What Is A Merely Descriptive Rejection And What Does It Mean? [Video]

Receiving a Section 2(e)(1) refusal to a trademark application typically means that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has determined that the mark is merely descriptive of the goods or services listed on the application. Merely descriptive trademarks, while often appealing to business owners, are not eligible for federal trademark registration through the USPTO. Although the “merely descriptive” trademark refusal is quite common, it is also generally challenging to overcome. If you have received a rejection, especially a merely descriptive rejection, contact an intellectual property attorney with War IP Law PLLC by calling us at (202) 800-3754 to learn more about your legal options and what your next steps as a trademark owner should be.