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Test Your TTAB Judge-Ability: Does "VALVERDE" Have the Look and Sound of a Surname?

In this appeal from a Section 2(e)(4) refusal to register the mark VALVERDE for "?mineral and aerated waters; non-alcoholic drinks, namely, soda pops, fruit juices and fruit drinks; syrups for making beverages," the Board applied its standard In re Benthin surname test. It turned out that the deciding factor was whether the mark has the look and sound of a surname. How would you decide? In re Spumador S.P.A., Serial No. 79056027 (March 11, 2010) [not precedential].Jose ValverdeThe Examining Attorney submitted evidence that Valverde has no meaning other than as a surname: it is not listed in certain Italian and Portuguese dictionaries, several persons named Valverde can be found on the Internet, and a Wikipedia entry identifies Valverde as a surname...continue to full post

Full post as published by The TTABlog on March 24, 2010 (boomark / email).