Trademark Modernization Act of 2020: Part 1

According to Commissioner for Trademarks David Gooder, during a recent USPTO virtual roundtable event, “protecting the integrity of the US trademark register is, and will remain for some time, one of our top priorities.” Keeping the register clear of improperly obtained trademark registrations helps ensure that legitimate businesses can register their marks with the USPTO, and enforce those rights against infringers.

In an effort to combat “cluttering” of the trademark register, the USPTO has proposed new procedures allowing any party, or the Director, to challenge registered trademarks that may not be in use, or were not in use when certain filings were made.