(a) Time periods for required affidavits
Each registration shall remain in force for 10 years, except that the registration of any mark shall be canceled by the Commissioner for failure to comply with Director unless the provisions of subsection (b) owner of this section, upon the expiration registration files in the United States Patent and Trademark Office affidavits that meet the requirements of subsection (b), within the following time periods, as applicable: periods:
(1) For registrations issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, at the end of 6 years following the date of registration.
(2) For registrations published under (1) Within the provisions of section 1062(c) of this title, at 1-year period immediately preceding the end expiration of 6 years following the date of registration under this chapter or the date of the publication under such section. section 1062(c) of this title.
(3) For all registrations, at (2) Within the end 1-year period immediately preceding the expiration of 10 years following the date of registration, and each successive 10-year period following the date of registration.
(b) Affidavit of continuing use
During the 1-year period immediately preceding the end of the applicable time period set forth in subsection (a) of this section, the owner of the registration shall pay the prescribed fee and file in the Patent and Trademark Office—
(3) The owner may file the affidavit required under this section within the 6-month grace period immediately following the expiration of the periods established in paragraphs (1) and (2), together with the fee described in subsection (b) and the additional grace period surcharge prescribed by the Director.
(b) Requirements for affidavit
The affidavit referred to in subsection (a) shall—
(1)(A) state that the mark is in use in commerce;
(1) an affidavit setting (B) set forth those the goods or and services recited in the registration on or in connection with which the mark is in use in commerce and such number of specimens or facsimiles showing current use of the mark as may be required by the Commissioner; or commerce;
(C) be accompanied by such number of specimens or facsimiles showing current use of the mark in commerce as may be required by the Director; and
(D) be accompanied by the fee prescribed by the Director; or
(2) an affidavit setting (2)(A) set forth those the goods or and services recited in the registration on or in connection with which the mark is not in use in commerce and showing that any such nonuse is due to special circumstances which excuse such nonuse and is not due to any intention to abandon the mark. commerce;
(c) Grace period for submissions; deficiency
(1) The owner of the registration may make the submissions required under this section within a grace period of 6 months after the end of the applicable time period set forth in subsection (a) of this section. Such submission is required to be accompanied by a surcharge prescribed by the Commissioner.
(B) include a showing that any nonuse is due to special circumstances which excuse such nonuse and is not due to any intention to abandon the mark; and
(C) be accompanied by the fee prescribed by the Director.
(2) If any submission filed under this section within the period set forth in subsection (a) is deficient, including that the affidavit was not filed in the name of the owner of the registration, the deficiency may be corrected after the statutory time period and period, within the time prescribed after notification of the deficiency. Such submission is required to shall be accompanied by a the additional deficiency surcharge prescribed by the Commissioner. Director.
(d) Notice of affidavit requirement
Special notice of the requirement for affidavits under this section such affidavit shall be attached to each certificate of registration and notice of publication under section 1062(c) of this title.
(e) Notification of acceptance or refusal of affidavits
The Commissioner Director shall notify any owner who files 1 of the affidavits any affidavit required by this section of the Commissioner's Director's acceptance or refusal thereof and, in the case of a refusal, the reasons therefor.
(f) Designation of resident for service of process and notices
If the registrant owner is not domiciled in the United States, the registrant shall designate owner may designate, by a written document filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office Office, the name and address of some a person resident in the United States on whom may be served notices or process in proceedings affecting the mark. Such notices or process may be served upon the person so designated by leaving with that person or mailing to that person a copy thereof at the address specified in the last designation so filed. If the person so designated cannot be found at the last designated address, or if the owner does not designate by a document filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office the name and address given of a person resident in the last designation, United States on whom may be served notices or process in proceedings affecting the mark, such notice notices or process may be served upon on the Commissioner. Director.
