General Provisions - Model State Trademark Law - Business & Professions - CA

Section § 14200

This section simply states the official name for the set of laws governing trademarks in the state, which is the 'Model State Trademark Law.'

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Model State Trademark Law.

Model State Trademark Law official name trademark regulation

Section § 14202

This section defines specific terms used in the chapter about trademarks and service marks in California. A "trademark" identifies the source of goods, while a "service mark" does the same for services. Both are referred to as a "mark" and can be registered. "Trade name" is a name identifying a business. A "person" can be an individual or an entity like a corporation. "Use" implies genuine use in business. "Abandoned" means the mark is no longer in use or has lost significance. "Dilution" refers to the weakening or harm to a famous mark's uniqueness or reputation. "Counterfeit" involves fake marks imitating registered ones. "Comparative commercial advertising" involves using a competitor's trademark in ads.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:

(a) “Trademark” means any word, name, symbol, or device, or any combination thereof, used by a person to identify and distinguish the goods of that person, including a unique product, from those manufactured or sold by others, and to indicate the source of the goods, even if that source is unknown.

(b) “Service mark” means any word, name, symbol, or device, or any combination thereof, used by a person to identify and distinguish the services of that person, including a unique service, from the services of others, and to indicate the source of the services, even if that source is unknown. Titles, character names used by a person, and other distinctive features of radio or television programs may be registered as service marks notwithstanding that they, or the programs, may advertise the goods of the sponsor.

(c) “Mark” includes any trademark or service mark entitled to registration under this chapter, whether registered or not.

(d) “Trade name” means any name used by a person to identify a business or vocation of that person.

(e) The term “person” and any other word or term used to designate the applicant or other party entitled to a benefit or privilege or rendered liable under the provisions of this chapter includes a juristic person as well as a natural person. The term “juristic person” includes a firm, partnership, corporation, union, association, or other organization capable of suing and being sued in a court of law.

(f) “Applicant” means the person filing an application for registration of a mark under this chapter, and the legal representatives, successors, or assigns of the person.

(g) “Registrant” means the person to whom the registration of a mark under this chapter is issued, and the legal representatives, successors, or assigns of the person.

(h) “Use” means the bona fide use of a mark in the ordinary course of trade, and not made merely to reserve a right in a mark. For the purposes of this chapter, a mark shall be deemed to be in use if it is used on either of the following:

(1) On goods when it is placed in any manner on the goods or other containers or the displays associated therewith or on the tags or labels affixed thereto, or if the nature of the goods makes that placement impracticable, then on documents associated with the goods or their sale, and the goods are sold or transported in commerce in this state.

(2) On services when it is used or displayed in the sale or advertising of services and the services are rendered in this state.

(i) “Abandoned” means either of the following has occurred:

(1) A mark’s use has been discontinued with intent not to resume that use. Intent not to resume the use may be inferred from circumstances. Nonuse for two consecutive years shall constitute prima facie evidence of abandonment.

(2) When any course of conduct of the owner, including acts of omission as well as commission, causes the mark to lose its significance as a mark.

(j) “Secretary” means the Secretary of State or the designee of the Secretary of State charged with the administration of this chapter.

(k) “Dilution” means dilution by blurring or dilution by tarnishment, regardless of the presence or absence of any of the following:

(1) Competition between the owner of the famous mark and other parties.

(2) Actual or likely confusion, mistake, or deception.

(3) Actual economic injury.

(l) “Dilution by blurring” means association arising from the similarity between a mark or a trade name and a famous mark that impairs the distinctiveness of the famous mark.

(m) “Dilution by tarnishment” means association arising from the similarity between a mark or a trade name and a famous mark that harms the reputation of the famous mark.

(n) “Counterfeit” means a spurious trademark, service mark, collective mark, or certification mark that is identical to, or substantially indistinguishable from, a registered mark that is used on or in connection with goods or services or any labels or packaging or components.

(o) “Comparative commercial advertising” means the use of a competitor’s trademark in advertising to compare the relative qualities of the competitive goods.

trademark service mark mark registration

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Model State Trademark Law

Model State Trademark LawGeneral Provisions

Section § 14200

Section § 14202

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