[E-trademarks] COVID as basis for claim of excusable non-use of mark

[Richard Straussman]

I guess if the mark was used for an event every X years, like the 
Olympics and the event was cancelled due to the pandemic/lockdowns but 
is now resum(ing/ed) on its normal cycle, I would certainly hope that 
would be an approved a COVID-related excusable non-use now.

*Richard Straussman**
* *Senior Counsel*
* Registered Patent Attorney
* Member NY, NJ & CT Bars
*. . . . . . . . . . . . . .*
*Weitzman Law Offices, LLC*
*Intellectual Property Law*
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*http://www.weitzmanip.com
*



On 4/10/2024 4:35 PM, Kevin Grierson via E-trademarks wrote:
>
> Agreed, though given that we’ve been out of lockdown for several years 
> I don’t think the PTO will simply rubber stamp any COVID-related 
> claim—not that they ever really did so, even in the height of the 
> pandemic.  I haven’t seen any formal guidance from the PTO since 2021 
> on it: 
> https://www.uspto.gov/subscription-center/2021/maintenance-filings-covid-19-and-excusable-nonuse. 
> There’s a full list of COVID related PTO posts here, looks like 
> nothing has happened for a couple of years: 
> https://www.uspto.gov/coronavirus.
>
> *Kevin Grierson**​**​**​**​***
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> *CULHANEPLLC <http://www.culhanemeadows.com/>*
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> *From:*E-trademarks <e-trademarks-bounces at oppedahl-lists.com> *On 
> Behalf Of *mrichter richtertrademarks.com via E-trademarks
> *Sent:* Wednesday, April 10, 2024 4:29 PM
> *To:* For trademark practitioners. This is not for laypersons to seek 
> legal advice. <e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com>
> *Cc:* mrichter richtertrademarks.com <mrichter at richtertrademarks.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [E-trademarks] COVID as basis for claim of excusable 
> non-use of mark
>
> EXTERNAL EMAIL
>
> Jessica,
>
> If a business is still dealing with the effects of the pandemic, my 
> opinion is that it is a legitimate excuse and should be approved. 
> Think of it the same as a non-pandemic related excuse.
>
> Keep us posted!
>
> Best,
>
> Miriam
>
> Miriam Richter, Attorney at Law, P.L.
>
> /Make Your Mark!// ®/
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> *From:*E-trademarks <e-trademarks-bounces at oppedahl-lists.com> *On 
> Behalf Of *Jessica R. Friedman via E-trademarks
> *Sent:* Wednesday, April 10, 2024 4:25 PM
> *To:* For trademark practitioners. This is not for laypersons to seek 
> legal advice. <e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com>
> *Cc:* Jessica R. Friedman <jrfriedman at litproplaw.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [E-trademarks] COVID as basis for claim of excusable 
> non-use of mark
>
> No takers?
>
> Jessica R. Friedman
>
> Attorney at Law
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> 300 East 59 Street, Ste. 2406
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> URL: _www.literarypropertylaw.com <http://www.literarypropertylaw.com/>_
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> 1479430908386_PastedImage
>
> *From: *Jessica R. Friedman <jrfriedman at litproplaw.com>
> *Date: *Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at 11:55 AM
> *To: *For trademark practitioners. This is not for laypersons to seek 
> legal advice. <e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com>
> *Subject: *COVID as basis for claim of excusable non-use of mark
>
> Is the PTO still accepting COVID as a basis for a claim of acceptable 
> non-use? I can’t find any post-2021 announcements about this or 
> anything in the TMEP that specifically refers to this question.
>
> Jessica R. Friedman
>
> Attorney at Law
>
> 300 East 59 Street, Ste. 2406
>
> New York, NY 10022
>
> Phone: 212-220-0900
>
> Cell: 917-647-1884
>
> E-mail:_jrfriedman at litproplaw.com <mailto:jrfriedman at litproplaw.com>_
>
> URL: _www.literarypropertylaw.com <http://www.literarypropertylaw.com/>_
>
> 1479430908386_PastedImage
>
>
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