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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. 37 C.F.R. §2.88(a)(1). 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 an extension of time to file a statement of use within the six-month period to avoid abandonment of the application. See 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(4);  37 C.F.R. §2.89.

The first six-month extension may be requested without a showing of good cause.  Up to four additional six-month extensions may be requested; each must include a showing of good cause. 37 C.F.R. §2.89(c); see 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(2).  Thus, the total time available for filing the statement of use may not be extended beyond thirty-six months from the issuance date of the notice of allowance. See 15 U.S.C. §1051(d).

To expedite processing, it is recommended that the applicant file the extension request through TEAS at http://www.uspto.gov.  Alternatively, an applicant may call the Trademark Assistance Center at (571) 272-9250 or (800) 786-9199 to obtain a pre-printed paper form for a trademark or service mark.  The applicant may mail, fax, or hand-deliver the completed form to the USPTO.  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.

Paper forms may be delivered by hand or courier to the Trademark Assistance Center ("TAC"), at James Madison Building, East Wing, Concourse Level, 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, Virginia, 22314.  TAC is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays within the District of Columbia.

Extension requests are processed by the ITU/Divisional Unit of the USPTO.