T.M.E.P. § 1202.04
Informational Matter
Executive summary:
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1202.04 Informational Matter
Slogans that are considered to be merely informational in nature or to be common laudatory phrases or statements that would ordinarily be used in business or in the particular trade or industry are not registrable. In re Volvo Cars of North America Inc., 46 USPQ2d 1455 (TTAB 1998) (DRIVE SAFELY perceived as an everyday, commonplace safety admonition that does not function as mark); In re Manco Inc., 24 USPQ2d 1938, 1942 (TTAB 1992) (THINK GREEN and design found unregistrable for weatherstripping and paper products, the Board stating, "[R]ather than being regarded as an indicator of source, the term 'THINK GREEN' would be regarded simply as a slogan of environmental awareness and/or ecological consciousness ...."); In re Southbrook Entertainment Corp., 8 USPQ2d 1166 (TTAB 1988) (HI-YO-SILVER, for videotapes and cassettes, held to be a well known expression closely linked to a character, but did not function as a trademark for the goods); In re Remington Products Inc., 3 USPQ2d 1714 (TTAB 1987) (PROUDLY MADE IN USA, for electric shavers, held incapable of functioning as a mark, notwithstanding use of letters "TM" in connection with prominent display of slogan on packages for the goods and claim of acquired distinctiveness); In re Tilcon Warren, Inc., 221 USPQ 86 (TTAB 1984) (WATCH THAT CHILD held not to function as a mark for construction material notwithstanding long use, where the only use was on the bumpers of construction vehicles in which the goods were transported); In re Schwauss, 217 USPQ 361 (TTAB 1983) (FRAGILE used on labels and bumper stickers does not function as a mark).
See TMEP §1301.02(a) regarding informational matter that does not function as a service mark.
A slogan can function as a trademark if it is not merely descriptive or informational. See e.g., Roux Laboratories, Inc. v. Clairol Inc., 427 F.2d 823, 166 USPQ 34 (C.C.P.A. 1970) (affirming the Board's dismissal of an opposition to the registration of HAIR COLOR SO NATURAL ONLY HER HAIRDRESSER KNOWS FOR SURE for a hair coloring preparation); In re The Hallicrafters Co., 153 USPQ 376 (TTAB 1967) (QUALITY THROUGH CRAFTSMANSHIP found registrable for radio equipment). See TMEP §1202.03(f)(i) regarding ornamental slogans used on goods.