Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Intellectual Property Law Blogs -> The TTABlog

Intellectual Property Law

: The TTABlog

"USEFUL NETWORKS" Merely Descriptive of Location Software, Says TTAB, Questionably

The Board affirmed two refusals to register the mark USEFUL NETWORKS in standard character and design form, finding the term to be merely descriptive of computer software for physically locating people and for related software development services, and the logo unregistrable absent a disclaimer of the term. In re Useful Networks, Inc., Serial Nos. 77364008 and 77364155 (March 3, 2010) [not precedential].Examining Attorney Geoffrey Fosdick maintained that USEFUL NETWORKS immediately "conveys the fact that applicant's software and software consulting 'utilize communication network devices to create useful social networks.'" He relied on dictionary definitions of "useful" and "network " and on excerpts from Applicant's website discussing "social networking,"Applicant Useful Networks contended that a multiple step reasoning process is needed "to conclude that products bearing this mark are for use in physically locating people...continue to full post

Full post as published by The TTABlog on March 12, 2010 (boomark / email).