What is an acceptable specimen for goods?

For goods, an acceptable specimen generally shows the trademark on the goods, packaging, labels, tags, or point-of-sale displays associated with the products.

The most common specimen mistake is providing an image that shows the logo but does not show real commercial use. The USPTO generally wants to see the mark as customers actually encounter it in connection with the listed goods or services.

A specimen is evidence of real-world trademark use. The USPTO uses specimens to verify that the mark is actually being presented to consumers as a brand for the listed goods or services. A specimen is not simply a picture of the logo; it must show the mark in the type of commercial context the USPTO accepts for the goods or services at issue.

Specimen standards differ for goods and services. For goods, acceptable evidence commonly shows the mark on the product, packaging, labels, tags, or certain point-of-sale displays. For services, advertising or webpages may work when they clearly connect the mark to the services being offered. Mockups and purely promotional concepts that do not reflect actual use can be rejected.

A specimen is evidence showing how the trademark is actually presented to customers in commerce for the goods or services listed in the application.