Cancellation Proceeding (Trademark) Law and Legal Definition
Cancellation proceeding in trademark is a proceeding before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in which the plaintiff seeks to cancel an existing registration of a mark. The proceeding can only be filed after issuance of a registration. A petition for cancellation can be filed by any person who believes that s/he is or will be damaged by the registration of the mark. In the U.S., a petition to cancel a registration can only be filed after a trademark has achieved registration on either the Principal or the Supplemental Registers for up to five years after the registration date.
After five years, a petition for cancellation can be filed based on the following grounds:
- The mark is generic.
- The mark has been abandoned.
- The mark consists of a flag or insignia of the U.S. or any foreign nation.
- The registration was fraudulently obtained.
- The mark is being used so as to misrepresent the source of the goods or services.
- The mark is deceptive.
- The mark disparages a person, institution or belief or national symbol, or brings a person into disrepute.
- The mark is scandalous.
- The mark comprises matter that, as a whole, is functional.
- The mark would dilute the distinctive quality of plaintiff’s famous mark.
Legal Definition list
- Cancellation Proceeding (Trademark)
- Cancellation of Removal
- Cancellation of Pesticide Registration
- Cancellation of Insurance (Health Care)
- Cancellation of Debt
- Cancellations
- Cancelled Flight [Aeronautics and Space]
- Cancelled Trademark
- Cancelled Without Prejudice
- Cancer
- Candidate Conservation Agreement [Wildlife Law]
