Form 901—Instructions
(Trade or Service Mark Application)
The attached form is designed to meet minimal statutory filing requirements pursuant to the
relevant code provisions. The form and the information provided are not substitutes for the advice
and services of an attorney.
General Information
Trade and service marks are commonly referred to as brand names, logos or slogans. Trademarks are
used to identify tangible goods. Service marks are used to identify services. The term “mark” is used to
refer to both trademarks and service marks.
Trade names not registrable. “Trade names” are terms used only to identify a business organization,
rather than to distinguish the goods or services provided by the business. A company name may be
viewed to be merely a trade name, instead of a mark, if it is advertised in such a way that it attracts little
attention, is used in close proximity to an address or phone number, or is dominated by the presence of
another mark. However, a company name may be registered if it is shown to function as a mark.
Effect of registration. The registration of a mark with the secretary of state creates a statewide priority of
rights in the mark against any other person who subsequently adopts the same or a confusingly similar
mark. Registration also provides “constructive notice” to all persons in the state of Texas of the priority
of the registered mark and provides the owner with certain procedural advantages when the owner seeks
judicial relief for infringement. For these reasons, it is beneficial for an owner of a mark who does
business in Texas to register a mark with the secretary of state.
Applicant should conduct a conflict check. Since identical or confusingly similar marks may not be
registered by more than one person, a person planning to use or register a mark should take steps to
determine whether others have priority of rights to that mark. Although checking the active registrations
on file with the Secretary of State can be a useful step, the absence of a conflicting registration on file
does not mean that no one else claims priority of rights in the mark.
Requirements for Registration
Mark Must Be In Use: Registration of marks in Texas is based on actual use of the mark in Texas
commerce. For example, before an application can be submitted to the secretary of state, the trademark
must be used on a product sold or distributed in Texas, or the service mark must be used in association
with services rendered in Texas (during advertising or sale). A proposed mark may not be “reserved”
prior to its actual use in Texas commerce or before the submission of a properly completed and filed
application. If an application is submitted prior to actual use, registration will be refused, and the
processing fee submitted with the application will not be refunded.
Mark Must Be Distinctive: Only distinctive words, names, symbols, devices, or logos are entitled to
registration. A designation that is primarily a surname, or that is commonly used in describing the
product or service, or that directly describes the qualities or characteristics of a product or service is not
distinctive on first use and not entitled to registration. For example, the terms "Food & Beverage On-
Line" would not be entitled to registration when used in association with "a news and information
service for the food processing industry contained in a database" since such terms would be merely
descriptive of such a service. However, sometimes a designation that is not inherently distinctive may
acquire distinctiveness through at least five (5) years of continuous and substantially exclusive use.
Form 901 1
Instructions for Application
Type or print in black ink in English, subject to the provisions of § 93.31 of 1 Texas
Administrative Code Chapter 93. Use of the application form is recommended, but not
mandatory. Submit your application along with a drawing, specimens, and filing fee of $50 per
classification:
by mail to the Secretary of State, PO Box 13697, Austin, Texas 78711-3697;
fax with credit card information (Form 807) to (512) 463-5709; or
delivery to the James Earl Rudder Office Building, 1019 Brazos, Austin, Texas
78701.
Item 1: The applicant should be the person who owns the mark and controls the use of the mark and
the quality of the goods or services. If the applicant is an individual sole proprietor doing
business under an assumed name (“d/b/a”), then provide the individual’s name, followed by
the assumed name of the business. If the applicant is a general partnership or joint venture,
then provide the name of the partnership or joint venture. If the applicant is an organized
entity, such as a corporation, limited liability company, or limited partnership, then provide
the legal name of the organized entity as shown in its formation document (e.g., ABC
Business Company, Inc.)
Item 2: Provide the business address of the applicant. (During the examination process, the secretary
of state will send correspondence regarding the application to the submitter address provided
in the cover letter, envelope, or enclosed check.)
Item 3: If the applicant named in Item 1 is a corporation, limited liability company, limited
partnership, general partnership, or other business entity, identify the type of business
organization and the state under whose laws the entity was incorporated or organized. Out-
of-state applicants should also submit invoices or other material demonstrating the sale of
goods or the rendition of services in Texas commerce.
Item 4: If the applicant is organized as a general or limited partnership, then provide the names of all
general partners.
Item 5: Name and/or Description of the Mark. Describe the mark exactly as it appears in the samples
of use and drawing sheet accompanying the application in Item 5A. The description in Item
5A, the drawing of the mark, and the samples of use provided must match.
Color Claim. If color is claimed as a feature of the mark, check the “yes” box in 5B. If no
color is claimed, check the “no” box in 5B. If the “yes” box is checked, list the color(s)
claimed in 5C, and list the location of each color in 5D.
The applicant can seek to register only one mark per application; a single application may not
be used to register multiple variations or multiple color combinations.
Item 6: A disclaimer may be included in an original application. Generally, components that are
generic or descriptive of the goods or services would be disclaimed (e.g., an outline of the
state, a geographic term of origin, or words that are commonly used to describe the goods or
services). An applicant cannot disclaim all elements of the proposed mark. A properly
worded disclaimer might be: Without waiving any right at common law, no claim is made to
the exclusive right to use of __________ apart from the mark as shown.
Form 901 2
Item 7: State the number(s) of the class(es) in which the goods or services belong. Please note, use
of this form is recommended for an applicant seeking to register a mark in two or fewer
classes.
For assistance with classifying goods or services, see the chart below or the Acceptable
Identification of Goods and Services Manual at www.uspto.gov. If you are unsure of the
class, leave this item blank.
Goods
Class 1: Chemicals
Class 2: Paints
Class 3: Cosmetics & Cleaning
Preparations
Class 4. Lubricants & Fuels
Class 5: Pharmaceuticals
Class 6: Metal Goods
Class 7: Machinery
Class 8: Hand Tools
Class 9: Electrical & Scientific
Apparatus
Class 10: Medical Apparatus
Class 11: Environmental Control
Apparatus
Class 12: Vehicles
Class 13: Firearms
Class 14: Jewelry
Class 15: Musical Instruments
Class 16: Paper Goods & Printed
Matter
Class 17: Rubber Goods
Class 18: Leather Goods
Class 19: Non-metallic Building
Materials
Class 20: Furniture and articles not
otherwise classified
Class 21: Housewares & Glass
Class 22: Cordage & Fibers
Class 23: Yarns & Threads
Class 24: Fabrics
Class 25: Clothing
Class 26: Fancy Goods (e.g., buttons, ribbons)
Class 27: Floor Coverings
Class 28: Toys & Sporting Goods
Class 29: Meats & Processed Foods
Class 30: Staple Foods (e.g., coffee, sugar)
Class 31: Natural Agricultural Products
Class 32: Light Beverages
Class 33: Wine & Spirits
Class 34: Smokers’ Articles
Services
Class 35: Advertising & Business
Class 36: Insurance & Financial
Class 37: Building Construction & Repair
Class 38: Telecommunications
Class 39: Transportation & Storage
Class 40: Treatment of Materials
Class 41: Education & Entertainment
Class 42: Computer, scientific and legal
Class 43: Hotels and restaurants
Class 44: Medical, beauty and agricultural
Class 45: Personal
For each class listed on the application, describe clearly and concisely the goods or the
services currently sold or provided by the applicant on or in connection with which the mark
is being used. Limit the description of goods or services to those goods or services under the
same class heading.
For each class listed on the application, accurately state the date on which the mark was first
publicly used to identify the goods or services being marketed. Both dates of first use
“Anywhere” and “in Texas” must be indicated on the application. (If the first use was in
Texas, both dates will be the same). State the month, day and year for each date of first use,
e.g., “11/30/1983.” It is insufficient to note the month and the year without the date, if the
application is submitted within the same month.
Item 8 An applicant must fully disclose whether the applicant or the applicant’s predecessor in
interest has filed an application to register the mark, or a portion or composite of the mark,
with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Form 901 3
Item 9 List the manner in which the mark is used or communicated to the consuming public, such as
tags or labels attached to goods; or newspapers, brochures or signs advertising services. If the
application is for more than one (1) class, list the manner in which the mark is used in each
class.
Item 10 Specimen. Three (3) specimens supporting the goods/services described in Item 7 and
supporting the manner in which the mark is used in Item 9 must be attached to the
application. In Item 10, check the box for each type of specimen included. Include at least
one (1) specimen for each class. If color is claimed as a feature of the mark, include at least
one specimen showing the mark in color.
Appropriate Specimens (samples of use)
Trademarks: Acceptable specimens include actual labels or tags affixed to, or containers
used with, the goods. A photograph of an actual display that appears in immediate proximity
to the goods (“point-of-sale” display) is also an acceptable specimen. Brochures that
advertise the product are not sufficient.
Service marks: Acceptable specimens include actual materials used in selling or advertising
the services, such as menus, newspaper advertisements, coupons and the like. To serve as
specimens, advertising materials (including letterhead or business cards) must contain some
understandable reference to the services described in the application.
Drawing: Include the mark exactly as it appears in the samples of use accompanying the application
and exactly as it is described in Item 5 of the application. Do not include other words that are
not part of the mark.
If the mark consists only of a word, letter or numeral, or a combination thereof, and is not
depicted in a special form, type or print the mark in capital letters on the drawing sheet. If the
mark is not only words, letters or numerals, or a combination thereof, and also includes a
design, the entire design must appear on the drawing sheet.
If the mark includes a color claim, it may either appear in color or black and white. If the
mark appears in color, it must match the color(s) described in the color statement.
The drawing must depict only one mark, and the drawing must fit within the 3.15 inches by
3.15 inches drawing box. The drawing must be an exact reproduction of the mark sought to
be registered. If desired, the drawing may be taped to the drawing sheet.
A black and white reproduction of the mark in the drawing box will appear on the
certificate issued, so an electronic reproduction of the mark is recommended.
Signature: The registrant named in Item 1 must sign and date the application. An application made by a
business entity must be signed by an authorized person. The application must be signed and
verified before a notary public or other person authorized to administer oaths and should not
be executed before the date of first use of the mark.
Before signing, carefully review the application. An application or registration procured by
fraud is subject to cancellation pursuant to Chapter 16, Business & Commerce Code.
Form 901 4
Fee: The application fee ($50 per class) may be paid by personal check, money order, LegalEase
debit card, cashier’s check, or American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa credit card.
Checks or money orders must be payable through a U.S. bank or financial institution and
made payable to the secretary of state. Fees paid by credit card are subject to a statutorily
authorized convenience fee of 2.7 percent of the total fees. The fee is not refundable
regardless of whether the mark is registered, denied, or abandoned.
Examination Process
An application for trade or service mark registration undergoes an examination process similar to the
federal registration process. A “trademark examiner” reviews the application to ascertain whether the
proposed mark proposed is registrable under Section 16.051, Business & Commerce Code. Texas law,
federal statutory law (upon which the Texas trademark statute is based), federal case law, and examining
procedures similar to those used by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) are used by
the secretary of state to examine applications. The Examiner also compares the proposed mark with
marks previously registered in Texas and with the USPTO to determine whether the proposed mark will
cause a likelihood of confusion.
During the course of the examination process, the trademark examiner may require the applicant to
disclaim an unregistrable component of a mark that is otherwise registrable. The purpose of a disclaimer
is to permit the registration of a mark that is registrable as a whole but contains matter that would not be
registrable standing alone. A disclaimer amounts merely to a statement that, in so far as the particular
registration is concerned, no rights are being asserted in the disclaimed component standing alone, but
rights are asserted in the mark as a whole. Generally, components that are generic or descriptive of the
goods or services would be disclaimed (e.g., an outline of the state, a geographic term of origin, or
words that are commonly used to describe the goods or services). A disclaimer may be included in an
original application or may be added by amendment. An applicant cannot disclaim all elements of the
proposed mark.
If the application for registration is approved, we will return a certificate of registration. Not all
applications submitted to the secretary of state are approved for registration. If an application is rejected,
we will notify the submitter of the objections to registration. The applicant is given ninety (90) days
within which to amend the application, to provide the information requested, or to respond to the denial.
Failure to respond within the time specified will terminate the examination process and will result in
abandonment of the application. Upon receipt of the applicant’s response, the trademark examiner will
reexamine the application. The examination procedures described may be repeated until the application
is registered, finally denied, or abandoned by the applicant.
The trademark examiners cannot provide legal advice with regard to trademark law applicable to
a particular circumstance. Because trademark law is quite complex, the secretary of state
recommends that persons seeking to register a mark consult with a private attorney.
Revised 05/13
Form 901 5
Form 901 (Revised 05/13)
Submit to:
Secretary of State
PO Box 13697
Austin, TX 78711-3697
512 463-9760
FAX: 512 463-5709
Application Fee:
$50 per class
This space reserved for office use.
Application for Registration
of a Trade or Service Mark
1. NAME OF APPLICANT (owner of mark—individual, corporation, or other entity applying for
registration):
2. BUSINESS ADDRESS OF APPLICANT:
City: State: Zip Code:
Country:
3. BUSINESS STRUCTURE OF APPLICANT (Check One and Complete)
Corporation
(State of Incorporation):
Limited Liability Company
(State of Organization):
Limited Partnership
(State of Organization):
General Partnership
(State of Organization):
Sole Proprietor
Other
(Describe):
4. NAMES OF GENERAL PARTNERS, IF APPLICANT IS A PARTNERSHIP (attach additional
sheet if necessary):
5A. NAME AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF MARK (For design, provide a brief written description that
can be pictured in the mind without reference to the specimens. Do not draw the design on the
application. Attach a drawing of the mark.):
Form 901 6
5B. COLOR CLAIM. Is a
claim made to color?
Yes (go to 5C and 5D)
No (go to 6)
5C. If yes, claim is made to the following colors:
5D. COLOR LOCATION STATEMENT. Please include the location of each color (e.g., a red balloon
with a yellow ribbon):
6. DISCLAIMER (If Applicable) No claim is made to the exclusive right to use the term:
7A. CLASS
NUMBER(S)
Class #1:
(go to 7B)
Class #2:
(go to 7C)
7B. CLASS #1: If a trademark, list specific goods. If a service mark, list specific services:
Date the mark was first used in Texas: Date the mark was first used anywhere:
7C. CLASS #2: If a trademark, list specific goods. If a service mark, list specific services:
Date the mark was first used in Texas: Date the mark was first used anywhere:
8. USPTO TRADEMARK REGISTRATION/APPLICATION. Complete the following if the
applicant or a predecessor in interest has filed an application to register the mark or portions of the
mark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Filing
Date
Serial/File
No.
Status of
Application
If Refused, Why?
Check here if this item does not apply.
9. MANNER IN WHICH THE MARK IS USED (If more than one (1) class, list the manner in which
the mark is used in each class):
Form 901 7
10. SPECIMENS (Check the applicable boxes below and enclose three (3) original specimens
supporting the goods/services described in Item 7. Include at least one (1) specimen for each class)
For Trademarks Only
Actual Labels
Actual Tags
Photographs of Goods/Containers Showing the
Mark
Front Panels of a Paper Container Bearing the
Mark
Other:
For Service Marks Only
Advertising Leaflets
Advertising Brochures
Menus Showing the Mark
Business Cards that Reference Services
Other:
11. DECLARATION OF OWNERSHIP
Applicant declares that the applicant is the owner of the mark, that the mark is in use, and that to the
knowledge of the person verifying the application, no other person has registered the mark, either
federally or in this state, or is entitled to use the mark in this state, either in the identical form used by
the applicant or in a form that is likely, when used on or in connection with the goods or services of
the other person, to cause confusion or mistake, or to deceive, because of its resemblance to the mark.
12. SIGNATURE AND VERIFICATION
DATE
SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED PERSON TYPE OR PRINT NAME AND TITLE
TO BE COMPLETED BY A NOTARY PUBLIC:
STATE OF
)
COUNTY
)
On , personally
appeared before me, and being first duly sworn declared that he/she signed this application in the
capacity designated, if any, above application and the statements therein contained are true and
and further stated that he/she has read the above application and the statements therein are true and
correct.
(seal)
NOTARY PUBLIC SIGNATURE
Form 901 8
Print
Reset
TRADEMARK DRAWING SHEET
Instructions: Include the mark exactly as it appears in the samples of use accompanying the application
and exactly as it is described in item 5 of the application. Do not include other words that are not part of
the mark.
If the mark consists only of a word, letter or numeral, or a combination thereof, and is not depicted
in a special form, type or print the mark in capital letters on the drawing sheet.
If the mark is not only words, letters or numerals, or a combination thereof, and also includes a
design, the entire design must appear on the drawing sheet.
The drawing must
o Depict only one mark
o Fit within the box (3.15 in (8 cm) high by 3.15 in (8 cm) long)
o Be an exact reproduction of the mark
A mark including a color claim must either
o Appear in color and match the color(s) described in the color statement.
o Appear in black and white
If desired, you may tape a drawing of the mark to this drawing sheet.
A black and white reproduction of the mark in the drawing box will appear on the certificate
issued, so an electronic reproduction of the mark is recommended.
Form 901 9