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Trademark Application - Ornamentation Refusal

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Groovyman

Junior Member
What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? Canada

Have applied for a trademark and received this email notice from USPTO.

Search Results

The Office records have been searched and no similar registered or pending mark has been found that would bar registration under Trademark Act Section 2(d), 15 U.S.C. §1052(d). TMEP §704.02. :)

Sections 1,2 and 45 - Ornamentation Refusal :(

Registration is refused on the Principal Register because the proposed mark, as used on the specimen of record, is a decorative or ornamental feature of the goods and would not be perceived as a mark by the purchasing public. Trademark Act Sections 1, 2 and 45, 15 U.S.C. §§1051, 1052 and 1127; See In re Owens‑Corning Fiberglass Corp., 774 F.2d 1116, 227 USPQ 417 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re David Crystal, Inc., 296 F.2d 771, 132 USPQ 1 (C.C.P.A. 1961); In re Villeroy & Boch S.A.R.L., 5 USPQ2d 1451 (TTAB 1987); TMEP §§1202.03 et seq.

The specimen consists of a shirt or t-shirt, and the proposed mark is ornamental as used on the specimen because it appears on the center front of the shirt and not on a label on the goods.

Applicant may overcome the stated ornamental refusal by doing one of the following, as appropriate:

(1) submitting evidence that the proposed mark has acquired distinctiveness of the applicant’s goods in commerce under Trademark Act Section 2(f), 15 U.S.C. §1052(f). Evidence may consist of examples of advertising and promotional materials that specifically promote the subject matter for which registration is sought as a mark, dollar figures for advertising devoted to such promotion, dealer and consumer statements of recognition of the subject matter as a mark and any other evidence that establishes recognition of the matter as a mark for the goods. See TMEP §1202.03(d); or

(2) submitting evidence that the proposed mark is an indicator of secondary source or sponsorship for the identified goods. University Book Store v. University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, 33 USPQ2d 1385, 1405 (TTAB 1994); In re Olin Corp., 181 USPQ 182 (TTAB 1982). That is, applicant may submit evidence showing that the proposed mark would be recognized as a trademark or service mark through applicant’s use of the proposed mark with goods or services other than those identified here. In re Original Red Plate Co., 223 USPQ 836, 837 (TTAB 1984). Applicant must establish that, as a result of this use on other goods or services, the public would recognize applicant as the secondary source of, or sponsor for, the identified goods. See TMEP §1202.03(c); or

(3) submitting a substitute specimen that shows proper non-ornamental trademark use, along with a statement that ”the substitute specimen was in use in commerce at least as early as the application filing date”, verified with a notarized affidavit or a signed declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20. 37 C.F.R. §2.59(a); or

(4) amending the application to seek registration on the Supplemental Register. Trademark Act Section 23, 15 U.S.C. §1091; 37 C.F.R. §§2.47 and 2.75(a); TMEP §§801.02(b), 815 and 816 et seq.


What is the best way to overcome the stated ornamental refusal??? or any advice you may have.

Thanks in advance.
 


divgradcurl

Senior Member
The USPTO has given you 4 ways to traverse this rejection -- not to be blunt, but if the 4 methods for traversal don't make sense to you, it's probably time to talk with a trademark attorney. The problem is, without knowing a lot more about what you are trying to do, it's hard to give any practical advice as to how to traverse this rejection. Further, it may be possible to traverse the rejection without changing your design -- but that will require some technical legal arguments, and really is something you'll need a lawyer to help you with.
 

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