ARTICLE
12 July 2019

TTABlog Test: How Did These Three Mere Descriptiveness Appeals Come Out?

WG
Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, P.C.

Contributor

For nearly a century, Wolf Greenfield has helped clients protect their most valuable intellectual property. The firm offers a full range of IP services, including patent prosecution and litigation; post-grant proceedings, including IPRs; opinions and strategic counseling; licensing; intellectual property audits and due diligence; trademark and copyright prosecution and litigation; and other issues related to the commercialization of intellectual property.
The TTAB recently ruled on the appeals from the three Section 2(e)(1) mere descriptiveness refusals summarized below.
United States Intellectual Property

The TTAB recently ruled on the appeals from the three Section 2(e)(1) mere descriptiveness refusals summarized below. Let's see how you do with them, keeping in mind that the Board affirms, in my estimation, nearly 90% of these refusals. [Answer in the first comment].

In re International Barrel Distributors, Serial No. 87271602 (June 28, 2019) [not precedential] (Opinion by Judge Peter W. Cataldo). [Refusal to register the mark DEEP TOAST for "wood barrels" on the grounds that the phrase is not inherently distinctive (and lacks acquired distinctiveness)].

In re Essenlix Corporation, Serial No. 87467392  (June 28, 2019) [not precedential] (Opinion by Judge Jyll Taylor) [Mere descriptiveness refusal of ISELF-TEST for assays, reagents, and apparatus for medical diagnostic testing].

In re The Contentment Foundation Serial Nos. 87958925 and 87958967 (July 2, 2019) [not precedential] (Opinion by Judge Robert H. Coggins).[Mere descriptiveness refusal of CONTENTMENT FOUNDATION, and requirement of disclaimer of that term in the mark shown below, for "Educational services, namely, conducting seminars, lectures, teleseminars, teleclasses and workshops in the field of contentment, education, positive psychology and human wellbeing . . .].

The TTABlog

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

Mondaq uses cookies on this website. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies as set out in our Privacy Policy.

Learn More