PSEUDO MARKS
What is a Pseudo Mark? The USPTO has a pseudo-
The USPTO may assign pseudo marks, as appropriate, to new applications to assist
in searching the USPTO database for conflicting marks. Pseudo marks have no legal
significance and will not appear on the registration certificate. The pseudo-
A pseudo mark may be assigned to marks that include words, numbers, compound words,
symbols, or acronyms that can have alternative spellings or meanings. Pseudo-
For example, if the mark comprises the words 'YOU ARE' surrounded by a design of a box, the pseudo mark field in the USPTO database would display the mark as 'YOU ARE SQUARE'. A mark filed as 'URGR8' would receive a pseudo mark of 'YOU ARE GREAT'.
Other examples: the pseudo mark for http://LaserJet.com is LASER JET; the pseudo mark for http://MarylandUniversity.edu is MARYLAND UNIVERSITY; and the pseudo mark for http://SmithLaw.net is SMITH LAW.
How do I fight a Pseudo Mark? A Notice of Pseudo Mark is not a refusal and there is no procedure for having one removed from a trademark application prosecution. But it also has no legal significance, the trademark examiner could refuse an application without the pseudo mark if there is a likelihood of confusion as to sound, sight or meaning. The applicant could then make the arguments about why there is no pseudo and no confusion. There is no law that says that the USPTO has to maintain a pseudo mark field, it is done for the convenience of the USPTO and to help those who use trademark searching to avoid likelihood of confusion refusals. See trademarksearchtips.com for help on trademark searching or TESS Help. Note: Trademarks containing unique or corrupt spellings of words may not be retrieved by trademark searching due to odd letter combinations or spacing contained in a mark that may not be addressed by search strategies using TESS. Not Just Patents uses a proprietary database for trademark searching that uses proprietary software to look for phonetic matches, legal equivalents, and other similarities that direct hit searching misses.
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH PSEUDO MARKS? WHY ARE PSEUDO MARKS AN ISSUE FOR TRADEMARKS?
Pseudo marks cannot be used to get around the finding that the terms used are merely descriptive or are conflicting marks. A novel spelling of a merely descriptive word or term is also merely descriptive if purchasers would perceive the different spelling as the equivalent of the descriptive word or term. See In re Hercules Fasteners, Inc., 203 F.2d 753, 97 USPQ 355 (C.C.P.A. 1953) (holding “FASTIE,” phonetic spelling of “fast tie,” merely descriptive of tube sealing machines); Andrew J. McPartland, Inc. v. Montgomery Ward & Co., 164 F.2d 603, 76 USPQ 97 (C.C.P.A. 1947) (holding “KWIXTART,” phonetic spelling of “quick start,” merely descriptive of electric storage batteries); In re State Chem. Mfg. Co., 225 USPQ 687 (TTAB 1985) (holding “FOM,” phonetic equivalent spelling of “foam,” merely descriptive of foam rug shampoo); TMEP §1209.03(j).
Similarity in sound alone may be sufficient to support a finding of likelihood of confusion. RE/MAX of America, Inc. v. Realty Mart, Inc., 207 USPQ 960, 964 (TTAB 1980); Molenaar, Inc. v. Happy Toys Inc., 188 USPQ 469 (TTAB 1975); In re Cresco Mfg. Co., 138 USPQ 401 (TTAB 1963); TMEP §1207.01(b)(iv). Slight differences in sound do not overcome overall similarity between marks, as slight differences in the sound of similar marks will not avoid a likelihood of confusion. In re Energy Telecomm. & Electrical Ass’n, 222 USPQ 350 (TTAB 1983).
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