# TMEP § 1202.07(a)(iii): Marks That Identify Columns and Sections of Printed, Downloadable, or Recorded Publications in §1(b), §44, and §66(a) Applications

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1202.07(a)(iii)

## Section

- **Citation:** TMEP § 1202.07(a)(iii)
- **Heading:** Marks That Identify Columns and Sections of Printed, Downloadable, or Recorded Publications in §1(b), §44, and §66(a) Applications
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Agency guidance
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** USPTO TMEP / Chapter 1200 - Substantive Examination of Applications / TMEP § 1202.07(a)(iii)

## Text

Because a refusal to register a mark that
identifies a column or section of a printed publication, a downloadable
publication, or a publication recorded on electronic media is based on
whether the column or section is separately sold, syndicated, or offered for
syndication, or is non-syndicated and considered "goods in trade" under the
test in
Lens.com, Inc. v. 1-800 Contacts, Inc.
, 686 F.3d
1376, 1382, 103 USPQ2d 1672, 1676 (Fed. Cir. 2012), the issue ordinarily
does not arise in an intent-to-use application under Trademark Act §1(b),
15 U.S.C. §1051(b)
, until the
applicant has filed an allegation of use (i.e., either an amendment to
allege use under
15
U.S.C. §1051(c)
or a statement of use under
15 U.S.C.
§1051(d)
).
See
In re The N.Y. Times Co.
, 2023 USPQ2d 392, at *18-19
& n.20, *20 (TTAB 2023). However, if the identification of goods
suggests that the mark is intended to be used to identify a column or
section of a printed publication, a downloadable publication, or a
publication recorded on electronic media that is not separately sold,
syndicated, or offered for syndication, the first Office action should
include an advisory that registration may later be refused on the ground
that the proposed mark is not used on separate "goods in trade." See
TMEP §1202.07(a)(ii)
regarding
applying the
Lens.com
test to determine if an applicant’s
goods potentially are "goods in trade." This is done strictly as a courtesy.
If the applicant is not advised about this potential ground for refusal
prior to the filing of the allegation of use, the USPTO is not precluded
from refusing registration on this basis
rk is not used on separate "goods in trade." See
TMEP §1202.07(a)(ii)
regarding
applying the
Lens.com
test to determine if an applicant’s
goods potentially are "goods in trade." This is done strictly as a courtesy.
If the applicant is not advised about this potential ground for refusal
prior to the filing of the allegation of use, the USPTO is not precluded
from refusing registration on this basis.
In an application under §44 or §66(a), where a
specimen of use is not required prior to registration, it is appropriate for
the examining attorney to refuse registration because the mark is not used
on separate "goods in trade" where the record indicates that the mark will
identify a column or section of a printed publication, a downloadable
publication, or a publication recorded on electronic media that is not
separately sold, syndicated, or offered for syndication and the evidence of
record fails to establish the applicant’s goods as "goods in trade" under
the
Lens.com
test.
See
In re The N.Y. Times Co.
, 2023 USPQ2d 392, at *18-19;
TMEP §1202.07(a)(ii)
;
cf.
In re Right-On Co.,
87 USPQ2d 1152, 1156-57 (TTAB 2008)
(noting the propriety of and affirming an ornamentation refusal, which is
otherwise typically specimen-based, in a §66(a) application).

## Nearby sections

- [TMEP § 1201 Ownership of Mark](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1201.md)
- [TMEP § 1201.01 Claim of Ownership May Be Based on Use By Related Companies](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1201.01.md)
- [TMEP § 1201.02(a) Identifying the Applicant Properly](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1201.02(a).md)
- [TMEP § 1201.02(c) Correcting Errors in How the Applicant Is Identified](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1201.02(c).md)
- [TMEP § 1201.02(d) Operating Divisions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1201.02(d).md)
- [TMEP § 1201.02(e) Changes in Ownership After Application Is Filed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1201.02(e).md)
- [TMEP § 1201.03(a) No Explanation of Use of Mark by Related Companies or Applicant’s Control Over Use of Mark by Related Companies Required](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1201.03(a).md)
- [TMEP § 1201.03(b) Wholly Owned Related Companies](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1201.03(b).md)
- [TMEP § 1201.03(c) Common Stockholders, Directors, or Officers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1201.03(c).md)
- [TMEP § 1201.03(e) License and Franchise Situations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1201.03(e).md)
- [TMEP § 1201.04 Inquiry Regarding Parties Named on Specimens or Elsewhere in Record](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1201.04.md)
- [TMEP § 1201.05 Acceptable Claim of Ownership Based on Applicant’s Own Use](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1201.05.md)
- [TMEP § 1201.06(a) Applicant Is Merely Distributor or Importer](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1201.06(a).md)
- [TMEP § 1201.06(b) Goods Manufactured in a Country Other than Where Applicant Is Located](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1201.06(b).md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1202.07(a)(iii). Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.