商標審査便覧（TMEP）の最新版（2022年7月版）がUSPTOによって公開されました。 

◆TRADEMARK MANUAL OF EXAMINING PROCEDURE (TMEP) - July 2022

今回のアップデートでは、2018年9月15日から2021年12月1日の間に出された商標審判部（TTAB）および連邦巡回区控訴裁判所による先例的価値を有する法的見解が引用されているほか、2020年米国商標近代化法（The Trademark Modernization Act of 2020[TMA]）や、最近の登録証の電子化なども反映されています。

アップデート箇所については、以下のTMEP ハイライトをご覧ください。

◆TMEP HIGHLIGHTS – JULY 2022

■DOMICILE ADDRESS

Owners with a U.S. Domicile (TMEP §601.01(b))
TEAS Plus Applications: Applicant’s Name and Domicile Address (TMEP§819.01(b))

■DECORUM

Decorum Required in Communications with the Office (TMEP §709.07)

■SUSPENSION

Suspension Pending Receipt of a Correction, Limitation, Assignment, or other Change to the International Record from the International Bureau (TMEP §716.02(g))
Suspension Pending Disposition of Expungement or Reexamination Proceedings (TMEP §716.02(j))

■LEGAL ENTITY OF APPLICANT

Partnership, Joint Venture, or Other “Firm” (TMEP §803.03(b))
Joint Applicants (TMEP §803.03(d))
Foreign Trusts (TMEP §803.03(e))

■REQUESTING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Issuing a Request for Information in Functionality Cases (TMEP §§1202.02(a)(v)(A), (C)-(D))

■MARKS WITH MOTION

Specimens for Marks with Motion (TMEP §904.03(l))

■FAILURE TO FUNCTION

Informational Matter (TMEP §1202.04)
Marks Comprised Solely of gTLDs for Domain Registry Operator and Domain Name Registrar Services (TMEP §1215.02(d))

■SECTION 2(a) – FALSE SUGGESTION OF A CONNECTION

Definition of “Persons” (TMEP §1203.03(a)(i))
Fame or Reputation (TMEP §1203.03(b)(i))

■DOCTRINE OF FOREIGN EQUIVALENTS

When an Ordinary American Purchaser Would “Stop and Translate” (TMEP §1207.01(b)(vi)(B))

■SECTION 2(d)

Third-Party Registrations and Evidence of Third Party Use (TMEP §1207.01(d)(iii)) (citations omitted)

■ACQUIRED DISTINCTIVENESS

Survey Evidence, Market Research and Consumer Reaction Studies (TMEP §1212.06(d)) (citations omitted)

■IDENTIFICATION OF GOODS AND SERVICES

Identification and Classification of Kits, Gift Baskets, and Items Sold as a Unit (TMEP §1401.05(a))
Dietetic Substances and Meal Replacements (TMEP §1401.13(d))
Filing Date of U.S. Application, not Foreign Registration Date, is Used to Determine
Whether an Identification is Acceptable (TMEP §§1401.10, 1402.01(b))
Entitlement to Filing Date With Respect to Identification of Goods and Services (TMEP §1402.02)
Non-Downloadable Computer Software (TMEP §1402.11(a)(xii))

■REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES

Certificate of Registration (TMEP §1601.01(a))
Presentation Copy of Registration Certificate (TMEP §1601.01(b))

■UPDATING OF AUTOMATED RECORDS

Updating Automated Records to Show the Status of Registrations (TMEP §1611)

■APPLICATIONS UNDER §66(a)

Certification and Collective Marks (TMEP §1904.02(d))
Color Claim and Black-and-White Drawing (TMEP §1904.02(k))