PTO Plans Modifications to Design Search Codes

On December 6, 2006, the USPTO issued a Notice regarding its plan to add some 80 new design search codes to the Trademark Design Search Code Manual. Those of you who memorized the prior design coding will be most affected by these changes.

MODIFICATIONS TO DESIGN SEARCH CODES
On or about January 7, 2006 [sic!], the USPTO is planning to add approximately 80 new design search codes to the Trademark Design Search Code Manual. Many of the larger existing design code sections will be modified to create smaller sections. For example, 01.01.02 will be changed by removing any live documents that have a design with multiple stars with four points and putting these documents into a new code (01.01.12). This will leave all the single stars with four points in 01.01.02. It will also leave all inactive registrations in 01.01.02 whether they have one or more stars with four points. The new design codes will be applied to all new incoming trademark applications and to currently active (live) trademark applications and registrations in USPTO's automated trademark systems. They will not be applied to inactive (dead) registrations.

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