1211.02(b)(i) Telephone Directory Listings
Telephone directory listings from telephone books and similar electronic databases, such as the LexisNexis® surname database (which is a regularly updated nationwide directory of mobile phone numbers and other numbers, and the names with which they are associated) are a type of evidence of the surname significance of a term. See In re tapio GmbH, 2020 USPQ2d 11387, at *9 (TTAB 2020) (finding evidence from the LexisNexis® surname database and whitepages.com database probative to show surname significance); In re Integrated Embedded, 120 USPQ2d 1504, 1507 (TTAB 2016) (finding evidence from the LexisNexis® surname database probative to show surname significance); In re Petrin Corp., 231 USPQ 902, 903 (TTAB 1986) (finding evidence from telephone directories and the LexisNexis® research database probative to show surname significance). The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board has declined to hold that a minimum number of listings in telephone directories must be found to establish a prima facie showing that the mark is primarily merely a surname. In re Petrin Corp., 231 USPQ 902,at 903 (TTAB 1986); (citing In re Wickuler-Kupper-Brauerei KGaA, 221 USPQ 469, 470 (TTAB 1983)).
It is the American public’s perception of a term that is determinative. Therefore, telephone directory listings from foreign sources are generally of little probative value unless they are shown to be accessible and relevant to the purchasing public in the United States, regardless of whether the applicant is of foreign origin. In re tapio, 2020 USPQ2d 11387, at *9 n.31 (citing In re Wickuler-Kupper-Brauerei, 221 USPQ at 470 n.2); See Société Civile Des Domaines Dourthe Frères v. S.A. Consortium Vinicole De Bordeaux Et De La Gironde, 6 USPQ2d 1205, 1208 (TTAB 1988).
See TMEP §710.01(a) regarding the requirements for providing evidence from research databases in Office actions and §1211.02(b)(ii) regarding providing evidence from the LexisNexis® research database for surname significance.