The Supplemental Register, explained

The Supplemental Register is the USPTO's second register, for marks that are capable of distinguishing goods but are not yet distinctive: descriptive terms, surnames, geographic names and similar. A registration there allows the ® symbol, appears in the USPTO's records, is cited against later confusingly similar applications and supports a federal lawsuit. It does not carry the presumptions of validity and ownership, nationwide priority from the filing date, constructive notice or incontestability, and it is not available to an intent-to-use application until use is shown. After five years of exclusive use, the owner files a new application for the Principal Register claiming acquired distinctiveness.

Merely descriptive: the refusal that catches good names
TM versus ®: which symbol you may use, and when
Trademark maintenance and renewal: keeping your registration alive
Search U.S. trademark records for your name, free

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