Trademark protection arises through
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TerraLex Cross-Border Guide to Cross-Border Trademark Guide
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United States Cross-Border Trademark Guide Guide
- Authors:
- Daniel Yannuzzi
- Date posted:
- 13/10/2022
- Last update:
- 14/10/2022
Generalities
1.1. Simple effective use in commerce?
Yes.
1.2. Registration?
Yes.
1.3. Cautionary notice?
No.
1.4. Intensive use (notoriety)?
No.
1.5. Public recognition?
No.
1.6. Well-known character?
No.
1.7. Other (if yes, please specify)?
No.
Registrable types of mark
See below
2.1. Individual mark?
Yes.
2.2. Collective mark?
Yes.
2.3. Certification mark?
Yes.
2.4. Well-known mark?
No.
2.5. Other (if yes, please specify)?
No.
Registrable forms of mark
See below
3.1. Word mark?
Yes.
3.2. Figurative mark with word elements?
Yes.
3.3. Figurative mark?
Yes.
3.4. Shape mark?
Yes.
3.5. Shape mark with word elements?
Yes.
3.6. Position mark?
N/A
3.7. Pattern mark?
N/A
3.8. Color (single) mark?
Yes.
3.9. Color (combination) mark?
Yes.
3.10. Sound mark?
Yes.
3.11. Motion mark?
N/A
3.12. Multimedia mark?
N/A
3.13. Hologram mark?
N/A
3.14. Other (if yes, please specify)?
N/A
Possibility of claiming a foreign priority
Yes.
4.1. If yes, what is the time limit (months from date of…)?
Within six months of filing date of the foreign application.
Classification of goods and services
See below
5.1. Nice classification adopted (if yes, indicate applicable version)?
Yes, 11th Version (NCL 11 2021).
5.2. Local subclass system?
Yes.
Possible claims against new application
See below
6.1. Opposition proceedings implemented in trademark law?
Yes.
6.1.1. If yes, is the basis for opposition a prior registered trademark?
Yes.
6.1.2. If yes, is the basis for opposition a prior pending trademark application?
No.
6.1.3. If yes, is the basis for opposition a non-registered trademark in use?
Yes.
6.1.4. If yes, is the basis for opposition a non-registered notorious/famous mark?
Yes.
6.1.5. If yes, is the basis for opposition a prior company name/trade name?
No.
6.1.6. If yes, is the basis for opposition absolute grounds?
No.
6.1.7. Other (if yes, please specify)?
N/A
Observations from third parties? (If yes, indicate the basis for such observations.)
Yes.
7.1. Prior registered mark?
Yes.
7.2. Prior pending trademark application?
Yes.
7.3. Prior non-registered trademark in use?
Yes.
7.4. Prior non-registered notorious/famous mark?
Yes.
7.5. Prior company/trade name?
No.
7.6. Absolute grounds?
N/A
7.7. Other (if yes, please specify)?
N/A
Mandatory formalities preliminary to filing application?
No.
8.1. Similarity search
No.
8.1.1. If yes, what is the time frame (weeks/months) and approximate cost?
N/A
8.2. Others?
N/A
8.2.1. If yes, what is the time frame (weeks/months) and approximate cost?
N/A
Specification of goods and services
Class system
See below
9.1. Single class system?
No.
9.2. Multiclass system?
Yes.
9.2.1. Separate applications for goods and services mandatory?
No.
Possible restrictions on goods/services (e.g. alcoholic beverages, retail services, etc. not allowed, or only class headings eligible, etc.)
N/A
10.1. If yes, please specify.
N/A
Special claims/regulations
See below
11.1. Claim of previous use possible?
Yes.
11.1.1. If yes, is proof required (affidavit, use specimens, etc.)?
Yes.
11.1.2. If yes, through which kinds of proceedings can the proof of use be requested (opposition, cancelation, renewal proceedings, etc.)?
N/A
11.2. Disclaimer
Yes.
11.3. Previous registration in country of origin required
Yes.
11.4. Changes in the mark appearance during the application proceedings possible
Yes.
11.5. Restrictions regarding trademark owner (e.g. trademark protection not eligible for owner from particular countries).
No.
11.5.1. If yes, please specify.
N/A
11.6. Is there any legal term from which the trademark must be used in order to avoid a possible cancellation?
Yes.
11.6.1. If yes, please specify.
If filed on an intent to use basis, a statement of use must be filed within six months of allowance, extendable for up to five times for a fee, for a total of three years.
11.7. Other (if yes, please specify)
N/A
Filing documents required (please indicate whether notarization, apostille, legalization, and/or scanned copies are permitted)
See below
12.1. Power of attorney
Yes (scanned copies permitted).
12.2. Evidence of pre-registration in country of origin
Yes (scanned copies permitted).
12.3. Priority documents (if priority claimed)
Yes (scanned copies permitted).
12.4. Other (if yes, please specify)
N/A
Late filing of documents
See below
13.1. Is late filing of documents permitted?
No.
13.1.1. If yes, please indicate the time limit (days/months from....).
N/A
13.2. Official late filing fee due?
N/A
Means for representation of the mark (for instance JPEG with XY pixels)
See below
14.1. Figurative mark with word elements
JPEG or equivalent
14.2. Figurative mark
JPEG or equivalent
14.3. Shape mark
N/A
14.4. Shape mark with word elements
N/A
14.5. Position mark
N/A
14.6. Pattern mark
N/A
14.7. Color (single) mark
N/A
14.8. Color (combination) mark
N/A
14.9. Sound mark
N/A
14.10. Motion mark
N/A
14.11. Multimedia mark
N/A
14.12. Hologram mark
N/A
Local legal representatives for foreign applicants
See below
15.1. Are local legal representatives mandatory for foreign applicants?
Yes.
15.2. Possibility of having representatives domiciled in another country?
N/A
15.2.1. If yes, please specify the countries.
N/A
Examination
See below
16.1. Is there formal examination?
Yes.
16.1.1. If yes, does the formal examination take place prior to the publication of the application?
Yes.
16.2. Is there examination on absolute grounds?
No.
16.3. Is there examination on relative grounds?
N/A
16.4. Can relative grounds be objected by the Trademark Office or only by the prior rights' owners?
Yes.
16.5. Are letters of consent admissible to overcome ex-officio citations of prior marks?
Yes.
16.5.1. If yes, is notarization or legalization required?
No.
16.6. Is there an examination timeframe if no official objections are raised?
Yes, the timeframe is not set, but currently averaging around 6-9 months based on our experience.
Publication
See below
17.1. Publication before registration?
Yes.
17.2. Publication after registration?
No.
17.3. Publication in trademark Gazette?
Yes.
17.4. Publication in local newspapers?
No.
17.5. Official publication fee due?
No.
Registration
See below
18.1. Certificate of Registration in paper form?
Yes.
18.2. Certificate of Registration in electronic form?
Yes.
18.3. Term of protection of the mark? Please include term details
Yes. A declaration of continued use must be filed with a fee between the 5th and 6th year after issuance of the registration, with an additional 6 month grace period available for an additional fee. Declarations of continued use (renewals) are also due, with a few, every ten years from the issuance of the registration.
18.3.1. As from priority date?
No.
18.3.2. As from filing date?
No.
18.3.3. As from registration date?
Yes.
18.3.4. As from actual registration date?
Yes.
18.3.5. As from date of issuance of Certificate of Registration?
No.
18.3.6. Other (if yes, please specify)
N/A
18.4. End of grace period of use? Please include term details
N/A
18.4.1. As from official registration date?
Yes.
18.4.2. As from actual registration date?
Yes.
18.4.3. As from end of opposition deadline?
No.
18.4.4. As from conclusion of opposition proceedings (if any)?
No.
18.4.5. Other (if yes, please specify)
N/A
18.5. How long can we expect a decision on the application by BPTO?
N/A
Official fees due at the time
See below
19.1. Filing
Yes.
19.2. Publication
No.
19.3. Registration
No.
19.4. Other (if yes, please specify)
N/A
19.5. Link to the official website of the Trademark Office where the fees are accessible and updated.
Renewal
Documents required (please indicate whether notarization, apostille, legalization, and/or scanned copies are permitted)
See below
20.1. Power of attorney
Yes (scanned copies permitted).
20.2. Original registration certificate
Yes (scanned copies permitted).
20.3. Affidavit of use
Yes (scanned copies permitted).
20.4. Evidence of use
Yes (scanned copies permitted).
20.5. Others (if yes, please specify)
N/A
Is the late filing of documents admissible? If yes, please indicate the time limit.
No.
21.1. Official late filing fee due?
N/A
Is there a renewal grace period provided for by law? If yes, please indicate the timing.
Yes, six years plus a six-month grace period.
Special maintenance requirements
See below
23.1. First declaration of use?
Yes.
23.2. Time to file?
Yes.
23.3. Extensions permitted?
Yes.
23.3.1. If yes, please indicate the number allowed (as the maximum accepted)
ive
23.4. Documents required (affidavit/declaration, notarized/legalized, evidence of use, subject to official fees)?
Yes (affidavit/declaration, notarized/legalized, evidence of use, and subject to official fees).
23.5. Second declaration of use? If other, please specify.
Yes.
23.6. Time to file?
Yes.
23.7. Extensions permitted?
No.
23.7.1. If yes, please indicate the number allowed (as the maximum accepted).
N/A
23.8. Documents required (affidavit/declaration, notarized/legalized, evidence of use, subject to official fees)?
Yes (affidavit/declaration, evidence of use, and subject to official fees).
Recording of changes/limitation
See below
24.1 Limitations of lists of goods/services?
Yes.
24.1.1. Possible at any stage or only after registration?
No.
24.1.2. Official fees due?
No.
24.2. Change in name or address of owner?
Yes.
24.2.1. Possible at any stage or only after registration?
Yes.
24.2.2. Documents required (original or scanned)?
Yes (scanned document permitted).
24.2.3. Official fees due?
Yes.
24.3. Change in ownership?
Yes.
24.3.1. Possible at any stage or only after registration?
Yes.
24.3.2. Documents required (original or scanned)?
Yes (scanned document permitted).
24.3.3. Official fees due?
Yes.
24.4. Change of representative?
Yes.
24.4.1. Possible at any stage or only after registration?
Yes.
24.4.2. Documents required (original or scanned)?
Yes (scanned document permitted).
24.4.3. Official fees due?
Yes.
Link to the official website of the Trademark Office where the official fees are accessible and updated.
Disclaimer: This guide contains summaries of general principles of law. It is not a substitute for specific legal advice and should not be relied upon in relation to the application of the law or subject matter covered.