# TMEP § 901: Use in Commerce

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S901

## Section

- **Citation:** TMEP § 901
- **Heading:** Use in Commerce
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Agency guidance
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** USPTO TMEP / Chapter 0900 - Use in Commerce / TMEP § 901

## Text

In a trademark or service mark application based on use in
commerce under §1(a) of the Trademark Act,
15 U.S.C.
§1051(a)
, the mark must be in use in commerce on or in connection
with all the goods and services listed in the application as of the application filing
date.
See
37 C.F.R. §§2.2(k)(1)
,
2.34(a)(1)(i)
.  The application must include a statement that
the mark is in use in commerce, verified in an affidavit or declaration under
37 C.F.R. §2.20
.
See
37
C.F.R. §§2.32(a)(5)
,
2.34(a)(1)(i)
. If this verified statement is not filed with the
original application, it must also allege that the mark was in use in commerce on or in
connection with the goods or services listed in the application as of the application
filing date.
37 C.F.R. §2.34(a)(1)(i)
. See
TMEP
§§804-804.05
regarding verification.
In a trademark or service mark application based on
“intent-to-use” under §1(b) of the Trademark Act,
15 U.S.C.
§1051(b)
, the applicant typically begins use in commerce after
the filing date.  The application must include a verified statement that the applicant
has a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce on or in connection with the goods
or services listed in the application as of the application filing date.
See
37
C.F.R. §§2.2(k)(1)
,
2.32(a)(5)
,
2.34(a)(2)
. Prior to registration, the applicant must use the
mark in commerce on or in connection with all the goods or services specified in the
application and file 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
37 C.F.R. §§2.76
,
2.88
;
TMEP
§902.
A §1 applicant must use the mark in commerce even if the
applicant asserts §44(d) or §44(e),
15 U.S.C.
§1126(d)-(e)
, as a second basis for filing.  See
TMEP
§806.02
. regarding filing of more than one basis.
Applicants relying
solely
on a foreign
registration as the basis for registration under §44(e) of the Trademark Act are not
required to assert actual use of the mark prior to registration in the United States
st use the mark in commerce even if the
applicant asserts §44(d) or §44(e),
15 U.S.C.
§1126(d)-(e)
, as a second basis for filing.  See
TMEP
§806.02
. regarding filing of more than one basis.
Applicants relying
solely
on a foreign
registration as the basis for registration under §44(e) of the Trademark Act are not
required to assert actual use of the mark prior to registration in the United States.
TMEP
§1009
.
See Crocker Nat'l Bank v. Canadian
Imperial Bank of Commerce
, 223 USPQ
909 (TTAB 1984) .  However, to retain a valid registration, the registrant must file an
affidavit or declaration of use of the mark in commerce under
15 U.S.C.
§1058
at the appropriate times, and establish use in commerce or
excusable nonuse.  See
TMEP §§1604–1604.21(d)
regarding the
affidavit or declaration of continued use or excusable nonuse.
Similarly, applicants requesting an extension of protection of
an international registration to the United States under §66(a) of the Trademark Act are
not required to assert actual use of the mark prior to registration in the United
States.  However, to retain a valid registration, the registrant must file an affidavit
or declaration of use of the mark in commerce under
15 U.S.C.
§1141k
at the appropriate times, and establish use in commerce or
excusable nonuse.
See
37
C.F.R. §§7.36–7.37
;
TMEP §1613.
See
TMEP §1303.01(a)(i)
for use in commerce in a collective trademark or collective service mark application,
§1304.02(a)(i)
for use in commerce in a
collective membership mark application, and
§1306.02(a)(i)
for use in commerce in a certification mark
application.

## Nearby sections

- [TMEP § 901 Use in Commerce](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S901.md)
- [TMEP § 901.01 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S901.01.md)
- [TMEP § 901.02 Bona Fide Use in the Ordinary Course of Trade](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S901.02.md)
- [TMEP § 901.03 Commerce That May Be Lawfully Regulated By Congress](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S901.03.md)
- [TMEP § 901.04 Inquiry Regarding Use in Commerce](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S901.04.md)
- [TMEP § 902 Allegations of Use for §1(b) Applications](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S902.md)
- [TMEP § 903 Dates of Use](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S903.md)
- [TMEP § 903.01 Date of First Use Anywhere](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S903.01.md)
- [TMEP § 903.02 Date of First Use in Commerce](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S903.02.md)
- [TMEP § 903.03 Relation Between the Two Dates of Use](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S903.03.md)
- [TMEP § 903.04 Amending Dates of Use](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S903.04.md)
- [TMEP § 903.05 First Use by Predecessor or Related Company](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S903.05.md)
- [TMEP § 903.06 Indefinite Dates of Use](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S903.06.md)
- [TMEP § 903.06(a) Apparent Discrepancies Between Dates of Use and Date of Execution](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S903.06(a).md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S901. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.