TITLE 15 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER IV - THE MADRID PROTOCOL
15 USC 1141 - Definitions
In this subchapter:
(1) Basic application
The term basic application means the application for the registration of a mark that has been filed with an Office of a Contracting Party and that constitutes the basis for an application for the international registration of that mark.
The term basic application means the application for the registration of a mark that has been filed with an Office of a Contracting Party and that constitutes the basis for an application for the international registration of that mark.
(2) Basic registration
The term basic registration means the registration of a mark that has been granted by an Office of a Contracting Party and that constitutes the basis for an application for the international registration of that mark.
The term basic registration means the registration of a mark that has been granted by an Office of a Contracting Party and that constitutes the basis for an application for the international registration of that mark.
(3) Contracting Party
The term Contracting Party means any country or inter-governmental organization that is a party to the Madrid Protocol.
The term Contracting Party means any country or inter-governmental organization that is a party to the Madrid Protocol.
(4) Date of recordal
The term date of recordal means the date on which a request for extension of protection, filed after an international registration is granted, is recorded on the International Register.
The term date of recordal means the date on which a request for extension of protection, filed after an international registration is granted, is recorded on the International Register.
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(5) Declaration of bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce
The term declaration of bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce means a declaration that is signed by the applicant for, or holder of, an international registration who is seeking extension of protection of a mark to the United States and that contains a statement that
The term declaration of bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce means a declaration that is signed by the applicant for, or holder of, an international registration who is seeking extension of protection of a mark to the United States and that contains a statement that
(A) the applicant or holder has a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce;
(B) the person making the declaration believes himself or herself, or the firm, corporation, or association in whose behalf he or she makes the declaration, to be entitled to use the mark in commerce; and
(C) no other person, firm, corporation, or association, to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, has the right to use such mark in commerce either in the identical form of the mark or in such near resemblance to the mark as to be likely, when used on or in connection with the goods of such other person, firm, corporation, or association, to cause confusion, mistake, or deception.
(6) Extension of protection
The term extension of protection means the protection resulting from an international registration that extends to the United States at the request of the holder of the international registration, in accordance with the Madrid Protocol.
The term extension of protection means the protection resulting from an international registration that extends to the United States at the request of the holder of the international registration, in accordance with the Madrid Protocol.
(7) Holder of an international registration
A holder of an international registration is the natural or juristic person in whose name the international registration is recorded on the International Register.
A holder of an international registration is the natural or juristic person in whose name the international registration is recorded on the International Register.
(8) International application
The term international application means an application for international registration that is filed under the Madrid Protocol.
The term international application means an application for international registration that is filed under the Madrid Protocol.
(9) International Bureau
The term International Bureau means the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization.
The term International Bureau means the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization.
(10) International Register
The term International Register means the official collection of data concerning international registrations maintained by the International Bureau that the Madrid Protocol or its implementing regulations require or permit to be recorded.
The term International Register means the official collection of data concerning international registrations maintained by the International Bureau that the Madrid Protocol or its implementing regulations require or permit to be recorded.
(11) International registration
The term international registration means the registration of a mark granted under the Madrid Protocol.
The term international registration means the registration of a mark granted under the Madrid Protocol.
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(12) International registration date
The term international registration date means the date assigned to the international registration by the International Bureau.
The term international registration date means the date assigned to the international registration by the International Bureau.
(13) Madrid Protocol
The term Madrid Protocol means the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks, adopted at Madrid, Spain, on June 27, 1989.
The term Madrid Protocol means the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks, adopted at Madrid, Spain, on June 27, 1989.
(14) Notification of refusal
The term notification of refusal means the notice sent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office to the International Bureau declaring that an extension of protection cannot be granted.
The term notification of refusal means the notice sent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office to the International Bureau declaring that an extension of protection cannot be granted.
(15) Office of a Contracting Party
The term Office of a Contracting Party means
The term Office of a Contracting Party means
(A) the office, or governmental entity, of a Contracting Party that is responsible for the registration of marks; or
(B) the common office, or governmental entity, of more than 1 Contracting Party that is responsible for the registration of marks and is so recognized by the International Bureau.
(16) Office of origin
The term office of origin means the Office of a Contracting Party with which a basic application was filed or by which a basic registration was granted.
The term office of origin means the Office of a Contracting Party with which a basic application was filed or by which a basic registration was granted.
(17) Opposition period
The term opposition period means the time allowed for filing an opposition in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, including any extension of time granted under section 1063 of this title.
The term opposition period means the time allowed for filing an opposition in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, including any extension of time granted under section 1063 of this title.
15 USC 1141a - International applications based on United States applications or registrations
(a) In general
The owner of a basic application pending before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or the owner of a basic registration granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office may file an international application by submitting to the United States Patent and Trademark Office a written application in such form, together with such fees, as may be prescribed by the Director.
The owner of a basic application pending before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or the owner of a basic registration granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office may file an international application by submitting to the United States Patent and Trademark Office a written application in such form, together with such fees, as may be prescribed by the Director.
(b) Qualified owners
A qualified owner, under subsection (a) of this section, shall
A qualified owner, under subsection (a) of this section, shall
(1) be a national of the United States;
(2) be domiciled in the United States; or
(3) have a real and effective industrial or commercial establishment in the United States.
15 USC 1141b - Certification of the international application
(a) Certification procedure
Upon the filing of an application for international registration and payment of the prescribed fees, the Director shall examine the international application for the purpose of certifying that the information contained in the international application corresponds to the information contained in the basic application or basic registration at the time of the certification.
Upon the filing of an application for international registration and payment of the prescribed fees, the Director shall examine the international application for the purpose of certifying that the information contained in the international application corresponds to the information contained in the basic application or basic registration at the time of the certification.
(b) Transmittal
Upon examination and certification of the international application, the Director shall transmit the international application to the International Bureau.
Upon examination and certification of the international application, the Director shall transmit the international application to the International Bureau.
15 USC 1141c - Restriction, abandonment, cancellation, or expiration of a basic application or basic registration
With respect to an international application transmitted to the International Bureau under section 1141b of this title, the Director shall notify the International Bureau whenever the basic application or basic registration which is the basis for the international application has been restricted, abandoned, or canceled, or has expired, with respect to some or all of the goods and services listed in the international registration
(1) within 5 years after the international registration date; or
(2) more than 5 years after the international registration date if the restriction, abandonment, or cancellation of the basic application or basic registration resulted from an action that began before the end of that 5-year period.
15 USC 1141d - Request for extension of protection subsequent to international registration
The holder of an international registration that is based upon a basic application filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or a basic registration granted by the Patent and Trademark Office may request an extension of protection of its international registration by filing such a request
(1) directly with the International Bureau; or
(2) with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for transmittal to the International Bureau, if the request is in such form, and contains such transmittal fee, as may be prescribed by the Director.
15 USC 1141e - Extension of protection of an international registration to the United States under the Madrid Protocol
(a) In general
Subject to the provisions of section 1141h of this title, the holder of an international registration shall be entitled to the benefits of extension of protection of that international registration to the United States to the extent necessary to give effect to any provision of the Madrid Protocol.
Subject to the provisions of section 1141h of this title, the holder of an international registration shall be entitled to the benefits of extension of protection of that international registration to the United States to the extent necessary to give effect to any provision of the Madrid Protocol.
(b) If the United States is office of origin
Where the United States Patent and Trademark Office is the office of origin for a trademark application or registration, any international registration based on such application or registration cannot be used to obtain the benefits of the Madrid Protocol in the United States.
Where the United States Patent and Trademark Office is the office of origin for a trademark application or registration, any international registration based on such application or registration cannot be used to obtain the benefits of the Madrid Protocol in the United States.
15 USC 1141f - Effect of filing a request for extension of protection of an international registration to the United States
(a) Requirement for request for extension of protection
A request for extension of protection of an international registration to the United States that the International Bureau transmits to the United States Patent and Trademark Office shall be deemed to be properly filed in the United States if such request, when received by the International Bureau, has attached to it a declaration of bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce that is verified by the applicant for, or holder of, the international registration.
A request for extension of protection of an international registration to the United States that the International Bureau transmits to the United States Patent and Trademark Office shall be deemed to be properly filed in the United States if such request, when received by the International Bureau, has attached to it a declaration of bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce that is verified by the applicant for, or holder of, the international registration.
(b) Effect of proper filing
Unless extension of protection is refused under section 1141h of this title, the proper filing of the request for extension of protection under subsection (a) of this section shall constitute constructive use of the mark, conferring the same rights as those specified in section 1057 (c) of this title, as of the earliest of the following:
Unless extension of protection is refused under section 1141h of this title, the proper filing of the request for extension of protection under subsection (a) of this section shall constitute constructive use of the mark, conferring the same rights as those specified in section 1057 (c) of this title, as of the earliest of the following:
(1) The international registration date, if the request for extension of protection was filed in the international application.
(2) The date of recordal of the request for extension of protection, if the request for extension of protection was made after the international registration date.
(3) The date of priority claimed pursuant to section 1141g of this title.
15 USC 1141g - Right of priority for request for extension of protection to the United States
The holder of an international registration with a request for an extension of protection to the United States shall be entitled to claim a date of priority based on a right of priority within the meaning of Article 4 of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property if
(1) the request for extension of protection contains a claim of priority; and
(2) the date of international registration or the date of the recordal of the request for extension of protection to the United States is not later than 6 months after the date of the first regular national filing (within the meaning of Article 4(A)(3) of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property) or a subsequent application (within the meaning of Article 4(C)(4) of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property).
15 USC 1141h - Examination of and opposition to request for extension of protection; notification of refusal
(a) Examination and opposition
(1) A request for extension of protection described in section 1141f (a) of this title shall be examined as an application for registration on the Principal Register under this chapter, and if on such examination it appears that the applicant is entitled to extension of protection under this subchapter, the Director shall cause the mark to be published in the Official Gazette of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
(2) Subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, a request for extension of protection under this subchapter shall be subject to opposition under section 1063 of this title.
(3) Extension of protection shall not be refused on the ground that the mark has not been used in commerce.
(4) Extension of protection shall be refused to any mark not registrable on the Principal Register.
(b) Notification of refusal
If,[1] a request for extension of protection is refused under subsection (a) of this section, the Director shall declare in a notification of refusal (as provided in subsection (c) of this section) that the extension of protection cannot be granted, together with a statement of all grounds on which the refusal was based.
If,[1] a request for extension of protection is refused under subsection (a) of this section, the Director shall declare in a notification of refusal (as provided in subsection (c) of this section) that the extension of protection cannot be granted, together with a statement of all grounds on which the refusal was based.
(c) Notice to International Bureau
(1) Within 18 months after the date on which the International Bureau transmits to the Patent and Trademark Office a notification of a request for extension of protection, the Director shall transmit to the International Bureau any of the following that applies to such request:
(A) A notification of refusal based on an examination of the request for extension of protection.
(B) A notification of refusal based on the filing of an opposition to the request.
(C) A notification of the possibility that an opposition to the request may be filed after the end of that 18-month period.
(2) If the Director has sent a notification of the possibility of opposition under paragraph (1)(C), the Director shall, if applicable, transmit to the International Bureau a notification of refusal on the basis of the opposition, together with a statement of all the grounds for the opposition, within 7 months after the beginning of the opposition period or within 1 month after the end of the opposition period, whichever is earlier.
(3) If a notification of refusal of a request for extension of protection is transmitted under paragraph (1) or (2), no grounds for refusal of such request other than those set forth in such notification may be transmitted to the International Bureau by the Director after the expiration of the time periods set forth in paragraph (1) or (2), as the case may be.
(4) If a notification specified in paragraph (1) or (2) is not sent to the International Bureau within the time period set forth in such paragraph, with respect to a request for extension of protection, the request for extension of protection shall not be refused and the Director shall issue a certificate of extension of protection pursuant to the request.
(d) Designation of agent for service of process
In responding to a notification of refusal with respect to a mark, the holder of the international registration of the mark may designate, by a document filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the name and address of a person residing in the United States on whom notices or process in proceedings affecting the mark may be served. Such notices or process may be served upon the person designated by leaving with that person, or mailing to that person, a copy thereof at the address specified in the last designation filed. If the person designated cannot be found at the address given in the last designation, or if the holder does not designate by a document filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office the name and address of a person residing in the United States for service of notices or process in proceedings affecting the mark, the notice or process may be served on the Director.
In responding to a notification of refusal with respect to a mark, the holder of the international registration of the mark may designate, by a document filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the name and address of a person residing in the United States on whom notices or process in proceedings affecting the mark may be served. Such notices or process may be served upon the person designated by leaving with that person, or mailing to that person, a copy thereof at the address specified in the last designation filed. If the person designated cannot be found at the address given in the last designation, or if the holder does not designate by a document filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office the name and address of a person residing in the United States for service of notices or process in proceedings affecting the mark, the notice or process may be served on the Director.
[1] So in original. The comma probably should not appear.
15 USC 1141i - Effect of extension of protection
(a) Issuance of extension of protection
Unless a request for extension of protection is refused under section 1141h of this title, the Director shall issue a certificate of extension of protection pursuant to the request and shall cause notice of such certificate of extension of protection to be published in the Official Gazette of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Unless a request for extension of protection is refused under section 1141h of this title, the Director shall issue a certificate of extension of protection pursuant to the request and shall cause notice of such certificate of extension of protection to be published in the Official Gazette of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
(b) Effect of extension of protection
From the date on which a certificate of extension of protection is issued under subsection (a) of this section
From the date on which a certificate of extension of protection is issued under subsection (a) of this section
(1) such extension of protection shall have the same effect and validity as a registration on the Principal Register; and
(2) the holder of the international registration shall have the same rights and remedies as the owner of a registration on the Principal Register.
15 USC 1141j - Dependence of extension of protection to the United States on the underlying international registration
(a) Effect of cancellation of international registration
If the International Bureau notifies the United States Patent and Trademark Office of the cancellation of an international registration with respect to some or all of the goods and services listed in the international registration, the Director shall cancel any extension of protection to the United States with respect to such goods and services as of the date on which the international registration was canceled.
If the International Bureau notifies the United States Patent and Trademark Office of the cancellation of an international registration with respect to some or all of the goods and services listed in the international registration, the Director shall cancel any extension of protection to the United States with respect to such goods and services as of the date on which the international registration was canceled.
(b) Effect of failure to renew international registration
If the International Bureau does not renew an international registration, the corresponding extension of protection to the United States shall cease to be valid as of the date of the expiration of the international registration.
If the International Bureau does not renew an international registration, the corresponding extension of protection to the United States shall cease to be valid as of the date of the expiration of the international registration.
(c) Transformation of an extension of protection into a United States application
The holder of an international registration canceled in whole or in part by the International Bureau at the request of the office of origin, under article 6(4) of the Madrid Protocol, may file an application, under section 1051 or 1126 of this title, for the registration of the same mark for any of the goods and services to which the cancellation applies that were covered by an extension of protection to the United States based on that international registration. Such an application shall be treated as if it had been filed on the international registration date or the date of recordal of the request for extension of protection with the International Bureau, whichever date applies, and, if the extension of protection enjoyed priority under section 1141g of this title, shall enjoy the same priority. Such an application shall be entitled to the benefits conferred by this subsection only if the application is filed not later than 3 months after the date on which the international registration was canceled, in whole or in part, and only if the application complies with all the requirements of this chapter which apply to any application filed pursuant to section 1051 or 1126 of this title.
The holder of an international registration canceled in whole or in part by the International Bureau at the request of the office of origin, under article 6(4) of the Madrid Protocol, may file an application, under section 1051 or 1126 of this title, for the registration of the same mark for any of the goods and services to which the cancellation applies that were covered by an extension of protection to the United States based on that international registration. Such an application shall be treated as if it had been filed on the international registration date or the date of recordal of the request for extension of protection with the International Bureau, whichever date applies, and, if the extension of protection enjoyed priority under section 1141g of this title, shall enjoy the same priority. Such an application shall be entitled to the benefits conferred by this subsection only if the application is filed not later than 3 months after the date on which the international registration was canceled, in whole or in part, and only if the application complies with all the requirements of this chapter which apply to any application filed pursuant to section 1051 or 1126 of this title.
15 USC 1141k - Affidavits and fees
(a) Required affidavits and fees
An extension of protection for which a certificate of extension of protection has been issued under section 1141i of this title shall remain in force for the term of the international registration upon which it is based, except that the extension of protection of any mark shall be canceled by the Director
An extension of protection for which a certificate of extension of protection has been issued under section 1141i of this title shall remain in force for the term of the international registration upon which it is based, except that the extension of protection of any mark shall be canceled by the Director
(1) at the end of the 6-year period beginning on the date on which the certificate of extension of protection was issued by the Director, unless within the 1-year period preceding the expiration of that 6-year period the holder of the international registration files in the Patent and Trademark Office an affidavit under subsection (b) of this section together with a fee prescribed by the Director; and
(2) at the end of the 10-year period beginning on the date on which the certificate of extension of protection was issued by the Director, and at the end of each 10-year period thereafter, unless
(A) within the 6-month period preceding the expiration of such 10-year period the holder of the international registration files in the United States Patent and Trademark Office an affidavit under subsection (b) of this section together with a fee prescribed by the Director; or
(B) within 3 months after the expiration of such 10-year period, the holder of the international registration files in the Patent and Trademark Office an affidavit under subsection (b) of this section together with the fee described in subparagraph (A) and the surcharge prescribed by the Director.
(b) Contents of affidavit
The affidavit referred to in subsection (a) of this section shall set forth those goods or services recited in the extension of protection on or in connection with which the mark is in use in commerce and the holder of the international registration shall attach to the affidavit a specimen or facsimile showing the current use of the mark in commerce, or shall set forth that any nonuse is due to special circumstances which excuse such nonuse and is not due to any intention to abandon the mark. Special notice of the requirement for such affidavit shall be attached to each certificate of extension of protection.
The affidavit referred to in subsection (a) of this section shall set forth those goods or services recited in the extension of protection on or in connection with which the mark is in use in commerce and the holder of the international registration shall attach to the affidavit a specimen or facsimile showing the current use of the mark in commerce, or shall set forth that any nonuse is due to special circumstances which excuse such nonuse and is not due to any intention to abandon the mark. Special notice of the requirement for such affidavit shall be attached to each certificate of extension of protection.
(c) Notification
The Director shall notify the holder of the international registration who files 1 of the affidavits of the Directors acceptance or refusal thereof and, in case of a refusal, the reasons therefor.
The Director shall notify the holder of the international registration who files 1 of the affidavits of the Directors acceptance or refusal thereof and, in case of a refusal, the reasons therefor.
(d) Service of notice or process
The holder of the international registration of the mark may designate, by a document filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the name and address of a person residing in the United States on whom notices or process in proceedings affecting the mark may be served. Such notices or process may be served upon the person so designated by leaving with that person, or mailing to that person, a copy thereof at the address specified in the last designation so filed. If the person designated cannot be found at the address given in the last designation, or if the holder does not designate by a document filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office the name and address of a person residing in the United States for service of notices or process in proceedings affecting the mark, the notice or process may be served on the Director.
The holder of the international registration of the mark may designate, by a document filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the name and address of a person residing in the United States on whom notices or process in proceedings affecting the mark may be served. Such notices or process may be served upon the person so designated by leaving with that person, or mailing to that person, a copy thereof at the address specified in the last designation so filed. If the person designated cannot be found at the address given in the last designation, or if the holder does not designate by a document filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office the name and address of a person residing in the United States for service of notices or process in proceedings affecting the mark, the notice or process may be served on the Director.
15 USC 1141l - Assignment of an extension of protection
An extension of protection may be assigned, together with the goodwill associated with the mark, only to a person who is a national of, is domiciled in, or has a bona fide and effective industrial or commercial establishment either in a country that is a Contracting Party or in a country that is a member of an intergovernmental organization that is a Contracting Party.
15 USC 1141m - Incontestability
The period of continuous use prescribed under section 1065 of this title for a mark covered by an extension of protection issued under this subchapter may begin no earlier than the date on which the Director issues the certificate of the extension of protection under section 1141i of this title, except as provided in section 1141n of this title.
15 USC 1141n - Rights of extension of protection
When a United States registration and a subsequently issued certificate of extension of protection to the United States are owned by the same person, identify the same mark, and list the same goods or services, the extension of protection shall have the same rights that accrued to the registration prior to issuance of the certificate of extension of protection.