Single Word Trademarks

Generally, it depends on whether there is a “likelihood of confusion” between your simple word Trademark and another Registration or Application for Registration having superior rights.

Title 15 United States Code – Marks Registerable on the Principal Register

15 U.S.C. § 1052, in part, reads:

“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—

(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…

(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.”

Can the Word “Medical” be Granted a Federal Registration?

In view of the case law interpretations of 15 U.S.C. § 1052, the following illustrations can be indicative of the possibility of the grant of a federal Registration for the simple word – Medical – by the United States Trademark Office.

  • Medical – for a dog collar could be the subject of a US Trademark Registration.
  • Medical – for a cast protecting a broken bone would not likely be granted a US Trademark Registration. However, some Examiners could grant the Registration while other Examiners could argue that – Medical – is merely descriptive of a cast.
  • Medical – for a drill used for deep water petrochemical exploration could be the subject of a US Trademark Registration.
  • Medical – for a special type of drill used in placing dental implants would not likely be granted a US Trademark Registration. However, some Examiners could grant the Registration while other Examiners could argue that – Medical – is merely descriptive of a drill used for placing dental implants.
  • Medical – for physicians services would not likely be granted a US Service Mark Registration.
  • Medical – for surgical scrubs would not likely be granted a US Trademark Registration. However, some Examiners could grant the Registration while other Examiners could argue that – Medical – is merely descriptive of surgical scrubs.
  • Medical – for a professional football team could be the subject of a US Service Mark Registration.
  • Medical – for website services providing a platform for communications related to governments and politics could be the subject of a US Service Mark Registration.
  • Medical – for website services for continuing educations services for physicians and other medically related practitioners would not likely be granted a US Service Mark Registration. However, some Examiners could grant the Registration while other Examiners could argue that – Medical – is merely descriptive of medical education services.
  • Medical – for bottled water. If the bottled water was not used for medical treatments, – Medical – could be the subject of a US Trademark Registration.

Are You Confused Yet?

If you are confused by the above illustrations, you are not alone. As with other aspects of American jurisprudence, evidentiary facts (and the subjective interpretations those facts) influence whether or not a federal Registration can be obtained. When utilizing an experienced attorney, you have a higher probability of success in procuring a federal Registration of your simple word mark.

If you need legal assistance preparing or managing your Trademark/Service Mark or Patent Applications, please contact Business Patent Law, PLLC.

Business Patent Law, PLLC provides intellectual property and business counsel for businesses and companies.

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