# TMEP § 903: Dates of Use

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S903

## Section

- **Citation:** TMEP § 903
- **Heading:** Dates of Use
- **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 § 903

## Text

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.

## 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_S903. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.