TMEP | Incorporated changes in accordance with final rule issued at 82 FR 29401, relevant precedential decisions reported prior to September 1, 2017, and Exam Guides 01-17 through 04-17. |
306.05 | Added rule citation and cross reference. |
306.05(d) | Deleted rule citation. |
502.02(a) | Clarified procedure regarding the time for recordation and filing of request for issuance of registration in the name of a new owner. |
608.02 | Clarified procedures for handling submissions signed by suspended or excluded practitioners. Updated hyperlink. |
611.01(c) | Corrected rule extract. |
611.03 | Added procedure for reviewing submissions when application or registration owner who is not represented by a qualified practitioner becomes deceased or legally incapacitated. |
611.03(d) | Miscellaneous stylistic edit. |
707.02 | Clarified procedures in paragraph (8). Added situations in which an examiner’s amendment without prior approval may be issued. i.e., when an application under §1 or §44, or a response, includes a disclaimer of the entire mark. |
710.01(b) | Added case citations regarding information originating on foreign websites or in foreign news publications. Miscellaneous stylistic edit. |
714.05(a) | Revised section title: When an Amendment Proposed By Applicant Requires a New Nonfinal Action. Clarified procedures and examples regarding when a new nonfinal action must be issued. |
715.03(a)(ii)(C) | Miscellaneous stylistic edit. |
715.03(a)(ii)(E) | Changes "only" to "solely" in section title and text. |
717.02 | Clarified that applicant must meet timeliness requirements for filing petition to revive. Updated rule citation. |
718.03 | Changed "only" to "solely" in "Exception" paragraph and clarified that examining attorney should not treat such responses as non-responsive. |
803.03(c) | Clarified procedure when "Limited" or "Ltd." Is included as part of the name of a corporation. |
803.03(h) | Added cross reference. |
803.03(k) | Added cross reference. |
804.03 | Clarified the types of documents that must be filed within a reasonable time after execution. |
806.02(d) | Clarified procedures for abandonment of multiple-basis applications. |
806.02(d)(i) | New section: Abandonment for Failure to Respond to an Office Action. |
806.02(d)(ii) | New section: Abandonment for Failure to Respond to a Notice of Allowance |
807.12(d) | Added case citation. |
807.14(a) | Removed reference to matter that is disparaging. |
809.01 | Clarified requirement for Note to the File. |
814 | Miscellaneous stylistic edits. Added case citation. |
818 | Removed references to matter that may disparage or bring into contempt or disrepute. |
907 | Added case citation. Clarified that CSA applies to marijuana extracts. |
1002.03 | Revised to clarify procedures regarding overseas countries and territories of EU member states and applicants claiming citizenship in British overseas territories. |
1108.05 | Updated pursuant to final rule issued at 82 FR 29401. |
1109.02(a) | Updated pursuant to final rule issued at 82 FR 29401. |
1109.04 | Clarified that petition must be filed within deadlines listed in 37 C.F.R. §2.66(a). |
1109.08 | Clarified procedure regarding amendments submitted with the statement of use. |
1109.10 | Clarified that petition must be filed within deadlines listed in 37 C.F.R. §2.66(a). |
1109.16(e) | Clarified that petition must be filed within deadlines listed in 37 C.F.R. §2.66(a). |
1201.02(b) | Added case citation. |
1202.02(a)(v) | Added case citation. |
1202.02(a)(v)(A) | Added case citation. |
1202.03 | Clarified procedure when a service mark would be perceived only as decoration or ornamentation. Miscellaneous stylistic edit. |
1202.04 | Incorporated Exam Guide 02-17: Merely Informational Matter |
1202.04(a) | New section: General Information About the Goods or Services |
1202.04(b) | New section: Widely Used Messages |
1202.04(c) | New section: Matter from Religious Texts |
1202.04(d) | New section: Response Options |
1202.05(a) | Added case citation. |
1202.08 | Added procedure when a title, or a portion of a title, of a single creative work appears in a composite mark with registrable matter. Miscellaneous stylistic edits. |
1202.16(c)(iv) | Clarified procedure when it is unclear whether the additional matter is a model or grade designation. |
1202.17 | Updated hyperlink. |
1203 | Changed section title: Refusal on Basis of Immoral or Scandalous Matter; Deceptive Matter; Matter which May Falsely Suggest a Connection. Added case citation and updated pursuant to Supreme Court decision. |
1203.02(g) | Added case citation. Miscellaneous stylistic edits. |
1203.03 | Changed section title: Matter That May Falsely Suggest a Connection. Updated pursuant to Supreme Court decision. Deleted cross reference. |
1203.03(a)(i) | Added case citation and clarified that "persons" encompasses groups. Deleted reference to disparagement or bringing into contempt or disrepute. |
1203.03(a)(ii) | Deleted reference to disparagement, or bringing into contempt or disrepute. |
1203.03(a)(iii) | Deleted references to disparagement, or bringing into contempt or disrepute. |
1203.03(b) | Added case citation and updated pursuant to Supreme Court decision. Deleted cross references and case citation and quote. |
1203.03(b)(i) | Deleted section. |
1203.03(b)(ii) | Deleted section. |
1204 | Added case citation. Deleted reference to disparagement. Miscellaneous stylistic edits. |
1204.01(a) | Added case citation. |
1204.02(a) | Added case citation. |
1204.02(b) | Changed section title: Examples of Insignia That Should Be Refused Under §2(b) |
1204.02(c) | Changed section title: Examples of Designs That Should Not Be Refused Under §2(b). Added exception regarding initials, seal, and emblem of the United States Marine Corps. |
1205.01 | Deleted cross reference. |
1205.01(d)(ii) | Added case citations. Miscellaneous stylistic edits. |
1205.01(d)(ii)(A) | Miscellaneous stylistic edit. |
1205.01(d)(ii)(C) | Miscellaneous stylistic edit. |
1206.03 | Added example. |
1207.01 | Added case citation. |
1207.01(a)(iii) | Updated case citation. |
1207.01(b) | Added case citations. Deleted case citation. |
1207.01(b)(v) | Added case citations. Updated case citation. Deleted case citation. |
1207.01(d)(iii) | Added case citation. Updated case citation.  |
1207.01(d)(vii) | Added case citation. |
1208.01(d) | Clarified that procedure applies when an application is reinstated. |
1209.01(b) | Added case citations. |
1209.01(c) | Added case citations. |
1209.01(c)(i) | Added case citations and definition of when a mark is generic. |
1209.01(c)(iii) | Added case citations. |
1209.03(b) | Revised section title: Dictionary Listing. Added case citation and guidance regarding significance of evidence about current usage of a term. |
1209.03(c) | Added case citations and guidance regarding first and only user of generic designation. |
1209.03(e) | Added case citation. |
1209.03(j) | Added case citation. |
1209.03(v) | Added case citation. |
1209.03(x) | New section: Historical Figure Names and Fictional Character Names |
1211.01(a)(v) | Added case citation. |
1211.01(a)(vi) | Added case citation. |
1211.01(a)(vii) | Added case citation. Miscellaneous stylistic edit. |
1211.01(b)(v) | Added case citations. |
1211.01(b)(vi) | Incorporated Exam Guide 03-17: Surname Combined with Wording.  |
1211.02(b)(iii) | Added case citation. |
1211.02(b)(iv) | Added case citation. |
1212.02(b) | Added case citation. |
1212.05(a) | Added case citation. Clarified that statements of length of use alone generally will be insufficient to establish acquired distinctiveness for terms encumbered with a greater degree of descriptiveness. |
1212.05(b) | Added case citations. |
1212.09(b) | Added quotations and clarification from cited case.  |
1214.01 | Added case citations and clarification from cited case.  |
1216.01 | Added case citation. |
1301.01(a)(ii) | Added guidance regarding performing research and development, or other routine or expected activities, in the production or sale of one’s own goods. |
1301.02(a) | Clarified procedure when mark would be perceived only as decoration or ornamentation when used in connection with the identified services. Added case citation and cross reference. Miscellaneous stylistic edits. |
1301.02(c) | Added case citation and explanation of decision regarding mark consisting of three-dimensional cylindrical cast. |
1306.05(h) | Updated hyperlink. |
1401.02(a) | Added information regarding upcoming Nice changes in 11th edition, version 2018. Added cross reference. |
1401.02(c) | Clarified purpose of Alphabetical List. |
1401.03(a) | Revised case parenthetical. |
1401.03(d) | Clarified procedures for examining identifications in §66(a) applications, particularly with regard to certification marks. |
1401.05(a) | Clarified procedures regarding items sold together as a unit. |
1401.05(d) | Clarified that "systems" may encompass goods in more than one class. |
1401.08 | Miscellaneous stylistic edit. |
1401.09 | Clarified procedures regarding classification in §66(a) applications. |
1401.10 | Added cross reference. |
1401.10(a) | New section: Effective Date of USPTO ID Manual Entries for Applications Filed Under §66(a) |
1401.12(a) | Miscellaneous stylistic edit. |
1401.14(c) | Deleted reference to "meal replacement" item. |
1401.14(d) | Miscellaneous stylistic edit. |
1401.14(e) | Miscellaneous stylistic edit. |
1401.14(f) | New section: Ivory, Bone, Whalebone, Horn, and Tusks |
1402.01 | Clarified procedures regarding identifications that include wording such as "included in this class," "belonging in this class," or "excluding goods/services in other classes," or the like, and to specific class numbers. |
1402.01(a) | Added cross reference. Clarified guidance regarding punctuation in identifications. |
1402.01(c) | Clarified procedures for examining identification in §66(a) applications. Added cross reference. |
1402.01(d) | Miscellaneous stylistic edits. |
1402.02 | Added cross reference. |
1402.03 | Revised case parentheticals. Deleted reference to "mufflers" in paragraph (3).  |
1402.03(a) | Clarified procedures regarding identifications that include the wording "namely," "particularly," or the like, and the term "parts." |
1402.03(b) | Revised to include guidance regarding house marks for services. |
1402.03(c) | Revised to include guidance regarding marks for a "full line of" services. |
1402.03(d) | Miscellaneous stylistic edits. |
1402.03(g) | Miscellaneous stylistic edit. |
1402.05 | Miscellaneous stylistic edit. |
1402.05(a) | Miscellaneous stylistic edit. |
1402.06(a) | Deleted example. Clarified that it is preferred that an identification not include phrases such as "included in this class" or "not included in other classes."  |
1402.07(a) | Miscellaneous stylistic edits. |
1402.07(b) | Miscellaneous stylistic edits. |
1402.07(c) | Miscellaneous stylistic edit. |
1402.09 | Miscellaneous stylistic edits. |
1402.11 | Updated cross reference. |
1402.11(a)(ii) | Revised example. |
1402.11(a)(v) | Clarified that applicant must distinguish between computer hardware and computer software when identifying installation, maintenance, and repair services. |
1402.11(a)(vi) | Revised examples of acceptable identifications. |
1402.11(a)(vii) | Clarified that "providing a website" does not itself indicate a definite or classifiable service because the website is merely the means by which the services are provided. |
1402.11(a)(ix) | Clarified procedures for identifications that reference specific functions of an online database service. |
1402.11(b) | Miscellaneous stylistic edit. |
1402.11(e) | Clarified procedures for identifications for "computer consultation." |
1402.14 | Clarified that acceptability of identification is determined on the basis of the facts and evidence that exist on the application filing date.  |
1501 | Clarified that applicant must meet timeliness and other requirements for filing petition to revive. Updated rule citations. Added cross reference. |
1503.01 | Added case citation. |
1504.02 | Added rule citation. |
1505.01(d) | Clarified that petition is not required for amendments submitted as part of the statement of use. Added cross reference. |
1505.03(a) | Clarified that republication is required when application is amended from trademark or service mark to collective mark. |
1604.11 | Added case citation. |
1609.02 | Clarified that a request to add a standard character claim to a mark designated as a typed drawing must be submitted pursuant to §7(e) and meet all of the requirements for an amendment to a registration that involves a change in the mark. |
1609.09 | Revised section title: Amendment of Registered Mark from Supplemental to Principal Register Not Permitted |
1705.04 | Updated pursuant to final rule issued at 82 FR 29401. |
1705.05 | Updated pursuant to final rule issued at 82 FR 29401. |
1705.07 | Clarified procedure with regard to petition signed by an excluded party. |
1712.01 | Updated pursuant to final rule issued at 82 FR 29401. |
1712.02 | Added rule text for 37 C.F.R. §2.64, pursuant to final rule issued at 82 FR 29401. |
1712.02(a) | Updated pursuant to final rule issued at 82 FR 29401. |
1712.02(b) | Updated pursuant to final rule issued at 82 FR 29401. |
1712.02(b)(i) | Updated pursuant to final rule issued at 82 FR 29401. |
1713.01 | Corrected rule citation. |
1713.02 | Clarified procedures when applicant does not respond in time provided or did not receive the action and when response is signed by an improper party. |
1714 | Updated rule text pursuant to final rule issued at 82 FR 29401. |
1714.01(a)(i) | Updated pursuant to final rule issued at 82 FR 29401. |
1714.01(a)(ii) | Updated pursuant to final rule issued at 82 FR 29401. |
1714.01(b) | Updated rule citations. Clarified procedures for multiple-basis applications. |
1714.01(c) | Updated pursuant to final rule issued at 82 FR 29401. |
1714.01(d) | Updated pursuant to final rule issued at 82 FR 29401. |
1714.01(e) | Clarified that applicant may not assert non-receipt of the same Office action, notification, or notice of abandonment in a subsequent petition. |
1714.01(f)(ii)(D) | Updated pursuant to final rule issued at 82 FR 29401. |
1714.01(f)(ii)(E) | Revised deadline pursuant to final rule issued at 82 FR 29401. |
1714.01(g) | Updated pursuant to final rule issued at 82 FR 29401.  |
1715.03(c) | Revised to indicate that if opposition has been "commenced," the Board has jurisdiction. |