About This Course
Deadwood refers to registration for marks that are not in use in commerce. Over the past few years, removing this deadwood from the Trademark Register has become an important priority for the USPTO. In recent years they instituted a permanent post-registration audit program requiring trademark registration filing a Declaration of Use to submit proof of use for two additional items in each class beyond the product for which a specimen was submitted.
This CLE course will explain the post-registration random audit program as well as analyze the eligibility criteria for registration to be selected for the audit. The course will also review how to effectively respond to an action by the Registration Audit Office. The course will conclude with a review of best practices, tips and strategies for preparing the Declaration of Use in case of an audit.