T.M.E.P. § 401.02
Serial Numbers and Series Codes
Executive summary:
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401.02 Serial Numbers and Series Codes
Each application for registration is assigned a six digit serial number, preceded by a two digit series code.
As a general rule, the serial numbers of applications filed prior to the 1905 - 1920 Acts series are preceded by the series code "70."
Applications filed under the 1905 - 1920 Acts (i.e., applications filed through July 4, 1947) were preceded by the series code "71." The last serial number was 526,346.
As of July 5, 1947, applications were filed under the 1946 Act, beginning with number 526,500 and running through number 700,943 (preceded by the series code "71").
On January 3, 1956, a new series of serial numbers preceded by the series code "72" was started, after a change in record keeping methods. This series ran through number 467,233, issued on August 31, 1973.
A new series of serial numbers preceded by the series code "73" began with applications filed on September 4, 1973, which was the first day of receipt of mail after the adoption of the international classification of goods and services as of September 1, 1973 (see TMEP §1401.02).
A new series of serial numbers preceded by the series code "74" began with applications filed on November 16, 1989, the date on which the Trademark Law Revision Act of 1988 took effect.
A new series of serial numbers preceded by the series code "75" began with applications filed on October 1, 1995.
A new series of serial numbers preceded by the series code "76" began with applications filed on March 20, 2000.
A series of serial numbers preceded by the series code "78" is used for applications filed through TEAS.
Effective November 2, 2003, a series of serial numbers preceded by the series code "79" is used for requests for extension of protection of international registrations to the United States under §66(a) of the Trademark Act.
A range of serial numbers, beginning with number 800,000, is used for applications that are created through the "dividing" of an application (see TMEP §§1110 et seq.).
See TMEP §1205.02 regarding series code "89."