[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 37, Volume 1] [Revised as of July 1, 2002] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 37CFR2.88] [Page 284-286] TITLE 37--PATENTS, TRADEMARKS, AND COPYRIGHTS DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE PART 2--RULES OF PRACTICE IN TRADEMARK CASES--Table of Contents Sec. 2.88 Filing statement of use after notice of allowance. (a) In an application under section 1(b) of the Act, a statement of use, required under section 1(d) of the Act, must be filed within six months after issuance of a notice of allowance under section 13(b)(2) of the Act, or within an extension of time granted under Sec. 2.89. A statement of use that is filed prior to issuance of a notice of allowance is premature, will not be considered, and will be returned to the applicant. (b) A complete statement of use must include: (1) A statement that is signed and verified (sworn to) or supported by a declaration under Sec. 2.20 by a person [[Page 285]] properly authorized to sign on behalf of the applicant (see Sec. 2.33(a)) that: (i) The applicant believes it is the owner of the mark; and (ii) The mark is in use in commerce, specifying the date of the applicant's first use of the mark and 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 applicant uses the mark in commerce; (2) One specimen of the mark as actually used in commerce. See Sec. 2.56 for the requirements for specimens; and (3) The fee per class required by Sec. 2.6. (c) The statement of use may be filed only when the applicant has made use of the mark in commerce on or in connection with all of the goods or services, as specified in the notice of allowance, for which applicant will seek registration in that application, unless the statement of use is accompanied by a request in accordance with Sec. 2.87 to divide out from the application the goods or services to which the statement of use pertains. If more than one item of goods or services is specified in the statement of use, the dates of use required in paragraph (b)(1) of this section need be for only one of the items specified in each class, provided the particular item to which the dates apply is designated. (d) The title ``Statement of use under Sec. 2.88.'' should appear at the top of the first page of the paper. (e) The Office will review a timely filed statement of use to determine whether it meets the following minimum requirements: (1) The fee for at least a single class, required by Sec. 2.6; (2) One specimen of the mark as used in commerce; (3) A statement that is signed and verified (sworn to) or supported by a declaration under Sec. 2.20 by a person properly authorized to sign on behalf of the applicant that the mark is in use in commerce. If the verification or declaration is unsigned or signed by the wrong party, the applicant must submit a substitute verification on or before the statutory deadline for filing the statement of use. (f) A timely filed statement of use which meets the minimum requirements specified in paragraph (e) of this section will be examined in accordance with Secs. 2.61 through 2.69. If, as a result of the examination of the statement of use, applicant is found not entitled to registration, applicant will be notified and advised of the reasons and of any formal requirements or refusals. The statement of use may be amended in accordance with Secs. 2.59 and 2.71 through 2.75. If the statement of use is acceptable in all respects, the applicant will be notified of its acceptance. (g) If the statement of use does not meet the minimum requirements specified in paragraph (e) of this section, applicant will be notified of the deficiency. If the time permitted for applicant to file a statement of use has not expired, applicant may correct the deficiency. After the filing of a statement of use during a permitted time period for such filing, the applicant may not withdraw the statement to return to the previous status of awaiting submission of a statement of use, regardless of whether it is in compliance with paragraph (e) of this section. (h) The failure to timely file a statement of use which meets the minimum requirements specified in paragraph (e) of this section shall result in the abandonment of the application. (i)(1) The goods or services specified in a statement of use must conform to those goods or services identified in the notice of allowance. An applicant may specify the goods or services by stating ``those goods or services identified in the notice of allowance'' or, if appropriate, ``those goods or services identified in the notice of allowance except * * *'' followed by an identification of the goods or services to be deleted. (2) If any goods or services specified in the notice of allowance are omitted from the identification of goods or services in the statement of use, the Trademark Examining Attorney shall inquire about the discrepancy and permit the applicant to amend the statement of use to include any omitted goods or services, provided that the amendment is supported by a verification that the mark was in use in commerce, on or in connection with each of the goods or services sought to be included, prior to the expiration of [[Page 286]] the time allowed to applicant for filing a statement of use. (3) The statement of use may be accompanied by a separate request to amend the identification of goods or services in the application, as stated in the notice of allowance, in accordance with Sec. 2.71(b). (j) The statement of use may be accompanied by a separate request to amend the drawing in the application, in accordance with Secs. 2.51 and 2.72. (k) If the statement of use is not filed within a reasonable time after the date it is signed, the Office may require a substitute verification or declaration under Sec. 2.20 stating that the mark is still in use in commerce. (l) For the requirements for a multiple class application, see Sec. 2.86. [54 FR 37595, Sept. 11, 1989, as amended at 64 FR 48923, Sept. 8, 1999; 64 FR 51245, Sept. 22, 1999]