Priority of Use and Distinctiveness are Key. Common Law Rights Are Two Giant Steps Below Federal Principal Registration Rights. Federal Registration Expands the Reach of a Trademark. Hart, Schaffner and Marx , 760 F. Priority or First to Use. Potential trademarks and parts of potential trademarks that are not inherently distinctive.

Registering a Potential Trademark with the USPTO. When a USPTO Federal Trademark application is first submitted, an initial examination is completed by the trademark examiner. This examination includes a trademark search for conflicting marks with other federally registered marks and prior pending marks. Conflicts are based on the Likelihood of Confusion. Likelihood of confusion is the most common refusal.

Any word, term, name, symbol, or device, or any combination thereof that are used. In commerce as brand names, domain names, tag lines, slogans, non-. Functional and distinctive packaging and labeling designs, etc. To be a valid mark, a potential mark must actually function as a trademark. The Trademark Act is not an act to register words but to register trad.

Important to a Trademark or Service Mark? A Strong Trademark is a Bigger Piece of Intellectual Property. Trademark may be registered on the USPTO Trademark Principal Register, qualifies for more protection under more federal, state and common law and is stronger for use in business to promote authenticity and for expanding product lines.

Likelihood of Confusion is a Common Issue for Trademark Application Refusals, Oppositions and Cancellations, and Infringement Suits. Likelihood of confusion is one of the most common grounds for a USPTO trademark refusal and trademark oppositions or trademark cancellations.

How to Avoid A Trademark Application That is Likely To Be Refused Because of Confusion. And Primarily Geographically Deceptively Misdescriptive; Primarily Merely a Surname.

The Most Efficient Commercial Tool Ever Devised. Being able to associate a product or service with to designate a federally registered trademark is a strong business tool. Purchasing decisions are continually influenced by trademarks by distinguishing products from one another and indicating a level of. Quality about products and services. Most Efficient Commercial Tool Ever Devised.