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Can a trademark specimen get rejected?

Senior Trademark Attorney

Yes. The USPTO will reject a specimen that does not meet its requirements. Common reasons for rejection include: the mark on the specimen does not match the filed mark, the specimen is a mockup or digitally altered image, the specimen does not clearly show the goods for sale or the services being offered, or the mark is not legibly displayed.

If a specimen is rejected, the USPTO issues an office action identifying the reasons. The applicant then has a set window to submit a substitute specimen that addresses the deficiencies.

Related questions

How long does it take to register a trademark?

We have looked into the last 1,000 trademarks registered in main intellectual property offices, including USPTO (United States), UKIPO (United Kingdom), EUIPO (European Union), CNIPA (China), CIPO (Canada), ROSPATENT (Russia), IPA (Australia), BOIP (Benelux), IGE-IPI (Switzerland), NIPO (Norway), KIPO (Republic of Korea), and CGPDTM (India), exploring the average time it takes for a trademark to be registered in the selected jurisdictions.

When should I register my trademark?

Timing is everything, and this is especially true when it comes to trademark registration. Choosing to trademark your brand at the right time is much more important than you would think.

Can you change your trademark over time?

Brands tend to evolve and undergo numerous changes over time. Many companies have changed their names to cater to a larger audience, either by altering their original logos for a more modern look or abandoning controversial words in their slogans. As the company expands beyond its planned offerings of goods and services or decides to take a different direction altogether, usually what follows are certain changes or even complete rebranding. A common question is then: can trademarks change over time? Well, it depends.