1211.01(b)(v) Surname in Plural or Possessive Form
The surname significance of a term is not diminished by the fact that the term is presented in its plural or possessive form. See In re Bed & Bars Ltd., 122 USPQ2d 1546, 1551 (TTAB 2017) (noting that presenting BELUSHI in the possessive form "is consistent with perception of the term as a surname"); Azeka Bldg. Corp. v. Azeka, 122 USPQ2d 1477, 1481 (TTAB 2017) (noting that "the possessive form of the term AZEKA'S, as used in the proposed mark AZEKA'S RIBS, is consistent with perception of the term as a surname"); In re Binion, 93 USPQ2d 1531 (TTAB 2009) (holding BINION and BINION’S primarily merely a surname); In re Woolley’s Petite Suites, 18 USPQ2d 1810 (TTAB 1991) (holding WOOLLEY’S PETITE SUITES for hotel and motel services primarily merely a surname); In re McDonald’s Corp., 230 USPQ 304, 306 (TTAB 1986) (holding MCDONALD’S primarily merely a surname based on a showing of surname significance of "McDonald," the Board noting that "it is clear that people use their surnames in possessive and plural forms to identify their businesses or trades"); In re Luis Caballero, S.A., 223 USPQ 355 (TTAB 1984) (holding BURDONS primarily merely a surname based in part on telephone listings showing surname significance of "Burdon"); In re Directional Mktg. Corp., 204 USPQ 675 (TTAB 1979) (holding DRUMMONDS primarily merely a surname based on a showing of surname significance of "Drummond").