Trademark Trial and Appeal Board

The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, also known as the TTAB, is responsible for reviewing cases related to trademarks. The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board is a part of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

In a typical year, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board hears hundreds of cases related to trademarks. There are three main types of cases heard by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

First, they review trademark appeals, where the Patent and Trademark Office examiner denied a trademark application. Second, they review cases of trademark opposition, where the owner of a trademark files a Notice of Opposition against the registration of a new trademark. Third, they review trademark cancellations, where another party files with the Patent and Trademark Office to have a trademark cancelled because the party believes the owner of the mark has abandoned it or because the party believes the mark is causing harm to their business because of similarities or confusion with another existing mark.

In the event a party does not agree with the ruling of the Trademark Trial and Appeal board, the party can appeal the decision to the United States Court of Appeals.