# TMEP § 1003: Section 44(d) - Priority Filing Date Based on a Foreign Application

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1003

## Section

- **Citation:** TMEP § 1003
- **Heading:** Section 44(d) - Priority Filing Date Based on a Foreign Application
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Agency guidance
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** USPTO TMEP / Chapter 1000 - Applications Under Section 44 / TMEP § 1003

## Text

Section 44(d) of the Trademark Act,
15 U.S.C.
§1126(d)
, provides for a priority filing date to eligible applicants
(
see
TMEP §1002.02
) who have
filed an application in a treaty country as defined by §44(b) (
see
TMEP §1002.03
). If an
eligible applicant files the U.S. application claiming §44(d) priority within six months of
filing the first application to register the mark in a treaty country, the filing date of the
first-filed foreign application is the effective filing date of the U.S. application.
The requirements for receipt of a priority filing date under
§44(d) for a trademark or service mark application are:
(1) The eligible applicant must file a claim of priority within
six months of the filing date of the first-filed foreign application.
15 U.S.C.
§1126(d)(1)
;
37 C.F.R.
§§2.34(a)(4)(i)
,
2.35(b)(5)
;
TMEP
§§1003.01
,
1003.02
.
(2) The applicant must: (a) specify the filing date and country
of the first regularly filed foreign application; or (b) state that the application is
based upon a subsequent regularly filed application in the same foreign country, and that
any prior-filed application has been withdrawn, abandoned, or otherwise disposed of,
without having been laid open to public inspection and without having any rights
outstanding, and has not served as a basis for claiming a right of
priority.
15 U.S.C. §1126(d)
;
37 C.F.R.
§2.34(a)(4)(i)
.
(3) The applicant must provide a verified statement that the
applicant has a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce.
15 U.S.C.
§1126(d)(2)
;
37 C.F.R.
§2.34(a)(4)(ii)
. If the verified statement is not filed with the
initial application, the verified statement must also allege that the applicant had a bona
fide intention to use the mark in commerce as of the application filing date.
37 C.F.R. §2.34(a)(4)(ii)
.
provide a verified statement that the
applicant has a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce.
15 U.S.C.
§1126(d)(2)
;
37 C.F.R.
§2.34(a)(4)(ii)
. If the verified statement is not filed with the
initial application, the verified statement must also allege that the applicant had a bona
fide intention to use the mark in commerce as of the application filing date.
37 C.F.R. §2.34(a)(4)(ii)
.
(4) Both the non-U.S. applicant’s country of origin and the
country where the foreign application is filed must be a party to an international treaty
or agreement with the United States that provides a right of priority, or must extend
reciprocal rights to priority to U.S. nationals.
15 U.S.C.
§1126(b)
,
(d)
;
TMEP §§1002.02
,
1002.03
,
1002.04
.
(5) The scope of the identification covered by the §44 basis may
not exceed the scope of the identification in the foreign application.
37 C.F.R.
§2.32(a)(6)
;
TMEP §1402.01(b)
.
(6) The applicant must specify the serial number of the foreign
application.
37 C.F.R. §2.34(a)(4)(i)(A)
; Paris Convention Article
4(D)(5).
For requirements for the receipt of a priority filing date under §44(d) for collective and
certification marks, see
TMEP §1303.01(a)(iii)
for
collective trademark or collective service mark applications,
§1304.02(a)(iii)
for collective membership mark applications, and
§1306.02(a)(iii)
for certification mark applications.
The priority filing date also constitutes a constructive date of
first use in the United States under
15 U.S.C.
§1057(c)
(
see
TMEP
§201.02
), if the application matures into a registration.
See
SCM Corp. v. Langis Foods Ltd.
, 539 F.2d 196, 190 USPQ 288 (D.C. Cir.
1976). Therefore, the priority date cannot be later than the filing date of the U.S.
application.
Section 44(d) of the Trademark Act provides only a basis for
receipt of a priority filing date,
not
a basis for publication or
registration.
See
TMEP §1003.03
see
TMEP
§201.02
), if the application matures into a registration.
See
SCM Corp. v. Langis Foods Ltd.
, 539 F.2d 196, 190 USPQ 288 (D.C. Cir.
1976). Therefore, the priority date cannot be later than the filing date of the U.S.
application.
Section 44(d) of the Trademark Act provides only a basis for
receipt of a priority filing date,
not
a basis for publication or
registration.
See
TMEP §1003.03
.
In a §44(d) application, both the actual date the application
was received in the USPTO and the priority date will appear in the Trademark database.

## Nearby sections

- [TMEP § 1001 Section 44 Applications - General](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1001.md)
- [TMEP § 1002.01 Eligible Applicants Under §44(e)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1002.01.md)
- [TMEP § 1002.02 Eligible Applicants Under §44(d)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1002.02.md)
- [TMEP § 1002.03 Establishing Entitlement Under a Treaty or Foreign Law](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1002.03.md)
- [TMEP § 1002.04 Establishing Country of Origin](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1002.04.md)
- [TMEP § 1002.05 U.S. Applicants](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1002.05.md)
- [TMEP § 1003 Section 44(d) - Priority Filing Date Based on a Foreign Application](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1003.md)
- [TMEP § 1003.01 The “First-Filed” Requirement](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1003.01.md)
- [TMEP § 1003.02 Priority Claim Must Be Filed Within Six Months of Foreign Filing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1003.02.md)
- [TMEP § 1003.03 Basis for Registration Required](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1003.03.md)
- [TMEP § 1003.04(a) Applications Based Solely on Section 44](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1003.04(a).md)
- [TMEP § 1003.04(b) Multiple-Basis Applications](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1003.04(b).md)
- [TMEP § 1003.04(c) Periodic Inquiries Issued as to Status of Foreign Application](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1003.04(c).md)
- [TMEP § 1003.05 Section 44(d) and Priority for Publication](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1003.05.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1003. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.