Source: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2011-title15/html/USCODE-2011-title15-chap22-subchapI.htm
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 20:07:57+00:00

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At any time during examination of an application filed under subsection (b) of this section, an applicant who has made use of the mark in commerce may claim the benefits of such use for purposes of this chapter, by amending his or her application to bring it into conformity with the requirements of subsection (a) of this section.
Subsecs. (a) to (c) are from acts Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, §§1, 2, 33 Stat. 724; May 4, 1906, ch. 2081, §1, 34 Stat. 168; Feb. 18, 1909, ch. 144, 35 Stat. 628; Apr. 11, 1930, ch. 132, §4, 46 Stat. 155; June 10, 1938, ch. 332, §1, 52 Stat. 638.
Subsec. (d) is from act Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, §3, 33 Stat. 725.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 107–273, §13207(b)(2), amended subsec. (e) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (e) required applicant not domiciled in United States to designate name and address of some person resident in the United States on whom may be served notices or process in proceedings affecting the mark and provided that notices or process be served by leaving with such person or mailing to him a copy, or upon Director if designated person cannot be found.
1999—Subsecs. (a), (b), (d), (e). Pub. L. 106–113 substituted “Director” for “Commissioner” wherever appearing.
1998—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–330, §103(a), amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) related to application by owner of a trademark used in commerce to register the trademark by filing in the Patent and Trademark Office a written application in prescribed form and verified by applicant, by paying prescribed fee, and by complying with prescribed rules or regulations.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–330, §103(b), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) related to application, by person with bona fide intention, under circumstances showing good faith, to use a trademark in commerce, to register trademark by filing in the Patent and Trademark Office a written application in prescribed form and verified by applicant, by paying prescribed fee, and by complying with prescribed rules or regulations.
Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 105–330, §201(a)(1)(A), inserted “and,” after “specifying the date of the applicant's first use of the mark in commerce”.
Pub. L. 105–330, §201(a)(1)(B), which directed the striking out of “and, the mode or manner in which the mark is used on or in connection with such goods or services”, was executed by striking out “, and the mode or manner in which the mark is used on or in connection with such goods or services” after “notice of allowance on or in connection with which the mark is used in commerce”, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
1988—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–667, §103(1) to (7), inserted “(a)” preceding introductory provisions and substituted “may apply to register his or her” for “may register his”, redesignated former subsecs. (a) to (c) as pars. (1) to (3), respectively, redesignated former pars. (1) to (3) as subpars. (A) to (C), respectively, in par. (1)(A), substituted “used on or in connection with” for “applied to” and “goods on or in connection” for “goods in connection”, in par. (1)(C), struck out “actually” after “the mark as”, and in par. (2), substituted “prescribed” for “filing”.
Subsecs. (b), (c). Pub. L. 100–667, §103(3), (9), added subsecs. (b) and (c) and redesignated former subsecs. (b) and (c) as pars. (2) and (3), respectively, of subsec. (a).
Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 100–667, §103(8), (9), added subsec. (d) and redesignated former subsec. (d) as (e).
1975—Subsecs. (a), (b), (d). Pub. L. 93–596 substituted “Patent and Trademark Office” for “Patent Office”.
1962—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 87–772 substituted “as to be likely, when applied to the goods of such other person, to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive” for “as might be calculated to deceive”, and struck out “or services” after “use by others, the goods”.
Amendment by Pub. L. 93–596 effective Jan. 2, 1975, see section 4 of Pub. L. 93–596, set out as a note under section 1111 of this title.
Section 46(a) of act July 5, 1946, provided that this chapter shall be in force and take effect one year from July 5, 1946.
Act July 5, 1946, ch. 540, 60 Stat. 427, which is classified to this chapter, is popularly known as the “Lanham Act” and also as the “Trademark Act of 1946”.
For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of Commerce to Secretary of Commerce, with certain exceptions, see Reorg. Plan No. 5 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174, 64 Stat. 1263, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
“(b) Registrations now existing under the Act of March 3, 1881, or the Act of February 20, 1905 [sections 81 to 109 of this title], shall continue in full force and effect for the unexpired terms thereof and may be renewed under the provisions of section 9 of this Act [section 1059 of this title]. Such registrations and the renewals thereof shall be subject to and shall be entitled to the benefits of the provisions of this Act [this chapter] to the same extent and with the same force and effect as though registered on the principal register established by this Act [this chapter] except as limited in sections 8, 12, 14, and 15 of this Act [sections 1058, 1062, 1064, 1065, of this title]. Marks registered under the ‘ten-year proviso’ of section 5 of the Act of February 20, 1905, as amended [former section 85 of this title], shall be deemed to have become distinctive of the registrant's goods in commerce under paragraph (f) of section 2 of this Act [section 1052 of this title] and may be renewed under section 9 hereof [section 1059 of this title] as marks coming within said paragraph.
“Registrations now existing under the Act of March 19, 1920 [former sections 121 to 128 of this title], shall expire six months after the effective date of this Act [July 5, 1947], or twenty years from the dates of their registrations, whichever date is later. Such registrations shall be subject to and entitled to the benefits of the provisions of this Act [this chapter] relating to marks registered on the supplemental register established by this Act [this chapter], and may not be renewed unless renewal is required to support foreign registrations. In that event renewal may be effected on the supplemental register under the provisions of section 9 of this Act [section 1059 of this title].
“Marks registered under previous Acts may, if eligible, also be registered under this Act [this chapter].
“Sec. 47. (a) All applications for registration pending in the Patent Office at the effective date of this Act [July 5, 1947] may be amended, if practicable, to bring them under the provisions of this Act [this chapter]. The prosecution of such applications so amended and the grant of registrations thereon shall be proceeded with in accordance with the provisions of this Act [this chapter]. If such amendments are not made, the prosecution of said applications shall be proceeded with and registrations thereon granted in accordance with the Acts under which said applications were filed, and said Acts are hereby continued in force to this extent and for this purpose only, notwithstanding the foregoing general repeal thereof.
Relief as to filing date of trademark application or registration and excusal of delayed fees or actions affected by postal situation beginning on Mar. 18, 1970, and ending on or about Mar. 30, 1970, see note set out under section 111 of Title 35, Patents.
1 So in original. The word “shall” probably should not appear.
Acts March 3, 1881, and February 20, 1905, referred to in subsec. (d), are acts Mar. 3, 1881, ch. 138, 21 Stat. 502, and Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, 33 Stat. 724, which were repealed insofar as inconsistent with this chapter by act July 5, 1946, ch. 540, §46(a), 60 Stat. 444. Act Feb. 20, 1905, was classified to sections 81 to 109 of this title.
Acts Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, §5, 33 Stat. 725; Mar. 2, 1907, ch. 2573, §1, 34 Stat. 1251; Feb. 18, 1911, ch. 113, 36 Stat. 918; Jan. 8, 1913, ch. 7, 37 Stat. 649; Mar. 19, 1920, ch. 104, §9, 41 Stat. 535; June 7, 1924, ch. 341, 43 Stat. 647.
2006—Pub. L. 109–312, which directed substitution of “A mark which would be likely to cause dilution by blurring or dilution by tarnishment under section 1125(c) of this title, may be refused registration only pursuant to a proceeding brought under section 1063 of this title. A registration for a mark which would be likely to cause dilution by blurring or dilution by tarnishment under section 1125(c) of this title, may be canceled pursuant to a proceeding brought under either section 1064 of this title or section 1092 of this title.” for last two sentences in subsec. (f) of this section, was executed by making the substitution for “A mark which when used would cause dilution under section 1125(c) of this title may be refused registration only pursuant to a proceeding brought under section 1063 of this title. A registration for a mark which when used would cause dilution under section 1125(c) of this title may be canceled pursuant to a proceeding brought under either section 1064 of this title or section 1092 of this title.” in concluding provisions of section to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
1999—Pub. L. 106–43 inserted concluding provisions.
Subsecs. (d), (f). Pub. L. 106–113 substituted “Director” for “Commissioner” wherever appearing.
1998—Pub. L. 105–330, §201(a)(12), substituted “trademark” for “trade-mark” in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 105–330, §201(a)(2)(A), struck out “or” before “(4)” and inserted “, or (5) comprises any matter that, as a whole, is functional” before period at end.
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 105–330, §201(a)(2)(B), substituted “subsections (a), (b), (c), (d), (e)(3), and (e)(5)” for “paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e)(3)”.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 100–667, §104(2), substituted “used on or in connection with” for “applied to” in two places.
1975—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 93–596 substituted “Patent and Trademark Office” for “Patent Office”.
1962—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 87–772, among other changes, substituted provisions authorizing the issuance of concurrent registrations to persons when they have become entitled to use such marks as a result of their concurrent lawful use in commerce prior to the earliest of the filing dates of the applications pending or of any registration issued under this chapter, or July 5, 1947, in the case of registrations previously issued under the act of Mar. 3, 1881, or Feb. 20, 1905, and continuing in full force and effect on that date, or July 5, 1947, in the case of applications under the act of Feb. 20, 1905, and registered after July 5, 1947, for provisions which restricted issuance of concurrent registrations to persons entitled to use such mark as a result of their concurrent lawful use thereof in commerce prior to any of the filing dates of the applications involved, and provisions directing that issuance of the mark be upon such conditions and limitations as to the mode or place of use of the marks or the goods in connection with which such marks are used, for provisions which required issuance under conditions and limitations as to the mode or place of use of the goods in connection with which such registrations may be granted, and eliminated provisions which limited confusion, mistake, or deception to purchasers, required written notice of applications for concurrent registrations and of hearings thereon, and publication in the Official Gazette upon a decision to grant such a registration and permitted a court to order such a registration under section 4915 of the Revised Statutes.
Amendment by Pub. L. 105–330 effective Oct. 30, 1998, and applicable only to any civil action filed or proceeding before the United States Patent and Trademark Office commenced on or after such date relating to the registration of a mark, see section 201(b) of Pub. L. 105–330, set out as a note under section 1051 of this title.
“(a) In General.—Subject to subsections (b) and (c), the amendments made by this subtitle [subtitle C (§§331–335) of title III of Pub. L. 103–182, enacting section 104A of Title 17, Copyrights, amending this section, section 1091 of this title, and section 104 of Title 35, Patents, and amending provisions set out as a note under section 109 of Title 17] take effect on the date the Agreement [North American Free Trade Agreement] enters into force with respect to the United States [Jan. 1, 1994].
“(b) Section 331.—The amendments made by section 331 [amending section 104 of Title 35] shall apply to all patent applications that are filed on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 8, 1993]: Provided, That an applicant for a patent, or a patentee, may not establish a date of invention by reference to knowledge or use thereof, or other activity with respect thereto, in a NAFTA country, except as provided in sections 119 and 365 of title 35, United States Code, that is earlier than the date of the enactment of this Act.
The Uruguay Round Agreements, including the World Trade Organization Agreement and agreements annexed to that Agreement, as referred to in section 3511(d) of Title 19, Customs Duties, entered into force with respect to the United States on Jan. 1, 1995. See note set out under section 3511 of Title 19.
Marks registered under the “ten-year proviso” of section 5 of the act of Feb. 20, 1905, as amended, deemed to have become distinctive of the registrant's goods in commerce under par. (f) of this section, see section 46(b) of act July 5, 1946, set out in note under section 1051 of this title.
1999—Pub. L. 106–43 substituted “trademarks” for “trade-marks” wherever appearing.
1988—Pub. L. 100–667 struck out “used in commerce” after “applicable, service marks” and “, except when used so as to represent falsely that the owner thereof makes or sells the goods on which such mark is used. The Commissioner may establish a separate register for such service marks” after “case of trade-marks”.
For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of Commerce, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of Commerce, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 5 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174, 64 Stat. 1263, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
Subject to the provisions relating to the registration of trademarks, so far as they are applicable, collective and certification marks, including indications of regional origin, shall be registrable under this chapter, in the same manner and with the same effect as are trademarks, by persons, and nations, States, municipalities, and the like, exercising legitimate control over the use of the marks sought to be registered, even though not possessing an industrial or commercial establishment, and when registered they shall be entitled to the protection provided in this chapter in the case of trademarks, except in the case of certification marks when used so as to represent falsely that the owner or a user thereof makes or sells the goods or performs the services on or in connection with which such mark is used. Applications and procedure under this section shall conform as nearly as practicable to those prescribed for the registration of trademarks.
Acts Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, §1, 33 Stat. 724; May 4, 1906, ch. 2081, §1, 34 Stat. 168; Feb. 18, 1909, ch. 144, 35 Stat. 628; Apr. 11, 1930, ch. 132, §4, 46 Stat. 155; June 10, 1938, ch. 332, §1, 52 Stat. 638.
Where a registered mark or a mark sought to be registered is or may be used legitimately by related companies, such use shall inure to the benefit of the registrant or applicant for registration, and such use shall not affect the validity of such mark or of its registration, provided such mark is not used in such manner as to deceive the public. If first use of a mark by a person is controlled by the registrant or applicant for registration of the mark with respect to the nature and quality of the goods or services, such first use shall inure to the benefit of the registrant or applicant, as the case may be.
The Director may require the applicant to disclaim an unregistrable component of a mark otherwise registrable. An applicant may voluntarily disclaim a component of a mark sought to be registered.
No disclaimer, including those made under subsection (e) of section 1057 of this title, shall prejudice or affect the applicant's or registrant's rights then existing or thereafter arising in the disclaimed matter, or his right of registration on another application if the disclaimed matter be or shall have become distinctive of his goods or services.
1999—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106–113 substituted “Director” for “Commissioner”.
1988—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–667 substituted “subsection (e)” for “paragraph (d)”.
1962—Pub. L. 87–772, among other changes, provided that an applicant may voluntarily disclaim a component of a mark sought to be registered.
Certificates of registration of marks registered upon the principal register shall be issued in the name of the United States of America, under the seal of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and shall be signed by the Director or have his signature placed thereon, and a record thereof shall be kept in the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The registration shall reproduce the mark, and state that the mark is registered on the principal register under this chapter, the date of the first use of the mark, the date of the first use of the mark in commerce, the particular goods or services for which it is registered, the number and date of the registration, the term thereof, the date on which the application for registration was received in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and any conditions and limitations that may be imposed in the registration.
A certificate of registration of a mark upon the principal register provided by this chapter shall be prima facie evidence of the validity of the registered mark and of the registration of the mark, of the owner's ownership of the mark, and of the owner's exclusive right to use the registered mark in commerce on or in connection with the goods or services specified in the certificate, subject to any conditions or limitations stated in the certificate.
(3) has filed a foreign application to register the mark on the basis of which he or she has acquired a right of priority, and timely files an application under section 1126(d) of this title to register the mark which is pending or has resulted in registration of the mark.
A certificate of registration of a mark may be issued to the assignee of the applicant, but the assignment must first be recorded in the United States Patent and Trademark Office. In case of change of ownership the Director shall, at the request of the owner and upon a proper showing and the payment of the prescribed fee, issue to such assignee a new certificate of registration of the said mark in the name of such assignee, and for the unexpired part of the original period.
Upon application of the owner the Director may permit any registration to be surrendered for cancellation, and upon cancellation appropriate entry shall be made in the records of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Upon application of the owner and payment of the prescribed fee, the Director for good cause may permit any registration to be amended or to be disclaimed in part: Provided, That the amendment or disclaimer does not alter materially the character of the mark. Appropriate entry shall be made in the records of the United States Patent and Trademark Office and upon the certificate of registration.
Copies of any records, books, papers, or drawings belonging to the United States Patent and Trademark Office relating to marks, and copies of registrations, when authenticated by the seal of the United States Patent and Trademark Office and certified by the Director, or in his name by an employee of the Office duly designated by the Director, shall be evidence in all cases wherein the originals would be evidence; and any person making application therefor and paying the prescribed fee shall have such copies.
Whenever a material mistake in a registration, incurred through the fault of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, is clearly disclosed by the records of the Office a certificate stating the fact and nature of such mistake shall be issued without charge and recorded and a printed copy thereof shall be attached to each printed copy of the registration and such corrected registration shall thereafter have the same effect as if the same had been originally issued in such corrected form, or in the discretion of the Director a new certificate of registration may be issued without charge. All certificates of correction heretofore issued in accordance with the rules of the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the registrations to which they are attached shall have the same force and effect as if such certificates and their issue had been specifically authorized by statute.
Whenever a mistake has been made in a registration and a showing has been made that such mistake occurred in good faith through the fault of the applicant, the Director is authorized to issue a certificate of correction or, in his discretion, a new certificate upon the payment of the prescribed fee: Provided, That the correction does not involve such changes in the registration as to require republication of the mark.
Subsecs. (a) and (c) are from acts Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, §11, 33 Stat. 727; Mar. 4, 1925, ch. 535, §3, 43 Stat. 1269.
Subsec. (e) is from act Mar. 19, 1920, ch. 104, §7, 41 Stat. 535.
Subsec. (f) is from act Mar. 4, 1925, ch. 535, §1, 43 Stat. 1268.
2010—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 111–146, §3(a)(1), inserted “United States” before “Patent and Trademark Office” wherever appearing.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–146, §3(a)(2), substituted “owner's” for “registrant's” in two places.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 111–146, §3(a)(1), inserted “United States” before “Patent and Trademark Office”.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 111–146, §3(a)(1), (3), inserted “United States” before “Patent and Trademark Office” in two places, substituted “owner” for “registrant” in two places, and struck out “or, if said certificate is lost or destroyed, upon a certified copy thereof” after “certificate of registration”.
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 111–146, §3(a)(1), inserted “United States” before “Patent and Trademark Office” in two places.
1999—Subsecs. (a), (d) to (h). Pub. L. 106–113 substituted “Director” for “Commissioner” wherever appearing.
1998—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–330 struck out second period at end of first sentence.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–667, §109(3), added subsec. (c). Former subsec. (c) redesignated (d).
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100–667, §109(2), (4), redesignated former subsec. (c) as (d) and substituted “prescribed fee” for “fee herein provided”. Former subsec. (d) redesignated (e).
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 100–667, §109(2), redesignated former subsec. (d) as (e). Former subsec. (e) redesignated (f).
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 100–667, §109(2), (5), redesignated former subsec. (e) as (f) and substituted “prescribed fee” for “fee required by law”. Former subsec. (f) redesignated (g).
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 100–667, §109(2), redesignated former subsec. (f) as (g). Former subsec. (g) redesignated (h).
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 100–667, §109(2), (6), redesignated former subsec. (g) as (h) and substituted “prescribed fee” for “required fee”.
1975—Subsecs. (a), (c) to (f). Pub. L. 93–596 substituted “Patent and Trademark Office” for “Patent Office”.
1962—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 87–772 substituted “signature placed” for “name printed”, and struck out provisions requiring an attestation by an assistant commissioner or by one of the law examiners designated by the Commissioner, together with printed copies of the drawing and statement of the applicant, to be kept in books for that purpose.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 87–772, among other charges, removed the requirement of a fee in connection with the voluntary surrender or cancellation of a registration.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 87–772 substituted “an employee of the Office” for “a chief of division”, among other changes.
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 87–772, among other changes, struck out “, signed by the Commissioner and sealed with the seal of the Patent Office” after “nature of such mistake”.
1950—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 17, 1950, made it unnecessary to include in the certificate a statement of the applicant.
(1) Within the 1-year period immediately preceding the expiration of 6 years following the date of registration under this chapter or the date of the publication under section 1062(c) of this title.
(2) Within the 1-year period immediately preceding the expiration of 10 years following the date of registration, and each successive 10-year period following the date of registration.
(3) The owner may file the affidavit required under this section within the 6-month grace period immediately following the expiration of the periods established in paragraphs (1) and (2), together with the fee described in subsection (b) and the additional grace period surcharge prescribed by the Director.
(C) be accompanied by the fee prescribed by the Director.
If any submission filed within the period set forth in subsection (a) is deficient, including that the affidavit was not filed in the name of the owner of the registration, the deficiency may be corrected after the statutory time period, within the time prescribed after notification of the deficiency. Such submission shall be accompanied by the additional deficiency surcharge prescribed by the Director.
Special notice of the requirement for such affidavit shall be attached to each certificate of registration and notice of publication under section 1062(c) of this title.
The Director shall notify any owner who files any affidavit required by this section of the Director's acceptance or refusal thereof and, in the case of a refusal, the reasons therefor.
If the owner is not domiciled in the United States, the owner may designate, by a document filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the name and address of a person resident in the United States on whom may be served notices or process in proceedings affecting the mark. Such notices or process may be served upon the person so designated by leaving with that person or mailing to that person a copy thereof at the address specified in the last designation so filed. If the person so designated cannot be found at the last designated address, or if the owner does not designate by a document filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office the name and address of a person resident in the United States on whom may be served notices or process in proceedings affecting the mark, such notices or process may be served on the Director.
Act Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, §12, 33 Stat. 727.
2010—Pub. L. 111–146 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to duration of registrations, affidavits of continuing use, grace period for submissions and correction of deficiencies, certain notice requirements related to affidavits, and designation of resident for service of process and notices.
1999—Subsecs. (a) to (c). Pub. L. 106–113, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4732(b)(1)(B)], substituted “Director” for “Commissioner” wherever appearing.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 106–113, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4732(b)(1)(B), (C)], amended subsec. (e) identically, substituting “Director” for “Commissioner”.
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 106–113, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4732(b)(1)(B)], substituted “Director” for “Commissioner”.
1998—Pub. L. 105–330 amended section catchline and text generally. Prior to amendment, text consisted of subsecs. (a) to (c) relating to affidavits of continuing use, registrations published under other provisions of law, and notification of acceptance or refusal of affidavits.
1988—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–667 substituted “ten” for “twenty” and “setting forth those goods or services recited in the registration on or in connection with which the mark is in use in commerce and attaching to the affidavit a specimen or facsimile showing current use of the mark, or showing that any” for “showing that said mark is in use in commerce or showing that its”.
1982—Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 97–247 struck out “still” after “showing that said mark is”, and inserted “in commerce” after “use”.
1975—Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 93–596 substituted “Patent and Trademark Office” for “Patent Office”.
Amendment by Pub. L. 105–330 effective on the date that is 1 year after Oct. 30, 1998, see section 110 of Pub. L. 105–330, set out as a note under section 1051 of this title.
For provisions relating to applicability of amendment by Pub. L. 105–330 to applications for registration of trademarks, see section 109(b) of Pub. L. 105–330, set out as a note under section 1051 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 97–247 effective six months after Aug. 27, 1982, see section 17(c) of Pub. L. 97–247, set out as a note under section 294 of Title 35, Patents.
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under prior acts, and saving clause, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
Subject to the provisions of section 1058 of this title, each registration may be renewed for periods of 10 years at the end of each successive 10-year period following the date of registration upon payment of the prescribed fee and the filing of a written application, in such form as may be prescribed by the Director. Such application may be made at any time within 1 year before the end of each successive 10-year period for which the registration was issued or renewed, or it may be made within a grace period of 6 months after the end of each successive 10-year period, upon payment of a fee and surcharge prescribed therefor. If any application filed under this section is deficient, the deficiency may be corrected within the time prescribed after notification of the deficiency, upon payment of a surcharge prescribed therefor.
If the Director refuses to renew the registration, the Director shall notify the registrant of the Commissioner's 1 refusal and the reasons therefor.
If the registrant is not domiciled in the United States the registrant may designate, by a document filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the name and address of a person resident in the United States on whom may be served notices or process in proceedings affecting the mark. Such notices or process may be served upon the person so designated by leaving with that person or mailing to that person a copy thereof at the address specified in the last designation so filed. If the person so designated cannot be found at the address given in the last designation, or if the registrant does not designate by a document filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office the name and address of a person resident in the United States on whom may be served notices or process in proceedings affecting the mark, such notices or process may be served on the Director.
1999—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106–113, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4732(b)(1)(B)], substituted “Director” for “Commissioner”.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 106–113, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4732(b)(1)(B), (C)], amended subsec. (b) identically, substituting “Director” for “Commissioner” in two places.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 106–113, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4732(b)(1)(B)], substituted “Director” for “Commissioner”.
1998—Pub. L. 105–330 amended section catchline and text generally. Prior to amendment, text consisted of subsecs. (a) to (c) relating to period of renewal and time for renewal, notification of refusal of renewal, and applicants for renewal not domiciled in the United States.
1988—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–667, §111(1), substituted “ten” for “twenty”.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–667, §111(2), substituted “1051(e)” for “1051(d)”.
1962—Pub. L. 87–772 designated existing provisions as subsecs. (a) and (c), added subsec. (b), and among other changes, amended subsec. (a) by substituting provisions requiring a verified application specifying the goods or services recited in the registration on or in connection with which the mark is still in use in commerce and having attached a specimen showing current use of the mark, or showing that any nonuse is due to special circumstances which excuse the nonuse and that it's not due to an intention to abandon the mark, for provisions requiring an affidavit by the registrant stating that the mark is still in use in commerce.
Renewal of registrations under prior acts, see section 46(b) of act July 5, 1946, set out as a note under section 1051 of this title.
Act July 17, 1946, ch. 587, 60 Stat. 568, provided for extension of time for renewal by a foreign registrant and expired by its own terms July 17, 1949.
1 So in original. Probably should be “Director's”.
(a)(1) A registered mark or a mark for which an application to register has been filed shall be assignable with the good will of the business in which the mark is used, or with that part of the good will of the business connected with the use of and symbolized by the mark. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, no application to register a mark under section 1051(b) of this title shall be assignable prior to the filing of an amendment under section 1051(c) of this title to bring the application into conformity with section 1051(a) of this title or the filing of the verified statement of use under section 1051(d) of this title, except for an assignment to a successor to the business of the applicant, or portion thereof, to which the mark pertains, if that business is ongoing and existing.
Act Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, §10, 33 Stat. 727.
2002—Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 107–273 amended subsecs. (a) and (b) generally, in subsec. (a) substituting pars. (1) to (5) for substantially identical undesignated provisions, and in subsec. (b) adding provisions relating to service on Director if assignee does not designate name and address of a person resident in the United States on whom may be served notices or process.
1999—Pub. L. 106–43, §6(a)(2), (3), which directed the amendment of this section by substituting “mark.” for “mark,” in the first sentence and striking out a second period at the end of the third sentence, could not be executed because “mark,” and the second period did not appear subsequent to amendment by Pub. L. 105–330. See 1998 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106–113, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4732(b)(1)(B)], substituted “Director” for “Commissioner” in last sentence.
Pub. L. 106–43, §6(a)(1), which directed the amendment of the penultimate sentence of this section by substituting “assignment” for “subsequent purchase”, was executed by making the substitution for “subsequent purchase” in two places in the penultimate sentence of subsec. (a), after “date of the” and “prior to the”, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 106–113, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4732(b)(1)(B)], substituted “Director” for “Commissioner” in last sentence.
“A registered mark or a mark for which application to register has been filed shall be assignable with the goodwill of the business in which the mark is used, or with that part of the goodwill of the business connected with the use of and symbolized by the mark,. However, no application to register a mark under section 1051(b) of this title shall be assignable prior to the filing of the verified statement of use under section 1051(d) of this title, except to a successor to the business of the applicant, or portion thereof, to which the mark pertains, if that business is ongoing and existing. In any assignment authorized by this section it shall not be necessary to include the goodwill of the business connected with the use of and symbolized by any other mark used in the business or by the name or style under which the business is conducted. Assignments shall be by instruments in writing duly executed. Acknowledgment shall be prima facie evidence of the execution of an assignment and when recorded in the Patent and Trademark Office the record shall be prima facie evidence of execution. An assignment shall be void as against any subsequent purchaser for a valuable consideration without notice, unless it is recorded in the Patent and Trademark Office within three months after the date thereof or prior to such subsequent purchase. A separate record of assignments submitted for recording hereunder shall be maintained in the Patent and Trademark Office.
1988—Pub. L. 100–667 substituted “. However, no application to register a mark under section 1051(b) of this title shall be assignable prior to the filing of the verified statement of use under section 1051(d) of this title, except to a successor to the business of the applicant, or portion thereof, to which the mark pertains, if that business is ongoing and existing. In any assignment authorized by this section” for “and in any such assignment” in first par., and “1051(e)” for “1051(d)” in last par.
1962—Pub. L. 87–772 substituted provisions which require a separate record of assignments to be kept in the Patent Office, for provisions which required the Commissioner to keep such record, and eliminated provisions permitting the cancellation of any assigned registration at any time if the registered mark is being used by, or with the permission of, the assignee so as to misrepresent the source of the goods or services in connection with which the mark is used.
Acts Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, §2, 33 Stat. 724; Feb. 18, 1909, ch. 144, 35 Stat. 627.
1982—Pub. L. 97–247 substituted “is” for “shall be” after “whose authority”, and inserted “, or apostille of an official designated by a foreign country which, by treaty or convention, accords like effect to apostilles of designated officials in the United States”.
Acts March 3, 1881 and February 20, 1905, referred to in subsec. (c), are acts Mar. 3, 1881, ch. 138, 21 Stat. 502 and Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, 33 Stat. 724, which were repealed insofar as inconsistent with this chapter by act July 5, 1946, ch. 540, §46(a), 60 Stat. 444. Act Feb. 20, 1905, was classified to sections 81 to 109 of this title.
Acts Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, §6, 33 Stat. 726; Mar. 2, 1907, ch. 2573, §2, 34 Stat. 1252.
1999—Pub. L. 106–113 substituted “Director” for “Commissioner” wherever appearing.
1998—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–330 substituted “unintentional” for “unavoidable” in last sentence.
1988—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–667 substituted “prescribed fee” for “fee herein provided”, and “entitled to registration, or would be entitled to registration upon the acceptance of the statement of use required by section 1051(d) of this title, the” for “entitled to registration, the”.
1975—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 93–596 substituted “Patent and Trademark Office” for “Patent Office”.
1962—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 87–772 inserted proviso permitting publication of the mark in the case of an applicant claiming concurrent use, or an application to be placed in an interference, if such mark is otherwise registrable, subject to the determination of the rights of the parties.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 87–772 inserted “Marks published under” before “this subsection shall not be subject”.
(a) Any person who believes that he would be damaged by the registration of a mark upon the principal register, including the registration of any mark which would be likely to cause dilution by blurring or dilution by tarnishment under section 1125(c) of this title, may, upon payment of the prescribed fee, file an opposition in the Patent and Trademark Office, stating the grounds therefor, within thirty days after the publication under subsection (a) of section 1062 of this title of the mark sought to be registered. Upon written request prior to the expiration of the thirty-day period, the time for filing opposition shall be extended for an additional thirty days, and further extensions of time for filing opposition may be granted by the Director for good cause when requested prior to the expiration of an extension. The Director shall notify the applicant of each extension of the time for filing opposition. An opposition may be amended under such conditions as may be prescribed by the Director.
(2) a notice of allowance shall be issued to the applicant if the applicant applied for registration under section 1051(b) of this title.
Acts Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, §§6, 7, 33 Stat. 726; Mar. 2, 1907, ch. 2573, §2, 34 Stat. 1252.
2006—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–312 substituted “the registration of any mark which would be likely to cause dilution by blurring or dilution by tarnishment” for “as a result of dilution”.
1999—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106–113 substituted “Director” for “Commissioner” wherever appearing.
Pub. L. 106–43 inserted “, including as a result of dilution under section 1125(c) of this title,” after “principal register” in first sentence.
1988—Pub. L. 100–667 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), substituted “prescribed fee” for “required fee”, and added subsec. (b).
1982—Pub. L. 97–247 substituted “an” for “a verified” after “required fee, file”, inserted “when requested prior to the expiration of an extension” after “Commissioner for good cause” and struck out provision that an unverified opposition could be filed by a duly authorized attorney, but such opposition would be null and void unless verified by the opposer within a reasonable time after such filing is fixed by the Commissioner.
1975—Pub. L. 93–600 substituted provisions relating to extensions of time for filing opposition upon written request prior to the expiration of the thirty-day period for an additional thirty days, and further extensions for good cause, for provisions relating to extensions of the time for filing opposition for good cause shown.
Pub. L. 93–596 substituted “Patent and Trademark Office” for “Patent Office”.
1962—Pub. L. 87–772 inserted “An opposition may be amended under such conditions as may be prescribed by the Commissioner”, and struck out “notice of” after “file a verified” and “time for filing”.
Amendment by Pub. L. 106–43 effective Aug. 5, 1999, and applicable only to any application for registration filed on or after Jan. 16, 1996, see section 2(e) of Pub. L. 106–43, set out as a note under section 1052 of this title.
Acts March 3, 1881 and February 20, 1905, referred to in opening par. and pars. (2) and (4), are acts Mar. 3, 1881, ch. 138, 21 Stat. 502 and Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, 33 Stat. 724, which were repealed insofar as inconsistent with this chapter by act July 5, 1946, ch. 540, §46(a), 60 Stat. 444. Act Feb. 20, 1905, was classified to sections 81 to 109 of this title.
Act Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, §13, 33 Stat. 728.
2006—Pub. L. 109–312 substituted “, including as a result of a likelihood of dilution by blurring or dilution by tarnishment under section 1125(c) of this title,” for “, including as a result of dilution under section 1125(c) of this title,” in introductory provisions.
1999—Pub. L. 106–43 inserted “, including as a result of dilution under section 1125(c) of this title,” after “damaged” in introductory provisions.
Par. (3). Pub. L. 105–330, §201(a)(4), inserted “or is functional,” before “or has been abandoned”.
1988—Pub. L. 100–667, §115(1), (7), in introductory provisions, inserted “as follows” and substituted “1905:” for “1905—”, and in concluding proviso substituted “paragraphs (3) and (5)” for “subsections (c) and (e)”.
Par. (1). Pub. L. 100–667, §115(2), substituted “(1) Within” for “(a) within” and “chapter.” for “chapter; or”.
Par. (2). Pub. L. 100–667, §115(3), substituted “(2) Within” for “(b) within”, and “1905.” for “1905; or”.
Par. (3). Pub. L. 100–667, §115(4), substituted “(3)” for “(c)” and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “at any time if the registered mark becomes the common descriptive name of an article or substance, or has been abandoned, or its registration was obtained fraudulently or contrary to the provisions of section 1054 of this title or of subsections (a), (b), or (c) of section 1052 of this title for a registration hereunder, or contrary to similar prohibitory provisions of said prior Acts for a registration thereunder, or if the registered mark is being used by, or with the permission of, the registrant so as to misrepresent the source of the goods or services in connection with which the mark is used. A registered mark shall not be deemed to be the common descriptive name of goods or services solely because such mark is also used as a name of or to identify a unique product or service. The primary significance of the registered mark to the relevant public rather than purchaser motivation shall be the test for determining whether the registered mark has become the common descriptive name of goods or services in connection with which it has been used; or”.
Par. (4). Pub. L. 100–667, §115(5), substituted “(4) At” for “(d) at”, and “title.” for “title; or”.
Par. (5). Pub. L. 100–667, §115(6), substituted “(5) At” for “(e) at” and redesignated former pars. (1) to (4) as subpars. (A) to (D), respectively.
1984—Par. (c). Pub. L. 98–620 inserted provision that a registered mark shall not be deemed to be the common descriptive name of goods or services solely because such mark is also used as a name of or to identify a unique product or service, and that the primary significance of the registered mark to the relevant public rather than purchaser motivation shall be the test for determining whether the registered mark has become the common descriptive name of goods or services in connection with which it has been used.
1982—Pub. L. 97–247 struck out “verified” before “petition to cancel” in provision preceding par. (a).
1962—Pub. L. 87–772 inserted provisions which require a verified petition to cancel a registration, redesignated par. (d) as (e), added par. (d) which is composed of provisions formerly part of par. (c), and in said par. (c), substituted “registrant” for “assignee”, and struck out “on which the patent has expired” before “or has been abandoned”, and “has been assigned and” before “is being used by”.
Amendment by section 201(a)(4) of Pub. L. 105–330 effective Oct. 30, 1998, and applicable only to any civil action filed or proceeding before the United States Patent and Trademark Office commenced on or after such date relating to the registration of a mark, see section 201(b) of Pub. L. 105–330, set out as a note under section 1051 of this title.
For transfer of functions of Federal Trade Commission, with certain exceptions, to Chairman of such Commission, see Reorg. Plan No. 8 of 1950, §1, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3175, 64 Stat. 1264, set out under section 41 of this title.
For provisions restricting the use of funds authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 41 et seq. of this title for fiscal year 1980, 1981, or 1982, for the purpose of taking any action under this section with respect to the cancellation of the registration of any mark on the ground that such mark has become the common descriptive name of an article or substance, see section 18 of Pub. L. 96–252, set out as a note under section 57c of this title.
(4) no incontestable right shall be acquired in a mark which is the generic name for the goods or services or a portion thereof, for which it is registered.
Subject to the conditions above specified in this section, the incontestable right with reference to a mark registered under this chapter shall apply to a mark registered under the Act of March 3, 1881, or the Act of February 20, 1905, upon the filing of the required affidavit with the Director within one year after the expiration of any period of five consecutive years after the date of publication of a mark under the provisions of subsection (c) of section 1062 of this title.
The Director shall notify any registrant who files the above-prescribed affidavit of the filing thereof.
Acts March 3, 1881 and February 20, 1905, referred to in text, are acts Mar. 3, 1881, ch. 138, 21 Stat. 502 and Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, 33 Stat. 724, which were repealed insofar as inconsistent with this chapter by act July 5, 1946, ch. 540, §46(a), 60 Stat. 444. Act Feb. 20, 1905, was classified to sections 81 to 109 of this title.
2010—Pub. L. 111–146, §3(b)(1), substituted “right of the owner” for “right of the registrant” in introductory provisions.
Par. (1). Pub. L. 111–146, §3(b)(2), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: “there has been no final decision adverse to registrant's claim of ownership of such mark for such goods or services, or to registrant's right to register the same or to keep the same on the register; and”.
Par. (2). Pub. L. 111–146, §3(b)(3), inserted “United States” before “Patent and Trademark Office”.
1999—Pub. L. 106–113 substituted “Director” for “Commissioner” in par. (3) and in two places in concluding provisions.
1988—Pub. L. 100–667, in introductory provisions, substituted “paragraphs (3) and (5)” for “subsections (c) and (e)”, in par. (3) “paragraphs” for “subsections”, and in par. (4) “the generic name for the goods or services or a portion thereof, for which it is registered” for “the common descriptive name of any article or substance, patented or otherwise”.
1982—Pub. L. 97–247 substituted “registration” for “the publication” in provision preceding par. (1).
1975—Par. (2). Pub. L. 93–596 substituted “Patent and Trademark Office” for “Patent Office”.
1962—Pub. L. 87–772 substituted “(c) and (e) of section 1064” for “(c) and (d) of section 1064” in provision preceding par. (1), and struck out “or trade name” after “in a mark” in par. (4).
Upon petition showing extraordinary circumstances, the Director may declare that an interference exists when application is made for the registration of a mark which so resembles a mark previously registered by another, or for the registration of which another has previously made application, as to be likely when used on or in connection with the goods or services of the applicant to cause confusion or mistake or to deceive. No interference shall be declared between an application and the registration of a mark the right to the use of which has become incontestable.
Act Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, §7, 33 Stat. 726.
1999—Pub. L. 106–113 substituted “Director” for “Commissioner”.
1988—Pub. L. 100–667 substituted “used on or in connection with the goods or services” for “applied to the goods or when used in connection with the services”.
1982—Pub. L. 97–247 substituted “Upon petition showing extraordinary circumstances, the Commissioner may declare that an interference exists when application is made for the registration of a mark which so resembles a mark previously registered by another, or for the registration of which another has previously made application, as to be likely when applied to the goods or when used in connection with the services of the applicant to cause confusion or mistake or to deceive” for “Whenever application is made for the registration of a mark which so resembles a mark previously registered by another, or for the registration of which another has previously made application, as to be likely when applied to the goods or when used in connection with the services of the applicant to cause confusion or mistake or to deceive, the Commissioner may declare that an interference exists”.
1962—Pub. L. 87–772 struck out “purchasers” after “or to deceive”.
(a) In every case of interference, opposition to registration, application to register as a lawful concurrent user, or application to cancel the registration of a mark, the Director shall give notice to all parties and shall direct a Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to determine and decide the respective rights of registration.
(b) The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board shall include the Director, Deputy 1 Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office 2 the Commissioner for Patents, the Commissioner for Trademarks, and administrative trademark judges who are appointed by the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Director.
(c) Authority of the Secretary.—The Secretary of Commerce may, in his or her discretion, deem the appointment of an administrative trademark judge who, before August 12, 2008, held office pursuant to an appointment by the Director to take effect on the date on which the Director initially appointed the administrative trademark judge.
(d) Defense to challenge of appointment.—It shall be a defense to a challenge to the appointment of an administrative trademark judge on the basis of the judge's having been originally appointed by the Director that the administrative trademark judge so appointed was acting as a de facto officer.
2008—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110–313, §1(b)(1), inserted “Deputy Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office” after “Director,” and substituted “appointed by the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Director” for “appointed by the Director”.
Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 110–313, §1(b)(2), added subsecs. (c) and (d).
2002—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 107–273, which directed amendment of subsec. (b) by inserting “the Deputy Commissioner,” after “Commissioner,”, could not be executed because “Commissioner,” does not appear in text.
“In every case of interference, opposition to registration, application to register as a lawful concurrent user, or application to cancel the registration of a mark, the Commissioner shall give notice to all parties and shall direct a Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to determine and decide the respective rights of registration.
1980—Pub. L. 96–455 inserted provisions requiring that the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board include the Deputy Commissioner and members appointed by the Commissioner and provisions that employees of the Patent and Trademark Office and other persons, all of whom shall be competent in trademark law, shall be eligible for appointment as members; and struck out provision that the Board include Patent and Trademark Office employees, designated by the Commissioner and whose qualifications have been approved by the Civil Service Commission as being adequate for appointment to the position of examiner in charge of interferences.
1958—Pub. L. 85–609 substituted “a Trademark Trial and Appeal Board” for “the examiner in charge of interferences” in first paragraph, and inserted second paragraph relating to the composition of the Board.
1 So in original. Probably should be preceded by “the”.
In such proceedings the Director may refuse to register the opposed mark, may cancel the registration, in whole or in part, may modify the application or registration by limiting the goods or services specified therein, may otherwise restrict or rectify with respect to the register the registration of a registered mark, may refuse to register any or all of several interfering marks, or may register the mark or marks for the person or persons entitled thereto, as the rights of the parties under this chapter may be established in the proceedings: Provided, That in the case of the registration of any mark based on concurrent use, the Director shall determine and fix the conditions and limitations provided for in subsection (d) of section 1052 of this title. However, no final judgment shall be entered in favor of an applicant under section 1051(b) of this title before the mark is registered, if such applicant cannot prevail without establishing constructive use pursuant to section 1057(c) of this title.
Act Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, §§7, 13, 33 Stat. 726, 728.
1999—Pub. L. 106–113 substituted “Director” for “Commissioner” in two places.
1988—Pub. L. 100–667 substituted “the registration, in whole or in part, may modify the application or registration by limiting the goods or services specified therein, may otherwise restrict or rectify with respect to the register” for “or restrict”, and “may refuse” for “or may refuse”, and inserted provisions that no final judgment be entered before mark is registered if applicant cannot prevail without establishing constructive use.
An appeal may be taken to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board from any final decision of the examiner in charge of the registration of marks upon the payment of the prescribed fee.
Act Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, §§8, 13, 33 Stat. 726, 728.
1958—Pub. L. 85–609 substituted “Trademark Trial and Appeal Board” for “Commissioner in person” and “fee” for “fees”, and struck out “of interferences or” after “examiner in charge”.
For effective date and applicability of amendment by Pub. L. 85–609, see section 3 of Pub. L. 85–609, set out as a note under section 1067 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 85–609 as subject to Reorganization Plan No. 5 of 1950, see note set out under section 1067 of this title.
(1) An applicant for registration of a mark, party to an interference proceeding, party to an opposition proceeding, party to an application to register as a lawful concurrent user, party to a cancellation proceeding, a registrant who has filed an affidavit as provided in section 1058 of this title or section 1141k of this title, or an applicant for renewal, who is dissatisfied with the decision of the Director or Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, may appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit thereby waiving his right to proceed under subsection (b) of this section: Provided, That such appeal shall be dismissed if any adverse party to the proceeding, other than the Director, shall, within twenty days after the appellant has filed notice of appeal according to paragraph (2) of this subsection, files notice with the Director that he elects to have all further proceedings conducted as provided in subsection (b) of this section. Thereupon the appellant shall have thirty days thereafter within which to file a civil action under subsection (b) of this section, in default of which the decision appealed from shall govern the further proceedings in the case.
(2) When an appeal is taken to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the appellant shall file in the United States Patent and Trademark Office a written notice of appeal directed to the Director, within such time after the date of the decision from which the appeal is taken as the Director prescribes, but in no case less than 60 days after that date.
(3) The Director shall transmit to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit a certified list of the documents comprising the record in the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The court may request that the Director forward the original or certified copies of such documents during pendency of the appeal. In an ex parte case, the Director shall submit to that court a brief explaining the grounds for the decision of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, addressing all the issues involved in the appeal. The court shall, before hearing an appeal, give notice of the time and place of the hearing to the Director and the parties in the appeal.
(4) The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit shall review the decision from which the appeal is taken on the record before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Upon its determination the court shall issue its mandate and opinion to the Director, which shall be entered of record in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and shall govern the further proceedings in the case. However, no final judgment shall be entered in favor of an applicant under section 1051(b) of this title before the mark is registered, if such applicant cannot prevail without establishing constructive use pursuant to section 1057(c) of this title.
(1) Whenever a person authorized by subsection (a) of this section to appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is dissatisfied with the decision of the Director or Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, said person may, unless appeal has been taken to said United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, have remedy by a civil action if commenced within such time after such decision, not less than sixty days, as the Director appoints or as provided in subsection (a) of this section. The court may adjudge that an applicant is entitled to a registration upon the application involved, that a registration involved should be canceled, or such other matter as the issues in the proceeding require, as the facts in the case may appear. Such adjudication shall authorize the Director to take any necessary action, upon compliance with the requirements of law. However, no final judgment shall be entered in favor of an applicant under section 1051(b) of this title before the mark is registered, if such applicant cannot prevail without establishing constructive use pursuant to section 1057(c) of this title.
(2) The Director shall not be made a party to an inter partes proceeding under this subsection, but he shall be notified of the filing of the complaint by the clerk of the court in which it is filed and shall have the right to intervene in the action.
(3) In any case where there is no adverse party, a copy of the complaint shall be served on the Director, and, unless the court finds the expenses to be unreasonable, all the expenses of the proceeding shall be paid by the party bringing the case, whether the final decision is in favor of such party or not. In suits brought hereunder, the record in the United States Patent and Trademark Office shall be admitted on motion of any party, upon such terms and conditions as to costs, expenses, and the further cross-examination of the witnesses as the court imposes, without prejudice to the right of any party to take further testimony. The testimony and exhibits of the record in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, when admitted, shall have the same effect as if originally taken and produced in the suit.
(4) Where there is an adverse party, such suit may be instituted against the party in interest as shown by the records of the United States Patent and Trademark Office at the time of the decision complained of, but any party in interest may become a party to the action. If there are adverse parties residing in a plurality of districts not embraced within the same State, or an adverse party residing in a foreign country, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia shall have jurisdiction and may issue summons against the adverse parties directed to the marshal of any district in which any adverse party resides. Summons against adverse parties residing in foreign countries may be served by publication or otherwise as the court directs.
Pub. L. 93–596, which provided for the substitution of “Patent and Trademark Office” for “Patent Office” each time appearing in this chapter, became effective Jan. 2, 1975, as did Pub. L. 93–600, which in the course of amending subsec. (a)(3) and (4) of this section, referred merely to “Patent Office”. “Patent and Trademark Office” has been substituted for “Patent Office” in subsec. (a)(3) and (4) on authority of Pub. L. 93–596.
Acts Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, §§9, 22, 33 Stat. 727, 729; Mar. 2, 1929, ch. 488, §2(b), 45 Stat. 1478.
2011—Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 112–29 substituted “United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia” for “United States District Court for the District of Columbia”.
2010—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 111–146, §3(c)(2), inserted “or section 1141k of this title” after “section 1058 of this title”.
Subsec. (a)(2) to (4). Pub. L. 111–146, §3(c)(1), inserted “United States” before “Patent and Trademark Office” wherever appearing.
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 111–146, §3(c)(1), inserted “United States” before “Patent and Trademark Office” in two places.
Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 111–146, §3(c)(1), (3), inserted “United States” before “Patent and Trademark Office” and substituted “If there are” for “If there be”.
1988—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 100–667, §120(1), made technical amendments to references in the original act to subsection (b) of this section resulting in no change in text, and substituted “paragraph (2) of this subsection” for “subsection (a)(2) of this section” and “action under subsection” for “action under said subsection”.
Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 100–667, §120(2), inserted provision that no final judgment be entered before mark is registered if applicant cannot prevail without establishing constructive use.
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 100–667, §120(3), made technical amendments to references in the original act to subsection (a) of this section resulting in no change in text and inserted provision that no final judgment be entered before mark is registered if applicant cannot prevail without establishing constructive use.
1984—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 98–620 substituted provisions requiring the appellant to file a written notice of appeal in the Patent and Trademark Office directed to the Commissioner for provisions requiring the appellant to file the notice of appeal with the Commissioner, and struck out provision which required the notice of appeal to specify the party or parties taking the appeal, to designate the decision or part thereof appealed from, and to state that the appeal was being taken to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 98–620 substituted provisions requiring the Commissioner to transmit to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit a certified list of the documents comprising the record in the Patent and Trademark Office for provisions which required the Commissioner to transmit to the court certified copies of all the necessary original papers and evidence in the case specified by the appellant, and any additional papers and evidence specified by the appellee, and inserted provision that the court may request that the Commissioner forward the original or certified copies of such documents during the pendency of the appeal.
Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 98–620 substituted provisions requiring the court to review the decision from which the appeal is taken on the record before the Patent and Trademark Office, and, upon its determination, to issue its mandate and opinion to the Commissioner for provisions which required the court to decide such appeal on the evidence produced before the Patent and Trademark Office and to return to the Commissioner a certificate of its proceedings and decision.
1982—Subsecs. (a)(1), (2), (b)(1). Pub. L. 97–164 substituted “United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit” for “United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals” and “Court of Customs and Patent Appeals” wherever appearing.
1975—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 93–600 substituted provisions relating to filing of notice of appeal with the Commissioner and the contents of such notice of appeal, for provisions relating to giving notice of appeal to the Commissioner and requiring filing in the Patent Office reasons for appeal.
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 93–600 inserted provision requiring the Commissioner to furnish the court with a brief explaining the grounds of the decision of the Office.
Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 93–600 substituted “decide” for “hear and determine” and struck out “Upon its determination,” before “the court shall return” and provision requiring the decision to be confined to the points set forth in the reasons of appeal.
Pub. L. 93–596 substituted “Patent and Trademark Office” for “Patent Office” in two places.
Subsec. (b)(3), (4). Pub. L. 93–596 substituted “Patent and Trademark Office” for “Patent Office”.
1962—Pub. L. 87–772 amended section generally, and among other changes, incorporated with necessary changes in language, the various provisions of Title 35, Patents, relating to the procedure of appeals to the Court of Customs and Patent Appeals and review by civil action in patent cases, which had previously been incorporated by reference only.
1958—Pub. L. 85–609 authorized appeals by persons dissatisfied with the decision of the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and substituted “Trademark Trial and Appeal Board” for “Commissioner” in proviso.
1952—Act July 19, 1952, substituted references to new title 35 for repealed section of title 35.
Amendment by Pub. L. 98–620 applicable to proceedings pending in the Patent and Trademark Office on Nov. 8, 1984, and to appeals pending in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on that date, see section 414(c) of Pub. L. 98–620, set out as a note under section 142 of Title 35, Patents.
Amendment by Pub. L. 93–600 effective Jan. 2, 1975, but not to affect any suit, proceeding, or appeal then pending, see section 4 of Pub. L. 93–600, set out as a note under section 1063 of this title.
Registration of a mark on the principal register provided by this chapter or under the Act of March 3, 1881, or the Act of February 20, 1905, shall be constructive notice of the registrant's claim of ownership thereof.
Acts March 3, 1881, and February 20, 1905, referred to in text, are acts Mar. 3, 1881, ch. 138, 21 Stat. 502 and Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, 33 Stat. 724, which were repealed insofar as inconsistent with this chapter by act July 5, 1946, ch. 540, §46(a), 60 Stat. 444. Act Feb. 20, 1905, was classified to sections 81 to 109 of this title.

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