Changes in Requirements for Collective Trademarks and Service Marks, Collective Membership Marks, and Certification Marks

The United States Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO") is amending the rules related to collective trademarks, collective service marks, and collective membership marks (together "collective marks"), and certification marks to clarify application requirements, allegations of use requirements, multiple-class application requirements, and registration maintenance requirements for such marks. These rule changes codify current USPTO practice set forth in the USPTO's "Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure" ("TMEP") and precedential case law. These changes also permit the USPTO to provide the public more detailed guidance regarding registering and maintaining registrations for these types of marks and promote the efficient and consistent processing of such marks. Further, the USPTO is amending several rules beyond those related to collective marks and certification marks to create consistency with rule changes regarding such marks and to streamline the rules, by consolidating text and incorporating headings, for easier use.