Legislación
US (United States) Code. Title 15. Chapter 22: Trademarks
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15 USC CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS 01/06/03
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TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
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CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
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SUBCHAPTER I - THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER
Sec.
1051. Application for registration; verification.
(a) Application for use of trademark.
(b) Application for bona fide intention to use
trademark.
(c) Amendment of application under subsection (b) to
conform to requirements of subsection (a).
(d) Verified statement that trademark is used in
commerce.
(e) Designation of resident for service of process
and notices.
1052. Trademarks registrable on principal register; concurrent
registration.
1053. Service marks registrable.
1054. Collective marks and certification marks registrable.
1055. Use by related companies affecting validity and registration.
1056. Disclaimer of unregistrable matter.
(a) Compulsory and voluntary disclaimers.
(b) Prejudice of rights.
1057. Certificates of registration.
(a) Issuance and form.
(b) Certificate as prima facie evidence.
(c) Application to register mark considered
constructive use.
(d) Issuance to assignee.
(e) Surrender, cancellation, or amendment by
registrant.
(f) Copies of Patent and Trademark Office records as
evidence.
(g) Correction of Patent and Trademark Office
mistake.
(h) Correction of applicant's mistake.
1058. Duration.
(a) In general.
(b) Affidavit of continuing use.
(c) Grace period for submissions; deficiency.
(d) Notice of affidavit requirement.
(e) Notification of acceptance or refusal of
affidavits.
(f) Designation of resident for service of process
and notices.
1059. Renewal of registration.
(a) Period of renewal; time for renewal.
(b) Notification of refusal of renewal.
(c) Designation of resident for service of process
and notices.
1060. Assignment.
1061. Execution of acknowledgments and verifications.
1062. Publication.
(a) Examination and publication.
(b) Refusal of registration; amendment of
application; abandonment.
(c) Republication of marks registered under prior
acts.
1063. Opposition to registration.
1064. Cancellation of registration.
1065. Incontestability of right to use mark under certain
conditions.
1066. Interference; declaration by Director.
1067. Interference, opposition, and proceedings for concurrent use
registration or for cancellation; notice; Trademark Trial and
Appeal Board.
1068. Action of Director in interference, opposition, and
proceedings for concurrent use registration or for cancellation.
1069. Application of equitable principles in inter partes
proceedings.
1070. Appeals to Trademark Trial and Appeal Board from decisions of
examiners.
1071. Appeal to courts.
(a) Persons entitled to appeal; United States Court
of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; waiver of
civil action; election of civil action by
adverse party; procedure.
(b) Civil action; persons entitled to; jurisdiction
of court; status of Director; procedure.
1072. Registration as constructive notice of claim of ownership.
SUBCHAPTER II - THE SUPPLEMENTAL REGISTER
1091. Supplemental register.
(a) Marks registerable.
(b) Application and proceedings for registration.
(c) Nature of mark.
1092. Publication; not subject to opposition; cancellation.
1093. Registration certificates for marks on principal and
supplemental registers to be different.
1094. Provisions of chapter applicable to registrations on
supplemental register.
1095. Registration on principal register not precluded.
1096. Registration on supplemental register not used to stop
importations.
SUBCHAPTER III - GENERAL PROVISIONS
1111. Notice of registration; display with mark; recovery of
profits and damages in infringement suit.
1112. Classification of goods and services; registration in
plurality of classes.
1113. Fees.
(a) Applications; services; materials.
(b) Waiver; Indian products.
1114. Remedies; infringement; innocent infringement by printers and
publishers.
1115. Registration on principal register as evidence of exclusive
right to use mark; defenses.
(a) Evidentiary value; defenses.
(b) Incontestability; defenses.
1116. Injunctive relief.
(a) Jurisdiction; service.
(b) Transfer of certified copies of court papers.
(c) Notice to Director.
(d) Civil actions arising out of use of counterfeit
marks.
1117. Recovery for violation of rights.
(a) Profits; damages and costs; attorney fees.
(b) Treble damages for use of counterfeit mark.
(c) Statutory damages for use of counterfeit marks.
(d) Statutory damages for violation of section
1125(d)(1).
1118. Destruction of infringing articles.
1119. Power of court over registration.
1120. Civil liability for false or fraudulent registration.
1121. Jurisdiction of Federal courts; State and local requirements
that registered trademarks be altered or displayed differently;
prohibition.
1121a. Transferred.
1122. Liability of United States and States, and instrumentalities
and officials thereof.
(a) Waiver of sovereign immunity by the United
States.
(b) Waiver of sovereign immunity by States.
(c) Remedies.
1123. Rules and regulations for conduct of proceedings in Patent
and Trademark Office.
1124. Importation of goods bearing infringing marks or names
forbidden.
1125. False designations of origin, false descriptions, and
dilution forbidden.
(a) Civil action.
(b) Importation.
(c) Remedies for dilution of famous marks.
(d) Cyberpiracy prevention.
1126. International conventions.
(a) Register of marks communicated by international
bureaus.
(b) Benefits of section to persons whose country of
origin is party to convention or treaty.
(c) Prior registration in country of origin; country
of origin defined.
(d) Right of priority.
(e) Registration on principal or supplemental
register; copy of foreign registration.
(f) Domestic registration independent of foreign
registration.
(g) Trade or commercial names of foreign nationals
protected without registration.
(h) Protection of foreign nationals against unfair
competition.
(i) Citizens or residents of United States entitled
to benefits of section.
1127. Construction and definitions; intent of chapter.
1128. National Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordination
Council.
(a) Establishment.
(b) Duties.
(c) Consultation required.
(d) Non-derogation.
(e) Report.
(f) Funding.
1129. Cyberpiracy protections for individuals.
SUBCHAPTER IV - THE MADRID PROTOCOL
1141. Definitions.
1141a. International applications based on United States
applications or registrations.
(a) In general.
(b) Qualified owners.
1141b. Certification of the international application.
(a) Certification procedure.
(b) Transmittal.
1141c. Restriction, abandonment, cancellation, or expiration of a
basic application or basic registration.
1141d. Request for extension of protection subsequent to
international registration.
1141e. Extension of protection of an international registration to
the United States under the Madrid Protocol.
(a) In general.
(b) If the United States is office of origin.
1141f. Effect of filing a request for extension of protection of an
international registration to the United States.
(a) Requirement for request for extension of
protection.
(b) Effect of proper filing.
1141g. Right of priority for request for extension of protection to
the United States.
1141h. Examination of and opposition to request for extension of
protection; notification of refusal.
(a) Examination and opposition.
(b) Notification of refusal.
(c) Notice to International Bureau.
(d) Designation of agent for service of process.
1141i. Effect of extension of protection.
(a) Issuance of extension of protection.
(b) Effect of extension of protection.
1141j. Dependence of extension of protection to the United States
on the underlying international registration.
(a) Effect of cancellation of international
registration.
(b) Effect of failure to renew international
registration.
(c) Transformation of an extension of protection into
a United States application.
1141k. Affidavits and fees.
(a) Required affidavits and fees.
(b) Contents of affidavit.
(c) Notification.
(d) Service of notice or process.
1141l. Assignment of an extension of protection.
1141m. Incontestability.
1141n. Rights of extension of protection.
EFFECTIVE DATE
This chapter, act July 5, 1946, ch. 540, 60 Stat. 427, became
effective one year from July 5, 1946, and repealed chapter 3 of
this title as of that date. See notes under section 1051 of this
title.
PRIOR LAWS
The Trade-Mark Act of 1905 superseded the Trade-Mark Act of Mar.
3, 1881, ch. 138, 21 Stat. 502, entitled ''An Act to authorize the
registration of trade-marks and protect the same,'' and also act
Aug. 5, 1882, ch. 393, 22 Stat. 298, entitled ''An Act relating to
the registration of trade marks''. Former section 109 of this
title repealed all inconsistent acts and parts of acts, except so
far as they might apply to certificates of registration issued
under the Trade-Mark Act of Mar. 3, 1881, ch. 138, and act Aug. 5,
1882, ch. 393.
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CHAPTER REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This chapter is referred to in section 1129 of this title; title
18 section 2320; title 19 section 1337; title 36 section 220506;
title 48 section 1643.
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15 USC SUBCHAPTER I - THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER 01/06/03
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TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER I - THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER
.
-HEAD-
SUBCHAPTER I - THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER
-SECREF-
SUBCHAPTER REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This subchapter is referred to in title 19 section 1681a.
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15 USC Sec. 1051 01/06/03
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TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER I - THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER
-HEAD-
Sec. 1051. Application for registration; verification
-STATUTE-
(a) Application for use of trademark
(1) The owner of a trademark used in commerce may request
registration of its trademark on the principal register hereby
established by paying the prescribed fee and filing in the Patent
and Trademark Office an application and a verified statement, in
such form as may be prescribed by the Director, and such number of
specimens or facsimiles of the mark as used as may be required by
the Director.
(2) The application shall include specification of the
applicant's domicile and citizenship, the date of the applicant's
first use of the mark, the date of the applicant's first use of the
mark in commerce, the goods in connection with which the mark is
used, and a drawing of the mark.
(3) The statement shall be verified by the applicant and specify
that -
(A) the person making the verification believes that he or she,
or the juristic person in whose behalf he or she makes the
verification, to be the owner of the mark sought to be
registered;
(B) to the best of the verifier's knowledge and belief, the
facts recited in the application are accurate;
(C) the mark is in use in commerce; and
(D) to the best of the verifier's knowledge and belief, no
other person has the right to use such mark in commerce either in
the identical form thereof or in such near resemblance thereto as
to be likely, when used on or in connection with the goods of
such other person, to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to
deceive, except that, in the case of every application claiming
concurrent use, the applicant shall -
(i) state exceptions to the claim of exclusive use; and
(ii) shall specify, to the extent of the verifier's knowledge
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(I) any concurrent use by others;
(II) the goods on or in connection with which and the areas
in which each concurrent use exists;
(III) the periods of each use; and
(IV) the goods and area for which the applicant desires
registration.
(4) The applicant shall comply with such rules or regulations as
may be prescribed by the Director. The Director shall promulgate
rules prescribing the requirements for the application and for
obtaining a filing date herein.
(b) Application for bona fide intention to use trademark
(1) A person who has a bona fide intention, under circumstances
showing the good faith of such person, to use a trademark in
commerce may request registration of its trademark on the principal
register hereby established by paying the prescribed fee and filing
in the Patent and Trademark Office an application and a verified
statement, in such form as may be prescribed by the Director.
(2) The application shall include specification of the
applicant's domicile and citizenship, the goods in connection with
which the applicant has a bona fide intention to use the mark, and
a drawing of the mark.
(3) The statement shall be verified by the applicant and specify
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(A) that the person making the verification believes that he or
she, or the juristic person in whose behalf he or she makes the
verification, to be entitled to use the mark in commerce;
(B) the applicant's bona fide intention to use the mark in
commerce;
(C) that, to the best of the verifier's knowledge and belief,
the facts recited in the application are accurate; and
(D) that, to the best of the verifier's knowledge and belief,
no other person has the right to use such mark in commerce either
in the identical form thereof or in such near resemblance thereto
as to be likely, when used on or in connection with the goods of
such other person, to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to
deceive.
Except for applications filed pursuant to section 1126 of this
title, no mark shall be registered until the applicant has met the
requirements of subsections (c) and (d) of this section.
(4) The applicant shall comply with such rules or regulations as
may be prescribed by the Director. The Director shall promulgate
rules prescribing the requirements for the application and for
obtaining a filing date herein.
(c) Amendment of application under subsection (b) to conform to
requirements of subsection (a)
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.
(d) Verified statement that trademark is used in commerce
(1) Within six months after the date on which the notice of
allowance with respect to a mark is issued under section 1063(b)(2)
of this title to an applicant under subsection (b) of this section,
the applicant shall file in the Patent and Trademark Office,
together with such number of specimens or facsimiles of the mark as
used in commerce as may be required by the Director and payment of
the prescribed fee, a verified statement that the mark is in use in
commerce and specifying the date of the applicant's first use of
the mark in commerce and those goods or services specified in the
notice of allowance on or in connection with which the mark is used
in commerce. Subject to examination and acceptance of the
statement of use, the mark shall be registered in the Patent and
Trademark Office, a certificate of registration shall be issued for
those goods or services recited in the statement of use for which
the mark is entitled to registration, and notice of registration
shall be published in the Official Gazette of the Patent and
Trademark Office. Such examination may include an examination of
the factors set forth in subsections (a) through (e) of section
1052 of this title. The notice of registration shall specify the
goods or services for which the mark is registered.
(2) The Director shall extend, for one additional 6-month period,
the time for filing the statement of use under paragraph (1), upon
written request of the applicant before the expiration of the
6-month period provided in paragraph (1). In addition to an
extension under the preceding sentence, the Director may, upon a
showing of good cause by the applicant, further extend the time for
filing the statement of use under paragraph (1) for periods
aggregating not more than 24 months, pursuant to written request of
the applicant made before the expiration of the last extension
granted under this paragraph. Any request for an extension under
this paragraph shall be accompanied by a verified statement that
the applicant has a continued bona fide intention to use the mark
in commerce and specifying those goods or services identified in
the notice of allowance on or in connection with which the
applicant has a continued bona fide intention to use the mark in
commerce. Any request for an extension under this paragraph shall
be accompanied by payment of the prescribed fee. The Director
shall issue regulations setting forth guidelines for determining
what constitutes good cause for purposes of this paragraph.
(3) The Director shall notify any applicant who files a statement
of use of the acceptance or refusal thereof and, if the statement
of use is refused, the reasons for the refusal. An applicant may
amend the statement of use.
(4) The failure to timely file a verified statement of use under
paragraph (1) or an extension request under paragraph (2) shall
result in abandonment of the application, unless it can be shown to
the satisfaction of the Director that the delay in responding was
unintentional, in which case the time for filing may be extended,
but for a period not to exceed the period specified in paragraphs
(1) and (2) for filing a statement of use.
(e) Designation of resident for service of process and notices
If the applicant is not domiciled in the United States the
applicant 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.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title I, Sec. 1, 60 Stat. 427; Pub. L.
87-772, Sec. 1, Oct. 9, 1962, 76 Stat. 769; Pub. L. 93-596, Sec. 1,
Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949; Pub. L. 100-667, title I, Sec. 103,
Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3935; Pub. L. 105-330, title I, Sec. 103,
title II, Sec. 201(a), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 3064, 3069; Pub. L.
106-113, div. B, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4732(b)(1)(B)),
Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-583; Pub. L. 107-273, div. C,
title III, Sec. 13207(b)(1), (2), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1906.)
-MISC1-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Subsecs. (a) to (c) are from acts Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 1,
2, 33 Stat. 724; May 4, 1906, ch. 2081, Sec. 1, 34 Stat. 168; Feb.
18, 1909, ch. 144, 35 Stat. 628; Apr. 11, 1930, ch. 132, Sec. 4, 46
Stat. 155; June 10, 1938, ch. 332, Sec. 1, 52 Stat. 638.
Subsec. (d) is from act Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 3, 33 Stat.
725.
AMENDMENTS
2002 - Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 107-273, Sec. 13207(b)(1), in
first sentence, substituted ''specifying the date of the
applicant's first use of the mark in commerce and those goods or
services specified in the notice of allowance on or in connection
with which the mark is used in commerce.'' for ''specifying the
date of the applicant's first use of the mark in commerce and,,
those goods or services specified in the notice of allowance on or
in connection with which the mark is used in commerce.''
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 107-273, Sec. 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, Sec. 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, Sec. 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, Sec. 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, Sec. 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.
Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 105-330, Sec. 103(c), amended par. (4)
generally. Prior to amendment, par. (4) read as follows: ''The
failure to timely file a verified statement of use under this
subsection shall result in abandonment of the application.''
1988 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 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, Sec. 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, Sec. 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''.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 106-113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29,
1999, see section 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4731) of Pub. L.
106-113, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1998 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 105-330, title I, Sec. 109(b), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat.
3069, provided that: ''This title (see Short Title of 1998
Amendment note below) and the amendments made by this title shall
apply to any application for registration of a trademark pending
on, or filed on or after, the effective date of this Act (probably
should be ''this title'', see section 110 of Pub. L. 105-330, set
out as an Effective Date of 1998 Amendment note below).''
Pub. L. 105-330, title I, Sec. 110, Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat.
3069, provided that: ''This title (see Short Title of 1998
Amendment note below) and the amendments made by this title shall
take effect -
''(1) on the date that is 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act (Oct. 30, 1998), or
''(2) upon the entry into force of the Trademark Law Treaty
with respect to the United States (Aug. 12, 2000),
whichever occurs first.''
Pub. L. 105-330, title II, Sec. 201(b), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat.
3070, provided that: ''The amendments made by this section
(amending this section and sections 1052, 1057, 1064, 1091, 1094,
1113 to 1115, 1121, and 1124 of this title) shall take effect on
the date of enactment of this Act (Oct. 30, 1998), and shall apply
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.''
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Section 136 of title I of Pub. L. 100-667 provided that: ''This
title and the amendments made by this title (see Short Title of
1988 Amendment note below) shall become effective on the date which
is one year after the date of enactment of this Act (Nov. 16,
1988).''
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE
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.
SHORT TITLE OF 2002 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 107-273, div. C, title III, Sec. 13401, Nov. 2, 2002,
116 Stat. 1913, provided that: ''This subtitle (subtitle D (Sec.
13401-13403) of title III of div. C of Pub. L. 107-273, enacting
subchapter IV of this chapter and provisions set out as a note
under section 1141 of this title) may be cited as the 'Madrid
Protocol Implementation Act'.''
SHORT TITLE OF 1999 AMENDMENTS
Pub. L. 106-113, div. B, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title III, Sec.
3001(a)), Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-545, provided that:
''This title (enacting section 1129 of this title, amending
sections 1114, 1116, 1117, 1125, and 1127 of this title, section
470a of Title 16, Conservation, and section 1338 of Title 28,
Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, and enacting provisions set out
as notes under this section and sections 1117 and 1125 of this
title) may be cited as the 'Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection
Act'.''
Pub. L. 106-43, Sec. 1, Aug. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 218, provided
that: ''This Act (amending sections 1052 to 1054, 1060, 1063, 1064,
1091, 1092, 1114, 1116 to 1118, 1122, and 1124 to 1127 of this
title, enacting provisions set out as a note under section 1052 of
this title, and amending provisions set out as a note under this
section) may be cited as the 'Trademarks Amendments Act of 1999'.''
SHORT TITLE OF 1998 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 105-330, title I, Sec. 101, Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat.
3064, provided that: ''This title (amending this section and
sections 1058 to 1060, 1062, and 1126 of this title and enacting
provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 1058
and 1059 of this title) may be cited as the 'Trademark Law Treaty
Implementation Act'.''
SHORT TITLE OF 1996 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 104-98, Sec. 1, Jan. 16, 1996, 109 Stat. 985, provided
that: ''This Act (amending sections 1125 and 1127 of this title and
enacting provisions set out as a note under section 1125 of this
title) may be cited as the 'Federal Trademark Dilution Act of
1995'.''
SHORT TITLE OF 1992 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 102-542, Sec. 1, Oct. 27, 1992, 106 Stat. 3567, provided
that: ''This Act (enacting section 1122 of this title, amending
sections 1114, 1125, and 1127 of this title, and enacting
provisions set out as a note under section 1114 of this title) may
be cited as the 'Trademark Remedy Clarification Act'.''
SHORT TITLE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Section 101 of title I of Pub. L. 100-667 provided that: ''This
title (amending this section and sections 1052 to 1060, 1062 to
1066, 1068, 1069, 1071, 1091, 1092, 1094, 1095, 1111, 1112, 1114 to
1118, 1121, and 1125 to 1127 of this title, redesignating section
1121a of this title as section 1121(b) of this title, and enacting
provisions set out as notes under sections 1051 and 1058 of this
title) may be cited as the 'Trademark Law Revision Act of 1988'.''
SHORT TITLE OF 1984 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 98-620, title I, Sec. 101, Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3335,
provided that: ''This title (amending sections 1064 and 1127 of
this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under section
1064 of this title) may be cited as the 'Trademark Clarification
Act of 1984'.''
SHORT TITLE
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''.
REPEAL OF INCONSISTENT PROVISIONS; CERTAIN PROVISIONS NOT AFFECTED
Section 46(a) of act July 5, 1946, as amended by Pub. L. 106-43,
Sec. 6(b), Aug. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 220, provided in part that all
acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this chapter are repealed
effective one year from July 5, 1946, but that ''nothing contained
in this Act (this chapter) shall be construed as limiting,
restricting, modifying, or repealing any statute in force on the
effective date of this Act (July 5, 1947) which does not relate to
trademarks, or as restricting or increasing the authority of any
Federal department or regulatory agency except as may be
specifically provided in this Act (this chapter).''
Section 48 of act July 5, 1946, provided that: ''Section 4 of the
Act of January 5, 1905 (U.S.C., title 36, sec. 4), as amended,
entitled 'An Act to incorporate the National Red Cross' (see 18
U.S.C. 706), and section 7 of the Act of June 15, 1916 (U.S.C.,
title 36, sec. 27), entitled 'An Act to incorporate the Boy Scouts
of America, and for other purposes' (see 36 U.S.C. 30905), and the
Act of June 20, 1936 (U.S.C., title 22, sec. 248), entitled 'An Act
to prohibit the commercial use of the coat of arms of the Swiss
Confederation' (see 18 U.S.C. 708), are not repealed or affected by
this Act.''
SAVINGS PROVISION
Pub. L. 106-113, div. B, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title III, Sec. 3008),
Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-551, provided that: ''Nothing
in this title (see Short Title of 1999 Amendments note above) shall
affect any defense available to a defendant under the Trademark Act
of 1946 (15 U.S.C. 1051 et seq.) (including any defense under
section 43(c)(4) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 1125(c)(4)) or relating to
fair use) or a person's right of free speech or expression under
the first amendment of the United States Constitution.''
SEPARABILITY
Section 50 of act July 5, 1946, provided that: ''If any provision
of this Act (this chapter) or the application of such provision to
any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the
Act shall not be affected thereby.''
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
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, Sec. 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.
-MISC5-
PENDING PROCEEDINGS AND EXISTING REGISTRATION AND RIGHTS UNDER
PRIOR ACTS
Section 46(a) of act July 5, 1946, provided in part that this
chapter, except as otherwise specifically provided therein, shall
not affect any suit, proceeding or appeal pending on the effective
date of this chapter and that the repeal of all inconsistent acts
''shall not affect the validity of registrations granted or applied
for under any of said Acts prior to the effective date of this Act
(July 5, 1947), or rights or remedies thereunder except as provided
in sections 8, 12, 14, 15, and 47 of this Act (sections 1058, 1062,
1064, and 1065 of this title and note under this section).''
Sections 46(b) and 47 of act July 5, 1946, provided:
''(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.
''(b) In any case in which an appeal is pending before the United
States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals or any United States
Circuit Court of Appeals or the United States Court of Appeals for
the District of Columbia or the United States Supreme Court at the
effective date of this Act (July 5, 1947), the court, if it be of
the opinion that the provisions of this Act (this chapter) are
applicable to the subject matter of the appeal, may apply such
provision or may remand the case to the Commissioner (now Director)
or to the district court for the taking of additional evidence or a
new trial or for reconsideration of the decision on the record as
made, as the appellate court may deem proper.''
Section 49 of said act July 5, 1946, provided: ''Nothing herein
(in this chapter) shall adversely affect the rights or the
enforcement of rights in marks acquired in good faith prior to the
effective date of this Act (July 5, 1947).''
EMERGENCY RELIEF FROM POSTAL SITUATION AFFECTING TRADEMARK CASES
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.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 1060, 1062, 1063, 1068,
1071, 1091, 1092, 1094, 1126, 1141j of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1052 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER I - THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER
-HEAD-
Sec. 1052. Trademarks registrable on principal register; concurrent
registration
-STATUTE-
No trademark by which the goods of the applicant may be
distinguished from the goods of others shall be refused
registration on the principal register on account of its nature
unless it -
(a) Consists of or comprises immoral, deceptive, or scandalous
matter; or matter which may disparage or falsely suggest a
connection with persons, living or dead, institutions, beliefs, or
national symbols, or bring them into contempt, or disrepute; or a
geographical indication which, when used on or in connection with
wines or spirits, identifies a place other than the origin of the
goods and is first used on or in connection with wines or spirits
by the applicant on or after one year after the date on which the
WTO Agreement (as defined in section 3501(9) of title 19) enters
into force with respect to the United States.
(b) Consists of or comprises the flag or coat of arms or other
insignia of the United States, or of any State or municipality, or
of any foreign nation, or any simulation thereof.
(c) Consists of or comprises a name, portrait, or signature
identifying a particular living individual except by his written
consent, or the name, signature, or portrait of a deceased
President of the United States during the life of his widow, if
any, except by the written consent of the widow.
(d) Consists of or comprises a mark which so resembles a mark
registered in the Patent and Trademark Office, or a mark or trade
name previously used in the United States by another and not
abandoned, as to be likely, when used on or in connection with the
goods of the applicant, to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or
to deceive: Provided, That if the Director determines that
confusion, mistake, or deception is not likely to result from the
continued use by more than one person of the same or similar marks
under conditions and limitations as to the mode or place of use of
the marks or the goods on or in connection with which such marks
are used, concurrent registrations may be issued to such persons
when they have become entitled to use such marks as a result of
their concurrent lawful use in commerce prior to (1) the earliest
of the filing dates of the applications pending or of any
registration issued under this chapter; (2) July 5, 1947, in the
case of registrations previously issued under the Act of March 3,
1881, or February 20, 1905, and continuing in full force and effect
on that date; or (3) July 5, 1947, in the case of applications
filed under the Act of February 20, 1905, and registered after July
5, 1947. Use prior to the filing date of any pending application or
a registration shall not be required when the owner of such
application or registration consents to the grant of a concurrent
registration to the applicant. Concurrent registrations may also
be issued by the Director when a court of competent jurisdiction
has finally determined that more than one person is entitled to use
the same or similar marks in commerce. In issuing concurrent
registrations, the Director shall prescribe conditions and
limitations as to the mode or place of use of the mark or the goods
on or in connection with which such mark is registered to the
respective persons.
(e) Consists of a mark which (1) when used on or in connection
with the goods of the applicant is merely descriptive or
deceptively misdescriptive of them, (2) when used on or in
connection with the goods of the applicant is primarily
geographically descriptive of them, except as indications of
regional origin may be registrable under section 1054 of this
title, (3) when used on or in connection with the goods of the
applicant is primarily geographically deceptively misdescriptive of
them, (4) is primarily merely a surname, or (5) comprises any
matter that, as a whole, is functional.
(f) Except as expressly excluded in subsections (a), (b), (c),
(d), (e)(3), and (e)(5) of this section, nothing in this chapter
shall prevent the registration of a mark used by the applicant
which has become distinctive of the applicant's goods in commerce.
The Director may accept as prima facie evidence that the mark has
become distinctive, as used on or in connection with the
applicant's goods in commerce, proof of substantially exclusive and
continuous use thereof as a mark by the applicant in commerce for
the five years before the date on which the claim of
distinctiveness is made. Nothing in this section shall prevent the
registration of a mark which, when used on or in connection with
the goods of the applicant, is primarily geographically deceptively
misdescriptive of them, and which became distinctive of the
applicant's goods in commerce before December 8, 1993.
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.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title I, Sec. 2, 60 Stat. 428; Pub. L.
87-772, Sec. 2, Oct. 9, 1962, 76 Stat. 769; Pub. L. 93-596, Sec. 1,
Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949; Pub. L. 100-667, title I, Sec. 104,
Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3937; Pub. L. 103-182, title III, Sec.
333(a), Dec. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2114; Pub. L. 103-465, title V,
Sec. 522, Dec. 8, 1994, 108 Stat. 4982; Pub. L. 105-330, title II,
Sec. 201(a)(2), (12), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 3069, 3070; Pub. L.
106-43, Sec. 2(a), Aug. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 218; Pub. L. 106-113,
div. B, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4732(b)(1)(B)), Nov. 29,
1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-583.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
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, Sec.
46(a), 60 Stat. 444. Act Feb. 20, 1905, was classified to sections
81 to 109 of this title.
-MISC2-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Acts Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 5, 33 Stat. 725; Mar. 2, 1907,
ch. 2573, Sec. 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,
Sec. 9, 41 Stat. 535; June 7, 1924, ch. 341, 43 Stat. 647.
AMENDMENTS
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, Sec. 201(a)(12), substituted
''trademark'' for ''trade-mark'' in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 105-330, Sec. 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, Sec. 201(a)(2)(B), substituted
''subsections (a), (b), (c), (d), (e)(3), and (e)(5)'' for
''paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e)(3)''.
1994 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103-465 amended subsec. (a)
generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) read as follows:
''Consists of or comprises immoral, deceptive, or scandalous
matter; or matter which may disparage or falsely suggest a
connection with persons, living or dead, institutions, beliefs, or
national symbols, or bring them into contempt, or disrepute.''
1993 - Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 103-182, Sec. 333(a)(1), amended
subsec. (e) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (e) read as
follows: ''Consists of a mark which, (1) when used on or in
connection with the goods of the applicant is merely descriptive or
deceptively misdescriptive of them, or (2) when used on or in
connection with the goods of the applicant is primarily
geographically descriptive or deceptively misdescriptive of them,
except as indications of regional origin may be registrable under
section 1054 of this title, or (3) is primarily merely a surname.''
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 103-182, Sec. 333(a)(2), substituted ''(d),
and (e)(3)'' for ''and (d)'' and inserted at end ''Nothing in this
section shall prevent the registration of a mark which, when used
on or in connection with the goods of the applicant, is primarily
geographically deceptively misdescriptive of them, and which became
distinctive of the applicant's goods in commerce before December 8,
1993.''
1988 - Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 104(1), amended subsec.
(d) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) read as follows:
''Consists of or comprises a mark which so resembles a mark
registered in the Patent and Trademark Office or a mark or trade
name previously used in the United States by another and not
abandoned, as to be likely, when applied to the goods of the
applicant, to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive:
Provided, That when the Commissioner determines that confusion,
mistake, or deception is not likely to result from the continued
use by more than one person of the same or similar marks under
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,
concurrent registrations may be issued to such persons when they
have become entitled to use such marks as a result of their
concurrent lawful use in commerce prior to (i) the earliest of the
filing dates of the applications pending or of any registration
issued under this chapter; or (ii) July 5, 1947, in the case of
registrations previously issued under the Act of March 3, 1881, or
February 20, 1905, and continuing in full force and effect on that
date; or (iii) July 5, 1947, in the case of applications filed
under the Act of February 20, 1905, and registered after July 5,
1947. Concurrent registrations may also be issued by the
Commissioner when a court of competent jurisdiction has finally
determined that more than one person is entitled to use the same or
similar marks in commerce. In issuing concurrent registrations,
the Commissioner shall prescribe conditions and limitations as to
the mode or place of use of the mark or the goods in connection
with which such mark is registered to the respective persons.''
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 104(2), substituted ''used on
or in connection with'' for ''applied to'' in two places.
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 104(3), substituted ''used on
or in connection with'' for ''applied to'' and ''five years before
the date on which the claim of distinctiveness is made'' for ''five
years next preceding the date of the filing of the application for
its registration''
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENTS
Amendment by Pub. L. 106-113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29,
1999, see section 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4731) of Pub. L.
106-113, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.
Pub. L. 106-43, Sec. 2(e), Aug. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 218, provided
that: ''The amendments made by this section (amending this section
and sections 1063, 1064, and 1092 of this title) shall take effect
on the date of enactment of this Act (Aug. 5, 1999) and shall apply
only to any application for registration filed on or after January
16, 1996.''
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1998 AMENDMENT
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1994 AMENDMENT
Section 523 of title V of Pub. L. 103-465 provided that: ''The
amendments made by this subtitle (subtitle B (Sec. 521-523) of
title V of Pub. L. 103-465, amending this section and section 1127
of this title) take effect one year after the date on which the WTO
Agreement enters into force with respect to the United States (Jan.
1, 1995).''
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1993 AMENDMENT
Section 335 of title III of Pub. L. 103-182 provided that:
''(a) In General. - Subject to subsections (b) and (c), the
amendments made by this subtitle (subtitle C (Sec. 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.
''(c) Section 333. - The amendments made by section 333 (amending
this section and section 1091 of this title) shall apply only to
trademark applications filed on or after the date of the enactment
of this Act.''
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
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.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
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, Sec. 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.
-MISC5-
URUGUAY ROUND AGREEMENTS: ENTRY INTO FORCE
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 TEN-YEAR PROVISO OF TRADE-MARK ACT OF 1905
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.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 1051, 1064, 1068, 1091,
1094 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1053 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER I - THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER
-HEAD-
Sec. 1053. Service marks registrable
-STATUTE-
Subject to the provisions relating to the registration of
trademarks, so far as they are applicable, service marks shall be
registrable, in the same manner and with the same effect as are
trademarks, and when registered they shall be entitled to the
protection provided in this chapter in the case of trademarks.
Applications and procedure under this section shall conform as
nearly as practicable to those prescribed for the registration of
trademarks.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title I, Sec. 3, 60 Stat. 429; Pub. L.
100-667, title I, Sec. 105, Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3938; Pub. L.
106-43, Sec. 6(b), Aug. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 220.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
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''.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
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, Sec. 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.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 1126 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1054 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER I - THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER
-HEAD-
Sec. 1054. Collective marks and certification marks registrable
-STATUTE-
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.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title I, Sec. 4, 60 Stat. 429; Pub. L.
100-667, title I, Sec. 106, Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3938; Pub. L.
106-43, Sec. 6(b), Aug. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 220.)
-MISC1-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Acts Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 1, 33 Stat. 724; May 4, 1906,
ch. 2081, Sec. 1, 34 Stat. 168; Feb. 18, 1909, ch. 144, 35 Stat.
628; Apr. 11, 1930, ch. 132, Sec. 4, 46 Stat. 155; June 10, 1938,
ch. 332, Sec. 1, 52 Stat. 638.
AMENDMENTS
1999 - Pub. L. 106-43 substituted ''trademarks'' for
''trade-marks'' wherever appearing.
1988 - Pub. L. 100-667 substituted ''origin,'' for ''origin used
in commerce,'' and ''except in the case of certification marks
when'' for ''except when'' and struck out after first sentence
''The Commissioner may establish a separate register for such
collective marks and certification marks.''
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
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, Sec. 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.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 1052, 1064, 1126 of this
title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1055 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER I - THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER
-HEAD-
Sec. 1055. Use by related companies affecting validity and
registration
-STATUTE-
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.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title I, Sec. 5, 60 Stat. 429; Pub. L.
100-667, title I, Sec. 107, Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3938.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1988 - Pub. L. 100-667 inserted at end ''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.''
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1056 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER I - THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER
-HEAD-
Sec. 1056. Disclaimer of unregistrable matter
-STATUTE-
(a) Compulsory and voluntary disclaimers
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.
(b) Prejudice of rights
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.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title I, Sec. 6, 60 Stat. 429; Pub. L.
87-772, Sec. 3, Oct. 9, 1962, 76 Stat. 769; Pub. L. 100-667, title
I, Sec. 108, Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3938; Pub. L. 106-113, div.
B, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4732(b)(1)(B)), Nov. 29, 1999,
113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-583.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 106-113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29,
1999, see section 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4731) of Pub. L.
106-113, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
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, Sec. 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.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1057 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER I - THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER
-HEAD-
Sec. 1057. Certificates of registration
-STATUTE-
(a) Issuance and form
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 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 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 Patent and Trademark Office,
and any conditions and limitations that may be imposed in the
registration.
(b) Certificate as prima facie evidence
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 registrant's ownership of the mark, and of the
registrant'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.
(c) Application to register mark considered constructive use
Contingent on the registration of a mark on the principal
register provided by this chapter, the filing of the application to
register such mark shall constitute constructive use of the mark,
conferring a right of priority, nationwide in effect, on or in
connection with the goods or services specified in the registration
against any other person except for a person whose mark has not
been abandoned and who, prior to such filing -
(1) has used the mark;
(2) has filed an application to register the mark which is
pending or has resulted in registration of the mark; or
(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.
(d) Issuance to assignee
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 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.
(e) Surrender, cancellation, or amendment by registrant
Upon application of the registrant the Director may permit any
registration to be surrendered for cancellation, and upon
cancellation appropriate entry shall be made in the records of the
Patent and Trademark Office. Upon application of the registrant 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 Patent and Trademark Office and upon the
certificate of registration or, if said certificate is lost or
destroyed, upon a certified copy thereof.
(f) Copies of Patent and Trademark Office records as evidence
Copies of any records, books, papers, or drawings belonging to
the Patent and Trademark Office relating to marks, and copies of
registrations, when authenticated by the seal of the 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.
(g) Correction of Patent and Trademark Office mistake
Whenever a material mistake in a registration, incurred through
the fault of the 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 certificate 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 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.
(h) Correction of applicant's mistake
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.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title I, Sec. 7, 60 Stat. 430; Aug. 17,
1950, ch. 733, 64 Stat. 459; Pub. L. 87-772, Sec. 4, Oct. 9, 1962,
76 Stat. 769; Pub. L. 93-596, Sec. 1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949;
Pub. L. 100-667, title I, Sec. 109, Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3938;
Pub. L. 105-330, title II, Sec. 201(a)(3), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat.
3070; Pub. L. 106-113, div. B, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec.
4732(b)(1)(B)), Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-583.)
-MISC1-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Subsecs. (a) and (c) are from acts Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec.
11, 33 Stat. 727; Mar. 4, 1925, ch. 535, Sec. 3, 43 Stat. 1269.
Subsec. (e) is from act Mar. 19, 1920, ch. 104, Sec. 7, 41 Stat.
535.
Subsec. (f) is from act Mar. 4, 1925, ch. 535, Sec. 1, 43 Stat.
1268.
AMENDMENTS
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.
1988 - Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 109(1), amended subsec.
(b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) read as follows:
''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 registration, registrant's ownership of the
mark, and of registrant's exclusive right to use the mark in
commerce in connection with the goods or services specified in the
certificate, subject to any conditions and limitations stated
therein.''
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 109(3), added subsec. (c).
Former subsec. (c) redesignated (d).
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 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, Sec. 109(2), redesignated former
subsec. (d) as (e). Former subsec. (e) redesignated (f).
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 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, Sec. 109(2), redesignated former
subsec. (f) as (g). Former subsec. (g) redesignated (h).
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 106-113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29,
1999, see section 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4731) of Pub. L.
106-113, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1998 AMENDMENT
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
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.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
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, Sec. 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.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 1068, 1071, 1092, 1094,
1115, 1141f of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1058 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER I - THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER
-HEAD-
Sec. 1058. Duration
-STATUTE-
(a) In general
Each registration shall remain in force for 10 years, except that
the registration of any mark shall be canceled by the Director for
failure to comply with the provisions of subsection (b) of this
section, upon the expiration of the following time periods, as
applicable:
(1) For registrations issued pursuant to the provisions of this
chapter, at the end of 6 years following the date of
registration.
(2) For registrations published under the provisions of section
1062(c) of this title, at the end of 6 years following the date
of publication under such section.
(3) For all registrations, at the end of each successive
10-year period following the date of registration.
(b) Affidavit of continuing use
During the 1-year period immediately preceding the end of the
applicable time period set forth in subsection (a) of this section,
the owner of the registration shall pay the prescribed fee and file
in the Patent and Trademark Office -
(1) an affidavit setting forth those goods or services recited
in the registration on or in connection with which the mark is in
use in commerce and such number of specimens or facsimiles
showing current use of the mark as may be required by the
Director; or
(2) an affidavit setting forth those goods or services recited
in the registration on or in connection with which the mark is
not in use in commerce and showing that any such nonuse is due to
special circumstances which excuse such nonuse and is not due to
any intention to abandon the mark.
(c) Grace period for submissions; deficiency
(1) The owner of the registration may make the submissions
required under this section within a grace period of 6 months after
the end of the applicable time period set forth in subsection (a)
of this section. Such submission is required to be accompanied by
a surcharge prescribed by the Director.
(2) If any submission filed under this section is deficient, the
deficiency may be corrected after the statutory time period and
within the time prescribed after notification of the deficiency.
Such submission is required to be accompanied by a surcharge
prescribed by the Director.
(d) Notice of affidavit requirement
Special notice of the requirement for affidavits under this
section shall be attached to each certificate of registration and
notice of publication under section 1062(c) of this title.
(e) Notification of acceptance or refusal of affidavits
The Director shall notify any owner who files 1 of the affidavits
required by this section of the Commissioner's (FOOTNOTE 1)
acceptance or refusal thereof and, in the case of a refusal, the
reasons therefor.
(FOOTNOTE 1) So in original. Probably should be ''Director's''.
(f) Designation of resident for service of process and notices
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.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title I, Sec. 8, 60 Stat. 431; Pub. L.
93-596, Sec. 1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949; Pub. L. 97-247, Sec.
8, Aug. 27, 1982, 96 Stat. 320; Pub. L. 100-667, title I, Sec. 110,
Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3939; Pub. L. 105-330, title I, Sec. 105,
Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 3066; Pub. L. 106-113, div. B, Sec.
1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4732(b)(1)(B), (C)), Nov. 29, 1999, 113
Stat. 1536, 1501A-583; Pub. L. 107-273, div. C, title III, Sec.
13207(b)(3), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1906.)
-MISC1-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Act Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 12, 33 Stat. 727.
AMENDMENTS
2002 - Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 107-273 amended subsec. (f)
generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: ''If the
registrant is not domiciled in the United States, the registrant
shall designate by a written document filed in the Patent and
Trademark Office the name and address of some 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, such notice
or process may be served upon the Director.''
1999 - Subsecs. (a) to (c). Pub. L. 106-113, Sec. 1000(a)(9)
(title IV, Sec. 4732(b)(1)(B)), substituted ''Director'' for
''Commissioner'' wherever appearing.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 106-113, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec.
4732(b)(1)(B), (C)), amended subsec. (e) identically, substituting
''Director'' for ''Commissioner''.
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 106-113, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec.
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''.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 106-113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29,
1999, see section 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4731) of Pub. L.
106-113, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1998 AMENDMENT
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.
Pub. L. 105-330, title I, Sec. 109(a), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat.
3069, provided that: ''The provisions of section 8 of the Trademark
Act of 1946 (15 U.S.C. 1058), as amended by section 105 of this
Act, shall apply to a registration for trademark issued or renewed
for a 20-year term, if the expiration date of the registration is
on or after the effective date of this Act (probably should be
''this title'', see section 110 of Pub. L. 105-330, set out as an
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment 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.
Pub. L. 105-330, title I, Sec. 109(c), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat.
3069, provided that: ''The provisions of section 8 of the Trademark
Act of 1946 (15 U.S.C. 1058), as amended by section 105 of this
Act, shall apply to the filing of an affidavit if the sixth or
tenth anniversary of the registration, or the sixth anniversary of
publication of the registration under section 12(c) of the
Trademark Act of 1946 (15 U.S.C. 1062(c)), for which the affidavit
is filed is on or after the effective date of this Act (probably
should be ''this title'', see section 110 of Pub. L. 105-330, set
out as an Effective Date of 1998 Amendment note under section 1051
of this title).''
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1982 AMENDMENT
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
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.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
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.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
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, Sec. 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.
-MISC5-
REFERENCES TO TRADEMARK ACT OF 1946
Pub. L. 105-330, title I, Sec. 102, Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat.
3064, provided that: ''For purposes of this title (see Short Title
of 1998 Amendment note set out under section 1051 of this title),
the Act entitled 'An Act to provide for the registration and
protection of trademarks used in commerce, to carry out the
provisions of certain international conventions, and for other
purposes', approved July 5, 1946 (15 U.S.C. 1051 et seq.), shall be
referred to as the 'Trademark Act of 1946'.''
PENDING APPLICATIONS
Act July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title XI, Sec. 51, as added Nov. 16,
1988, Pub. L. 100-667, title I, Sec. 135, 102 Stat. 3948, provided
that: ''All certificates of registration based upon applications
for registration pending in the Patent and Trademark Office on the
effective date of the Trademark Law Revision Act of 1988 (see
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment note set out under section 1051 of
this title) shall remain in force for a period of 10 years.''
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 1059 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1059 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER I - THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER
-HEAD-
Sec. 1059. Renewal of registration
-STATUTE-
(a) Period of renewal; time for renewal
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.
(b) Notification of refusal of renewal
If the Director refuses to renew the registration, the Director
shall notify the registrant of the Commissioner's (FOOTNOTE 1)
refusal and the reasons therefor.
(FOOTNOTE 1) So in original. Probably should be ''Director's''.
(c) Designation of resident for service of process and notices
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.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title I, Sec. 9, 60 Stat. 431; Pub. L.
87-772, Sec. 5, Oct. 9, 1962, 76 Stat. 770; Pub. L. 100-667, title
I, Sec. 111, Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3939; Pub. L. 105-330, title
I, Sec. 106, Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 3067; Pub. L. 106-113, div.
B, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4732(b)(1)(B), (C)), Nov. 29,
1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-583; Pub. L. 107-273, div. C, title
III, Sec. 13207(b)(4), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1907.)
-MISC1-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Act Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 12, 33 Stat. 727.
AMENDMENTS
2002 - Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 107-273 amended subsec. (c)
generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: ''If the
registrant is not domiciled in the United States, the registrant
shall designate by a written document filed in the Patent and
Trademark Office the name and address of some 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, such notice
or process may be served upon the Director.''
1999 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106-113, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title IV,
Sec. 4732(b)(1)(B)), substituted ''Director'' for ''Commissioner''.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 106-113, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec.
4732(b)(1)(B), (C)), amended subsec. (b) identically, substituting
''Director'' for ''Commissioner'' in two places.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 106-113, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec.
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, Sec. 111(1), substituted
''ten'' for ''twenty''.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 106-113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29,
1999, see section 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4731) of Pub. L.
106-113, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1998 AMENDMENT
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.
Pub. L. 105-330, title I, Sec. 109(d), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat.
3069, provided that: ''The amendment made by section 106 (amending
this section) shall apply to the filing of an application for
renewal of a registration if the expiration date of the
registration for which the renewal application is filed is on or
after the effective date of this Act (probably should be ''this
title'', see section 110 of Pub. L. 105-330, set out as an
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment note under section 1051 of this
title).''
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
RENEWAL UNDER PRIOR ACTS
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.
EXTENSION OF TIME FOR RENEWAL BY FOREIGN REGISTRANT
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.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 1115 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1060 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER I - THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER
-HEAD-
Sec. 1060. Assignment
-STATUTE-
(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.
(2) In any assignment authorized by this section, it shall not be
necessary to include the good will 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.
(3) Assignments shall be by instruments in writing duly
executed. Acknowledgment shall be prima facie evidence of the
execution of an assignment, and when the prescribed information
reporting the assignment is recorded in the United States Patent
and Trademark Office, the record shall be prima facie evidence of
execution.
(4) An assignment shall be void against any subsequent purchaser
for valuable consideration without notice, unless the prescribed
information reporting the assignment is recorded in the United
States Patent and Trademark Office within 3 months after the date
of the assignment or prior to the subsequent purchase.
(5) The United States Patent and Trademark Office shall maintain
a record of information on assignments, in such form as may be
prescribed by the Director.
(b) An assignee not domiciled in the United States 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 assignee
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 upon the Director.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title I, Sec. 10, 60 Stat. 431; Pub. L.
87-772, Sec. 6, Oct. 9, 1962, 76 Stat. 770; Pub. L. 93-596, Sec. 1,
Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949; Pub. L. 100-667, title I, Sec. 112,
Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3939; Pub. L. 105-330, title I, Sec. 107,
Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 3068; Pub. L. 106-43, Sec. 6(a), Aug. 5,
1999, 113 Stat. 220; Pub. L. 106-113, div. B, Sec. 1000(a)(9)
(title IV, Sec. 4732(b)(1)(B)), Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536,
1501A-583; Pub. L. 107-273, div. C, title III, Sec. 13207(b)(5),
Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1907.)
-MISC1-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Act Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 10, 33 Stat. 727.
AMENDMENTS
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, Sec. 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, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec.
4732(b)(1)(B)), substituted ''Director'' for ''Commissioner'' in
last sentence.
Pub. L. 106-43, Sec. 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, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec.
4732(b)(1)(B)), substituted ''Director'' for ''Commissioner'' in
last sentence.
1998 - Pub. L. 105-330 amended section catchline and text
generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:
''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.
''An assignee not domiciled in the United States shall be subject
to and comply with the provisions of section 1051(e) of this
title.''
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.
1975 - Pub. L. 93-596 substituted ''Patent and Trademark Office''
for ''Patent Office''.
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 106-113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29,
1999, see section 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4731) of Pub. L.
106-113, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1998 AMENDMENT
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
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.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
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, Sec. 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.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1061 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER I - THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER
-HEAD-
Sec. 1061. Execution of acknowledgments and verifications
-STATUTE-
Acknowledgments and verifications required under this chapter may
be made before any person within the United States authorized by
law to administer oaths, or, when made in a foreign country, before
any diplomatic or consular officer of the United States or before
any official authorized to administer oaths in the foreign country
concerned whose authority is proved by a certificate of a
diplomatic or consular officer of the United States, 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, and shall be valid if they comply
with the laws of the state or country where made.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title I, Sec. 11, 60 Stat. 432; Pub. L.
97-247, Sec. 14(c), Aug. 27, 1982, 96 Stat. 321.)
-MISC1-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Acts Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 2, 33 Stat. 724; Feb. 18, 1909,
ch. 144, 35 Stat. 627.
AMENDMENTS
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''.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1982 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 97-247 effective Aug. 27, 1982, see section
17(a) of Pub. L. 97-247, set out as a note under section 41 of
Title 35, Patents.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1062 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER I - THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER
-HEAD-
Sec. 1062. Publication
-STATUTE-
(a) Examination and publication
Upon the filing of an application for registration and payment of
the prescribed fee, the Director shall refer the application to the
examiner in charge of the registration of marks, who shall cause an
examination to be made and, if on such examination it shall appear
that the applicant is 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 Director shall
cause the mark to be published in the Official Gazette of the
Patent and Trademark Office: Provided, That in the case of an
applicant claiming concurrent use, or in the case of an application
to be placed in an interference as provided for in section 1066 of
this title the mark, if otherwise registrable, may be published
subject to the determination of the rights of the parties to such
proceedings.
(b) Refusal of registration; amendment of application; abandonment
If the applicant is found not entitled to registration, the
examiner shall advise the applicant thereof and of the reasons
therefor. The applicant shall have a period of six months in which
to reply or amend his application, which shall then be reexamined.
This procedure may be repeated until (1) the examiner finally
refuses registration of the mark or (2) the applicant fails for a
period of six months to reply or amend or appeal, whereupon the
application shall be deemed to have been abandoned, unless it can
be shown to the satisfaction of the Director that the delay in
responding was unintentional, whereupon such time may be extended.
(c) Republication of marks registered under prior acts
A registrant of a mark registered under the provisions of the Act
of March 3, 1881, or the Act of February 20, 1905, may, at any time
prior to the expiration of the registration thereof, upon the
payment of the prescribed fee file with the Director an affidavit
setting forth those goods stated in the registration on which said
mark is in use in commerce and that the registrant claims the
benefits of this chapter for said mark. The Director shall publish
notice thereof with a reproduction of said mark in the Official
Gazette, and notify the registrant of such publication and of the
requirement for the affidavit of use or nonuse as provided for in
subsection (b) of section 1058 of this title. Marks published
under this subsection shall not be subject to the provisions of
section 1063 of this title.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title I, Sec. 12, 60 Stat. 432; Pub. L.
87-772, Sec. 7, Oct. 9, 1962, 76 Stat. 770; Pub. L. 93-596, Sec. 1,
Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949; Pub. L. 100-667, title I, Sec. 113,
Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3940; Pub. L. 105-330, title I, Sec. 104,
Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 3066; Pub. L. 106-113, div. B, Sec.
1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4732(b)(1)(B)), Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat.
1536, 1501A-583.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
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, Sec.
46(a), 60 Stat. 444. Act Feb. 20, 1905, was classified to sections
81 to 109 of this title.
-MISC2-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Acts Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 6, 33 Stat. 726; Mar. 2, 1907,
ch. 2573, Sec. 2, 34 Stat. 1252.
AMENDMENTS
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''.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 106-113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29,
1999, see section 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4731) of Pub. L.
106-113, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1998 AMENDMENT
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
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.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
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, Sec. 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.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 1058, 1063, 1064, 1065,
1091, 1115 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1063 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER I - THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER
-HEAD-
Sec. 1063. Opposition to registration
-STATUTE-
(a) Any person who believes that he would be damaged by the
registration of a mark upon the principal register, including as a
result of dilution 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.
(b) Unless registration is successfully opposed -
(1) a mark entitled to registration on the principal register
based on an application filed under section 1051(a) of this title
or pursuant to section 1126 of this title shall be registered in
the Patent and Trademark Office, a certificate of registration
shall be issued, and notice of the registration shall be
published in the Official Gazette of the Patent and Trademark
Office; or
(2) a notice of allowance shall be issued to the applicant if
the applicant applied for registration under section 1051(b) of
this title.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title I, Sec. 13, 60 Stat. 433; Pub. L.
87-772, Sec. 8, Oct. 9, 1962, 76 Stat. 771; Pub. L. 93-596, Sec. 1,
Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949; Pub. L. 93-600, Sec. 1, Jan. 2, 1975,
88 Stat. 1955; Pub. L. 97-247, Sec. 9(a), Aug. 27, 1982, 96 Stat.
320; Pub. L. 100-667, title I, Sec. 114, Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat.
3940; Pub. L. 106-43, Sec. 2(b), Aug. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 218; Pub.
L. 106-113, div. B, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec.
4732(b)(1)(B)), Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-583.)
-MISC1-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Acts Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 6, 7, 33 Stat. 726; Mar. 2,
1907, ch. 2573, Sec. 2, 34 Stat. 1252.
AMENDMENTS
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''.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENTS
Amendment by Pub. L. 106-113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29,
1999, see section 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4731) of Pub. L.
106-113, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1982 AMENDMENT
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENTS
Section 4 of Pub. L. 93-600 provided that: ''This Act (amending
this section and sections 1071 and 1117 of this title) shall become
effective upon enactment (Jan. 2, 1975), but shall not affect any
suit, proceeding, or appeal then pending.''
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.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
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, Sec. 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.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 1051, 1052, 1094, 1141,
1141h of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1064 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER I - THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER
-HEAD-
Sec. 1064. Cancellation of registration
-STATUTE-
A petition to cancel a registration of a mark, stating the
grounds relied upon, may, upon payment of the prescribed fee, be
filed as follows by any person who believes that he is or will be
damaged, including as a result of dilution under section 1125(c) of
this title, by the registration of a mark on the principal register
established by this chapter, or under the Act of March 3, 1881, or
the Act of February 20, 1905:
(1) Within five years from the date of the registration of the
mark under this chapter.
(2) Within five years from the date of publication under
section 1062(c) of this title of a mark registered under the Act
of March 3, 1881, or the Act of February 20, 1905.
(3) At any time if the registered mark becomes the generic name
for the goods or services, or a portion thereof, for which it is
registered, or is functional, or has been abandoned, or its
registration was obtained fraudulently or contrary to the
provisions of section 1054 of this title or of subsection (a),
(b), or (c) of section 1052 of this title for a registration
under this chapter, or contrary to similar prohibitory provisions
of such prior Acts for a registration under such Acts, 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 on or in connection with which the mark is used. If the
registered mark becomes the generic name for less than all of the
goods or services for which it is registered, a petition to
cancel the registration for only those goods or services may be
filed. A registered mark shall not be deemed to be the generic
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 generic
name of goods or services on or in connection with which it has
been used.
(4) At any time if the mark is registered under the Act of
March 3, 1881, or the Act of February 20, 1905, and has not been
published under the provisions of subsection (c) of section 1062
of this title.
(5) At any time in the case of a certification mark on the
ground that the registrant (A) does not control, or is not able
legitimately to exercise control over, the use of such mark, or
(B) engages in the production or marketing of any goods or
services to which the certification mark is applied, or (C)
permits the use of the certification mark for purposes other than
to certify, or (D) discriminately refuses to certify or to
continue to certify the goods or services of any person who
maintains the standards or conditions which such mark certifies:
Provided, That the Federal Trade Commission may apply to cancel on
the grounds specified in paragraphs (3) and (5) of this section any
mark registered on the principal register established by this
chapter, and the prescribed fee shall not be required. Nothing in
paragraph (5) shall be deemed to prohibit the registrant from using
its certification mark in advertising or promoting recognition of
the certification program or of the goods or services meeting the
certification standards of the registrant. Such uses of the
certification mark shall not be grounds for cancellation under
paragraph (5), so long as the registrant does not itself produce,
manufacture, or sell any of the certified goods or services to
which its identical certification mark is applied.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title I, Sec. 14, 60 Stat. 433; Pub. L.
87-772, Sec. 9, Oct. 9, 1962, 76 Stat. 771; Pub. L. 97-247, Sec.
9(b), Aug. 27, 1982, 96 Stat. 320; Pub. L. 98-620, title I, Sec.
102, Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3335; Pub. L. 100-667, title I, Sec.
115, Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3940; Pub. L. 105-330, title II, Sec.
201(a)(4), title III, Sec. 301, Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 3070; Pub.
L. 106-43, Sec. 2(c), Aug. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 218.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
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, Sec. 46(a), 60 Stat. 444. Act Feb. 20, 1905, was
classified to sections 81 to 109 of this title.
-MISC2-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Act Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 13, 33 Stat. 728.
AMENDMENTS
1999 - Pub. L. 106-43 inserted '', including as a result of
dilution under section 1125(c) of this title,'' after ''damaged''
in introductory provisions.
1998 - Pub. L. 105-330, Sec. 301, inserted at end ''Nothing in
paragraph (5) shall be deemed to prohibit the registrant from using
its certification mark in advertising or promoting recognition of
the certification program or of the goods or services meeting the
certification standards of the registrant. Such uses of the
certification mark shall not be grounds for cancellation under
paragraph (5), so long as the registrant does not itself produce,
manufacture, or sell any of the certified goods or services to
which its identical certification mark is applied.''
Par. (3). Pub. L. 105-330, Sec. 201(a)(4), inserted ''or is
functional,'' before ''or has been abandoned''.
1988 - Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 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, Sec. 115(2), substituted ''(1)
Within'' for ''(a) within'' and ''chapter.'' for ''chapter; or''.
Par. (2). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 115(3), substituted ''(2)
Within'' for ''(b) within'', and ''1905.'' for ''1905; or''.
Par. (3). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 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, Sec. 115(5), substituted ''(4) At''
for ''(d) at'', and ''title.'' for ''title; or''.
Par. (5). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 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''.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENT
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1998 AMENDMENT
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1982 AMENDMENT
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.
FINALITY OF JUDGMENTS PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 8, 1984
Section 104 of title I of Pub. L. 98-620 provided that: ''Nothing
in this title (amending this section and section 1127 of this title
and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 1051 of
this title) shall be construed to provide a basis for reopening of
any final judgment entered prior to the date of enactment of this
title (Nov. 8, 1984).''
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of functions of Federal Trade Commission, with
certain exceptions, to Chairman of such Commission, see Reorg. Plan
No. 8 of 1950, Sec. 1, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3175, 64 Stat.
1264, set out under section 41 of this title.
-MISC5-
RESTRICTION ON USE OF FUNDS TO CANCEL REGISTRATION OF TRADEMARKS
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.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 1052, 1065, 1094 of this
title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1065 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER I - THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER
-HEAD-
Sec. 1065. Incontestability of right to use mark under certain
conditions
-STATUTE-
Except on a ground for which application to cancel may be filed
at any time under paragraphs (3) and (5) of section 1064 of this
title, and except to the extent, if any, to which the use of a mark
registered on the principal register infringes a valid right
acquired under the law of any State or Territory by use of a mark
or trade name continuing from a date prior to the date of
registration under this chapter of such registered mark, the right
of the registrant to use such registered mark in commerce for the
goods or services on or in connection with which such registered
mark has been in continuous use for five consecutive years
subsequent to the date of such registration and is still in use in
commerce, shall be incontestable: Provided, That -
(1) 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
(2) there is no proceeding involving said rights pending in the
Patent and Trademark Office or in a court and not finally
disposed of; and
(3) an affidavit is filed with the Director within one year
after the expiration of any such five-year period setting forth
those goods or services stated in the registration on or in
connection with which such mark has been in continuous use for
such five consecutive years and is still in use in commerce, and
other matters specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this
section; and
(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.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title I, Sec. 15, 60 Stat. 433; Pub. L.
87-772, Sec. 10, Oct. 9, 1962, 76 Stat. 771; Pub. L. 93-596, Sec.
1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949; Pub. L. 97-247, Sec. 10, Aug. 27,
1982, 96 Stat. 320; Pub. L. 100-667, title I, Sec. 116, Nov. 16,
1988, 102 Stat. 3941; Pub. L. 106-113, div. B, Sec. 1000(a)(9)
(title IV, Sec. 4732(b)(1)(B)), Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536,
1501A-583.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
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, Sec. 46(a), 60 Stat.
444. Act Feb. 20, 1905, was classified to sections 81 to 109 of
this title.
-MISC2-
AMENDMENTS
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).
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 106-113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29,
1999, see section 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4731) of Pub. L.
106-113, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1982 AMENDMENT
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
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.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
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, Sec. 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.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 1094, 1115, 1141m of this
title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1066 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER I - THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER
-HEAD-
Sec. 1066. Interference; declaration by Director
-STATUTE-
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.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title I, Sec. 16, 60 Stat. 434; Pub. L.
87-772, Sec. 11, Oct. 9, 1962, 76 Stat. 771; Pub. L. 97-247, Sec.
11, Aug. 27, 1982, 96 Stat. 321; Pub. L. 100-667, title I, Sec.
117, Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3941; Pub. L. 106-113, div. B, Sec.
1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4732(b)(1)(B)), Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat.
1536, 1501A-583.)
-MISC1-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Act Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 7, 33 Stat. 726.
AMENDMENTS
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''.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 106-113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29,
1999, see section 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4731) of Pub. L.
106-113, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1982 AMENDMENT
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 AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
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, Sec. 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.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 1062, 1094 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1067 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER I - THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER
-HEAD-
Sec. 1067. Interference, opposition, and proceedings for concurrent
use registration or for cancellation; notice; Trademark Trial
and Appeal Board
-STATUTE-
(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, the Commissioner for Patents, the Commissioner for
Trademarks, and administrative trademark judges who are appointed
by the Director.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title I, Sec. 17, 60 Stat. 434; Pub. L.
85-609, Sec. 1(a), Aug. 8, 1958, 72 Stat. 540; Pub. L. 93-596, Sec.
1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949; Pub. L. 96-455, Sec. 1, Oct. 15,
1980, 94 Stat. 2024; Pub. L. 106-113, div. B, Sec. 1000(a)(9)
(title IV, Sec. 4716), Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-580;
Pub. L. 107-273, div. C, title III, Sec. 13203(a)(1), Nov. 2,
2002, 116 Stat. 1902.)
-MISC1-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Act Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 7, 33 Stat. 726.
AMENDMENTS
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.
1999 - Pub. L. 106-113 amended section generally. Prior to
amendment, section read as follows:
''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.
''The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board shall include the
Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner, the Assistant Commissioners,
and members appointed by the Commissioner. 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. Each case shall be heard by at least three members of the
Board, the members hearing such case to be designated by the
Commissioner.''
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.
1975 - Pub. L. 93-596 substituted ''Patent and Trademark Office''
for ''Patent Office''.
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 106-113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29,
1999, see section 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4731) of Pub. L.
106-113, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1980 AMENDMENT; BOARD MEMBERSHIP AS OF OCTOBER
15, 1980, UNAFFECTED
Section 2 of Pub. L. 96-455 provided that: ''This amendment
(amending this section) shall become effective on the date of its
enactment (Oct. 15, 1980). Members of the Trademark Trial and
Appeal Board on the date of enactment shall continue to be members
under and in accordance with the provisions of section 17 of the
Act of July 5, 1946, as amended (this section), in effect
immediately preceding the date of enactment.''
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1958 AMENDMENT
Section 3 of Pub. L. 85-609 provided that: ''This Act (amending
this section and sections 1070, 1071, 1092, and 1113 of this title)
shall take effect on approval (Aug. 8, 1958); it shall apply to ex
parte appeals taken to the Commissioner prior to the date of
approval which have not been heard but shall not apply to any such
appeal which has been heard or decided in which event further
proceedings may be had as though this Act had not been passed; it
shall apply to inter partes cases instituted prior to the date of
approval which have not been heard by an examiner of interferences,
but shall not apply to any such case which has been heard or
decided by an examiner of interferences in which event further
proceedings may be had as though this Act had not passed.''
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
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, Sec. 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.
-MISC5-
REORGANIZATION PLAN NO. 5 OF 1950
Section 2 of Pub. L. 85-609 provided that: ''The provisions of
this Act (amending this section and sections 1070, 1071, 1092, and
1113 of this title) shall be subject to Reorganization Plan No. 5
of 1950 (64 Stat. 1263).''
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 1094 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1068 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER I - THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER
-HEAD-
Sec. 1068. Action of Director in interference, opposition, and
proceedings for concurrent use registration or for cancellation
-STATUTE-
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.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title I, Sec. 18, 60 Stat. 434; Pub. L.
100-667, title I, Sec. 118, Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3941; Pub. L.
106-113, div. B, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4732(b)(1)(B)),
Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-583.)
-MISC1-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Act Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 7, 13, 33 Stat. 726, 728.
AMENDMENTS
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 106-113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29,
1999, see section 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4731) of Pub. L.
106-113, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
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, Sec. 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.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 1094 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1069 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER I - THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER
-HEAD-
Sec. 1069. Application of equitable principles in inter partes
proceedings
-STATUTE-
In all inter partes proceedings equitable principles of laches,
estoppel, and acquiescence, where applicable may be considered and
applied.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title I, Sec. 19, 60 Stat. 434; Pub. L.
93-596, Sec. 1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949; Pub. L. 100-667, title
I, Sec. 119, Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3941.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1988 - Pub. L. 100-667 struck out at end ''The provisions of this
section shall also govern proceedings heretofore begun in the
Patent and Trademark Office and not finally determined.''
1975 - Pub. L. 93-596 substituted ''Patent and Trademark Office''
for ''Patent Office''.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
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.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
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, Sec. 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.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1070 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER I - THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER
-HEAD-
Sec. 1070. Appeals to Trademark Trial and Appeal Board from
decisions of examiners
-STATUTE-
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.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title I, Sec. 20, 60 Stat. 435; Pub. L.
85-609, Sec. 1(b), Aug. 8, 1958, 72 Stat. 540.)
-MISC1-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Act Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 8, 13, 33 Stat. 726, 728.
AMENDMENTS
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''.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1958 AMENDMENT
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.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
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, Sec. 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.
-MISC5-
REORGANIZATION PLAN NO. 5 OF 1950
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.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1071 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER I - THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER
-HEAD-
Sec. 1071. Appeal to courts
-STATUTE-
(a) Persons entitled to appeal; United States Court of Appeals for
the Federal Circuit; waiver of civil action; election of civil
action by adverse party; procedure
(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 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 section, 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 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 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 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 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 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.
(b) Civil action; persons entitled to; jurisdiction of court;
status of Director; procedure
(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 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 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 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
be 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 District
of Columbia 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.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title I, Sec. 21, 60 Stat. 435; July 19,
1952, ch. 950, Sec. 2, 66 Stat. 814; Pub. L. 85-609, Sec. 1(c),
Aug. 8, 1958, 72 Stat. 540; Pub. L. 87-772, Sec. 12, Oct. 9, 1962,
76 Stat. 771; Pub. L. 93-596, Sec. 1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949;
Pub. L. 93-600, Sec. 2, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1955; Pub. L.
97-164, title I, Sec. 162(1), Apr. 2, 1982, 96 Stat. 49; Pub. L.
98-620, title IV, Sec. 414(b), Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3363; Pub. L.
100-667, title I, Sec. 120, Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3942; Pub. L.
106-113, div. B, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4732(b)(1)(B)),
Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-583.)
-COD-
CODIFICATION
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 subsecs. (a)(3) and (4) of this
section, referred merely to ''Patent Office''. ''Patent and
Trademark Office'' has been substituted for ''Patent Office'' in
subsecs. (a)(3) and (4) on authority of Pub. L. 93-596.
-MISC3-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Acts Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 9, 22, 33 Stat. 727, 729; Mar.
2, 1929, ch. 488, Sec. 2(b), 45 Stat. 1478.
AMENDMENTS
1999 - Pub. L. 106-113 substituted ''Director'' for
''Commissioner'' wherever appearing.
1988 - Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 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, Sec. 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, Sec. 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.
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 120(4), amended first
sentence generally. Prior to amendment, first sentence read as
follows: ''In all cases where there is no adverse party, a copy of
the complaint shall be served on the Commissioner; and all the
expenses of the proceedings shall be paid by the party bringing
them, whether the final decision is in his favor or not.''
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.
Pub. L. 93-596 substituted ''Patent and Trademark Office'' for
''Patent 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. 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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 106-113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29,
1999, see section 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4731) of Pub. L.
106-113, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1984 AMENDMENT
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1982 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 97-164 effective Oct. 1, 1982, see section
402 of Pub. L. 97-164, set out as a note under section 171 of Title
28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENTS
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.
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1958 AMENDMENT
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.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
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, Sec. 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.
-MISC5-
REORGANIZATION PLAN NO. 5 OF 1950
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.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in title 28 section 1295.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1072 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER I - THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER
-HEAD-
Sec. 1072. Registration as constructive notice of claim of
ownership
-STATUTE-
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.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title I, Sec. 22, 60 Stat. 435.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
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, Sec. 46(a), 60 Stat.
444. Act Feb. 20, 1905, was classified to sections 81 to 109 of
this title.
-MISC2-
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 1094 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC SUBCHAPTER II - THE SUPPLEMENTAL REGISTER 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER II - THE SUPPLEMENTAL REGISTER
.
-HEAD-
SUBCHAPTER II - THE SUPPLEMENTAL REGISTER
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1091 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER II - THE SUPPLEMENTAL REGISTER
-HEAD-
Sec. 1091. Supplemental register
-STATUTE-
(a) Marks registerable
In addition to the principal register, the Director shall keep a
continuation of the register provided in paragraph (b) of section 1
of the Act of March 19, 1920, entitled ''An Act to give effect to
certain provisions of the convention for the protection of
trademarks and commercial names, made and signed in the city of
Buenos Aires, in the Argentine Republic, August 20, 1910, and for
other purposes'', to be called the supplemental register. All
marks capable of distinguishing applicant's goods or services and
not registrable on the principal register provided in this chapter,
except those declared to be unregistrable under subsections (a),
(b), (c), (d), and (e)(3) of section 1052 of this title, which are
in lawful use in commerce by the owner thereof, on or in connection
with any goods or services may be registered on the supplemental
register upon the payment of the prescribed fee and compliance with
the provisions of subsections (a) and (e) of section 1051 of this
title so far as they are applicable. Nothing in this section shall
prevent the registration on the supplemental register of a mark,
capable of distinguishing the applicant's goods or services and not
registrable on the principal register under this chapter, that is
declared to be unregistrable under section 1052(e)(3) of this
title, if such mark has been in lawful use in commerce by the owner
thereof, on or in connection with any goods or services, since
before December 8, 1993.
(b) Application and proceedings for registration
Upon the filing of an application for registration on the
supplemental register and payment of the prescribed fee the
Director shall refer the application to the examiner in charge of
the registration of marks, who shall cause an examination to be
made and if on such examination it shall appear that the applicant
is entitled to registration, the registration shall be granted. If
the applicant is found not entitled to registration the provisions
of subsection (b) of section 1062 of this title shall apply.
(c) Nature of mark
For the purposes of registration on the supplemental register, a
mark may consist of any trademark, symbol, label, package,
configuration of goods, name, word, slogan, phrase, surname,
geographical name, numeral, device, any matter that as a whole is
not functional, or any combination of any of the foregoing, but
such mark must be capable of distinguishing the applicant's goods
or services.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title II, Sec. 23, 60 Stat. 435; Pub. L.
87-772, Sec. 13, Oct. 9, 1962, 76 Stat. 773; Pub. L. 100-667, title
I, Sec. 121, Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3942; Pub. L. 103-182, title
III, Sec. 333(b), Dec. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2114; Pub. L. 105-330,
title II, Sec. 201(a)(5), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 3070; Pub. L.
106-43, Sec. 6(b), Aug. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 220; Pub. L. 106-113,
div. B, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4732(b)(1)(B)), Nov. 29,
1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-583; Pub. L. 107-273, div. C, title
III, Sec. 13207(b)(6), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1908.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Paragraph (b) of section 1 of the Act of March 19, 1920, referred
to in subsec. (a), is paragraph (b) of section 1 of act Mar. 19,
1920, ch. 104, 41 Stat. 533, which was classified to section 121(b)
of this title, and repealed by act July 5, 1946, ch. 540, Sec.
46(a), 60 Stat. 444, insofar as inconsistent.
-MISC2-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Acts Mar. 19, 1920, ch. 104, Sec. 1, 41 Stat. 533; Apr. 11, 1930,
ch. 132, Sec. 4, 46 Stat. 155; June 10, 1938, ch. 332, Sec. 2, 52
Stat. 638.
AMENDMENTS
2002 - Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 107-273 struck out second comma after
''numeral''.
1999 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106-113 substituted ''Director'' for
''Commissioner''.
Pub. L. 106-43 substituted ''trademarks'' for ''trade-marks''.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 106-113 substituted ''Director'' for
''Commissioner''.
1998 - Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 105-330 substituted '', device, any
matter that as a whole is not functional,'' for ''or device''.
1993 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103-182 substituted ''(d), and
(e)(3)'' for ''and (d)'' and inserted at end ''Nothing in this
section shall prevent the registration on the supplemental register
of a mark, capable of distinguishing the applicant's goods or
services and not registrable on the principal register under this
chapter, that is declared to be unregistrable under section
1052(e)(3) of this title, if such mark has been in lawful use in
commerce by the owner thereof, on or in connection with any goods
or services, since before December 8, 1993.''
1988 - Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 121(6), struck out undesignated
concluding par. which read as follows: ''Upon a proper showing by
the applicant that he requires domestic registration as a basis for
foreign protection of his mark, the Commissioner may waive the
requirement of a full year's use and may grant registration
forthwith.''
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 121(1), (4), designated first
par. as subsec. (a), made technical amendment to reference in the
original act to subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) of section 1052
of this title resulting in no change in text, substituted ''are in
lawful use in commerce by the owner thereof, on'' for ''have been
in lawful use in commerce by the proprietor thereof, upon'', struck
out ''for the year preceding the filing of the application'' after
''any goods and services'', and inserted ''subsections (a) and (e)
of'' before ''section 1051''.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 121(2), (5), designated second
par. as subsec. (b) and substituted ''prescribed fee'' for ''fee
herein provided''.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 121(3), designated third par.
as subsec. (c).
1962 - Pub. L. 87-772 struck out ''has begun the lawful use of
his mark in foreign commerce and that he'' before ''requires
domestic registration'' in last par.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 106-113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29,
1999, see section 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4731) of Pub. L.
106-113, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1998 AMENDMENT
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1993 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 103-182 applicable only to trademark
applications filed on or after Dec. 8, 1993, see section 335(c) of
Pub. L. 103-182, set out in a note under section 1052 of this
title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
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, Sec. 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.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 1126 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1092 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER II - THE SUPPLEMENTAL REGISTER
-HEAD-
Sec. 1092. Publication; not subject to opposition; cancellation
-STATUTE-
Marks for the supplemental register shall not be published for or
be subject to opposition, but shall be published on registration in
the Official Gazette of the Patent and Trademark Office. Whenever
any person believes that he is or will be damaged by the
registration of a mark on this register, including as a result of
dilution under section 1125(c) of this title, he may at any time,
upon payment of the prescribed fee and the filing of a petition
stating the ground therefor, apply to the Director to cancel such
registration. The Director shall refer such application to the
Trademark Trial and Appeal Board which shall give notice thereof to
the registrant. If it is found after a hearing before the Board
that the registrant is not entitled to registration, or that the
mark has been abandoned, the registration shall be canceled by the
Director. 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.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title II, Sec. 24, 60 Stat. 436; Pub. L.
85-609, Sec. 1(d), Aug. 8, 1958, 72 Stat. 540; Pub. L. 87-772, Sec.
14, Oct. 9, 1962, 76 Stat. 773; Pub. L. 93-596, Sec. 1, Jan. 2,
1975, 88 Stat. 1949; Pub. L. 100-667, title I, Sec. 122, Nov. 16,
1988, 102 Stat. 3943; Pub. L. 106-43, Sec. 2(d), Aug. 5, 1999, 113
Stat. 218; Pub. L. 106-113, div. B, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title IV,
Sec. 4732(b)(1)(B)), Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-583.)
-MISC1-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Act Mar. 19, 1920, ch. 104, Sec. 2, 41 Stat. 534.
AMENDMENTS
1999 - 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 ''register'' in second
sentence.
1988 - Pub. L. 100-667 struck out ''verified'' after ''filing of
a'', substituted ''is not entitled to registration,'' for ''was not
entitled to register the mark at the time of his application for
registration thereof,'' struck out ''is not used by the registrant
or'' after ''that the mark'', and inserted provision that no final
judgment be entered before mark is registered if applicant cannot
prevail without establishing constructive use.
1975 - Pub. L. 93-596 substituted ''Patent and Trademark Office''
for ''Patent Office''.
1962 - Pub. L. 87-772 provided for payment of the prescribed fee
and the filing of a verified petition.
1958 - Pub. L. 85-609 substituted provisions requiring the
Commissioner to refer applications to the Trademark Trial and
Appeal Board for provisions which required referral to the examiner
in charge of interferences.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENTS
Amendment by Pub. L. 106-113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29,
1999, see section 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4731) of Pub. L.
106-113, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1958 AMENDMENT
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.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
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, Sec. 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.
-MISC5-
REORGANIZATION PLAN NO. 5 OF 1950
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.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 1052 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1093 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER II - THE SUPPLEMENTAL REGISTER
-HEAD-
Sec. 1093. Registration certificates for marks on principal and
supplemental registers to be different
-STATUTE-
The certificates of registration for marks registered on the
supplemental register shall be conspicuously different from
certificates issued for marks registered on the principal register.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title II, Sec. 25, 60 Stat. 436.)
-MISC1-
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1094 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER II - THE SUPPLEMENTAL REGISTER
-HEAD-
Sec. 1094. Provisions of chapter applicable to registrations on
supplemental register
-STATUTE-
The provisions of this chapter shall govern so far as applicable
applications for registration and registrations on the supplemental
register as well as those on the principal register, but
applications for and registrations on the supplemental register
shall not be subject to or receive the advantages of sections
1051(b), 1052(e), 1052(f), 1057(b), 1057(c), 1062(a), 1063 to 1068,
inclusive, 1072, 1115 and 1124 of this title.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title II, Sec. 26, 60 Stat. 436; Pub. L.
100-667, title I, Sec. 123, Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3943; Pub. L.
105-330, title II, Sec. 201(a)(6), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 3070.)
-MISC1-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Act Mar. 19, 1920, ch. 104, Sec. 6, 41 Stat. 535.
AMENDMENTS
1998 - Pub. L. 105-330 substituted '', 1057(c),'' for
''1057(c),,''.
1988 - Pub. L. 100-667 inserted reference to sections 1051(b) and
1057(c).
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1998 AMENDMENT
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1095 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER II - THE SUPPLEMENTAL REGISTER
-HEAD-
Sec. 1095. Registration on principal register not precluded
-STATUTE-
Registration of a mark on the supplemental register, or under the
Act of March 19, 1920, shall not preclude registration by the
registrant on the principal register established by this chapter.
Registration of a mark on the supplemental register shall not
constitute an admission that the mark has not acquired
distinctiveness.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title II, Sec. 27, 60 Stat. 436; Pub. L.
100-667, title I, Sec. 124, Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3943.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Act of March 19, 1920, referred to in text, is act Mar. 19, 1920,
ch. 104, Sec. 1-9, 41 Stat. 533, which was generally classified to
sections 121 to 128 of this title, and which was repealed insofar
as inconsistent with this chapter by act July 5, 1946, ch. 540,
Sec. 46(a), 60 Stat. 444.
-MISC2-
AMENDMENTS
1988 - Pub. L. 100-667 inserted at end ''Registration of a mark
on the supplemental register shall not constitute an admission that
the mark has not acquired distinctiveness.''
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1096 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER II - THE SUPPLEMENTAL REGISTER
-HEAD-
Sec. 1096. Registration on supplemental register not used to stop
importations
-STATUTE-
Registration on the supplemental register or under the Act of
March 19, 1920, shall not be filed in the Department of the
Treasury or be used to stop importations.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title II, Sec. 28, 60 Stat. 436.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Act of March 19, 1920, referred to in text, is act Mar. 19, 1920,
ch. 104, Sec. 1-9, 41 Stat. 533, which was generally classified to
sections 121 to 128 of this title, and which was repealed insofar
as inconsistent with this chapter by act July 5, 1946, ch. 540,
Sec. 46(b), 60 Stat. 444.
-MISC2-
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC SUBCHAPTER III - GENERAL PROVISIONS 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER III - GENERAL PROVISIONS
.
-HEAD-
SUBCHAPTER III - GENERAL PROVISIONS
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1111 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER III - GENERAL PROVISIONS
-HEAD-
Sec. 1111. Notice of registration; display with mark; recovery of
profits and damages in infringement suit
-STATUTE-
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1072 of this title, a
registrant of a mark registered in the Patent and Trademark Office,
may give notice that his mark is registered by displaying with the
mark the words ''Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office''
or ''Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off.'' or the letter R enclosed within a
circle, thus ; and in any suit for infringement under this chapter
by such a registrant failing to give such notice of registration,
no profits and no damages shall be recovered under the provisions
of this chapter unless the defendant had actual notice of the
registration.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title III, Sec. 29, 60 Stat. 436; Pub. L.
87-772, Sec. 15, Oct. 9, 1962, 76 Stat. 773; Pub. L. 93-596, Sec.
1, 2, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949; Pub. L. 100-667, title I, Sec.
125, Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3943.)
-MISC1-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Acts Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 28, 33 Stat. 730; Mar. 19,
1920, ch. 104, Sec. 5, 6, 41 Stat. 534, 535.
AMENDMENTS
1988 - Pub. L. 100-667 struck out ''as used'' after ''with the
mark''.
1975 - Pub. L. 93-596 substituted ''Patent and Trademark Office,
may give notice that his mark is registered by displaying with the
mark as used the words 'Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office' or 'Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off.' '' for ''Patent Office, may
give notice that his mark is registered by displaying with the mark
as used the words 'Registered in U.S. Patent Office' or 'Reg. U.S.
Pat. Off.' ''.
1962 - Pub. L. 87-772 substituted ''in the Patent Office, may''
for ''under the Act of March 3, 1881, or the Act of February 20,
1905, or on the principal register established by this chapter,
shall'', and ''to give such notice of registration,'' for ''so to
mark goods bearing the registered mark, or by a registrant under
the Act of March 19, 1920, or by the registrant of a mark on the
supplemental register provided by this chapter''.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
Section 4 of Pub. L. 93-596 provided that: ''This Act (amending
this section, sections 1051, 1052, 1057, 1058, 1060, 1062, 1063,
1065, 1067, 1069, 1071, 1092, 1112, 1113, 1116 to 1120, 1123, and
1127 of this title, and sections 2 to 4, 6 to 8, 10, 11, 21 to 26,
31 to 33, 41, 104, 119, 121, 122, 135, 142 to 144, 146, 152, 153,
253 to 255, 261, 288, and 293 of Title 35, Patents, and enacting
provisions set out as a note under section 1 of title 35) shall
become effective upon enactment (Jan. 2, 1975). However, any
registrant may continue to give notice of his registration in
accordance with section 29 of the Trademark Act of 1946 (60 Stat.
427), as amended Oct. 9, 1962 (76 Stat. 769) (this section), as an
alternative to notice in accordance with section 29 of the
Trademark Act as amended by section 2 of this Act, regardless of
whether his mark was registered before or after the effective date
of this Act.''
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 1117 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1112 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER III - GENERAL PROVISIONS
-HEAD-
Sec. 1112. Classification of goods and services; registration in
plurality of classes
-STATUTE-
The Director may establish a classification of goods and
services, for convenience of Patent and Trademark Office
administration, but not to limit or extend the applicant's or
registrant's rights. The applicant may apply to register a mark
for any or all of the goods or services on or in connection with
which he or she is using or has a bona fide intention to use the
mark in commerce: Provided, That if the Director by regulation
permits the filing of an application for the registration of a mark
for goods or services which fall within a plurality of classes, a
fee equaling the sum of the fees for filing an application in each
class shall be paid, and the Director may issue a single
certificate of registration for such mark.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title IV, Sec. 30, 60 Stat. 436; Pub. L.
87-772, Sec. 16, Oct. 9, 1962, 76 Stat. 773; Pub. L. 93-596, Sec.
1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949; Pub. L. 100-667, title I, Sec. 126,
Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3943; Pub. L. 106-113, div. B, Sec.
1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4732(b)(1)(B)), Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat.
1536, 1501A-583.)
-MISC1-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Act May 4, 1906, ch. 2081, Sec. 2, 34 Stat. 169.
AMENDMENTS
1999 - Pub. L. 106-113 substituted ''Director'' for
''Commissioner'' wherever appearing.
1988 - Pub. L. 100-667 inserted ''or registrant's'' after
''applicant's'' and substituted ''may apply'' for ''may file an
application'', ''goods or services on or in connection with which
he or she is using or has a bona fide intention to use the mark in
commerce:'' for ''goods and services upon or in connection with
which he is actually using the mark:'', and ''Provided, That if the
Commissioner by regulation permits the filing of an application for
the registration of a mark for goods or services which fall'' for
''Provided, That when such goods or services fall''.
1975 - Pub. L. 93-596 substituted ''Patent and Trademark Office''
for ''Patent Office''.
1962 - Pub. L. 87-772, among other changes, substituted ''may''
for ''shall''.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 106-113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29,
1999, see section 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4731) of Pub. L.
106-113, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
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.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
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, Sec. 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.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1113 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER III - GENERAL PROVISIONS
-HEAD-
Sec. 1113. Fees
-STATUTE-
(a) Applications; services; materials
The Director shall establish fees for the filing and processing
of an application for the registration of a trademark or other mark
and for all other services performed by and materials furnished by
the Patent and Trademark Office related to trademarks and other
marks. Fees established under this subsection may be adjusted by
the Director once each year to reflect, in the aggregate, any
fluctuations during the preceding 12 months in the Consumer Price
Index, as determined by the Secretary of Labor. Changes of less
than 1 percent may be ignored. No fee established under this
section shall take effect until at least 30 days after notice of
the fee has been published in the Federal Register and in the
Official Gazette of the Patent and Trademark Office.
(b) Waiver; Indian products
The Director may waive the payment of any fee for any service or
material related to trademarks or other marks in connection with an
occasional request made by a department or agency of the
Government, or any officer thereof. The Indian Arts and Crafts
Board will not be charged any fee to register Government trademarks
of genuineness and quality for Indian products or for products of
particular Indian tribes and groups.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title V, Sec. 31, 60 Stat. 437; Pub. L.
85-609, Sec. 1(e), Aug. 8, 1958, 72 Stat. 540; Pub. L. 89-83, Sec.
3, July 24, 1965, 79 Stat. 260; Pub. L. 93-596, Sec. 1, Jan. 2,
1975, 88 Stat. 1949; Pub. L. 96-517, Sec. 5, Dec. 12, 1980, 94
Stat. 3018; Pub. L. 97-247, Sec. 3(f), Aug. 27, 1982, 96 Stat. 319;
Pub. L. 97-256, title I, Sec. 103, Sept. 8, 1982, 96 Stat. 816;
Pub. L. 102-204, Sec. 5(f)(1), Dec. 10, 1991, 105 Stat. 1640; Pub.
L. 105-330, title II, Sec. 201(a)(7), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat.
3070; Pub. L. 106-113, div. B, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec.
4732(b)(1)(B)), Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-583.)
-MISC1-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Acts Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 14, 15, 33 Stat. 728; Mar. 19,
1920, ch. 104, Sec. 8, 41 Stat. 535; Apr. 11, 1930, ch. 132, Sec.
4, 46 Stat. 155.
AMENDMENTS
1999 - Pub. L. 106-113 substituted ''Director'' for
''Commissioner'' wherever appearing.
1998 - Pub. L. 105-330 made technical amendment relating to
section catchline.
1991 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102-204 amended subsec. (a)
generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) read as follows: ''The
Commissioner will establish fees for the filing and processing of
an application for the registration of a trademark or other mark
and for all other services performed by and materials furnished by
the Patent and Trademark Office related to trademarks and other
marks. However, no fee for the filing or processing of an
application for the registration of a trademark or other mark or
for the renewal or assignment of a trademark or other mark will be
adjusted more than once every three years. No fee established
under this section will take effect prior to sixty days following
notice in the Federal Register.''
1982 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97-256 struck out ''of Patents''
after ''Commissioner''.
Pub. L. 97-247 struck out provisions directing that fees be set
and adjusted by the Commissioner to recover in aggregate 50 per
centum of the estimated average cost to the Office of processing
and that fees for all other services or materials related to
trademarks and other marks recover the estimated average cost to
the Office of performing the service or furnishing the material.
1980 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 96-517 in revising fee provisions
required the Commissioner to establish fees based on recovery of
estimated average cost of processing applications, performing
services and providing material; authorized triennial adjustments;
and prescribed an effective date for fees; deleted prior provisions
containing statutory schedule covering fees for filing:
applications for registration and renewals, affidavits, revival
petitions for abandoned applications, opposition or application for
cancellation, disclaimers, and notice of benefits for a mark to be
published; and fees covering: appeals from examiners in charge of
registration, certificates of amendment, certifying, printed copies
of registered marks, and recordation of documents and papers
relating to property in a registration or application.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 96-517 added subsec. (b) and struck out
former subsec. (b) authorizing Commissioner to establish charges
for copies of records, publications, or services of Patent and
Trademark Office. See subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 96-517 in revising fee provisions struck out
subsec. (c) authorizing Commissioner to refund any mistaken or
excessive payments.
1975 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 93-596 substituted ''Patent and
Trademark Office'' for ''Patent Office''.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 93-596 substituted ''Patent and Trademark
Office'' for ''Patent Office''.
1965 - Pub. L. 89-83 increased fees for filing an application for
registration of a mark from $25 to $35; for issuance of a new
certificate of registration following a change of ownership of a
mark or correction of a registrant's mistake from $10 to $15; for a
certificate of correction of registrant's mistake from $10 to $15;
for filing a disclaimer from $10 to $15; and for recording an
assignment, agreement, or other paper relating to the property in a
registration or application from $3 for documents not exceeding six
pages plus $1 for each additional two pages or less and 50 cents
additional for each additional registration or application included
in one writing, to a $20 fee for every document plus an additional
fee of $3 for each additional item where the document relates to
more than one application or registration; eliminated provisions
which established fees for the surrender or cancellation of a
registration, for an abstract of title, for a title report required
for office use, for certificates that marks have not been
registered, and for copies of various specified records and
documents; added the fees for filing and affidavit under section
1058(a) or (b) of this title and for filing a petition for the
revival of an abandoned application; empowered the Commissioner to
establish charges for copies of records, publications or services
furnished by the Patent Office; and made the provisions relating to
refunds of sums paid by mistake permissive.
1958 - Pub. L. 85-609 struck out ''to the Commissioner'' after
''on appeal from an examiner in charge of the registration of
marks'', and provisions which required payment of a $25 fee on
appeals from an examiner in charge of interferences to the
Commissioner.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 106-113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29,
1999, see section 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4731) of Pub. L.
106-113, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1998 AMENDMENT
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1982 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 97-247 effective Oct. 1, 1982, see section
17(a) of Pub. L. 97-247, set out as a note under section 41 of
Title 35, Patents.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1980 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 96-517 effective Dec. 12, 1980, with
provision for continuation of fees in effect as of such date until
corresponding fees are established under this section, see section
8(a), (d) of Pub. L. 96-517, set out as a note under section 41 of
Title 35, Patents.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1965 AMENDMENT
For effective date and applicability of amendment by Pub. L.
89-83, see section 7(a), (d) of Pub. L. 89-83, set out as a note
under section 41 of Title 35, Patents.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1958 AMENDMENT
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.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
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, Sec. 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.
-MISC5-
APPROPRIATIONS AND FEES AUTHORIZED TO BE CARRIED OVER
For provisions authorizing fees collected under this chapter, and
certain appropriations, to remain available until expended, see
section 2 of Pub. L. 99-607, set out as a note under section 42 of
Title 35, Patents.
TRADEMARK FEES
Pub. L. 106-113, div. B, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4203),
Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-554, as amended by Pub. L.
107-273, div. C, title III, Sec. 13208, Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat.
1908, provided that: ''Notwithstanding the second sentence of
section 31(a) of the Trademark Act of 1946 (15 U.S.C. 1113(a)), the
Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director
of the United States Patent and Trademark Office is authorized in
fiscal year 2000 to adjust trademark fees without regard to
fluctuations in the Consumer Price Index during the preceding 12
months.''
Pub. L. 103-179, Sec. 4, Dec. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 2040, provided
that: ''Effective on the date of the enactment of this Act (Dec. 3,
1993), the fee under section 31(a) of the Trademark Act of 1946 (15
U.S.C. 1113(a)) for filing an application for the registration of a
trademark shall be $245. Any adjustment of such fee under the
second sentence of such section may not be effective before October
1, 1994.''
Pub. L. 102-204, Sec. 5(f)(2), Dec. 10, 1991, 105 Stat. 1640,
provided that fees established by Commissioner of Patents and
Trademarks under 15 U.S.C. 1113(a) during fiscal year 1992 could
reflect fluctuations during the preceding 3 years in the Consumer
Price Index and could take effect on or after 1 day after such fees
are published in the Federal Register and that the last sentence of
31 U.S.C. 31(a) and 5 U.S.C. 553 did not apply to the establishment
of such fees.
Similar provisions were contained in the following prior
appropriation acts:
Pub. L. 100-703, title I, Sec. 103(a), Nov. 19, 1988, 102 Stat.
4674.
Pub. L. 99-607, Sec. 3(a), Nov. 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 3470.
REORGANIZATION PLAN NO. 5 OF 1950
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.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in title 35 section 42.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1114 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER III - GENERAL PROVISIONS
-HEAD-
Sec. 1114. Remedies; infringement; innocent infringement by
printers and publishers
-STATUTE-
(1) Any person who shall, without the consent of the registrant -
(a) use in commerce any reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or
colorable imitation of a registered mark in connection with the
sale, offering for sale, distribution, or advertising of any
goods or services on or in connection with which such use is
likely to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive; or
(b) reproduce, counterfeit, copy, or colorably imitate a
registered mark and apply such reproduction, counterfeit, copy,
or colorable imitation to labels, signs, prints, packages,
wrappers, receptacles or advertisements intended to be used in
commerce upon or in connection with the sale, offering for sale,
distribution, or advertising of goods or services on or in
connection with which such use is likely to cause confusion, or
to cause mistake, or to deceive,
shall be liable in a civil action by the registrant for the
remedies hereinafter provided. Under subsection (b) hereof, the
registrant shall not be entitled to recover profits or damages
unless the acts have been committed with knowledge that such
imitation is intended to be used to cause confusion, or to cause
mistake, or to deceive.
As used in this paragraph, the term ''any person'' includes the
United States, all agencies and instrumentalities thereof, and all
individuals, firms, corporations, or other persons acting for the
United States and with the authorization and consent of the United
States, and any State, any instrumentality of a State, and any
officer or employee of a State or instrumentality of a State acting
in his or her official capacity. The United States, all agencies
and instrumentalities thereof, and all individuals, firms,
corporations, other persons acting for the United States and with
the authorization and consent of the United States, and any State,
and any such instrumentality, officer, or employee, shall be
subject to the provisions of this chapter in the same manner and to
the same extent as any nongovernmental entity.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the
remedies given to the owner of a right infringed under this chapter
or to a person bringing an action under section 1125(a) or (d) of
this title shall be limited as follows:
(A) Where an infringer or violator is engaged solely in the
business of printing the mark or violating matter for others and
establishes that he or she was an innocent infringer or innocent
violator, the owner of the right infringed or person bringing the
action under section 1125(a) of this title shall be entitled as
against such infringer or violator only to an injunction against
future printing.
(B) Where the infringement or violation complained of is
contained in or is part of paid advertising matter in a
newspaper, magazine, or other similar periodical or in an
electronic communication as defined in section 2510(12) of title
18, the remedies of the owner of the right infringed or person
bringing the action under section 1125(a) of this title as
against the publisher or distributor of such newspaper, magazine,
or other similar periodical or electronic communication shall be
limited to an injunction against the presentation of such
advertising matter in future issues of such newspapers,
magazines, or other similar periodicals or in future
transmissions of such electronic communications. The limitations
of this subparagraph shall apply only to innocent infringers and
innocent violators.
(C) Injunctive relief shall not be available to the owner of
the right infringed or person bringing the action under section
1125(a) of this title with respect to an issue of a newspaper,
magazine, or other similar periodical or an electronic
communication containing infringing matter or violating matter
where restraining the dissemination of such infringing matter or
violating matter in any particular issue of such periodical or in
an electronic communication would delay the delivery of such
issue or transmission of such electronic communication after the
regular time for such delivery or transmission, and such delay
would be due to the method by which publication and distribution
of such periodical or transmission of such electronic
communication is customarily conducted in accordance with sound
business practice, and not due to any method or device adopted to
evade this section or to prevent or delay the issuance of an
injunction or restraining order with respect to such infringing
matter or violating matter.
(D)(i)(I) A domain name registrar, a domain name registry, or
other domain name registration authority that takes any action
described under clause (ii) affecting a domain name shall not be
liable for monetary relief or, except as provided in subclause
(II), for injunctive relief, to any person for such action,
regardless of whether the domain name is finally determined to
infringe or dilute the mark.
(II) A domain name registrar, domain name registry, or other
domain name registration authority described in subclause (I) may
be subject to injunctive relief only if such registrar, registry,
or other registration authority has -
(aa) not expeditiously deposited with a court, in which an
action has been filed regarding the disposition of the domain
name, documents sufficient for the court to establish the
court's control and authority regarding the disposition of the
registration and use of the domain name;
(bb) transferred, suspended, or otherwise modified the domain
name during the pendency of the action, except upon order of
the court; or
(cc) willfully failed to comply with any such court order.
(ii) An action referred to under clause (i)(I) is any action of
refusing to register, removing from registration, transferring,
temporarily disabling, or permanently canceling a domain name -
(I) in compliance with a court order under section 1125(d) of
this title; or
(II) in the implementation of a reasonable policy by such
registrar, registry, or authority prohibiting the registration
of a domain name that is identical to, confusingly similar to,
or dilutive of another's mark.
(iii) A domain name registrar, a domain name registry, or other
domain name registration authority shall not be liable for
damages under this section for the registration or maintenance of
a domain name for another absent a showing of bad faith intent to
profit from such registration or maintenance of the domain name.
(iv) If a registrar, registry, or other registration authority
takes an action described under clause (ii) based on a knowing
and material misrepresentation by any other person that a domain
name is identical to, confusingly similar to, or dilutive of a
mark, the person making the knowing and material
misrepresentation shall be liable for any damages, including
costs and attorney's fees, incurred by the domain name registrant
as a result of such action. The court may also grant injunctive
relief to the domain name registrant, including the reactivation
of the domain name or the transfer of the domain name to the
domain name registrant.
(v) A domain name registrant whose domain name has been
suspended, disabled, or transferred under a policy described
under clause (ii)(II) may, upon notice to the mark owner, file a
civil action to establish that the registration or use of the
domain name by such registrant is not unlawful under this
chapter. The court may grant injunctive relief to the domain
name registrant, including the reactivation of the domain name or
transfer of the domain name to the domain name registrant.
(E) As used in this paragraph -
(i) the term ''violator'' means a person who violates section
1125(a) of this title; and
(ii) the term ''violating matter'' means matter that is the
subject of a violation under section 1125(a) of this title.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title VI, Sec. 32, 60 Stat. 437; Pub. L.
87-772, Sec. 17, Oct. 9, 1962, 76 Stat. 773; Pub. L. 100-667, title
I, Sec. 127, Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3943; Pub. L. 102-542, Sec.
3(a), Oct. 27, 1992, 106 Stat. 3567; Pub. L. 105-330, title II,
Sec. 201(a)(8), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 3070; Pub. L. 106-43, Sec.
4(a), Aug. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 219; Pub. L. 106-113, div. B, Sec.
1000(a)(9) (title III, Sec. 3004), Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536,
1501A-549.)
-MISC1-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Acts Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 16, 33 Stat. 728; Mar. 19,
1920, ch. 104, Sec. 4, 41 Stat. 534.
AMENDMENTS
1999 - Par. (1). Pub. L. 106-43, in undesignated par., inserted
after ''includes'' in first sentence ''the United States, all
agencies and instrumentalities thereof, and all individuals, firms,
corporations, or other persons acting for the United States and
with the authorization and consent of the United States, and'' and,
in second sentence, substituted ''The United States, all agencies
and instrumentalities thereof, and all individuals, firms,
corporations, other persons acting for the United States and with
the authorization and consent of the United States, and any'' for
''Any''.
Par. (2). Pub. L. 106-113, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title III, Sec.
3004(1)), in introductory provisions, substituted ''under section
1125(a) or (d) of this title'' for ''under section 1125(a) of this
title''.
Par. (2)(D), (E). Pub. L. 106-113, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title III,
Sec. 3004(2)), added subpar. (D) and redesignated former subpar.
(D) as (E).
1998 - Par. (1). Pub. L. 105-330 substituted ''As used in this
paragraph'' for ''As used in this subsection'' in last paragraph.
1992 - Par. (1). Pub. L. 102-542 inserted at end ''As used in
this subsection, the term 'any person' includes any State, any
instrumentality of a State, and any officer or employee of a State
or instrumentality of a State acting in his or her official
capacity. Any State, and any such instrumentality, officer, or
employee, shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter in the
same manner and to the same extent as any nongovernmental entity.''
1988 - Par. (2). Pub. L. 100-667 amended par. (2) generally.
Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: ''Notwithstanding any
other provision of this chapter, the remedies given to the owner of
the right infringed shall be limited as follows: (a) Where an
infringer in engaged solely in the business of printing the mark
for others and establishes that he was an innocent infringer the
owner of the right infringed shall be entitled as against such
infringer only to an injunction against future printing; (b) where
the infringement complained of is contained in or is part of paid
advertising matter in a newspaper, magazine, or other similar
periodical the remedies of the owner of the right infringed as
against the publisher or distributor of such newspaper, magazine,
or other similar periodical shall be confined to an injunction
against the presentation of such advertising matter in future
issues of such newspapers, magazines, or other similar periodical:
Provided, That these limitations shall apply only to innocent
infringers; (c) injunction relief shall not be available to the
owner of the right infringed in respect of an issue of a newspaper,
magazine, or other similar periodical containing infringing matter
when restraining the dissemination of such infringing matter in any
particular issue of such periodical would delay the delivery of
such issue after the regular time therefor, and such delay would be
due to the method by which publication and distribution of such
periodical is customarily conducted in accordance with sound
business practice, and not to any method or device adopted for the
evasion of this section or to prevent or delay the issuance of an
injunction or restraining order with respect to such infringing
matter.''
1962 - Par. (1). Pub. L. 87-772 amended provisions generally, and
among other changes, inserted ''distribution'', and struck out
''purchasers as to the source of origin of such goods or services''
after ''or to deceive'' in subsec. (a), inserted provisions
regarding the likelihood of such use causing confusion, mistake, or
deception, in subsec. (b), and struck out the limitation on
recovery under subsec. (b) to acts committed with knowledge that
such acts would deceive purchasers.
Par. (2)(b). Pub. L. 87-772 substituted ''publisher'' for
''published''.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 106-113 applicable to all domain names
registered before, on, or after Nov. 29, 1999, see section
1000(a)(9) (title III, Sec. 3010) of Pub. L. 106-113, set out as a
note under section 1117 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1998 AMENDMENT
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1992 AMENDMENT
Section 4 of Pub. L. 102-542 provided that: ''The amendments made
by this Act (enacting section 1122 of this title and amending this
section and sections 1125 and 1127 of this title) shall take effect
with respect to violations that occur on or after the date of the
enactment of this Act (Oct. 27, 1992).''
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 1115, 1116, 1117, 1122 of
this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1115 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER III - GENERAL PROVISIONS
-HEAD-
Sec. 1115. Registration on principal register as evidence of
exclusive right to use mark; defenses
-STATUTE-
(a) Evidentiary value; defenses
Any registration issued under the Act of March 3, 1881, or the
Act of February 20, 1905, or of a mark registered on the principal
register provided by this chapter and owned by a party to an action
shall be admissible in evidence and shall be prima facie evidence
of the validity of the registered mark and of the registration of
the mark, of the registrant's ownership of the mark, and of the
registrant's exclusive right to use the registered mark in commerce
on or in connection with the goods or services specified in the
registration subject to any conditions or limitations stated
therein, but shall not preclude another person from proving any
legal or equitable defense or defect, including those set forth in
subsection (b) of this section, which might have been asserted if
such mark had not been registered.
(b) Incontestability; defenses
To the extent that the right to use the registered mark has
become incontestable under section 1065 of this title, the
registration shall be conclusive evidence of the validity of the
registered mark and of the registration of the mark, of the
registrant's ownership of the mark, and of the registrant's
exclusive right to use the registered mark in commerce. Such
conclusive evidence shall relate to the exclusive right to use the
mark on or in connection with the goods or services specified in
the affidavit filed under the provisions of section 1065 of this
title, or in the renewal application filed under the provisions of
section 1059 of this title if the goods or services specified in
the renewal are fewer in number, subject to any conditions or
limitations in the registration or in such affidavit or renewal
application. Such conclusive evidence of the right to use the
registered mark shall be subject to proof of infringement as
defined in section 1114 of this title, and shall be subject to the
following defenses or defects:
(1) That the registration or the incontestable right to use the
mark was obtained fraudulently; or
(2) That the mark has been abandoned by the registrant; or
(3) That the registered mark is being used by or with the
permission of the registrant or a person in privity with the
registrant, so as to misrepresent the source of the goods or
services on or in connection with which the mark is used; or
(4) That the use of the name, term, or device charged to be an
infringement is a use, otherwise than as a mark, of the party's
individual name in his own business, or of the individual name of
anyone in privity with such party, or of a term or device which
is descriptive of and used fairly and in good faith only to
describe the goods or services of such party, or their geographic
origin; or
(5) That the mark whose use by a party is charged as an
infringement was adopted without knowledge of the registrant's
prior use and has been continuously used by such party or those
in privity with him from a date prior to (A) the date of
constructive use of the mark established pursuant to section
1057(c) of this title, (B) the registration of the mark under
this chapter if the application for registration is filed before
the effective date of the Trademark Law Revision Act of 1988, or
(C) publication of the registered mark under subsection (c) of
section 1062 of this title: Provided, however, That this defense
or defect shall apply only for the area in which such continuous
prior use is proved; or
(6) That the mark whose use is charged as an infringement was
registered and used prior to the registration under this chapter
or publication under subsection (c) of section 1062 of this title
of the registered mark of the registrant, and not abandoned:
Provided, however, That this defense or defect shall apply only
for the area in which the mark was used prior to such
registration or such publication of the registrant's mark; or
(7) That the mark has been or is being used to violate the
antitrust laws of the United States; or
(8) That the mark is functional; or
(9) That equitable principles, including laches, estoppel, and
acquiescence, are applicable.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title VI, Sec. 33, 60 Stat. 438; Pub. L.
87-772, Sec. 18, Oct. 9, 1962, 76 Stat. 774; Pub. L. 100-667, title
I, Sec. 128(a), (b), Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3944; Pub. L.
105-330, title II, Sec. 201(a)(9), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 3070;
Pub. L. 107-273, div. C, title III, Sec. 13207(b)(7), Nov. 2,
2002, 116 Stat. 1908.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Acts March 3, 1881, and February 20, 1905, referred to in subsec.
(a), 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, Sec.
46(a), 60 Stat. 444. Act Feb. 20, 1905, was classified to sections
81 to 109 of this title.
The effective date of the Trademark Law Revision Act of 1988,
referred to in subsec. (b)(5), is one year after Nov. 16, 1988. See
section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as an Effective Date of
1988 Amendment note under section 1051 of this title.
The antitrust laws, referred to in subsec. (b)(7), are classified
generally to chapter 1 (Sec. 1 et seq.) of this title.
-MISC2-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Act Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 16, 21, 33 Stat. 728, 729.
AMENDMENTS
2002 - Subsec. (b)(8). Pub. L. 107-273 realigned margins.
1998 - Subsec. (b)(8), (9). Pub. L. 105-330 added par. (8) and
redesignated former par. (8) as (9).
1988 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 128(a), inserted ''the
validity of the registered mark and of the registration of the
mark, of the registrant's ownership of the mark, and of the'' after
''facie evidence of'', inserted ''or in connection with'' after
''in commerce on'', substituted ''another person'' for ''an
opposing party'', and inserted '', including those set forth in
subsection (b) of this section,'' after ''or defect''.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 128(b)(1), amended
introductory provisions generally. Prior to amendment,
introductory provisions read as follows: ''If the right to use the
registered mark has become incontestable under section 1065 of this
title, the registration shall be conclusive evidence of the
registrant's exclusive right to use the registered mark in commerce
on or in connection with the goods or services specified in the
affidavit filed under the provisions of said section 1065 subject
to any conditions or limitations stated therein except when one of
the following defenses or defects is established:''.
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 128(b)(2), inserted ''on
or'' after ''goods or services''.
Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 128(b)(3), struck out
''trade or service'' after ''than as a'' and ''to users'' after
''only to describe''.
Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 128(b)(4), substituted
''(A) the date of constructive use of the mark established pursuant
to section 1057(c) of this title, (B) the registration of the mark
under this chapter if the application for registration is filed
before the effective date of the Trademark Law Revision Act of
1988, or (C)'' for ''registration of the mark under this chapter
or''.
Subsec. (b)(8). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 128(b)(5), (6), added par.
(8).
1962 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 87-772 substituted ''registration
subject to'' for ''certificate subject to'', and struck out
''certificate of'' before ''registration issued''.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 87-772 substituted ''registration shall''
for ''certificate shall'', and ''affidavit filed under the
provisions of said section 1065'' for ''certificate'' in text
preceding par. (1), substituted ''registrant or a person in privity
with the registrant,'' for ''assignee'', and struck out ''has been
assigned and'' after ''registered mark'' in par. (3), substituted
''registration of the mark under this chapter or'' for ''the'', and
struck out ''(a) or'' before ''(c) of section 1062'' in par. (5),
inserted ''registration under this chapter'', substituted ''such
registration or such'' for ''the date of'', and struck out ''(a)
or'' before ''(c) of section 1062'', ''only where the said mark has
been published pursuant to subsections (c) of section 1062 of this
title and shall apply'' after ''defect shall apply'', and ''under
subsection (a) or (c) of section 1062 of this title'' after
''registrant's mark'', in par. (6).
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1998 AMENDMENT
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 1094 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1116 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER III - GENERAL PROVISIONS
-HEAD-
Sec. 1116. Injunctive relief
-STATUTE-
(a) Jurisdiction; service
The several courts vested with jurisdiction of civil actions
arising under this chapter shall have power to grant injunctions,
according to the principles of equity and upon such terms as the
court may deem reasonable, to prevent the violation of any right of
the registrant of a mark registered in the Patent and Trademark
Office or to prevent a violation under subsection (a), (c), or (d)
of section 1125 of this title. Any such injunction may include a
provision directing the defendant to file with the court and serve
on the plaintiff within thirty days after the service on the
defendant of such injunction, or such extended period as the court
may direct, a report in writing under oath setting forth in detail
the manner and form in which the defendant has complied with the
injunction. Any such injunction granted upon hearing, after notice
to the defendant, by any district court of the United States, may
be served on the parties against whom such injunction is granted
anywhere in the United States where they may be found, and shall be
operative and may be enforced by proceedings to punish for
contempt, or otherwise, by the court by which such injunction was
granted, or by any other United States district court in whose
jurisdiction the defendant may be found.
(b) Transfer of certified copies of court papers
The said courts shall have jurisdiction to enforce said
injunction, as provided in this chapter, as fully as if the
injunction had been granted by the district court in which it is
sought to be enforced. The clerk of the court or judge granting
the injunction shall, when required to do so by the court before
which application to enforce said injunction is made, transfer
without delay to said court a certified copy of all papers on file
in his office upon which said injunction was granted.
(c) Notice to Director
It shall be the duty of the clerks of such courts within one
month after the filing of any action, suit, or proceeding involving
a mark registered under the provisions of this chapter to give
notice thereof in writing to the Director setting forth in order so
far as known the names and addresses of the litigants and the
designating number or numbers of the registration or registrations
upon which the action, suit, or proceeding has been brought, and in
the event any other registration be subsequently included in the
action, suit, or proceeding by amendment, answer, or other
pleading, the clerk shall give like notice thereof to the Director,
and within one month after the judgment is entered or an appeal is
taken the clerk of the court shall give notice thereof to the
Director, and it shall be the duty of the Director on receipt of
such notice forthwith to endorse the same upon the file wrapper of
the said registration or registrations and to incorporate the same
as a part of the contents of said file wrapper.
(d) Civil actions arising out of use of counterfeit marks
(1)(A) In the case of a civil action arising under section
1114(1)(a) of this title or section 220506 of title 36 with respect
to a violation that consists of using a counterfeit mark in
connection with the sale, offering for sale, or distribution of
goods or services, the court may, upon ex parte application, grant
an order under subsection (a) of this section pursuant to this
subsection providing for the seizure of goods and counterfeit marks
involved in such violation and the means of making such marks, and
records documenting the manufacture, sale, or receipt of things
involved in such violation.
(B) As used in this subsection the term ''counterfeit mark''
means -
(i) a counterfeit of a mark that is registered on the principal
register in the United States Patent and Trademark Office for
such goods or services sold, offered for sale, or distributed and
that is in use, whether or not the person against whom relief is
sought knew such mark was so registered; or
(ii) a spurious designation that is identical with, or
substantially indistinguishable from, a designation as to which
the remedies of this chapter are made available by reason of
section 220506 of title 36;
but such term does not include any mark or designation used on or
in connection with goods or services of which the manufacture or
producer was, at the time of the manufacture or production in
question authorized to use the mark or designation for the type of
goods or services so manufactured or produced, by the holder of the
right to use such mark or designation.
(2) The court shall not receive an application under this
subsection unless the applicant has given such notice of the
application as is reasonable under the circumstances to the United
States attorney for the judicial district in which such order is
sought. Such attorney may participate in the proceedings arising
under such application if such proceedings may affect evidence of
an offense against the United States. The court may deny such
application if the court determines that the public interest in a
potential prosecution so requires.
(3) The application for an order under this subsection shall -
(A) be based on an affidavit or the verified complaint
establishing facts sufficient to support the findings of fact and
conclusions of law required for such order; and
(B) contain the additional information required by paragraph
(5) of this subsection to be set forth in such order.
(4) The court shall not grant such an application unless -
(A) the person obtaining an order under this subsection
provides the security determined adequate by the court for the
payment of such damages as any person may be entitled to recover
as a result of a wrongful seizure or wrongful attempted seizure
under this subsection; and
(B) the court finds that it clearly appears from specific facts
that -
(i) an order other than an ex parte seizure order is not
adequate to achieve the purposes of section 1114 of this title;
(ii) the applicant has not publicized the requested seizure;
(iii) the applicant is likely to succeed in showing that the
person against whom seizure would be ordered used a counterfeit
mark in connection with the sale, offering for sale, or
distribution of goods or services;
(iv) an immediate and irreparable injury will occur if such
seizure is not ordered;
(v) the matter to be seized will be located at the place
identified in the application;
(vi) the harm to the applicant of denying the application
outweighs the harm to the legitimate interests of the person
against whom seizure would be ordered of granting the
application; and
(vii) the person against whom seizure would be ordered, or
persons acting in concert with such person, would destroy,
move, hide, or otherwise make such matter inaccessible to the
court, if the applicant were to proceed on notice to such
person.
(5) An order under this subsection shall set forth -
(A) the findings of fact and conclusions of law required for
the order;
(B) a particular description of the matter to be seized, and a
description of each place at which such matter is to be seized;
(C) the time period, which shall end not later than seven days
after the date on which such order is issued, during which the
seizure is to be made;
(D) the amount of security required to be provided under this
subsection; and
(E) a date for the hearing required under paragraph (10) of
this subsection.
(6) The court shall take appropriate action to protect the person
against whom an order under this subsection is directed from
publicity, by or at the behest of the plaintiff, about such order
and any seizure under such order.
(7) Any materials seized under this subsection shall be taken
into the custody of the court. The court shall enter an
appropriate protective order with respect to discovery by the
applicant of any records that have been seized. The protective
order shall provide for appropriate procedures to assure that
confidential information contained in such records is not
improperly disclosed to the applicant.
(8) An order under this subsection, together with the supporting
documents, shall be sealed until the person against whom the order
is directed has an opportunity to contest such order, except that
any person against whom such order is issued shall have access to
such order and supporting documents after the seizure has been
carried out.
(9) The court shall order that service of a copy of the order
under this subsection shall be made by a Federal law enforcement
officer (such as a United States marshal or an officer or agent of
the United States Customs Service, Secret Service, Federal Bureau
of Investigation, or Post Office) or may be made by a State or
local law enforcement officer, who, upon making service, shall
carry out the seizure under the order. The court shall issue
orders, when appropriate, to protect the defendant from undue
damage from the disclosure of trade secrets or other confidential
information during the course of the seizure, including, when
appropriate, orders restricting the access of the applicant (or any
agent or employee of the applicant) to such secrets or information.
(10)(A) The court shall hold a hearing, unless waived by all the
parties, on the date set by the court in the order of seizure.
That date shall be not sooner than ten days after the order is
issued and not later than fifteen days after the order is issued,
unless the applicant for the order shows good cause for another
date or unless the party against whom such order is directed
consents to another date for such hearing. At such hearing the
party obtaining the order shall have the burden to prove that the
facts supporting findings of fact and conclusions of law necessary
to support such order are still in effect. If that party fails to
meet that burden, the seizure order shall be dissolved or modified
appropriately.
(B) In connection with a hearing under this paragraph, the court
may make such orders modifying the time limits for discovery under
the Rules of Civil Procedure as may be necessary to prevent the
frustration of the purposes of such hearing.
(11) A person who suffers damage by reason of a wrongful seizure
under this subsection has a cause of action against the applicant
for the order under which such seizure was made, and shall be
entitled to recover such relief as may be appropriate, including
damages for lost profits, cost of materials, loss of good will, and
punitive damages in instances where the seizure was sought in bad
faith, and, unless the court finds extenuating circumstances, to
recover a reasonable attorney's fee. The court in its discretion
may award prejudgment interest on relief recovered under this
paragraph, at an annual interest rate established under section
6621(a)(2) of title 26, commencing on the date of service of the
claimant's pleading setting forth the claim under this paragraph
and ending on the date such recovery is granted, or for such
shorter time as the court deems appropriate.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title VI, Sec. 34, 60 Stat. 439; Pub. L.
93-596, Sec. 1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949; Pub. L. 98-473, title
II, Sec. 1503(1), Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2179; Pub. L. 100-667,
title I, Sec. 128(c)-(e), Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3945; Pub. L.
104-153, Sec. 6, July 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 1388; Pub. L. 106-43, Sec.
3(a)(1), Aug. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 218; Pub. L. 106-113, div. B,
Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title III, Sec. 3003(a)(1), title IV, Sec.
4732(b)(1)(B)), Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-548,
1501A-583; Pub. L. 107-273, div. C, title III, Sec.
13207(b)(8)-(10), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1908.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The Rules of Civil Procedure, referred to in subsec. (d)(10)(B),
probably means the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, which are set
out in the Appendix to Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.
-MISC2-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Acts Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 19, 20, 33 Stat. 729; Mar. 3,
1911, ch. 231, Sec. 291, 36 Stat. 1167; June 25, 1936, ch. 804, 49
Stat. 1921.
AMENDMENTS
2002 - Subsec. (d)(1)(A), (B)(ii). Pub. L. 107-273, Sec.
13207(b)(8), (9), substituted ''section 220506 of title 36'' for
''section 110 of the Act entitled 'An Act to incorporate the United
States Olympic Association', approved September 21, 1950 (36 U.S.C.
380)''.
Subsec. (d)(11). Pub. L. 107-273, Sec. 13207(b)(10), substituted
''6621(a)(2) of title 26'' for ''6621 of title 26''.
1999 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106-113, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title III,
Sec. 3003(a)(1)), substituted ''(a), (c), or (d)'' for ''(a) or
(c)'' in first sentence.
Pub. L. 106-43 substituted ''subsection (a) or (c) of section
1125 of this title'' for ''section 1125(a) of this title'' in first
sentence.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 106-113, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec.
4732(b)(1)(B)), substituted ''Director'' for ''Commissioner''
wherever appearing.
1996 - Subsec. (d)(9). Pub. L. 104-153 inserted first sentence
and struck out former first sentence which read as follows: ''The
court shall order that a United States marshal or other law
enforcement officer is to serve a copy of the order under this
subsection and then is to carry out the seizure under such order.''
1988 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 128(c), inserted ''or
to prevent a violation under section 1125(a) of this title'' after
''Office'' in first sentence.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 128(d), substituted
''proceeding involving a mark registered'' for ''proceeding
arising'' and ''judgment is entered or an appeal is taken'' for
''decision is rendered, appeal taken or a decree issued''.
Subsec. (d)(1)(B). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 128(e), inserted ''on
or'' after ''or designation used'' in concluding provisions.
1984 - Pub. L. 98-473 designated first, second, and third
undesignated pars. as subsecs. (a), (b), and (c), respectively and
added subsec. (d).
1975 - Pub. L. 93-596 substituted ''Patent and Trademark Office''
for ''Patent Office''.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENT
Amendment by section 1000(a)(9) (title III, Sec. 3003(a)(1)) of
Pub. L. 106-113 applicable to all domain names registered before,
on, or after Nov. 29, 1999, see section 1000(a)(9) (title III, Sec.
3010) of Pub. L. 106-113, set out as a note under section 1117 of
this title.
Amendment by section 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4732(b)(1)(B)) of
Pub. L. 106-113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29, 1999, see section
1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4731) of Pub. L. 106-113, set out as a
note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
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.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of
the United States Customs Service of the Department of the
Treasury, including functions of the Secretary of the Treasury
relating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for
treatment of related references, see sections 203(1), 551(d),
552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department
of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as
modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.
For transfer of the functions, personnel, assets, and obligations
of the United States Secret Service, including the functions of the
Secretary of the Treasury relating thereto, to the Secretary of
Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see
sections 381, 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic
Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization
Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under
section 542 of Title 6.
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, Sec. 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.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 1117, 1118, 1122, 1125 of
this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1117 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER III - GENERAL PROVISIONS
-HEAD-
Sec. 1117. Recovery for violation of rights
-STATUTE-
(a) Profits; damages and costs; attorney fees
When a violation of any right of the registrant of a mark
registered in the Patent and Trademark Office, a violation under
section 1125(a) or (d) of this title, or a willful violation under
section 1125(c) of this title, shall have been established in any
civil action arising under this chapter, the plaintiff shall be
entitled, subject to the provisions of sections 1111 and 1114 of
this title, and subject to the principles of equity, to recover (1)
defendant's profits, (2) any damages sustained by the plaintiff,
and (3) the costs of the action. The court shall assess such
profits and damages or cause the same to be assessed under its
direction. In assessing profits the plaintiff shall be required to
prove defendant's sales only; defendant must prove all elements of
cost or deduction claimed. In assessing damages the court may
enter judgment, according to the circumstances of the case, for any
sum above the amount found as actual damages, not exceeding three
times such amount. If the court shall find that the amount of the
recovery based on profits is either inadequate or excessive the
court may in its discretion enter judgment for such sum as the
court shall find to be just, according to the circumstances of the
case. Such sum in either of the above circumstances shall
constitute compensation and not a penalty. The court in
exceptional cases may award reasonable attorney fees to the
prevailing party.
(b) Treble damages for use of counterfeit mark
In assessing damages under subsection (a) of this section, the
court shall, unless the court finds extenuating circumstances,
enter judgment for three times such profits or damages, whichever
is greater, together with a reasonable attorney's fee, in the case
of any violation of section 1114(1)(a) of this title or section
220506 of title 36 that consists of intentionally using a mark or
designation, knowing such mark or designation is a counterfeit mark
(as defined in section 1116(d) of this title), in connection with
the sale, offering for sale, or distribution of goods or services.
In such cases, the court may in its discretion award prejudgment
interest on such amount at an annual interest rate established
under section 6621(a)(2) of title 26, commencing on the date of the
service of the claimant's pleadings setting forth the claim for
such entry and ending on the date such entry is made, or for such
shorter time as the court deems appropriate.
(c) Statutory damages for use of counterfeit marks
In a case involving the use of a counterfeit mark (as defined in
section 1116(d) of this title) in connection with the sale,
offering for sale, or distribution of goods or services, the
plaintiff may elect, at any time before final judgment is rendered
by the trial court, to recover, instead of actual damages and
profits under subsection (a) of this section, an award of statutory
damages for any such use in connection with the sale, offering for
sale, or distribution of goods or services in the amount of -
(1) not less than $500 or more than $100,000 per counterfeit
mark per type of goods or services sold, offered for sale, or
distributed, as the court considers just; or
(2) if the court finds that the use of the counterfeit mark was
willful, not more than $1,000,000 per counterfeit mark per type
of goods or services sold, offered for sale, or distributed, as
the court considers just.
(d) Statutory damages for violation of section 1125(d)(1)
In a case involving a violation of section 1125(d)(1) of this
title, the plaintiff may elect, at any time before final judgment
is rendered by the trial court, to recover, instead of actual
damages and profits, an award of statutory damages in the amount of
not less than $1,000 and not more than $100,000 per domain name, as
the court considers just.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title VI, Sec. 35, 60 Stat. 439; Pub. L.
87-772, Sec. 19, Oct. 9, 1962, 76 Stat. 774; Pub. L. 93-596, Sec.
1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949; Pub. L. 93-600, Sec. 3, Jan. 2,
1975, 88 Stat. 1955; Pub. L. 98-473, title II, Sec. 1503(2), Oct.
12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2182; Pub. L. 99-514, Sec. 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100
Stat. 2095; Pub. L. 100-667, title I, Sec. 129, Nov. 16, 1988, 102
Stat. 3945; Pub. L. 104-153, Sec. 7, July 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 1388;
Pub. L. 106-43, Sec. 3(b), Aug. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 219; Pub. L.
106-113, div. B, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title III, Sec. 3003(a)(2),
(b)), Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-549; Pub. L. 107-273,
div. C, title III, Sec. 13207(a), (b)(11), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat.
1906, 1908.)
-MISC1-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Acts Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 16, 19, 33 Stat. 728, 729; Mar.
19, 1920, ch. 104, Sec. 4, 41 Stat. 534.
AMENDMENTS
2002 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 107-273, Sec. 13207(a), substituted
''a violation under section 1125(a) or (d) of this title,'' for ''a
violation under section 1125(a), (c), or (d) of this title,''.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 107-273, Sec. 13207(b)(11), substituted
''section 220506 of title 36'' for ''section 110 of the Act
entitled 'An Act to incorporate the United States Olympic
Association', approved September 21, 1950 (36 U.S.C. 380)'' and
''6621(a)(2) of title 26'' for ''6621 of title 26''.
1999 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106-113, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title III,
Sec. 3003(a)(2)), inserted '', (c), or (d)'' after ''section
1125(a)'' in first sentence.
Pub. L. 106-43 substituted ''a violation under section 1125(a) of
this title, or a willful violation under section 1125(c) of this
title,'' for ''or a violation under section 1125(a) of this
title,'' in first sentence.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 106-113, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title III, Sec.
3003(b)), added subsec. (d).
1996 - Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104-153 added subsec. (c).
1988 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100-667 inserted '', or a violation
under section 1125(a) of this title,'' after ''Office'' in first
sentence.
1986 - Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99-514 substituted ''Internal Revenue
Code of 1986'' for ''Internal Revenue Code of 1954'', which for
purposes of codification was translated as ''title 26'' thus
requiring no change in text.
1984 - Pub. L. 98-473 designated existing provisions as subsec.
(a) and added subsec. (b).
1975 - Pub. L. 93-600 inserted provisions relating to awarding of
attorney fees in exceptional cases.
Pub. L. 93-596 substituted ''Patent and Trademark Office'' for
''Patent Office''.
1962 - Pub. L. 87-772 substituted ''1114'' for ''1113(1)(b)''.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 106-113, div. B, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title III, Sec. 3010),
Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-552, provided that: ''Sections
3002(a), 3003, 3004, 3005, and 3008 of this title (amending this
section and sections 1114, 1116, 1125, and 1127 of this title, and
enacting provisions set out as a note under section 1051 of this
title) shall apply to all domain names registered before, on, or
after the date of the enactment of this Act (Nov. 29, 1999), except
that damages under subsection (a) or (d) of section 35 of the
Trademark Act of 1946 (15 U.S.C. 1117), as amended by section 3003
of this title, shall not be available with respect to the
registration, trafficking, or use of a domain name that occurs
before the date of the enactment of this Act.''
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENTS
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.
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.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
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, Sec. 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.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 1122, 1125 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1118 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER III - GENERAL PROVISIONS
-HEAD-
Sec. 1118. Destruction of infringing articles
-STATUTE-
In any action arising under this chapter, in which a violation of
any right of the registrant of a mark registered in the Patent and
Trademark Office, a violation under section 1125(a) of this title,
or a willful violation under section 1125(c) of this title, shall
have been established, the court may order that all labels, signs,
prints, packages, wrappers, receptacles, and advertisements in the
possession of the defendant, bearing the registered mark or, in the
case of a violation of section 1125(a) of this title or a willful
violation under section 1125(c) of this title, the word, term,
name, symbol, device, combination thereof, designation,
description, or representation that is the subject of the
violation, or any reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or colorable
imitation thereof, and all plates, molds, matrices, and other means
of making the same, shall be delivered up and destroyed. The party
seeking an order under this section for destruction of articles
seized under section 1116(d) of this title shall give ten days'
notice to the United States attorney for the judicial district in
which such order is sought (unless good cause is shown for lesser
notice) and such United States attorney may, if such destruction
may affect evidence of an offense against the United States, seek a
hearing on such destruction or participate in any hearing otherwise
to be held with respect to such destruction.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title VI, Sec. 36, 60 Stat. 440; Pub. L.
93-596, Sec. 1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949; Pub. L. 98-473, title
II, Sec. 1503(3), Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2182; Pub. L. 100-667,
title I, Sec. 130, Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3945; Pub. L. 106-43,
Sec. 3(c), Aug. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 219.)
-MISC1-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Acts Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 20, 33 Stat. 729; Mar. 3, 1911,
ch. 231, Sec. 291, 36 Stat. 1167; June 25, 1936, ch. 804, 49 Stat.
1921.
AMENDMENTS
1999 - Pub. L. 106-43, in first sentence, substituted ''a
violation under section 1125(a) of this title, or a willful
violation under section 1125(c) of this title,'' for ''or a
violation under section 1125(a) of this title,'' and inserted ''or
a willful violation under section 1125(c) of this title'' before
'', the word,''.
1988 - Pub. L. 100-667 inserted in first sentence '', or a
violation under section 1125(a) of this title,'' after ''Office''
and ''or, in the case of a violation of section 1125(a) of this
title, the word, term, name, symbol, device, combination thereof,
designation, description, or representation that is the subject of
the violation,'' after ''registered mark''.
1984 - Pub. L. 98-473 inserted ''The party seeking an order under
this section for destruction of articles seized under section
1116(d) of this title shall give ten days' notice to the United
States attorney for the judicial district in which such order is
sought (unless good cause is shown for lesser notice) and such
United States attorney may, if such destruction may affect evidence
of an offense against the United States, seek a hearing on such
destruction or participate in any hearing otherwise to be held with
respect to such destruction.''
1975 - Pub. L. 93-596 substituted ''Patent and Trademark Office''
for ''Patent Office''.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
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.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
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, Sec. 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.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 1122, 1125 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1119 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER III - GENERAL PROVISIONS
-HEAD-
Sec. 1119. Power of court over registration
-STATUTE-
In any action involving a registered mark the court may determine
the right to registration, order the cancelation of registrations,
in whole or in part, restore canceled registrations, and otherwise
rectify the register with respect to the registrations of any party
to the action. Decrees and orders shall be certified by the court
to the Director, who shall make appropriate entry upon the records
of the Patent and Trademark Office, and shall be controlled
thereby.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title VI, Sec. 37, 60 Stat. 440; Pub. L.
93-596, Sec. 1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949; Pub. L. 106-113, div.
B, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4732(b)(1)(B)), Nov. 29, 1999,
113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-583.)
-MISC1-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Act Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 22, 33 Stat. 729.
AMENDMENTS
1999 - Pub. L. 106-113 substituted ''Director'' for
''Commissioner''.
1975 - Pub. L. 93-596 substituted ''Patent and Trademark Office''
for ''Patent Office''.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 106-113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29,
1999, see section 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4731) of Pub. L.
106-113, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
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.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
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, Sec. 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.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 1122 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1120 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER III - GENERAL PROVISIONS
-HEAD-
Sec. 1120. Civil liability for false or fraudulent registration
-STATUTE-
Any person who shall procure registration in the Patent and
Trademark Office of a mark by a false or fraudulent declaration or
representation, oral or in writing, or by any false means, shall be
liable in a civil action by any person injured thereby for any
damages sustained in consequence thereof.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title VI, Sec. 38, 60 Stat. 440; Pub. L.
93-596, Sec. 1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949.)
-MISC1-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Act Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 25, 33 Stat. 730.
AMENDMENTS
1975 - Pub. L. 93-596 substituted ''Patent and Trademark Office''
for ''Patent Office''.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
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.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
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, Sec. 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.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 1122 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1121 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER III - GENERAL PROVISIONS
-HEAD-
Sec. 1121. Jurisdiction of Federal courts; State and local
requirements that registered trademarks be altered or displayed
differently; prohibition
-STATUTE-
(a) The district and territorial courts of the United States
shall have original jurisdiction and the courts of appeal of the
United States (other than the United States Court of Appeals for
the Federal Circuit) shall have appellate jurisdiction, of all
actions arising under this chapter, without regard to the amount in
controversy or to diversity or lack of diversity of the citizenship
of the parties.
(b) No State or other jurisdiction of the United States or any
political subdivision or any agency thereof may require alteration
of a registered mark, or require that additional trademarks,
service marks, trade names, or corporate names that may be
associated with or incorporated into the registered mark be
displayed in the mark in a manner differing from the display of
such additional trademarks, service marks, trade names, or
corporate names contemplated by the registered mark as exhibited in
the certificate of registration issued by the United States Patent
and Trademark Office.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title VI, Sec. 39, formerly Sec. 39 and
39a, 60 Stat. 440; Pub. L. 97-164, title I, Sec. 148, Apr. 2, 1982,
96 Stat. 46; Pub. L. 97-296, Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1316; Pub. L.
100-667, title I, Sec. 131, Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3946; Pub. L.
105-330, title II, Sec. 201(a)(10), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 3070.)
-COD-
CODIFICATION
Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 131(b)(1), transferred section 39a of act
July 5, 1946, which was classified to section 1121a of this title,
to subsec. (b) of this section.
In subsec. (a), the words ''and the United States Court of
Appeals for the District of Columbia'' following ''the Courts of
Appeal of the United States'' have been deleted as superfluous in
view of section 41 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure,
which includes the District of Columbia within the eleven judicial
circuits of the United States. The word ''and'' has been inserted
preceding ''the courts of appeal of the United States'' to preserve
the conjunctive sense of the sentence.
-MISC3-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Acts Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 17, 33 Stat. 728; Mar. 3, 1911,
ch. 231, Sec. 291, 36 Stat. 1167; June 7, 1934, ch. 426, 48 Stat.
926; June 25, 1936, ch. 804, 49 Stat. 1921.
AMENDMENTS
1998 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105-330 substituted ''courts'' for
''circuit courts'' before ''of appeal of the United States''.
1988 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 131(a), designated
existing provisions as subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 131(b), redesignated section
1121a of this title as subsec. (b) of this section and substituted
''service marks'' for ''servicemarks'' in two places.
1982 - Pub. L. 97-164 inserted ''(other than the United States
Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit)''.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1998 AMENDMENT
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1982 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 97-164 effective Oct. 1, 1982, see section
402 of Pub. L. 97-164, set out as a note under section 171 of Title
28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1121a 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER III - GENERAL PROVISIONS
-HEAD-
Sec. 1121a. Transferred
-COD-
CODIFICATION
Section, act July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title VI, Sec. 39a, as added
Oct. 12, 1982, Pub. L. 97-296, 96 Stat. 1316, which prohibited
State and local requirements that registered trademarks be altered
or displayed differently, was transferred to subsec. (b) of section
39 of act July 5, 1946, by section 131(b)(1) of Pub. L. 100-667 and
is classified to section 1121(b) of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1122 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER III - GENERAL PROVISIONS
-HEAD-
Sec. 1122. Liability of United States and States, and
instrumentalities and officials thereof
-STATUTE-
(a) Waiver of sovereign immunity by the United States
The United States, all agencies and instrumentalities thereof,
and all individuals, firms, corporations, other persons acting for
the United States and with the authorization and consent of the
United States, shall not be immune from suit in Federal or State
court by any person, including any governmental or nongovernmental
entity, for any violation under this chapter.
(b) Waiver of sovereign immunity by States
Any State, instrumentality of a State or any officer or employee
of a State or instrumentality of a State acting in his or her
official capacity, shall not be immune, under the eleventh
amendment of the Constitution of the United States or under any
other doctrine of sovereign immunity, from suit in Federal court by
any person, including any governmental or nongovernmental entity
for any violation under this chapter.
(c) Remedies
In a suit described in subsection (a) or (b) of this section for
a violation described therein, remedies (including remedies both at
law and in equity) are available for the violation to the same
extent as such remedies are available for such a violation in a
suit against any person other than the United States or any agency
or instrumentality thereof, or any individual, firm, corporation,
or other person acting for the United States and with authorization
and consent of the United States, or a State, instrumentality of a
State, or officer or employee of a State or instrumentality of a
State acting in his or her official capacity. Such remedies
include injunctive relief under section 1116 of this title, actual
damages, profits, costs and attorney's fees under section 1117 of
this title, destruction of infringing articles under section 1118
of this title, the remedies provided for under sections 1114, 1119,
1120, 1124 and 1125 of this title, and for any other remedies
provided under this chapter.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title VI, Sec. 40, as added Pub. L.
102-542, Sec. 3(b), Oct. 27, 1992, 106 Stat. 3567; amended Pub. L.
106-43, Sec. 4(b), Aug. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 219.)
-MISC1-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 1122, act July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title VI, Sec.
40, 60 Stat. 440, related to review of cases by the Supreme Court,
prior to repeal by act May 24, 1949, ch. 139, Sec. 142, 63 Stat.
109. See section 1254 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial
Procedure.
AMENDMENTS
1999 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106-43, Sec. 4(b)(2), added subsec.
(a). Former subsec. (a) redesignated (b).
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 106-43, Sec. 4(b)(1), (2), redesignated
subsec. (a) as (b) and inserted heading. Former subsec. (b)
redesignated (c).
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 106-43, Sec. 4(b)(1), (3), redesignated
subsec. (b) as (c) and in first sentence substituted ''subsection
(a) or (b) of this section for a violation described therein'' for
''subsection (a) of this section for a violation described in that
subsection'' and inserted ''the United States or any agency or
instrumentality thereof, or any individual, firm, corporation, or
other person acting for the United States and with authorization
and consent of the United States, or'' after ''other than''.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Section effective with respect to violations that occur on or
after Oct. 27, 1992, see section 4 of Pub. L. 102-542, set out as
an Effective Date of 1992 Amendment note under section 1114 of this
title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1123 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER III - GENERAL PROVISIONS
-HEAD-
Sec. 1123. Rules and regulations for conduct of proceedings in
Patent and Trademark Office
-STATUTE-
The Director shall make rules and regulations, not inconsistent
with law, for the conduct of proceedings in the Patent and
Trademark Office under this chapter.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title VI, Sec. 41, 60 Stat. 440; Pub. L.
93-596, Sec. 1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949; Pub. L. 106-113, div.
B, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4732(b)(1)(B)), Nov. 29, 1999,
113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-583.)
-MISC1-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Act Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 26, 33 Stat. 730.
AMENDMENTS
1999 - Pub. L. 106-113 substituted ''Director'' for
''Commissioner''.
1975 - Pub. L. 93-596 substituted ''Patent and Trademark Office''
for ''Patent Office''.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 106-113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29,
1999, see section 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4731) of Pub. L.
106-113, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
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.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
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, Sec. 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.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1124 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER III - GENERAL PROVISIONS
-HEAD-
Sec. 1124. Importation of goods bearing infringing marks or names
forbidden
-STATUTE-
Except as provided in subsection (d) of section 1526 of title 19,
no article of imported merchandise which shall copy or simulate the
name of any domestic manufacture, or manufacturer, or trader, or of
any manufacturer or trader located in any foreign country which, by
treaty, convention, or law affords similar privileges to citizens
of the United States, or which shall copy or simulate a trademark
registered in accordance with the provisions of this chapter or
shall bear a name or mark calculated to induce the public to
believe that the article is manufactured in the United States, or
that it is manufactured in any foreign country or locality other
than the country or locality in which it is in fact manufactured,
shall be admitted to entry at any customhouse of the United States;
and, in order to aid the officers of the customs in enforcing this
prohibition, any domestic manufacturer or trader, and any foreign
manufacturer or trader, who is entitled under the provisions of a
treaty, convention, declaration, or agreement between the United
States and any foreign country to the advantages afforded by law to
citizens of the United States in respect to trademarks and
commercial names, may require his name and residence, and the name
of the locality in which his goods are manufactured, and a copy of
the certificate of registration of his trademark, issued in
accordance with the provisions of this chapter, to be recorded in
books which shall be kept for this purpose in the Department of the
Treasury, under such regulations as the Secretary of the Treasury
shall prescribe, and may furnish to the Department facsimiles of
his name, the name of the locality in which his goods are
manufactured, or of his registered trademark, and thereupon the
Secretary of the Treasury shall cause one or more copies of the
same to be transmitted to each collector or other proper officer of
customs.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title VII, Sec. 42, 60 Stat. 440; Pub. L.
95-410, title II, Sec. 211(b), Oct. 3, 1978, 92 Stat. 903; Pub. L.
105-330, title II, Sec. 201(a)(11), (12), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat.
3070; Pub. L. 106-43, Sec. 6(b), Aug. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 220.)
-MISC1-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Act Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 27, 33 Stat. 730.
AMENDMENTS
1999 - Pub. L. 106-43 substituted ''trademarks'' for
''trade-marks''.
1998 - Pub. L. 105-330, Sec. 201(a)(11), substituted ''name of
any domestic'' for ''name of the any domestic''.
Pub. L. 105-330, Sec. 201(a)(12), substituted ''trademark'' for
''trade-mark'' wherever appearing.
1978 - Pub. L. 95-410 substituted ''Except as provided in
subsection (d) of section 1526 of title 19, no article'' for ''No
article''.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1998 AMENDMENT
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.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
Offices of collector of customs, comptroller of customs, surveyor
of customs, and appraiser of merchandise of Bureau of Customs of
Department of the Treasury to which appointments were required to
be made by President with advice and consent of Senate ordered
abolished, with such offices to be terminated not later than Dec.
31, 1966, by Reorg. Plan No. 1 of 1965, eff. May 25, 1965, 30 F.R.
7035, 79 Stat. 1317, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government
Organization and Employees. Functions of offices eliminated were
already vested in Secretary of the Treasury by Reorg. Plan No. 26
of 1950, eff. July 31, 1950, 15 F.R. 4935, 64 Stat. 1280, set out
in the Appendix to Title 5.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 1094, 1122 of this title;
title 19 sections 1484, 1526, 1595a; title 48 section 1643.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1125 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER III - GENERAL PROVISIONS
-HEAD-
Sec. 1125. False designations of origin, false descriptions, and
dilution forbidden
-STATUTE-
(a) Civil action
(1) Any person who, on or in connection with any goods or
services, or any container for goods, uses in commerce any word,
term, name, symbol, or device, or any combination thereof, or any
false designation of origin, false or misleading description of
fact, or false or misleading representation of fact, which -
(A) is likely to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to
deceive as to the affiliation, connection, or association of such
person with another person, or as to the origin, sponsorship, or
approval of his or her goods, services, or commercial activities
by another person, or
(B) in commercial advertising or promotion, misrepresents the
nature, characteristics, qualities, or geographic origin of his
or her or another person's goods, services, or commercial
activities,
shall be liable in a civil action by any person who believes that
he or she is or is likely to be damaged by such act.
(2) As used in this subsection, the term ''any person'' includes
any State, instrumentality of a State or employee of a State or
instrumentality of a State acting in his or her official capacity.
Any State, and any such instrumentality, officer, or employee,
shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter in the same
manner and to the same extent as any nongovernmental entity.
(3) In a civil action for trade dress infringement under this
chapter for trade dress not registered on the principal register,
the person who asserts trade dress protection has the burden of
proving that the matter sought to be protected is not functional.
(b) Importation
Any goods marked or labeled in contravention of the provisions of
this section shall not be imported into the United States or
admitted to entry at any customhouse of the United States. The
owner, importer, or consignee of goods refused entry at any
customhouse under this section may have any recourse by protest or
appeal that is given under the customs revenue laws or may have the
remedy given by this chapter in cases involving goods refused entry
or seized.
(c) Remedies for dilution of famous marks
(1) The owner of a famous mark shall be entitled, subject to the
principles of equity and upon such terms as the court deems
reasonable, to an injunction against another person's commercial
use in commerce of a mark or trade name, if such use begins after
the mark has become famous and causes dilution of the distinctive
quality of the mark, and to obtain such other relief as is provided
in this subsection. In determining whether a mark is distinctive
and famous, a court may consider factors such as, but not limited
to -
(A) the degree of inherent or acquired distinctiveness of the
mark;
(B) the duration and extent of use of the mark in connection
with the goods or services with which the mark is used;
(C) the duration and extent of advertising and publicity of the
mark;
(D) the geographical extent of the trading area in which the
mark is used;
(E) the channels of trade for the goods or services with which
the mark is used;
(F) the degree of recognition of the mark in the trading areas
and channels of trade used by the marks' owner and the person
against whom the injunction is sought;
(G) the nature and extent of use of the same or similar marks
by third parties; and
(H) whether the mark was registered under the Act of March 3,
1881, or the Act of February 20, 1905, or on the principal
register.
(2) In an action brought under this subsection, the owner of the
famous mark shall be entitled only to injunctive relief as set
forth in section 1116 of this title unless the person against whom
the injunction is sought willfully intended to trade on the owner's
reputation or to cause dilution of the famous mark. If such
willful intent is proven, the owner of the famous mark shall also
be entitled to the remedies set forth in sections 1117(a) and 1118
of this title, subject to the discretion of the court and the
principles of equity.
(3) The ownership by a person of a valid registration under the
Act of March 3, 1881, or the Act of February 20, 1905, or on the
principal register shall be a complete bar to an action against
that person, with respect to that mark, that is brought by another
person under the common law or a statute of a State and that seeks
to prevent dilution of the distinctiveness of a mark, label, or
form of advertisement.
(4) The following shall not be actionable under this section:
(A) Fair use of a famous mark by another person in comparative
commercial advertising or promotion to identify the competing
goods or services of the owner of the famous mark.
(B) Noncommercial use of a mark.
(C) All forms of news reporting and news commentary.
(d) Cyberpiracy prevention
(1)(A) A person shall be liable in a civil action by the owner of
a mark, including a personal name which is protected as a mark
under this section, if, without regard to the goods or services of
the parties, that person -
(i) has a bad faith intent to profit from that mark, including
a personal name which is protected as a mark under this section;
and
(ii) registers, traffics in, or uses a domain name that -
(I) in the case of a mark that is distinctive at the time of
registration of the domain name, is identical or confusingly
similar to that mark;
(II) in the case of a famous mark that is famous at the time
of registration of the domain name, is identical or confusingly
similar to or dilutive of that mark; or
(III) is a trademark, word, or name protected by reason of
section 706 of title 18 or section 220506 of title 36.
(B)(i) In determining whether a person has a bad faith intent
described under subparagraph (A), a court may consider factors such
as, but not limited to -
(I) the trademark or other intellectual property rights of the
person, if any, in the domain name;
(II) the extent to which the domain name consists of the legal
name of the person or a name that is otherwise commonly used to
identify that person;
(III) the person's prior use, if any, of the domain name in
connection with the bona fide offering of any goods or services;
(IV) the person's bona fide noncommercial or fair use of the
mark in a site accessible under the domain name;
(V) the person's intent to divert consumers from the mark
owner's online location to a site accessible under the domain
name that could harm the goodwill represented by the mark, either
for commercial gain or with the intent to tarnish or disparage
the mark, by creating a likelihood of confusion as to the source,
sponsorship, affiliation, or endorsement of the site;
(VI) the person's offer to transfer, sell, or otherwise assign
the domain name to the mark owner or any third party for
financial gain without having used, or having an intent to use,
the domain name in the bona fide offering of any goods or
services, or the person's prior conduct indicating a pattern of
such conduct;
(VII) the person's provision of material and misleading false
contact information when applying for the registration of the
domain name, the person's intentional failure to maintain
accurate contact information, or the person's prior conduct
indicating a pattern of such conduct;
(VIII) the person's registration or acquisition of multiple
domain names which the person knows are identical or confusingly
similar to marks of others that are distinctive at the time of
registration of such domain names, or dilutive of famous marks of
others that are famous at the time of registration of such domain
names, without regard to the goods or services of the parties;
and
(IX) the extent to which the mark incorporated in the person's
domain name registration is or is not distinctive and famous
within the meaning of subsection (c)(1) of this section.
(ii) Bad faith intent described under subparagraph (A) shall not
be found in any case in which the court determines that the person
believed and had reasonable grounds to believe that the use of the
domain name was a fair use or otherwise lawful.
(C) In any civil action involving the registration, trafficking,
or use of a domain name under this paragraph, a court may order the
forfeiture or cancellation of the domain name or the transfer of
the domain name to the owner of the mark.
(D) A person shall be liable for using a domain name under
subparagraph (A) only if that person is the domain name registrant
or that registrant's authorized licensee.
(E) As used in this paragraph, the term ''traffics in'' refers to
transactions that include, but are not limited to, sales,
purchases, loans, pledges, licenses, exchanges of currency, and any
other transfer for consideration or receipt in exchange for
consideration.
(2)(A) The owner of a mark may file an in rem civil action
against a domain name in the judicial district in which the domain
name registrar, domain name registry, or other domain name
authority that registered or assigned the domain name is located if
-
(i) the domain name violates any right of the owner of a mark
registered in the Patent and Trademark Office, or protected under
subsection (a) or (c) of this section; and
(ii) the court finds that the owner -
(I) is not able to obtain in personam jurisdiction over a
person who would have been a defendant in a civil action under
paragraph (1); or
(II) through due diligence was not able to find a person who
would have been a defendant in a civil action under paragraph
(1) by -
(aa) sending a notice of the alleged violation and intent
to proceed under this paragraph to the registrant of the
domain name at the postal and e-mail address provided by the
registrant to the registrar; and
(bb) publishing notice of the action as the court may
direct promptly after filing the action.
(B) The actions under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall constitute
service of process.
(C) In an in rem action under this paragraph, a domain name shall
be deemed to have its situs in the judicial district in which -
(i) the domain name registrar, registry, or other domain name
authority that registered or assigned the domain name is located;
or
(ii) documents sufficient to establish control and authority
regarding the disposition of the registration and use of the
domain name are deposited with the court.
(D)(i) The remedies in an in rem action under this paragraph
shall be limited to a court order for the forfeiture or
cancellation of the domain name or the transfer of the domain name
to the owner of the mark. Upon receipt of written notification of
a filed, stamped copy of a complaint filed by the owner of a mark
in a United States district court under this paragraph, the domain
name registrar, domain name registry, or other domain name
authority shall -
(I) expeditiously deposit with the court documents sufficient
to establish the court's control and authority regarding the
disposition of the registration and use of the domain name to the
court; and
(II) not transfer, suspend, or otherwise modify the domain name
during the pendency of the action, except upon order of the
court.
(ii) The domain name registrar or registry or other domain name
authority shall not be liable for injunctive or monetary relief
under this paragraph except in the case of bad faith or reckless
disregard, which includes a willful failure to comply with any such
court order.
(3) The civil action established under paragraph (1) and the in
rem action established under paragraph (2), and any remedy
available under either such action, shall be in addition to any
other civil action or remedy otherwise applicable.
(4) The in rem jurisdiction established under paragraph (2) shall
be in addition to any other jurisdiction that otherwise exists,
whether in rem or in personam.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title VIII, Sec. 43, 60 Stat. 441; Pub. L.
100-667, title I, Sec. 132, Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3946; Pub. L.
102-542, Sec. 3(c), Oct. 27, 1992, 106 Stat. 3568; Pub. L. 104-98,
Sec. 3(a), Jan. 16, 1996, 109 Stat. 985; Pub. L. 106-43, Sec.
3(a)(2), 5, Aug. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 219, 220; Pub. L. 106-113,
div. B, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title III, Sec. 3002(a)), Nov. 29, 1999,
113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-545.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Acts March 3, 1881, and February 20, 1905, referred to in subsec.
(c)(1)(H), (3), 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,
Sec. 46(a), 60 Stat. 444. Act Feb. 20, 1905, was classified to
sections 81 to 109 of this title.
-MISC2-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Act Mar. 19, 1920, ch. 104, Sec. 3, 41 Stat. 534.
AMENDMENTS
1999 - Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 106-43, Sec. 5, added par. (3).
Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 106-43, Sec. 3(a)(2), inserted ''as set
forth in section 1116 of this title'' after ''relief'' in first
sentence.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 106-113 added subsec. (d).
1996 - Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104-98 added subsec. (c).
1992 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102-542 designated existing
provisions as par. (1), redesignated former pars. (1) and (2) as
subpars. (A) and (B), respectively, and added par. (2).
1988 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100-667 amended subsec. (a)
generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) read as follows: ''Any
person who shall affix, apply, or annex, or use in connection with
any goods or services, or any container or containers for goods, a
false designation of origin, or any false description or
representation, including words or other symbols tending falsely to
describe or represent the same, and shall cause such goods or
services to enter into commerce, and any person who shall with
knowledge of the falsity of such designation of origin or
description or representation cause or procure the same to be
transported or used in commerce or deliver the same to any carrier
to be transported or used, shall be liable to a civil action by any
person doing business in the locality falsely indicated as that of
origin or in the region in which said locality is situated, or by
any person who believes that he is or is likely to be damaged by
the use of any such false description or representation.''
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 106-113 applicable to all domain names
registered before, on, or after Nov. 29, 1999, see section
1000(a)(9) (title III, Sec. 3010) of Pub. L. 106-113, set out as a
note under section 1117 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1996 AMENDMENT
Section 5 of Pub. L. 104-98 provided that: ''This Act (amending
this section and section 1127 of this title and enacting provisions
set out as a note under section 1051 of this title) and the
amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date of the
enactment of this Act (Jan. 16, 1996).''
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1992 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 102-542 effective with respect to violations
that occur on or after Oct. 27, 1992, see section 4 of Pub. L.
102-542, set out as a note under section 1114 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
STUDY ON ABUSIVE DOMAIN NAME REGISTRATIONS INVOLVING PERSONAL NAMES
Pub. L. 106-113, div. B, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title III, Sec. 3006),
Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-550, provided that:
''(a) In General. - Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act (Nov. 29, 1999), the Secretary of Commerce,
in consultation with the Patent and Trademark Office and the
Federal Election Commission, shall conduct a study and report to
Congress with recommendations on guidelines and procedures for
resolving disputes involving the registration or use by a person of
a domain name that includes the personal name of another person, in
whole or in part, or a name confusingly similar thereto, including
consideration of and recommendations for -
''(1) protecting personal names from registration by another
person as a second level domain name for purposes of selling or
otherwise transferring such domain name to such other person or
any third party for financial gain;
''(2) protecting individuals from bad faith uses of their
personal names as second level domain names by others with
malicious intent to harm the reputation of the individual or the
goodwill associated with that individual's name;
''(3) protecting consumers from the registration and use of
domain names that include personal names in the second level
domain in manners which are intended or are likely to confuse or
deceive the public as to the affiliation, connection, or
association of the domain name registrant, or a site accessible
under the domain name, with such other person, or as to the
origin, sponsorship, or approval of the goods, services, or
commercial activities of the domain name registrant;
''(4) protecting the public from registration of domain names
that include the personal names of government officials, official
candidates, and potential official candidates for Federal, State,
or local political office in the United States, and the use of
such domain names in a manner that disrupts the electoral process
or the public's ability to access accurate and reliable
information regarding such individuals;
''(5) existing remedies, whether under State law or otherwise,
and the extent to which such remedies are sufficient to address
the considerations described in paragraphs (1) through (4); and
''(6) the guidelines, procedures, and policies of the Internet
Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers and the extent to
which they address the considerations described in paragraphs (1)
through (4).
''(b) Guidelines and Procedures. - The Secretary of Commerce
shall, under its Memorandum of Understanding with the Internet
Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, collaborate to develop
guidelines and procedures for resolving disputes involving the
registration or use by a person of a domain name that includes the
personal name of another person, in whole or in part, or a name
confusingly similar thereto.''
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 1052, 1063, 1064, 1092,
1114, 1116, 1117, 1118, 1122 of this title; title 16 section 470a;
title 19 section 1595a.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1126 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER III - GENERAL PROVISIONS
-HEAD-
Sec. 1126. International conventions
-STATUTE-
(a) Register of marks communicated by international bureaus
The Director shall keep a register of all marks communicated to
him by the international bureaus provided for by the conventions
for the protection of industrial property, trademarks, trade and
commercial names, and the repression of unfair competition to which
the United States is or may become a party, and upon the payment of
the fees required by such conventions and the fees required in this
chapter may place the marks so communicated upon such register.
This register shall show a facsimile of the mark or trade or
commercial name; the name, citizenship, and address of the
registrant; the number, date, and place of the first registration
of the mark, including the dates on which application for such
registration was filed and granted and the term of such
registration; a list of goods or services to which the mark is
applied as shown by the registration in the country of origin, and
such other data as may be useful concerning the mark. This
register shall be a continuation of the register provided in
section 1(a) of the Act of March 19, 1920.
(b) Benefits of section to persons whose country of origin is party
to convention or treaty
Any person whose country of origin is a party to any convention
or treaty relating to trademarks, trade or commercial names, or the
repression of unfair competition, to which the United States is
also a party, or extends reciprocal rights to nationals of the
United States by law, shall be entitled to the benefits of this
section under the conditions expressed herein to the extent
necessary to give effect to any provision of such convention,
treaty or reciprocal law, in addition to the rights to which any
owner of a mark is otherwise entitled by this chapter.
(c) Prior registration in country of origin; country of origin
defined
No registration of a mark in the United States by a person
described in subsection (b) of this section shall be granted until
such mark has been registered in the country of origin of the
applicant, unless the applicant alleges use in commerce.
For the purposes of this section, the country of origin of the
applicant is the country in which he has a bona fide and effective
industrial or commercial establishment, or if he has not such an
establishment the country in which he is domiciled, or if he has
not a domicile in any of the countries described in subsection (b)
of this section, the country of which he is a national.
(d) Right of priority
An application for registration of a mark under section 1051,
1053, 1054, or 1091 of this title or under subsection (e) of this
section, filed by a person described in subsection (b) of this
section who has previously duly filed an application for
registration of the same mark in one of the countries described in
subsection (b) of this section shall be accorded the same force and
effect as would be accorded to the same application if filed in the
United States on the same date on which the application was first
filed in such foreign country: Provided, That -
(1) the application in the United States is filed within six
months from the date on which the application was first filed in
the foreign country;
(2) the application conforms as nearly as practicable to the
requirements of this chapter, including a statement that the
applicant has a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce;
(3) the rights acquired by third parties before the date of the
filing of the first application in the foreign country shall in
no way be affected by a registration obtained on an application
filed under this subsection;
(4) nothing in this subsection shall entitle the owner of a
registration granted under this section to sue for acts committed
prior to the date on which his mark was registered in this
country unless the registration is based on use in commerce.
In like manner and subject to the same conditions and
requirements, the right provided in this section may be based upon
a subsequent regularly filed application in the same foreign
country, instead of the first filed foreign application: Provided,
That any foreign application filed prior to such subsequent
application has been withdrawn, abandoned, or otherwise disposed
of, without having been laid open to public inspection and without
leaving any rights outstanding, and has not served, nor thereafter
shall serve, as a basis for claiming a right of priority.
(e) Registration on principal or supplemental register; copy of
foreign registration
A mark duly registered in the country of origin of the foreign
applicant may be registered on the principal register if eligible,
otherwise on the supplemental register in this chapter provided.
Such applicant shall submit, within such time period as may be
prescribed by the Director, a true copy, a photocopy, a
certification, or a certified copy of the registration in the
country of origin of the applicant. The application must state the
applicant's bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce, but
use in commerce shall not be required prior to registration.
(f) Domestic registration independent of foreign registration
The registration of a mark under the provisions of subsections
(c), (d), and (e) of this section by a person described in
subsection (b) of this section shall be independent of the
registration in the country of origin and the duration, validity,
or transfer in the United States of such registration shall be
governed by the provisions of this chapter.
(g) Trade or commercial names of foreign nationals protected
without registration
Trade names or commercial names of persons described in
subsection (b) of this section shall be protected without the
obligation of filing or registration whether or not they form parts
of marks.
(h) Protection of foreign nationals against unfair competition
Any person designated in subsection (b) of this section as
entitled to the benefits and subject to the provisions of this
chapter shall be entitled to effective protection against unfair
competition, and the remedies provided in this chapter for
infringement of marks shall be available so far as they may be
appropriate in repressing acts of unfair competition.
(i) Citizens or residents of United States entitled to benefits of
section
Citizens or residents of the United States shall have the same
benefits as are granted by this section to persons described in
subsection (b) of this section.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title IX, Sec. 44, 60 Stat. 441; Pub. L.
87-333, Sec. 2, Oct. 3, 1961, 75 Stat. 748; Pub. L. 87-772, Sec.
20, Oct. 9, 1962, 76 Stat. 774; Pub. L. 100-667, title I, Sec. 133,
Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3946; Pub. L. 105-330, title I, Sec. 108,
Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 3068; Pub. L. 106-43, Sec. 6(b), Aug. 5,
1999, 113 Stat. 220; Pub. L. 106-113, div. B, Sec. 1000(a)(9)
(title IV, Sec. 4732(b)(1)(B)), Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536,
1501A-583; Pub. L. 107-273, div. C, title III, Sec. 13207(b)(12),
Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1908.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Section 1(a) of the Act of March 19, 1920, referred to in subsec.
(a), is section 1(a) of act Mar. 19, 1920, ch. 104, 41 Stat. 533,
which was classified to section 121(a) of this title, and repealed
by act July 5, 1946, ch. 540, Sec. 46(a), 60 Stat. 444, insofar as
inconsistent with this chapter.
-MISC2-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Acts Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 1, 2, 4, 33 Stat. 724, 725; May
4, 1906, ch. 2081, Sec. 1, 3, 34 Stat. 168, 169; Feb. 18, 1909, ch.
144, 35 Stat. 628; Mar. 19, 1920, ch. 104, Sec. 1, 6, 41 Stat. 533,
535; Apr. 11, 1930, ch. 132, Sec. 4, 46 Stat. 155; June 20, 1936,
ch. 617, 49 Stat. 1539; June 10, 1938, ch. 332, Sec. 1, 2, 3, 52
Stat. 638, 639.
AMENDMENTS
2002 - Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 107-273 substituted ''a true copy, a
photocopy, a certification,'' for ''a certification''.
1999 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106-113 substituted ''Director'' for
''Commissioner''.
Pub. L. 106-43 substituted ''trademarks'' for ''trade-marks''.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 106-113 substituted ''Director'' for
''Commissioner''.
1998 - Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 105-330, Sec. 108(1)(A), in
introductory provisions, substituted ''or 1091 of this title or
under subsection (e) of this section'' for ''1091 of this title, or
subsection (e) of this section''.
Subsec. (d)(3), (4). Pub. L. 105-330, Sec. 108(1)(B), made
technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in
text as reference to this subsection.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 105-330, Sec. 108(2), substituted ''Such
applicant shall submit, within such time period as may be
prescribed by the Commissioner, a certification or a certified copy
of the registration in the country of origin of the applicant'' for
''The application therefor shall be accompanied by a certification
or a certified copy of the registration in the country of origin of
the applicant''.
1988 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 133(2), substituted
''required in this chapter'' for ''herein prescribed''.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 133(1), made technical
amendment in two places to references in the original act to
subsection (b) of this section, resulting in no change in text.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 133(1), (3), (4), (5), in
introductory provisions, made technical amendment in two places to
references in the original act to subsection (b) of this section,
resulting in no change in text, and substituted ''section 1051,
1053, 1054, or 1091 of this title, or subsection (e) of this
section'' for ''sections 1051, 1052, 1053, 1054, or 1091 of this
title'', in par. (2), substituted ''including a statement that the
applicant has a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce''
for ''but use in commerce need not be alleged'', and in par. (3),
substituted ''foreign'' for ''foreing''.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 133(6), inserted at end ''The
application must state the applicant's bona fide intention to use
the mark in commerce, but use in commerce shall not be required
prior to registration.''
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 133(1), (7), made technical
amendment to references in the original act to subsections (c),
(d), and (e) of this section and to subsection (b) of this section,
resulting in no change in text.
Subsecs. (g) to (i). Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 133(1), (8), made
technical amendment to references in the original act to subsection
(b) of this section, resulting in no change in text.
1962 - Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 87-772 inserted ''or extends
reciprocal rights to nationals of the United States by law,'' and
substituted provisions requiring the person's country of origin to
be a party to any convention or treaty, for provisions which
required such persons to be nationals of, domiciled in, or have a
bona fide and effective business or commercial establishment in a
foreign country which was a party to the International Convention
for the Protection of Industrial Property, or the General
Inter-American Convention for Trade Mark and Commercial Protection,
or any other convention or treaty relating to trademarks, trade, or
commercial names.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 87-772 inserted ''certification or a'' after
''accompanied by a'' and struck out ''application for or'' before
''registration''.
1961 - Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 87-333 inserted par. at end
authorizing the right provided by this section to be based upon a
subsequent application in the same foreign country, instead of the
first application, provided that any foreign application filed
prior to such subsequent one was withdrawn, or otherwise disposed
of, without having been open to public inspection and without
leaving any rights outstanding, nor any basis for claiming
priority.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 106-113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29,
1999, see section 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4731) of Pub. L.
106-113, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1998 AMENDMENT
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1961 AMENDMENT
Section 3 of Pub. L. 87-333 provided that: ''This Act (amending
this section and section 119 of Title 35, Patents) shall take
effect on the date when the Convention of Paris for the Protection
of Industrial Property of March 20, 1883, as revised at Lisbon,
October 31, 1958, comes into force with respect to the United
States and shall apply only to applications thereafter filed in the
United States by persons entitled to the benefit of said
convention, as revised at the time of such filing.''
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
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, Sec. 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.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 1051, 1057, 1063, 1141j
of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1127 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER III - GENERAL PROVISIONS
-HEAD-
Sec. 1127. Construction and definitions; intent of chapter
-STATUTE-
In the construction of this chapter, unless the contrary is
plainly apparent from the context -
The United States includes and embraces all territory which is
under its jurisdiction and control.
The word ''commerce'' means all commerce which may lawfully be
regulated by Congress.
The term ''principal register'' refers to the register provided
for by sections 1051 to 1072 of this title, and the term
''supplemental register'' refers to the register provided for by
sections 1091 to 1096 of this title.
The term ''person'' and any other word or term used to designate
the applicant or other entitled to a benefit or privilege or
rendered liable under the provisions of this chapter includes a
juristic person as well as a natural person. The term ''juristic
person'' includes a firm, corporation, union, association, or other
organization capable of suing and being sued in a court of law.
The term ''person'' also includes the United States, any agency
or instrumentality thereof, or any individual, firm, or corporation
acting for the United States and with the authorization and consent
of the United States. The United States, any agency or
instrumentality thereof, and any individual, firm, or corporation
acting for the United States and with the authorization and consent
of the United States, shall be subject to the provisions of this
chapter in the same manner and to the same extent as any
nongovernmental entity.
The term ''person'' also includes any State, any instrumentality
of a State, and any officer or employee of a State or
instrumentality of a State acting in his or her official capacity.
Any State, and any such instrumentality, officer, or employee,
shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter in the same
manner and to the same extent as any nongovernmental entity.
The terms ''applicant'' and ''registrant'' embrace the legal
representatives, predecessors, successors and assigns of such
applicant or registrant.
The term ''Director'' means the Under Secretary of Commerce for
Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and
Trademark Office.
The term ''related company'' means any person whose use of a mark
is controlled by the owner of the mark with respect to the nature
and quality of the goods or services on or in connection with which
the mark is used.
The terms ''trade name'' and ''commercial name'' mean any name
used by a person to identify his or her business or vocation.
The term ''trademark'' includes any word, name, symbol, or
device, or any combination thereof -
(1) used by a person, or
(2) which a person has a bona fide intention to use in commerce
and applies to register on the principal register established by
this chapter,
to identify and distinguish his or her goods, including a unique
product, from those manufactured or sold by others and to indicate
the source of the goods, even if that source is unknown.
The term ''service mark'' means any word, name, symbol, or
device, or any combination thereof -
(1) used by a person, or
(2) which a person has a bona fide intention to use in commerce
and applies to register on the principal register established by
this chapter,
to identify and distinguish the services of one person, including a
unique service, from the services of others and to indicate the
source of the services, even if that source is unknown. Titles,
character names, and other distinctive features of radio or
television programs may be registered as service marks
notwithstanding that they, or the programs, may advertise the goods
of the sponsor.
The term ''certification mark'' means any word, name, symbol, or
device, or any combination thereof -
(1) used by a person other than its owner, or
(2) which its owner has a bona fide intention to permit a
person other than the owner to use in commerce and files an
application to register on the principal register established by
this chapter,
to certify regional or other origin, material, mode of manufacture,
quality, accuracy, or other characteristics of such person's goods
or services or that the work or labor on the goods or services was
performed by members of a union or other organization.
The term ''collective mark'' means a trademark or service mark -
(1) used by the members of a cooperative, an association, or
other collective group or organization, or
(2) which such cooperative, association, or other collective
group or organization has a bona fide intention to use in
commerce and applies to register on the principal register
established by this chapter,
and includes marks indicating membership in a union, an
association, or other organization.
The term ''mark'' includes any trademark, service mark,
collective mark, or certification mark.
The term ''use in commerce'' means the bona fide use of a mark in
the ordinary course of trade, and not made merely to reserve a
right in a mark. For purposes of this chapter, a mark shall be
deemed to be in use in commerce -
(1) on goods when -
(A) it is placed in any manner on the goods or their
containers or the displays associated therewith or on the tags
or labels affixed thereto, or if the nature of the goods makes
such placement impracticable, then on documents associated with
the goods or their sale, and
(B) the goods are sold or transported in commerce, and
(2) on services when it is used or displayed in the sale or
advertising of services and the services are rendered in
commerce, or the services are rendered in more than one State or
in the United States and a foreign country and the person
rendering the services is engaged in commerce in connection with
the services.
A mark shall be deemed to be ''abandoned'' if either of the
following occurs:
(1) When its use has been discontinued with intent not to
resume such use. Intent not to resume may be inferred from
circumstances. Nonuse for 3 consecutive years shall be prima
facie evidence of abandonment. ''Use'' of a mark means the bona
fide use of such mark made in the ordinary course of trade, and
not made merely to reserve a right in a mark.
(2) When any course of conduct of the owner, including acts of
omission as well as commission, causes the mark to become the
generic name for the goods or services on or in connection with
which it is used or otherwise to lose its significance as a
mark. Purchaser motivation shall not be a test for determining
abandonment under this paragraph.
The term ''dilution'' means the lessening of the capacity of a
famous mark to identify and distinguish goods or services,
regardless of the presence or absence of -
(1) competition between the owner of the famous mark and other
parties, or
(2) likelihood of confusion, mistake, or deception.
The term ''colorable imitation'' includes any mark which so
resembles a registered mark as to be likely to cause confusion or
mistake or to deceive.
The term ''registered mark'' means a mark registered in the
United States Patent and Trademark Office under this chapter or
under the Act of March 3, 1881, or the Act of February 20, 1905, or
the Act of March 19, 1920. The phrase ''marks registered in the
Patent and Trademark Office'' means registered marks.
The term ''Act of March 3, 1881'', ''Act of February 20, 1905'',
or ''Act of March 19, 1920'', means the respective Act as amended.
A ''counterfeit'' is a spurious mark which is identical with, or
substantially indistinguishable from, a registered mark.
The term ''domain name'' means any alphanumeric designation which
is registered with or assigned by any domain name registrar, domain
name registry, or other domain name registration authority as part
of an electronic address on the Internet.
The term ''Internet'' has the meaning given that term in section
230(f)(1) of title 47.
Words used in the singular include the plural and vice versa.
The intent of this chapter is to regulate commerce within the
control of Congress by making actionable the deceptive and
misleading use of marks in such commerce; to protect registered
marks used in such commerce from interference by State, or
territorial legislation; to protect persons engaged in such
commerce against unfair competition; to prevent fraud and deception
in such commerce by the use of reproductions, copies, counterfeits,
or colorable imitations of registered marks; and to provide rights
and remedies stipulated by treaties and conventions respecting
trademarks, trade names, and unfair competition entered into
between the United States and foreign nations.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title X, Sec. 45, 60 Stat. 443; Pub. L.
87-772, Sec. 21, Oct. 9, 1962, 76 Stat. 774; Pub. L. 93-596, Sec.
1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949; Pub. L. 98-620, title I, Sec. 103,
Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3335; Pub. L. 100-667, title I, Sec. 134,
Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3946; Pub. L. 102-542, Sec. 3(d), Oct. 27,
1992, 106 Stat. 3568; Pub. L. 103-465, title V, Sec. 521, Dec. 8,
1994, 108 Stat. 4981; Pub. L. 104-98, Sec. 4, Jan. 16, 1996, 109
Stat. 986; Pub. L. 106-43, Sec. 4(c), 6(b), Aug. 5, 1999, 113 Stat.
219, 220; Pub. L. 106-113, div. B, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title III,
Sec. 3005, title IV, Sec. 4732(b)(1)(A)), Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat.
1536, 1501A-550, 1501A-583.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Acts March 3, 1881, February 20, 1905, and March 19, 1920,
referred to in text, are acts Mar. 3, 1881, ch. 138, 21 Stat. 502;
Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, 33 Stat. 724; and Mar. 19, 1920, ch. 104,
41 Stat. 533, which were repealed insofar as inconsistent with this
chapter by act July 5, 1946, ch. 540, Sec. 46(a), 60 Stat. 444. Act
Feb. 20, 1905, was classified to sections 81 to 109 of this title.
Act Mar. 19, 1920, had been generally classified to sections 121 to
128 of this title.
-MISC2-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Acts Feb. 20, 1905, ch. 592, Sec. 29, 33 Stat. 731; June 10,
1938, ch. 332, Sec. 5, 52 Stat. 639.
AMENDMENTS
1999 - Pub. L. 106-113, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec.
4732(b)(1)(A)), substituted par. defining ''Director'' for par.
which read as follows: ''The term 'Commissioner' means the
Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks.''
Pub. L. 106-113, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title III, Sec. 3005), inserted
pars. defining ''domain name'' and ''Internet'' after par. defining
''counterfeit''.
Pub. L. 106-43, Sec. 6(b), substituted ''trademarks'' for
''trade-marks'' in last undesignated par.
Pub. L. 106-43, Sec. 4(c), between pars. defining ''person''
inserted: ''The term 'person' also includes the United States, any
agency or instrumentality thereof, or any individual, firm, or
corporation acting for the United States and with the authorization
and consent of the United States. The United States, any agency or
instrumentality thereof, and any individual, firm, or corporation
acting for the United States and with the authorization and consent
of the United States, shall be subject to the provisions of this
chapter in the same manner and to the same extent as any
nongovernmental entity.''
1996 - Pub. L. 104-98 inserted par. defining ''dilution'' after
par. defining ''abandoned''.
1994 - Pub. L. 103-465 amended par. defining ''abandoned''
generally. Prior to amendment, par. read as follows: ''A mark
shall be deemed to be 'abandoned' when either of the following
occurs:
''(1) When its use has been discontinued with intent not to
resume such use. Intent not to resume may be inferred from
circumstances. Nonuse for two consecutive years shall be prima
facie evidence of abandonment. 'Use' of a mark means the bona
fide use of that mark made in the ordinary course of trade, and
not made merely to reserve a right in a mark.
''(2) When any course of conduct of the owner, including acts
of omission as well as commission, causes the mark to become the
generic name for the goods or services on or in connection with
which it is used or otherwise to lose its significance as a
mark. Purchaser motivation shall not be a test for determining
abandonment under this paragraph.''
1992 - Pub. L. 102-542 inserted after fourth undesignated par.
''The term 'person' also includes any State, any instrumentality of
a State, and any officer or employee of a State or instrumentality
of a State acting in his or her official capacity. Any State, and
any such instrumentality, officer, or employee, shall be subject to
the provisions of this chapter in the same manner and to the same
extent as any nongovernmental entity.''
1988 - Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 134(1), amended par. defining
''related company'' generally. Prior to amendment, par. read as
follows: ''The term 'related company' means any person who
legitimately controls or is controlled by the registrant or
applicant for registration in respect to the nature and quality of
the goods or services in connection with which the mark is used.''
Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 134(2), amended par. defining ''trade
name'' and ''commercial name'' generally. Prior to amendment, par.
read as follows: ''The terms 'trade name' and 'commercial name'
include individual names and surnames, firm names and trade names
used by manufacturers, industrialists, merchants, agriculturists,
and others to identify their businesses, vocations, or occupations;
the names or titles lawfully adopted and used by persons, firms,
associations, corporations, companies, unions, and any
manufacturing, industrial, commercial, agricultural, or other
organizations engaged in trade or commerce and capable of suing and
being sued in a court of law.''
Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 134(3), amended par. defining ''trademark''
generally. Prior to amendment, par. read as follows: ''The term
'trademark' includes any word, name, symbol, or device or any
combination thereof adopted and used by a manufacturer or merchant
to identify and distinguish his goods, including a unique product,
from those manufactured or sold by others and to indicate the
source of the goods, even if that source is unknown.''
Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 134(4), amended par. defining ''service
mark'' generally. Prior to amendment, par. read as follows: ''The
term 'service mark' means a mark used in the sale or advertising of
services to identify and distinguish the services of one person,
including a unique service, from the services of others and to
indicate the source of the services, even if that source is
unknown. Titles, character names and other distinctive features of
radio or television programs may be registered as service marks
notwithstanding that they, or the programs, may advertise the goods
of the sponsor.''
Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 134(5), amended par. defining
''certification mark'' generally. Prior to amendment, par. read as
follows: ''The term 'certification mark' means a mark used upon or
in connection with the products or services of one or more persons
other than the owner of the mark to certify regional or other
origin, material, mode of manufacture, quality, accuracy or other
characteristics of such goods or services or that the work or labor
on the goods or services was performed by members of a union or
other organization.''
Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 134(6), amended par. defining ''collective
mark'' generally. Prior to amendment, par. read as follows: ''The
term 'collective mark' means a trade-mark or service mark used by
the members of a cooperative, an association or other collective
group or organization and includes marks used to indicate
membership in a union, an association or other organization.''
Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 134(7), amended par. defining ''mark''
generally. Prior to amendment, par. read as follows: ''The term
'mark' includes any trade-mark, service mark, collective mark, or
certification mark entitled to registration under this chapter
whether registered or not.''
Pub. L. 100-667, Sec. 134(8), substituted par. defining ''use in
commerce'' for former par. which read as follows: ''For the
purposes of this chapter a mark shall be deemed to be used in
commerce (a) on goods when it is placed in any manner on the goods
or their containers or the displays associated therewith or on the
tags or labels affixed thereto and the goods are sold or
transported in commerce and (b) on services when it is used or
displayed in the sale or advertising of services and the services
are rendered in commerce, or the services are rendered in more than
one State or in this and a foreign country and the person rendering
the services is engaged in commerce in connection therewith.'' and
par. providing when a mark is deemed abandoned for former par.
which read as follows: ''A mark shall be deemed to be 'abandoned' -
''(a) When its use has been discontinued with intent not to
resume. Intent not to resume may be inferred from circumstances.
Nonuse for two consecutive years shall be prima facie abandonment.
''(b) When any course of conduct of the registrant, including
acts of omission as well as commission, causes the mark to lose its
significance as an indication of origin. Purchaser motivation
shall not be a test for determining abandonment under this
subparagraph.''
1984 - Pub. L. 98-620, Sec. 103(1), in definition of
''trademark'' substituted ''trademark'' for ''trade-mark'', and
substituted ''identify and distinguish his goods, including a
unique product, from those manufactured or sold by others and to
indicate the source of the goods, even if that source is unknown''
for ''identify his goods and distinguish them from those
manufactured or sold by others''.
Pub. L. 98-620, Sec. 103(2), in definition of ''service mark''
substituted ''The term 'service mark' means a mark used in the sale
or advertising of services to identify and distinguish the services
of one person, including a unique service, from the services of
others and to indicate the source of the services, even if that
source is unknown'' for ''The term 'service mark' means a mark used
in the sale or advertising of services to identify the services of
one person and distinguish them from the services of others''.
Pub. L. 98-620, Sec. 103(3), in subpar. (b) of par. relating to
when a mark shall be deemed to be ''abandoned'', inserted
''Purchaser motivation shall not be a test for determining
abandonment under this subparagraph.''
1975 - Pub. L. 93-596 substituted ''Patent and Trademark Office''
for ''Patent Office'' in two places and ''Commissioner of Patents
and Trademarks'' for ''Commissioner of Patents'' in definition of
''Commissioner''.
1962 - Pub. L. 87-772 substituted, ''predecessors,'' for ''and''
in definition of ''applicant'' and ''registrant'', ''Titles,
character names and other distinctive features of radio or
television programs may be registered as service marks
notwithstanding that they, or the programs, may advertise the goods
of the sponsor'' for ''and includes without limitation the marks,
names, symbols, titles, designations, slogans, character names, and
distinctive features of radio or other advertising used in
commerce'', in definition of ''service mark'', inserted ''or the
services are rendered in more than one State or in this and a
foreign country and the person rendering the services is engaged in
commerce in connection therewith'' in fifteenth paragraph relating
to use in commerce, struck out ''purchasers'' after ''deceive'' in
definition of ''colorable imitation'', and substituted ''commerce''
for ''commence'' in last par. relating to the intent of the
chapter.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENT
Amendment by section 1000(a)(9) (title III, Sec. 3005) of Pub. L.
106-113 applicable to all domain names registered before, on, or
after Nov. 29, 1999, see section 1000(a)(9) (title III, Sec. 3010)
of Pub. L. 106-113, set out as a note under section 1117 of this
title.
Amendment by section 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4732(b)(1)(A)) of
Pub. L. 106-113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29, 1999, see section
1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4731) of Pub. L. 106-113, set out as a
note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1994 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 103-465 effective one year after the date on
which the WTO Agreement enters into force with respect to the
United States (Jan. 1, 1995), see section 523 of Pub. L. 103-465,
set out as a note under section 1052 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1992 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 102-542 effective with respect to violations
that occur on or after Oct. 27, 1992, see section 4 of Pub. L.
102-542, set out as a note under section 1114 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-667 effective one year after Nov. 16,
1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100-667, set out as a note under
section 1051 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
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.
REPEAL AND EFFECT ON EXISTING RIGHTS
Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on
pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under
prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
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, Sec. 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.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 1129 of this title; title
19 sections 1526, 1595a.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1128 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER III - GENERAL PROVISIONS
-HEAD-
Sec. 1128. National Intellectual Property Law Enforcement
Coordination Council
-STATUTE-
(a) Establishment
There is established the National Intellectual Property Law
Enforcement Coordination Council (in this section referred to as
the ''Council''). The Council shall consist of the following
members -
(1) The Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Under Secretary of
Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United
States Patent and Trademark Office, who shall serve as co-chair
of the Council.
(2) The Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, who
shall serve as co-chair of the Council.
(3) The Under Secretary of State for Economic and Agricultural
Affairs.
(4) The Ambassador, Deputy United States Trade Representative.
(5) The Commissioner of Customs.
(6) The Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade.
(b) Duties
The Council established in subsection (a) of this section shall
coordinate domestic and international intellectual property law
enforcement among federal (FOOTNOTE 1) and foreign entities.
(FOOTNOTE 1) So in original. Probably should be capitalized.
(c) Consultation required
The Council shall consult with the Register of Copyrights on law
enforcement matters relating to copyright and related rights and
matters.
(d) Non-derogation
Nothing in this section shall derogate from the duties of the
Secretary of State or from the duties of the United States Trade
Representative as set forth in section 2171 of title 19, or from
the duties and functions of the Register of Copyrights, or
otherwise alter current authorities relating to copyright matters.
(e) Report
The Council shall report annually on its coordination activities
to the President, and to the Committees on Appropriations and on
the Judiciary of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
(f) Funding
Notwithstanding section 1346 of title 31 or section 610 of this
Act, funds made available for fiscal year 2000 and hereafter by
this or any other Act shall be available for interagency funding of
the National Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordination
Council.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 106-58, title VI, Sec. 653, Sept. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 480;
Pub. L. 106-113, div. B, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec.
4741(b)(1)), Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-586.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This Act, referred to in subsec. (f), is Pub. L. 106-58, Sept.
29, 1999, 113 Stat. 430, known as the Treasury and General
Government Appropriations Act, 2000. Section 610 of the Act is not
classified to the Code. For complete classification of this Act to
the Code, see Tables.
-COD-
CODIFICATION
Section was enacted as part of the Treasury and General
Government Appropriations Act, 2000, and not as part of the
Trademark Act of 1946, also known as the Lanham Act, which
comprises this chapter.
-MISC3-
AMENDMENTS
1999 - Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 106-113 substituted ''Under
Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the
United States Patent and Trademark Office'' for ''Commissioner of
Patents and Trademarks''.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 106-113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29,
1999, see section 1000(a)(9) (title IV, Sec. 4731) of Pub. L.
106-113, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of
the United States Customs Service of the Department of the
Treasury, including functions of the Secretary of the Treasury
relating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for
treatment of related references, see sections 203(1), 551(d),
552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department
of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as
modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1129 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER III - GENERAL PROVISIONS
-HEAD-
Sec. 1129. Cyberpiracy protections for individuals
-STATUTE-
(1) In general
(A) Civil liability
Any person who registers a domain name that consists of the
name of another living person, or a name substantially and
confusingly similar thereto, without that person's consent, with
the specific intent to profit from such name by selling the
domain name for financial gain to that person or any third party,
shall be liable in a civil action by such person.
(B) Exception
A person who in good faith registers a domain name consisting
of the name of another living person, or a name substantially and
confusingly similar thereto, shall not be liable under this
paragraph if such name is used in, affiliated with, or related to
a work of authorship protected under title 17, including a work
made for hire as defined in section 101 of title 17, and if the
person registering the domain name is the copyright owner or
licensee of the work, the person intends to sell the domain name
in conjunction with the lawful exploitation of the work, and such
registration is not prohibited by a contract between the
registrant and the named person. The exception under this
subparagraph shall apply only to a civil action brought under
paragraph (1) and shall in no manner limit the protections
afforded under the Trademark Act of 1946 (15 U.S.C. 1051 et seq.)
or other provision of Federal or State law.
(2) Remedies
In any civil action brought under paragraph (1), a court may
award injunctive relief, including the forfeiture or cancellation
of the domain name or the transfer of the domain name to the
plaintiff. The court may also, in its discretion, award costs and
attorneys fees to the prevailing party.
(3) Definition
In this section, the term ''domain name'' has the meaning given
that term in section 45 of the Trademark Act of 1946 (15 U.S.C.
1127).
(4) Effective date
This section shall apply to domain names registered on or after
November 29, 1999.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 106-113, div. B, Sec. 1000(a)(9) (title III, Sec.
3002(b)), Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-548.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The Trademark Act of 1946, referred to in par. (1)(B), is act
July 5, 1946, ch. 540, 60 Stat. 427, as amended, also popularly
known as the Lanham Act, which is classified generally to this
chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title note set out under section 1051 of this title and
Tables.
-COD-
CODIFICATION
Section was enacted as part of the Anticybersquatting Consumer
Protection Act, and not as part of the Trademark Act of 1946, also
known as the Lanham Act, which comprises this chapter.
-CITE-
15 USC SUBCHAPTER IV - THE MADRID PROTOCOL 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER IV - THE MADRID PROTOCOL
.
-HEAD-
SUBCHAPTER IV - THE MADRID PROTOCOL
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1141 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER IV - THE MADRID PROTOCOL
-HEAD-
Sec. 1141. Definitions
-STATUTE-
In this subchapter:
(1) Basic application
The term ''basic application'' means the application for the
registration of a mark that has been filed with an Office of a
Contracting Party and that constitutes the basis for an
application for the international registration of that mark.
(2) Basic registration
The term ''basic registration'' means the registration of a
mark that has been granted by an Office of a Contracting Party
and that constitutes the basis for an application for the
international registration of that mark.
(3) Contracting Party
The term ''Contracting Party'' means any country or
inter-governmental organization that is a party to the Madrid
Protocol.
(4) Date of recordal
The term ''date of recordal'' means the date on which a request
for extension of protection, filed after an international
registration is granted, is recorded on the International
Register.
(5) Declaration of bona fide intention to use the mark in
commerce
The term ''declaration of bona fide intention to use the mark
in commerce'' means a declaration that is signed by the applicant
for, or holder of, an international registration who is seeking
extension of protection of a mark to the United States and that
contains a statement that -
(A) the applicant or holder has a bona fide intention to use
the mark in commerce;
(B) the person making the declaration believes himself or
herself, or the firm, corporation, or association in whose
behalf he or she makes the declaration, to be entitled to use
the mark in commerce; and
(C) no other person, firm, corporation, or association, to
the best of his or her knowledge and belief, has the right to
use such mark in commerce either in the identical form of the
mark or in such near resemblance to the mark as to be likely,
when used on or in connection with the goods of such other
person, firm, corporation, or association, to cause confusion,
mistake, or deception.
(6) Extension of protection
The term ''extension of protection'' means the protection
resulting from an international registration that extends to the
United States at the request of the holder of the international
registration, in accordance with the Madrid Protocol.
(7) Holder of an international registration
A ''holder'' of an international registration is the natural or
juristic person in whose name the international registration is
recorded on the International Register.
(8) International application
The term ''international application'' means an application for
international registration that is filed under the Madrid
Protocol.
(9) International Bureau
The term ''International Bureau'' means the International
Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization.
(10) International Register
The term ''International Register'' means the official
collection of data concerning international registrations
maintained by the International Bureau that the Madrid Protocol
or its implementing regulations require or permit to be recorded.
(11) International registration
The term ''international registration'' means the registration
of a mark granted under the Madrid Protocol.
(12) International registration date
The term ''international registration date'' means the date
assigned to the international registration by the International
Bureau.
(13) Madrid Protocol
The term ''Madrid Protocol'' means the Protocol Relating to the
Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of
Marks, adopted at Madrid, Spain, on June 27, 1989.
(14) Notification of refusal
The term ''notification of refusal'' means the notice sent by
the United States Patent and Trademark Office to the
International Bureau declaring that an extension of protection
cannot be granted.
(15) Office of a Contracting Party
The term ''Office of a Contracting Party'' means -
(A) the office, or governmental entity, of a Contracting
Party that is responsible for the registration of marks; or
(B) the common office, or governmental entity, of more than 1
Contracting Party that is responsible for the registration of
marks and is so recognized by the International Bureau.
(16) Office of origin
The term ''office of origin'' means the Office of a Contracting
Party with which a basic application was filed or by which a
basic registration was granted.
(17) Opposition period
The term ''opposition period'' means the time allowed for
filing an opposition in the United States Patent and Trademark
Office, including any extension of time granted under section
1063 of this title.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title XII, Sec. 60, as added Pub. L.
107-273, div. C, title III, Sec. 13402, Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat.
1913.)
-MISC1-
EFFECTIVE DATE
Pub. L. 107-273, div. C, title III, Sec. 13403, Nov. 2, 2002,
116 Stat. 1920, provided that: ''This subtitle (subtitle D (Sec.
13401-13403) of title III of div. C of Pub. L. 107-273, enacting
this subchapter and provisions set out as a note under section 1051
of this title) and the amendments made by this subtitle shall take
effect on the later of -
''(1) the date on which the Madrid Protocol (as defined in
section 60 of the Trademark Act of 1946 (this section)) enters
into force with respect to the United States (Nov. 2, 2003); or
''(2) the date occurring 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act (Nov. 2, 2002).''
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1141a 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER IV - THE MADRID PROTOCOL
-HEAD-
Sec. 1141a. International applications based on United States
applications or registrations
-STATUTE-
(a) In general
The owner of a basic application pending before the United States
Patent and Trademark Office, or the owner of a basic registration
granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office may file
an international application by submitting to the United States
Patent and Trademark Office a written application in such form,
together with such fees, as may be prescribed by the Director.
(b) Qualified owners
A qualified owner, under subsection (a) of this section, shall -
(1) be a national of the United States;
(2) be domiciled in the United States; or
(3) have a real and effective industrial or commercial
establishment in the United States.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title XII, Sec. 61, as added Pub. L.
107-273, div. C, title III, Sec. 13402, Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat.
1915.)
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1141b 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER IV - THE MADRID PROTOCOL
-HEAD-
Sec. 1141b. Certification of the international application
-STATUTE-
(a) Certification procedure
Upon the filing of an application for international registration
and payment of the prescribed fees, the Director shall examine the
international application for the purpose of certifying that the
information contained in the international application corresponds
to the information contained in the basic application or basic
registration at the time of the certification.
(b) Transmittal
Upon examination and certification of the international
application, the Director shall transmit the international
application to the International Bureau.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title XII, Sec. 62, as added Pub. L.
107-273, div. C, title III, Sec. 13402, Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat.
1915.)
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 1141c of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1141c 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER IV - THE MADRID PROTOCOL
-HEAD-
Sec. 1141c. Restriction, abandonment, cancellation, or expiration
of a basic application or basic registration
-STATUTE-
With respect to an international application transmitted to the
International Bureau under section 1141b of this title, the
Director shall notify the International Bureau whenever the basic
application or basic registration which is the basis for the
international application has been restricted, abandoned, or
canceled, or has expired, with respect to some or all of the goods
and services listed in the international registration -
(1) within 5 years after the international registration date;
or
(2) more than 5 years after the international registration date
if the restriction, abandonment, or cancellation of the basic
application or basic registration resulted from an action that
began before the end of that 5-year period.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title XII, Sec. 63, as added Pub. L.
107-273, div. C, title III, Sec. 13402, Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat.
1915.)
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1141d 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER IV - THE MADRID PROTOCOL
-HEAD-
Sec. 1141d. Request for extension of protection subsequent to
international registration
-STATUTE-
The holder of an international registration that is based upon a
basic application filed with the United States Patent and Trademark
Office or a basic registration granted by the Patent and Trademark
Office may request an extension of protection of its international
registration by filing such a request -
(1) directly with the International Bureau; or
(2) with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for
transmittal to the International Bureau, if the request is in
such form, and contains such transmittal fee, as may be
prescribed by the Director.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title XII, Sec. 64, as added Pub. L.
107-273, div. C, title III, Sec. 13402, Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat.
1916.)
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1141e 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER IV - THE MADRID PROTOCOL
-HEAD-
Sec. 1141e. Extension of protection of an international
registration to the United States under the Madrid Protocol
-STATUTE-
(a) In general
Subject to the provisions of section 1141h of this title, the
holder of an international registration shall be entitled to the
benefits of extension of protection of that international
registration to the United States to the extent necessary to give
effect to any provision of the Madrid Protocol.
(b) If the United States is office of origin
Where the United States Patent and Trademark Office is the office
of origin for a trademark application or registration, any
international registration based on such application or
registration cannot be used to obtain the benefits of the Madrid
Protocol in the United States.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title XII, Sec. 65, as added Pub. L.
107-273, div. C, title III, Sec. 13402, Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat.
1916.)
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1141f 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER IV - THE MADRID PROTOCOL
-HEAD-
Sec. 1141f. Effect of filing a request for extension of protection
of an international registration to the United States
-STATUTE-
(a) Requirement for request for extension of protection
A request for extension of protection of an international
registration to the United States that the International Bureau
transmits to the United States Patent and Trademark Office shall be
deemed to be properly filed in the United States if such request,
when received by the International Bureau, has attached to it a
declaration of bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce that
is verified by the applicant for, or holder of, the international
registration.
(b) Effect of proper filing
Unless extension of protection is refused under section 1141h of
this title, the proper filing of the request for extension of
protection under subsection (a) of this section shall constitute
constructive use of the mark, conferring the same rights as those
specified in section 1057(c) of this title, as of the earliest of
the following:
(1) The international registration date, if the request for
extension of protection was filed in the international
application.
(2) The date of recordal of the request for extension of
protection, if the request for extension of protection was made
after the international registration date.
(3) The date of priority claimed pursuant to section 1141g of
this title.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title XII, Sec. 66, as added Pub. L.
107-273, div. C, title III, Sec. 13402, Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat.
1916.)
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 1141h of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1141g 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER IV - THE MADRID PROTOCOL
-HEAD-
Sec. 1141g. Right of priority for request for extension of
protection to the United States
-STATUTE-
The holder of an international registration with a request for an
extension of protection to the United States shall be entitled to
claim a date of priority based on a right of priority within the
meaning of Article 4 of the Paris Convention for the Protection of
Industrial Property if -
(1) the request for extension of protection contains a claim of
priority; and
(2) the date of international registration or the date of the
recordal of the request for extension of protection to the United
States is not later than 6 months after the date of the first
regular national filing (within the meaning of Article 4(A)(3) of
the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property)
or a subsequent application (within the meaning of Article
4(C)(4) of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial
Property).
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title XII, Sec. 67, as added Pub. L.
107-273, div. C, title III, Sec. 13402, Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat.
1917.)
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 1141f, 1141j of this
title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1141h 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER IV - THE MADRID PROTOCOL
-HEAD-
Sec. 1141h. Examination of and opposition to request for extension
of protection; notification of refusal
-STATUTE-
(a) Examination and opposition
(1) A request for extension of protection described in section
1141f(a) of this title shall be examined as an application for
registration on the Principal Register under this chapter, and if
on such examination it appears that the applicant is entitled to
extension of protection under this subchapter, the Director shall
cause the mark to be published in the Official Gazette of the
United States Patent and Trademark Office.
(2) Subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section,
a request for extension of protection under this subchapter shall
be subject to opposition under section 1063 of this title.
(3) Extension of protection shall not be refused on the ground
that the mark has not been used in commerce.
(4) Extension of protection shall be refused to any mark not
registrable on the Principal Register.
(b) Notification of refusal
If, (FOOTNOTE 1) a request for extension of protection is refused
under subsection (a) of this section, the Director shall declare in
a notification of refusal (as provided in subsection (c) of this
section) that the extension of protection cannot be granted,
together with a statement of all grounds on which the refusal was
based.
(FOOTNOTE 1) So in original. The comma probably should not
appear.
(c) Notice to International Bureau
(1) Within 18 months after the date on which the International
Bureau transmits to the Patent and Trademark Office a notification
of a request for extension of protection, the Director shall
transmit to the International Bureau any of the following that
applies to such request:
(A) A notification of refusal based on an examination of the
request for extension of protection.
(B) A notification of refusal based on the filing of an
opposition to the request.
(C) A notification of the possibility that an opposition to the
request may be filed after the end of that 18-month period.
(2) If the Director has sent a notification of the possibility of
opposition under paragraph (1)(C), the Director shall, if
applicable, transmit to the International Bureau a notification of
refusal on the basis of the opposition, together with a statement
of all the grounds for the opposition, within 7 months after the
beginning of the opposition period or within 1 month after the end
of the opposition period, whichever is earlier.
(3) If a notification of refusal of a request for extension of
protection is transmitted under paragraph (1) or (2), no grounds
for refusal of such request other than those set forth in such
notification may be transmitted to the International Bureau by the
Director after the expiration of the time periods set forth in
paragraph (1) or (2), as the case may be.
(4) If a notification specified in paragraph (1) or (2) is not
sent to the International Bureau within the time period set forth
in such paragraph, with respect to a request for extension of
protection, the request for extension of protection shall not be
refused and the Director shall issue a certificate of extension of
protection pursuant to the request.
(d) Designation of agent for service of process
In responding to a notification of refusal with respect to a
mark, the holder of the international registration of the mark may
designate, by a document filed in the United States Patent and
Trademark Office, the name and address of a person residing in the
United States on whom notices or process in proceedings affecting
the mark may be served. Such notices or process may be served upon
the person designated by leaving with that person, or mailing to
that person, a copy thereof at the address specified in the last
designation filed. If the person designated cannot be found at the
address given in the last designation, or if the holder does not
designate by a document filed in the United States Patent and
Trademark Office the name and address of a person residing in the
United States for service of notices or process in proceedings
affecting the mark, the notice or process may be served on the
Director.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title XII, Sec. 68, as added Pub. L.
107-273, div. C, title III, Sec. 13402, Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat.
1917.)
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 1141e, 1141f, 1141i of
this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1141i 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER IV - THE MADRID PROTOCOL
-HEAD-
Sec. 1141i. Effect of extension of protection
-STATUTE-
(a) Issuance of extension of protection
Unless a request for extension of protection is refused under
section 1141h of this title, the Director shall issue a certificate
of extension of protection pursuant to the request and shall cause
notice of such certificate of extension of protection to be
published in the Official Gazette of the United States Patent and
Trademark Office.
(b) Effect of extension of protection
From the date on which a certificate of extension of protection
is issued under subsection (a) of this section -
(1) such extension of protection shall have the same effect and
validity as a registration on the Principal Register; and
(2) the holder of the international registration shall have the
same rights and remedies as the owner of a registration on the
Principal Register.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title XII, Sec. 69, as added Pub. L.
107-273, div. C, title III, Sec. 13402, Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat.
1918.)
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 1141k, 1141m of this
title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1141j 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER IV - THE MADRID PROTOCOL
-HEAD-
Sec. 1141j. Dependence of extension of protection to the United
States on the underlying international registration
-STATUTE-
(a) Effect of cancellation of international registration
If the International Bureau notifies the United States Patent and
Trademark Office of the cancellation of an international
registration with respect to some or all of the goods and services
listed in the international registration, the Director shall cancel
any extension of protection to the United States with respect to
such goods and services as of the date on which the international
registration was canceled.
(b) Effect of failure to renew international registration
If the International Bureau does not renew an international
registration, the corresponding extension of protection to the
United States shall cease to be valid as of the date of the
expiration of the international registration.
(c) Transformation of an extension of protection into a United
States application
The holder of an international registration canceled in whole or
in part by the International Bureau at the request of the office of
origin, under article 6(4) of the Madrid Protocol, may file an
application, under section 1051 or 1126 of this title, for the
registration of the same mark for any of the goods and services to
which the cancellation applies that were covered by an extension of
protection to the United States based on that international
registration. Such an application shall be treated as if it had
been filed on the international registration date or the date of
recordal of the request for extension of protection with the
International Bureau, whichever date applies, and, if the extension
of protection enjoyed priority under section 1141g of this title,
shall enjoy the same priority. Such an application shall be
entitled to the benefits conferred by this subsection only if the
application is filed not later than 3 months after the date on
which the international registration was canceled, in whole or in
part, and only if the application complies with all the
requirements of this chapter which apply to any application filed
pursuant to section 1051 or 1126 of this title.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title XII, Sec. 70, as added Pub. L.
107-273, div. C, title III, Sec. 13402, Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat.
1918.)
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1141k 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER IV - THE MADRID PROTOCOL
-HEAD-
Sec. 1141k. Affidavits and fees
-STATUTE-
(a) Required affidavits and fees
An extension of protection for which a certificate of extension
of protection has been issued under section 1141i of this title
shall remain in force for the term of the international
registration upon which it is based, except that the extension of
protection of any mark shall be canceled by the Director -
(1) at the end of the 6-year period beginning on the date on
which the certificate of extension of protection was issued by
the Director, unless within the 1-year period preceding the
expiration of that 6-year period the holder of the international
registration files in the Patent and Trademark Office an
affidavit under subsection (b) of this section together with a
fee prescribed by the Director; and
(2) at the end of the 10-year period beginning on the date on
which the certificate of extension of protection was issued by
the Director, and at the end of each 10-year period thereafter,
unless -
(A) within the 6-month period preceding the expiration of
such 10-year period the holder of the international
registration files in the United States Patent and Trademark
Office an affidavit under subsection (b) of this section
together with a fee prescribed by the Director; or
(B) within 3 months after the expiration of such 10-year
period, the holder of the international registration files in
the Patent and Trademark Office an affidavit under subsection
(b) of this section together with the fee described in
subparagraph (A) and the surcharge prescribed by the Director.
(b) Contents of affidavit
The affidavit referred to in subsection (a) of this section shall
set forth those goods or services recited in the extension of
protection on or in connection with which the mark is in use in
commerce and the holder of the international registration shall
attach to the affidavit a specimen or facsimile showing the current
use of the mark in commerce, or shall set forth that any nonuse is
due to special circumstances which excuse such nonuse and is not
due to any intention to abandon the mark. Special notice of the
requirement for such affidavit shall be attached to each
certificate of extension of protection.
(c) Notification
The Director shall notify the holder of the international
registration who files 1 of the affidavits of the Director's
acceptance or refusal thereof and, in case of a refusal, the
reasons therefor.
(d) Service of notice or process
The holder of the international registration of the mark may
designate, by a document filed in the United States Patent and
Trademark Office, the name and address of a person residing in the
United States on whom notices or process in proceedings affecting
the mark may be served. 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 designated cannot be found at
the address given in the last designation, or if the holder does
not designate by a document filed in the United States Patent and
Trademark Office the name and address of a person residing in the
United States for service of notices or process in proceedings
affecting the mark, the notice or process may be served on the
Director.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title XII, Sec. 71, as added Pub. L.
107-273, div. C, title III, Sec. 13402, Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat.
1919.)
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1141l 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER IV - THE MADRID PROTOCOL
-HEAD-
Sec. 1141l. Assignment of an extension of protection
-STATUTE-
An extension of protection may be assigned, together with the
goodwill associated with the mark, only to a person who is a
national of, is domiciled in, or has a bona fide and effective
industrial or commercial establishment either in a country that is
a Contracting Party or in a country that is a member of an
intergovernmental organization that is a Contracting Party.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title XII, Sec. 72, as added Pub. L.
107-273, div. C, title III, Sec. 13402, Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat.
1920.)
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1141m 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER IV - THE MADRID PROTOCOL
-HEAD-
Sec. 1141m. Incontestability
-STATUTE-
The period of continuous use prescribed under section 1065 of
this title for a mark covered by an extension of protection issued
under this subchapter may begin no earlier than the date on which
the Director issues the certificate of the extension of protection
under section 1141i of this title, except as provided in section
1141n of this title.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title XII, Sec. 73, as added Pub. L.
107-273, div. C, title III, Sec. 13402, Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat.
1920.)
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 1141n 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 22 - TRADEMARKS
SUBCHAPTER IV - THE MADRID PROTOCOL
-HEAD-
Sec. 1141n. Rights of extension of protection
-STATUTE-
When a United States registration and a subsequently issued
certificate of extension of protection to the United States are
owned by the same person, identify the same mark, and list the same
goods or services, the extension of protection shall have the same
rights that accrued to the registration prior to issuance of the
certificate of extension of protection.
-SOURCE-
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title XII, Sec. 74, as added Pub. L.
107-273, div. C, title III, Sec. 13402, Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat.
1920.)
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 1141m of this title.
-CITE-
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Enviado por: | El remitente no desea revelar su nombre |
Idioma: | inglés |
País: | Estados Unidos |