Dates of Use

When asserting use of a mark in commerce in a trademark or

service mark application, an applicant must specify the date of first use anywhere and

the date of first use in commerce, either in an original application under §1(a) of the

Trademark Act (

see

37

C.F.R. §2.34(a)(1)(ii)-(iii)

), or in an allegation of use in an

application under §1(b) (

see

37

C.F.R. §§2.76(b)(1)(iii)

,

2.88(b)(1)(iii)

).  The dates of use must be verified, i.e.,

supported by an affidavit or declaration under

37 C.F.R.

§2.20

.

See

37

C.F.R. §§2.34(a)(1)(ii)-(iii)

),

2.71(c)

. See

TMEP §§804–804.05

regarding

verification.

An applicant filing under §1(b) is not required to state

dates of use in the original application, but must include dates of use in an allegation

of use under §1(c) or §1(d). See

37 C.F.R.

§§2.76(b)(1)(iii)

,

2.88(b)(1)(iii)

.

A §1(b) applicant may assert dates of use that are earlier

than the filing date of the application in an amendment to allege use or statement of

use.

See

TMEP §1303.01(a)(i)(B)

regarding dates of use for collective trademarks or collective service marks,

§1304.02(a)(i)(B)

regarding dates of use for

collective membership marks, and

§1306.02(a)(i)(A)

regarding dates of use for certification marks.