Title 15Commerce and TradeRelease 119-73

§1092 Publication; not subject to opposition; cancellation

Title 15 › Chapter CHAPTER 22— - TRADEMARKS › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - THE SUPPLEMENTAL REGISTER › § 1092

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Marks placed on the supplemental register are not open to opposition, but the Patent and Trademark Office must publish them in its Official Gazette when they are registered. If someone thinks they will be harmed by such a registration, that can be claimed either when the filing date is after their mark became famous and the new mark would likely dilute it (by blurring or tarnishing, as described in section 1125(c)), or for other reasons.

Full Legal Text

Title 15, §1092

Commerce and Trade — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Marks for the supplemental register shall not be published for or be subject to opposition, but shall be published on registration in the Official Gazette of the Patent and Trademark Office. Whenever any person believes that such person is or will be damaged by the registration of a mark on the supplemental register—
(1)for which the effective filing date is after the date on which such person’s mark became famous and which would be likely to cause dilution by blurring or dilution by tarnishment under section 1125(c) of this title; or
(2)on grounds other than dilution by blurring or dilution by tarnishment,

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Act Mar. 19, 1920, ch. 104, § 2, 41 Stat. 534.

Amendments

2020—Pub. L. 116–260 inserted “, unless the Director reconsiders the decision of the Board, and modifies or sets aside, such decision” after “shall be canceled by the Director” in concluding provisions. 2006—Pub. L. 109–312 amended second sentence generally. Prior to amendment, second sentence read as follows: “Whenever any person believes that he is or will be damaged by the registration of a mark on this register, including as a result of dilution under section 1125(c) of this title, he may at any time, upon payment of the prescribed fee and the filing of a petition stating the ground therefor, apply to the Director to cancel such registration.” The words following “tarnishment,” in second sentence are shown as a flush provision notwithstanding directory language showing them as part of cl. (2), to reflect the probable intent of Congress. 1999—Pub. L. 106–113 substituted “Director” for “Commissioner” wherever appearing. Pub. L. 106–43 inserted “, including as a result of dilution under section 1125(c) of this title,” after “register” in second sentence. 1988—Pub. L. 100–667 struck out “verified” after “filing of a”, substituted “is not entitled to registration,” for “was not entitled to register the mark at the time of his application for registration thereof,” struck out “is not used by the registrant or” after “that the mark”, and inserted provision that no final judgment be entered before mark is registered if applicant cannot prevail without establishing constructive use. 1975—Pub. L. 93–596 substituted “Patent and Trademark Office” for “Patent Office”. 1962—Pub. L. 87–772 provided for payment of the prescribed fee and the filing of a verified petition. 1958—Pub. L. 85–609 substituted provisions requiring the Commissioner to refer applications to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board for provisions which required referral to the examiner in charge of interferences.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1999

Amendments

Amendment by Pub. L. 106–113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29, 1999, see section 1000(a)(9) [title IV, § 4731] of Pub. L. 106–113, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents. Amendment by Pub. L. 106–43 effective Aug. 5, 1999, and applicable only to any application for registration filed on or after Jan. 16, 1996, see section 2(e) of Pub. L. 106–43, set out as a note under section 1052 of this title.

Effective Date

of 1988 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 100–667 effective one year after Nov. 16, 1988, see section 136 of Pub. L. 100–667, set out as a note under section 1051 of this title.

Effective Date

of 1975 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 93–596 effective Jan. 2, 1975, see section 4 of Pub. L. 93–596, set out as a note under section 1111 of this title.

Effective Date

of 1958 AmendmentFor

Effective Date

and applicability of amendment by Pub. L. 85–609, see section 3 of Pub. L. 85–609, set out as a note under section 1067 of this title. Repeal and Effect on Existing RightsRepeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under prior acts, see notes set out under section 1051 of this title.

Construction

of 2020 AmendmentFor

Construction

of amendment made by Pub. L. 116–260 regarding Director’s authority before Dec. 27, 2020, and authority with respect to particular decisions, see section 228(b) of div. Q of Pub. L. 116–260, set out as a note under section 1068 of this title. Reorganization Plan No. 5 of 1950Amendment by Pub. L. 85–609 as subject to Reorganization Plan No. 5 of 1950, see note set out under section 1067 of this title.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

For

Transfer of Functions

of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of Commerce, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of Commerce, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 5 of 1950, §§ 1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174, 64 Stat. 1263, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

15 U.S.C. § 1092

Title 15Commerce and Trade

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73