# TMEP § 1212.08: Section 44 and §66(a) Applications and Distinctiveness

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1212.08

## Section

- **Citation:** TMEP § 1212.08
- **Heading:** Section 44 and §66(a) Applications and Distinctiveness
- **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 § 1212.08

## Text

In applications based on §44(d), §44(e), or §66(a) of
the Trademark Act,
15 U.S.C.
§1126(d)
,
§1126(e)
,
§1141f(a)
, registration may be sought under §2(f) as to the
entire mark upon showing that the mark has acquired distinctiveness in commerce that
may lawfully be regulated by the U.S. Congress.
See In re Etablissements
Darty et Fils
, 759 F.2d 15, 18, 225 USPQ 652, 654 (Fed. Cir. 1985).
Similarly, registration may be sought under §2(f) in part upon showing that the
relevant part of the mark
has acquired distinctiveness in
commerce that may lawfully be regulated by the U.S. Congress.
Id
.
The same standards for establishing acquired distinctiveness apply whether the
application is based on §1(a), §44, or §66(a). Although dates of first use are not
required in applications based solely on §44 or §66(a), reference to length of use
in commerce or information as to specific dates of use in commerce, presented in
support of the claim of acquired distinctiveness, is clearly relevant to a
determination of the acceptability of the claim.
The applicant may not rely on use other than use in
commerce that may be regulated by the U.S. Congress in establishing acquired
distinctiveness. Evidence of use solely in a foreign country, or between two foreign
countries, is not evidence of acquired distinctiveness in the United States.
In re
Rogers
, 53 USPQ2d 1741, 1746
(TTAB 1999).

## 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_S1212.08. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.