Trademark manual

Snippet: Short Long. Sort : Relevance Section order. List: 10 25 50 75 Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure July Search Results. For example, an advanced search of the terms computer software conducted using the proximity search mode with the number 2 entered into the proximity number text box will return records where the words "computer" and "software" appear within two words of each other, such as "downloadable computer operating software" in Class 9. To perform a proximity search using the tilde symbol, see Proximity Searches.

Classic: Classic search mode allows users to search using the Boolean operators and truncation methods available in the legacy ID Manual. For explanations of "Classic" search mode features, see How to search using the "Classic" search mode. For an explanation of record statuses, see Status above. To exclude a particular status from the search results, ensure that the box next to that status is unchecked. To include a particular status in the search results, check the box next to the desired status by placing the cursor on the box and selecting the left side of the mouse.

Multiple boxes may be checked or unchecked. By default, searches will return results only where the search term appears in the description field. A window containing clickable icons representing all of the searchable classes will appear.

Click the "Select" button and conduct the search. The search result will display record s in the class es entered by the user. The system will return results from all of the previous versions to the selected version date.

For example, if a user selects as the NCL version, the system will display records from through The default setting is the current NCL year and will retrieve entries currently in effect. The Manual includes acceptable entries that were added, modified, or entered as examples under a prior version or edition of the Nice Agreement.

This remains an acceptable identification in Class 30 and currently displays as an active entry in the Manual when searching the current NCL Version. Entries that were previously acceptable in one class may be reclassified over time.

To determine the acceptability of identifications and classifications for applications filed under previous versions or editions of the Nice Agreement, the NCL Version may be used as a search parameter. The Effective Date search features a drop down menu with the following operators.

If one of the operators is used, a text box will appear below the drop down menu. The desired date should be entered in the text box in month, day, and year format, e.

Alternatively, users may click on the date box and select the relevant date on the calendar. Less Than The less than search feature will allow for a search of records with start effective dates prior to the searched date.

Range: The range operator allows for a search of records with start effective dates within a specified range. When this operator is selected, two text boxes will appear below the operator drop down menu. The beginning and ending dates of the range should be entered in these text boxes. The particular start effective date that you wish to search should be entered in the text box below the drop down menu. The reset arrows located on the upper right side of each advanced search criteria section will reset the default settings for the particular search criteria.

For example, a search for book retrieves all records containing book and books. A search for books finds all records containing books and book. A possessive is treated as a plural form. The system also searches for most special plural forms, such as knives and mice.

A search for computer AND program retrieves all goods and services containing computer s and program s. Without quotation marks, the term AND is a connector term and is not itself searched as a term. Note: The system does not search for alternative spellings of many terms. The system may return different search results for compound words searched with a space between the terms and compound words searched without a space between the terms. For example, a search of tooth paste will not retrieve entries containing "toothpaste" as one word.

A search of corkboard will retrieve entries for "Corkboards" and "Corkboard pins" but a search of cork board does not retrieve either of those entries. Note: A search query may contain an apostrophe or hyphen within the searched terms or quotation marks around the searched terms. For example, a search of baker's will retrieve entries such as "Baker's racks.

For example, the three search queries below would find the same information:. If only one of the words is found in a record, the record will not be returned. For example, a search for golf AND clubs finds all records that contain both golf s and club s. A search of and in lowercase will find entries with the term "and" in the description. For example, a search of and cheese will find "Macaroni and cheese" and "Cracker and cheese combinations.

A party should not suggest an identification or recitation that has been included in an application for registration and was rejected by an Examining Attorney. Please do not submit overly specific descriptions that would not be useful to a variety of applicants.

Also, please do not request pre-approval of descriptions before filing or legal advice on crafting acceptable descriptions or other matters. A party wishing to suggest an addition to the ID Manual should submit the following, via e-mail, to tmidsuggest uspto. Whilst we must always take account of practice and procedures, the particular circumstances of a case may suggest that at times a departure from practice would be justified. As our practices develop, either as a result of our consideration of cases or by decisions of the courts, we will give additional or revised guidance, and update this manual accordingly.

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