1604.12(a)    Specimen for Each Class Required

A §8 affidavit or declaration must include a specimen showing how the mark is in use in commerce for each class in the registration, unless excusable nonuse is claimed.  15 U.S.C. §1058(b); 37 C.F.R §2.161(a)(7). When requested by the USPTO, additional specimens must be provided. 37 C.F.R §2.161(a)(7).

The specimen must show use of the mark within the time period specified in §8 of the Act. If the specimen does not show use of the mark within the time period specified in §8, it is unacceptable to show current use of the mark in commerce. An affidavit or declaration that does not include a specimen that shows current use of the mark in commerce is deficient. See 15 U.S.C §1058(b).

See TMEP §904.03-904.04(c) regarding trademark specimens, §1301.04-1301.04(j) regarding service mark specimens, §1303.01(a)(i)(C) regarding specimens for collective trademarks and collective service marks, §1304.02(a)(i)(C) regarding specimens for collective membership marks, and §1306.02(a)(i)(B) regarding specimens for certification marks.

The specimen must show use of essentially the same mark as the mark shown in the registration, and must show the mark as actually used in commerce on or in connection with the goods/services/classes listed in the registration. 37 C.F.R §2.56(a). A specimen that shows use of a materially different mark (see TMEP §1604.13), or shows use of the mark on other goods/services/classes, is unacceptable.  An affidavit or declaration that does not include an acceptable specimen for each class is deficient.   See 37 C.F.R §2.161(a)(7).

If a single specimen supports multiple classes, the owner should so indicate, and the Post Registration staff need not require additional copies of the specimen.  The Post Registration staff should enter a Note to the File in the record indicating which classes the specimen supports.

If the specimen is otherwise deficient, the Post Registration staff will require a substitute specimen, together with an affidavit or declaration that the substitute specimen was in use in commerce on or in connection with the goods/services/classes during the relevant period specified in §8 of the Act.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.164. See TMEP §1604.12(c) regarding substitute specimens.

The USPTO will not return specimens.

See TMEP §904.02(a) and §1604.12(b) regarding electronically filed specimens and §904.02(b) regarding permitted paper-filed specimens.