# TMEP § 1205.01(a)(ii): First Use On or Before December 8, 2005 – Grandfather Clause

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1205.01(a)(ii)

## Section

- **Citation:** TMEP § 1205.01(a)(ii)
- **Heading:** First Use On or Before December 8, 2005 – Grandfather Clause
- **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 § 1205.01(a)(ii)

## Text

Registration of the Red Crescent, the Third
Protocol Emblem, or the designation "Red Crescent" or "Third Protocol
Emblem" need not be refused where, in an application under §1 of the
Trademark Act,
15
U.S.C. §1051
,  the applicant claims a date of first
use in commerce on or before December 8, 2005, if the goods and services
would not appear in time of armed conflict to confer the protections of the
Geneva Conventions. 18 U.S.C. §706a.  However, registration should be
refused under §2(a) and §§1 and 45 of the Act if the goods or services are
of a type typically offered as emergency relief or assistance in times of
armed conflict. Such goods or services may include, but are not limited to,
medical or first-aid assistance, religious and charitable services,
clothing, and food items. The refusals can be withdrawn if the applicant
amends the identification to indicate that the goods/services are not
offered as emergency relief or assistance in time of armed conflict.
When examining specimens of use for such
designations, the examining attorney should also consider issuing a refusal
under §§1, 2, and 45 of the Trademark Act,
15
U.S.C. §§1051
,
1052
, and
1127
, on the ground that the subject matter would
not be perceived as a trademark or, in the case of services, §§1, 2, 3, and
45 of the Act,
15
U.S.C. §§1051
,
1052
,
1053
, and
1127
, as appropriate.
See
TMEP
§1202
.

## 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_S1205.01(a)(ii). Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.