Definitions -- Use -- Service marks.

Checkout our iOS App for a better way to browser and research.


  • (1) As used in this chapter:
    • (a) "Abandoned mark" means a mark whose:
      • (i) use has been discontinued with no intent to resume use; or
      • (ii) significance as a mark has been lost due to any course of conduct of the owner, including acts of omission or commission.
    • (b) "Applicant" means:
      • (i) the person filing an application for registration of a mark under this chapter; and
      • (ii) a legal representative, successor, or assign of a person described in Subsection (1)(b)(i).
    • (c) "Dilution" means the lessening of the capacity of a famous mark to identify and distinguish goods or services, regardless of the presence or absence of:
      • (i) competition between the owner of the famous mark and another person; or
      • (ii) the likelihood of:
        • (A) confusion;
        • (B) mistake; or
        • (C) deception.
    • (d) "Division" means the Division of Corporations and Commercial Code within the Department of Commerce.
    • (e) "Mark" means any trademark or service mark entitled to registration under this chapter whether or not the trademark or service mark is registered.
    • (f) "Registrant" means:
      • (i) the person to whom the registration of a mark under this chapter is issued; and
      • (ii) a legal representative, successor, or assign of a person described in Subsection (1)(f)(i).
    • (g)
      • (i) If the conditions of Subsection (1)(g)(ii) are met, "service mark" means:
        • (A) a word, term, name, symbol, design, or device; or
        • (B) any combination of words, terms, names, symbols, designs, or devices.
      • (ii) The mark described in Subsection (1)(g)(i) is a service mark only if it is used by a person:
        • (A) to identify and distinguish the services of one person from the services of others, including a unique service; and
        • (B) to indicate the source of the services, even if that source is unknown.
    • (h)
      • (i) If the conditions of Subsection (1)(h)(ii) are met, "trademark" means:
        • (A) a word, term, name, symbol, design, or device; or
        • (B) any combination of words, terms, names, symbols, designs, or devices.
      • (ii) The mark described in Subsection (1)(h)(i) is a trademark only if it is used by a person:
        • (A) to identify and distinguish the goods of that person from those manufactured or sold by others, including a unique product; and
        • (B) to indicate the source of the goods, even if that source is unknown.
    • (i) "Trade name" means any name used by a person to identify a business or vocation of that person.
    • (j) "Use" means the bona fide use of a mark in the ordinary course of trade, and not made merely to reserve a right in a mark.
  • (2) For the purposes of this chapter, a mark is considered to be in use:
    • (a) on goods:
      • (i) when the mark is placed:
        • (A) in any manner on the goods or other containers;
        • (B) in any manner on displays associated with the goods or other containers;
        • (C) on the tags or labels affixed to the goods or other containers; or
        • (D) if the nature of the goods makes the placements referred to in Subsections (2)(a)(i)(A) through (C) impracticable, on documents associated with the goods or the sale of the goods; and
      • (ii) the goods are sold or transported in commerce in this state; and
    • (b) on services:
      • (i) when it is used or displayed in the sale or advertising of services; and
      • (ii) when the services are rendered in this state.
  • (3) For purposes of Subsection (1)(a):
    • (a) intent not to resume may be inferred from circumstances; and
    • (b) nonuse for two consecutive years is prima facie evidence of abandonment.
  • (4) Notwithstanding Subsection (1)(g), the following may be registered as service marks notwithstanding that they may advertise the goods of the sponsor:
    • (a) titles;
    • (b) character names used by a person; and
    • (c) other distinctive features of:
      • (i) a radio program;
      • (ii) a television program; or
      • (iii) a program similar to a program described in Subsection (4)(c)(i) or (ii).




Download our app to see the most-to-date content.