) and the names with which they are associated. See TMEP §710.01(a) regarding the requirements for providing evidence from research databases in Office actions and §1211.02(b)(i) regarding providing evidence from telephone directory databases for surname significance.