An initial refusal to register a mark made by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Examining Attorney. Marks may be rejected for several reasons, including that the mark is likely to cause confusion with other marks, is not distinctive, is generic or forbidden, or for inadequacies of the application itself such as a description of goods that is too vague, or specimens that don't demonstrate use for the claimed goods or services. If the mark is rejected, the Examining Attorney will send an office action to the trademark owner or their attorney. The owner or attorney then have the opportunity to respond within six months, or the application is automatically canceled.
