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T.M.E.P. § 1108
Requests for Extensions of Time to File the Statement of Use

Executive summary:

This document contains one section of the Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure (the "TMEP"), Fourth Edition (April 2005). This page was last updated in June 2007. You may return to one either the section index, or to the key word index. If you wish to search the TMEP, simply use the search box that appears on the bottom of every page of BitLaw--be sure to restrict your search to the TMEP in the pop-up list.

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1108 Requests for Extensions of Time to File the Statement of Use

Section 1(d) of the Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. 1051(d), requires that a statement of use be filed within six months after the issuance of the notice of allowance, or before the expiration of a previously granted extension of time to file a statement of use. If the mark is not in use in commerce before the expiration of the six-month period following the issuance of the notice of allowance, the applicant must file a request for extension of time to file a statement of use within the six-month period to avoid abandonment of the application.

The first six-month extension can be requested without a showing of good cause. Up to four additional six-month extensions can be requested, with a showing of good cause. 15 U.S.C. 1051(d)(2). Thus, the time available for filing the statement of use may not be extended beyond thirty-six months from the mailing date of the notice of allowance.

To expedite processing, it is recommended that the applicant file the extension request through TEAS, at http://www.uspto.gov/teas/index.html. Alternatively, an applicant can call the Trademark Assistance Center at (571) 272-9250 or (800) 786-9199 to obtain a pre-printed form. The applicant may mail, fax or hand-deliver the completed form to the Office. If the form is faxed, it must be accompanied by an authorization to charge the filing fee to a credit card or deposit account. The credit card authorization form is available at http://www.uspto.gov/web/forms/2038.pdf. If the extension request is filed though TEAS, payment must be made by credit card, deposit account or EFT.

Extension requests are handled by the ITU/Divisional Unit of the Office.