The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a new Service Mark Specimens Examination Guide.
On September 16, 2014, the USPTO released the Service Mark Specimens Examination Guide 3-14. The new guide:
Reviews the requirements for service mark specimens.
Discusses frequent issues that arise during examination and explains relevant potential refusals.
Addresses the common types of specimens submitted with modern technology-related services.
Provides examples of service mark specimens.
Although the guide's discussion and examples focus on service marks for computer technology services, the examination principles generally apply to all service mark specimens.