1212.06(e)(v) Family of Marks
An applicant may present evidence that an applied-for mark has acquired distinctiveness because it is a new member of a recognized family of marks. See In re LC Trademarks, Inc., 121 USPQ2d 1197, 1202-04 (TTAB 2016). To establish acquired distinctiveness, the evidence must show (1) that a family of marks exists in that the claimed collection of marks shares a recognizable common characteristic that is distinctive and has been promoted in such a way as to create recognition among the purchasing public as a source indicator for the goods/services and (2) that the purchasing public would perceive the applied-for mark as part of that family of marks and thus as a source indicator. See id.; cf. TPI Holdings, Inc. v. TrailerTrader.com, LLC, 126 USPQ2d 1409, 1428 (TTAB 2018) (finding that the shared element in petitioner’s marks was so commonly used by others that it does not constitute a distinguishing feature upon which a family-of-marks claim could be based).