Change Summary

   CHANGES: INDEX TO CHANGES IN TMEP OCTOBER 2015

Attention is directed to the following changes in the October 2015 TMEP.

SECTION

CHANGE

TMEP

 

Incorporated Exam Guide 1-15 and relevant precedential decisions reported prior to October 1, 2015.

 

301

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edits.

 

302

 

Updated rule text.  Incorporated text from prior §304.07.

 

302.01

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edits.

 

302.03(a)

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edit.  Revised to indicate that applicant name and mark should appear in heading/caption of paper documents.

 

302.03(b)

 

Added cross reference.  Miscellaneous stylistic edit.

 

303.01

 

Deleted reference to e-mail communication.  Miscellaneous stylistic edits.

 

303.02(c)

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edit.

 

304.01

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edits.  Reworded guidance regarding attachments for clarity.

 

304.02

 

Clarified that responses to Post-Registration Office actions are not acceptable via e-mail.

 

304.03

 

Revised section title: Authorization of Official Correspondence from the USPTO by Electronic Mail.  Changed "communications" to "official correspondence."  Incorporated paragraph from prior §304.06.  Incorporated paragraph from prior §304.06.  Deleted cross reference to §304.06.

 

304.04

 

Deleted section.

 

304.05

 

Deleted section.

 

304.06

 

Deleted section.

 

304.07

 

Deleted section.

 

304.08

 

Deleted section.

 

305.01

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edits.  Clarified that paper documents and covers sheets for assignments should be sent to the listed address unless they are filed together with a new application.

 

305.02

 

Added cross reference and updated current cross references.  Deleted list of prohibited filings.  Added rule citation. 

 

305.02(a)

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edits.

 

305.02(b)

 

Reworded first sentence for clarity.

 

305.02(c)

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edits.  Added rule citation.

 

305.02(e)

 

Added rule citation.  Updated cross reference.  Miscellaneous stylistic edit.

 

305.02(f)

 

Updated case citation.  Added language from Rule 2.197(b).  Miscellaneous stylistic edits.  Updated cross reference.  Deleted case citation.

 

305.02(g)

 

Deleted first paragraph.  Minor rewording for clarity.  Deleted reference to OG notice.

 

305.02(h)

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edits.

 

305.03

 

Deleted reference to OG notice.  Updated cross references.  Miscellaneous stylistic edits.  Updated list item (3) to clarify that petitioner must include copy of mailing label if the filer contends that there is a discrepancy between the filing date assigned by the USPTO and the "date accepted" entered by the USPS and deleted two rule citations.  Updated list item (4) to include circumstance when "date accepted" is omitted.  Updated reference to Federal Register notice.

 

305.04

 

Added excerpt of 35 U.S.C. §21(a).

 

306

 

Updated cross reference.

 

306.01

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edits.  Added cross reference.

 

306.04

 

Updated to indicate that proceeding number should be included on fax transmission.  Miscellaneous stylistic edits.

 

306.05

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edits.  Updated case citation.

 

306.05(a)

 

Update Federal Register citation.  Miscellaneous stylistic edit.

 

306.05(c)

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edit.  Updated cross reference.

 

306.05(d)

 

Updated case citation.  Added language from Rule 2.197(b) to list item (3).  Added rule citation.  Updated cross references.  Deleted case citation.

 

307

 

Updated delivery address.

 

308

 

Added title of Rule 2.196.  Updated rule citation and statutory citation.

 

309

 

Updated statutory citation.

 

310

 

Updated cross references.

 

401

 

Updated cross reference.

 

401.01

 

Updated cross reference.  Miscellaneous stylistic edit.

 

401.02

 

Changed "Office" to "USPTO."  Updated cross reference.

 

403

 

Updated cross references.  Miscellaneous stylistic edit.

 

404

 

Updated cross reference.

 

405

 

Updated rule citation and cross reference.

 

405.01

 

Updated cross reference.  Miscellaneous stylistic edits.

 

405.02(a)

 

Updated case citation.

 

405.03

 

Updated rule citation and added rule citation.  Updated cross reference.

 

405.04

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edit.

 

405.06

 

Updated case citation.  Updated cross reference.

 

501.01(a)

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edits.

 

501.03

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edit.

 

501.06

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edits.

 

502

 

Added statutory citation.

 

502.01

 

Added rule citations.

 

502.02(a)

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edits.  Added rule citation.

 

502.02(b)

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edits.

 

502.02(c)

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edits.

 

502.03

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edit.

 

503.01(a)

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edit.

 

503.01(b)

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edit.

 

503.03(a)

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edit.

 

503.03(e)

 

Revised to indicate that supporting documentation can be attached as a PDF document.  Updated rule citation.  Clarified process for documents not accompanied by a cover sheet.

 

503.05

 

Revised to indicate that supporting documentation can be attached as a PDF document.  Clarified process regarding date of recordation and documents that fail to meet requirements for recordation.  Updated cross references.

 

503.06

 

Updated cross reference.

 

503.06(d)

 

Updated cross reference.

 

503.07

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edit.

 

503.08

 

Updated hyperlink.

 

504

 

Deleted first paragraph.  Miscellaneous edits to document list and added two documents to list.  Clarified procedure for ensuring that database is automatically updated.

 

504.01

 

Clarified circumstances in which USPTO will not automatically update the database.  Clarified that "blackout period" applies to registrations and added examples of circumstances in which database cannot be automatically updated.

 

504.02

 

Updated cross reference.

 

504.03

 

Updated cross references.

 

504.04

 

Deleted section.

 

504.05

 

Renumbered as section 504.04.  Updated cross reference.

 

505

 

Revised to indicate that new owner must separately notify the TTAB if there is a TTAB proceeding.

 

505.01

 

Updated cross reference.  Revised to indicate that request should be filed with TTAB if there is a TTAB proceeding regarding the application.

 

505.02

 

Revised to indicate that request should be filed with TTAB if there is a TTAB proceeding regarding the application.

 

714.05(a)(i)

 

Added case citation and updated procedures to clarify that final refusal for functionality refusal must be made under §23 after amendment to Supplemental Register.

 

718.07

 

Clarified that new search is required when application has been listed as abandoned in USPTO database.

 

807.14

 

Added case citation.

 

807.14(f)

 

Added case citation.

 

808.03

 

Minor stylistic edit.  Added example of description that must be printed.

 

903.06(a)

 

Added examples to clarify when an amendment to the date of first use is required.

 

907

 

Updated to clarify the procedures for determining when a request for further information or a refusal for unlawful use must be issued.

 

1101

 

Updated case citation.

 

1202.02(b)(i)

 

Added statutory citations.

 

1202.02(b)(ii)

 

Updated to include procedure when product packaging is incapable of functioning as a source indicator because it is a common or basic shape in widespread use and will not be perceived as a mark.

 

1202.19-1202.19(k)

 

Incorporated Exam Guide 1-15 (Repeating Pattern Marks)

 

1202.19

 

New section: Repeating-Pattern Marks

 

1202.19(a)

 

New section: Drawing Requirements for Repeating-Pattern Marks

 

1202.19(a)(i)

 

New section: Mark Used on a Single Item

 

1202.19(a)(ii)

 

New section: Mark Used in a Similar Manner on Similar Items

 

1202.19(a)(iii)

 

New section: Mark Used in Various Ways or on Various Items

 

1202.19(a)(iv)

 

New section: Drawings for Service Marks

 

1202.19(b)

 

New section: Mark Descriptions for Repeating-Pattern Marks

 

1202.19(c)

 

New section title: Material Alteration of Repeating-Pattern Marks

 

1202.19(c)(i)

 

New section: Amending the Drawing to Depict a Different Object

 

1202.19(c)(ii)

 

New section: Amending a Swatch-Type Drawing to Show an Object and Vice Versa

 

1202.19(c)(iii)

 

New section: Amending the Drawing to Depict a Different Placement of the Repeating Pattern

 

1202.19(c)(iv)

 

New section: Amending Descriptions of Repeating-Pattern Marks 

 

1202.19(c)(v)

 

New section: Amendments in Applications Based on Section 44 or Section 66(a)

 

1202.19(d)

 

New section: Specimens for Repeating-Pattern Marks

 

1202.19(e)

 

New section: Failure-to-Function Refusal – Mark Not Inherently Distinctive

 

1202.19(e)(i)

 

New section: Inherent Distinctiveness Determination

 

1202.19(e)(i)(A)

 

New section: Common or Widely Used Pattern

 

1202.19(e)(i)(B)

 

New section: Pattern Creates a Distinct Commercial Impression Apart from Other Matter

 

1202.19(e)(i)(D)

 

New section: Industry Practice

 

1202.19(e)(i)(E)

 

New section: Type of Product

 

1202.19(e)(ii)

 

New section: Statutory Basis for Refusal

 

1202.19(e)(iii)

 

New section: Response Options

 

1202.19(f)

 

New section: Failure-to-Function Refusal – Inconsistent Goods or Services

 

1202.19(f)(i)

 

New section: Statutory Basis for Refusal

 

1202.19(f)(ii)

 

New section: Response Options

 

1202.19(g)

 

New section: Refusal – Application Seeks Registration of More than One Mark

 

1202.19(g)(i)

 

New section: Statutory Basis for Refusal

 

1202.19(g)(ii)

 

New section: Response Options

 

1202.19(h)

 

New section: Refusals in Applications Based on Section 1(b), Section 44, or Section 66(a)

 

1202.19(i)

 

New section: Functional Repeating Patterns

 

1202.19(j)

 

New section: Random Patterns

 

1202.19(k)

 

New section: Examples of Repeating-Pattern Marks

 

1205.01(a)(iv)

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edits.

 

1205.01(c)(iii)

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edits.

 

1205.01(d)(i)

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edit.

 

1205.01(d)(i)(A)

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edits.

 

1205.01(d)(i)(B)

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edit.

 

1205.01(d)(i)(C)

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edits.

 

1205.01(d)(i)(D)

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edits.

 

1205.01(d)(ii)

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edit.

 

1205.01(d)(ii)(A)

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edits.

 

1205.01(d)(ii)(B)

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edit.

 

1205.01(d)(ii)(C)

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edits.

 

1205.01(d)(ii)(D)

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edits.

 

1205.01(d)(iv)

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edits.

 

1207.01(b)(iii)

 

Updated case citation.

 

1207.01(b)(viii)

 

Clarified that consideration must be given to the mark as a whole when assessing compound word marks.  Added case citation.

 

1207.01(b)(ix)

 

Added case citation.

 

1207.01(c)(ii)

 

Added case citation.

 

1207.01(d)(iii)

 

Added case citation.

 

1208.01(d)

 

Clarified that application should be listed as abandoned in USPTO database.

 

1209.01(c)(i)

 

Updated case citation.  Added case citation.

 

1209.03(f)

 

Added case cites.  Clarified that entire mark is descriptive when comprised of descriptive wording and design element that is pictorial representation of the goods, or that reinforces the descriptive meaning of the wording.

 

1210.08

 

Added cross reference.

 

1212.02(f)(i)

 

Added case citation.

 

1212.04

 

Added case citation.

 

1212.05

 

Added case citation.

 

1212.05(a)

 

Added case citation.

 

1212.06(a)

 

Added case citation.

 

1212.06(b)

 

Added case citation.

 

1213.01(a)

 

Added case citation.

 

1306.02(c)

 

Changed section title to add "of the Authorized Users"

 

1401.02(a)

 

Added information regarding availability of Nice Classification, 10th edition, version 2016 on WIPO website.

 

1401.07

 

Clarified that classification may be impacted when specimen discloses that use of the identified goods is limited to a particular function or purpose.

 

1402.03(e)

 

Updated cross reference.

 

1402.03(g)

 

New section: Name and/or Acronym of Trademark Protection System or Scheme for Geographical Indication Appearing in Identification

 

1402.04

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edit.

 

1402.07(c)

 

Updated cross reference.

 

1402.11(c)

 

Miscellaneous stylistic edit.

 

1402.11(k)

 

New section:  Accreditation- and Certification-Related Services vs. Certification Marks

 

1402.12

 

Clarified that Post Registration Section uses square brackets to indicate deleted goods/services.

 

1505.03(a)

 

Deleted example regarding multiple-basis applications published without indication of which goods/services are under each basis.

 

1604.13

 

Added case citation.  Updated to clarify the standard for material alteration.

 

1613.13

 

Added case citation.  Updated to clarify the standard for material alteration.

 

1904.09(b)

 

Revised to require a new search when a cancelled extension of protection is transformed into a new application under §1 or §44.

 

Appendix D

 

Corrected description of abbreviation SA as used by Switzerland