The name or trade style used for at least 6 months to identify a manufacturer or trader may be recorded with the United States Customs Service. Words or designs used as trademarks, whether or not registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office shall not be accepted for recordation as a trade name. Generally, the complete business name will be recorded unless convincing proof establishes that only a part of the complete name is customarily used.
[T.D. 72-266, 37 FR 20678, Oct. 3, 1972, as amended by T.D. 91-77, 56 FR 46115, Sept. 10, 1991]
An application to record a trade name shall be in writing addressed to the IPR & Restricted Merchandise Branch, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20229, and shall include the following information:
(a) The name, complete business address, and citizenship of the trade name owner or owners (if a partnership, the citizenship of each partner; if an association or corporation, the State, country, or other political jurisdiction within which it was organized, incorporated or created);
(b) The name or trade style to be recorded;
(c) The name and principal business address of each foreign person or business entity authorized or licensed to use the trade name and a statement as to the use authorized;
(d) The identity of any parent or subsidiary company, or other foreign company under common ownership or control which uses the trade name abroad (see § 133.2(d)); and
(e) A description of the merchandise with which the trade name is associated.
[T.D. 72-266, 37 FR 20678, Oct. 3, 1972, as amended by T.D. 91-77, 56 FR 46115, Sept. 10, 1991; T.D. 99-27, 64 FR 13675, Mar. 22, 1999]
(a) Documents. The application shall be accompanied by a statement of the owner, partners, or principal corporate officer, and by statements by at least two other persons not associated with or related to the applicant but having actual knowledge of the facts, stating that to his best knowledge and belief:
(1) The applicant has used the trade name in connection with the class or kind of merchandise described in the application for at least 6 months;
(2) The trade name is not identical or confusingly similar to any other trade name or registered trademark used in connection with such class or kind of merchandise; and
(3) The applicant has the sole and exclusive right to the use of such trade name in connection with the merchandise of that class or kind.
(b) Fee. The application shall be accompanied by a fee of $190 for each trade name to be recorded. A check or money order shall be made payable to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
[T.D. 72-266, 37 FR 20678, Oct. 3, 1972, as amended by T.D. 75-160, 40 FR 28791, July 9, 1975]
(a) Notice of tentative recordation. Notice of tentative recordation of a trade name shall be published in the Federal Register and the Customs Bulletin. The notice shall specify a procedure and a time period within which interested parties may oppose the recordation.
(b) Notice of final action. After consideration of any claims, rebuttals, and other relevant evidence, notice of final approval or disapproval of the application shall be published in the Federal Register and the Customs Bulletin.
Protection for a recorded trade name shall remain in force as long as the trade name is used. The recordation shall be canceled upon request of the recordant or upon evidence of disuse. From time to time, the IPR & Restricted Merchandise Branch may request the trade name owner to advise whether the name is still in use. The failure of a trade name owner to respond to such a request shall be regarded as evidence of disuse.
[T.D. 72-266, 37 FR 20678, Oct. 3, 1972, as amended by T.D. 91-77, 56 FR 46115, Sept. 10, 1991]