§ 35-18a — Definitions.

As used in this chapter: (1) The term “collective mark” means a trademark or service mark used by the members of a cooperative, an association or other collective group or organization and includes marks used to indicate membership in a union, an association or other organization. (2) The term “certification mark” means a mark used upon or in connection with the products or services of one or more persons other than the owner of the mark to certify regional or other origin, material, mode of manufacture, quality, accuracy or other characteristics of such goods or services or that the work or labor on the goods or services was performed by members of a union or other organization. (3) The term “mark” means any word, name, symbol or device, or any combination thereof used to identify and includes any certification mark or collective mark entitled to registration under this chapter whether registered or not. (4) The term “person” means any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, union, governmental body or agency or other organization. (5) The term “applicant” includes the person filing an application for registration of a mark under this chapter, and the legal representatives, successors or assigns of such person. (6) The term “registrant” includes the person to whom the registration of a mark under this chapter is issued, and the legal representatives, successors or assigns of such person. (7) The term “use” means the bona fide use of a mark in the ordinary course of business activity and not made merely to reserve a right in a mark. For the purposes of this chapter, a certification mark shall be deemed to be in use in commerce (A) on goods when it is placed in any manner on the goods or their containers or the displays associated therewith or on the tags or labels affixed thereto, or if the nature of the goods make such placement impracticable, then on documents associated with the goods or their sale, and such goods are sold or otherwise distributed in this state, and (B) on services when it is used or displayed in the sale or advertising of services and the services are rendered in this state. (8) A collective mark is deemed used in this state when used in public or in commerce in the state by one or more members. (9) A mark shall be deemed to be abandoned (A) when its use has been discontinued with intent not to resume. Intent not to resume may be inferred from circumstances. Nonuse for two consecutive years shall be prima facie abandonment; (B) when any course of conduct of the registrant, including acts of omission as well as commission, causes the mark to lose its significance as an indication of the registrant and persons belonging to or affiliated with the registrant, or operating in accordance with conditions prescribed by the registrant.

Legislative History

(1967, P.A. 689, S. 1; P.A. 93-152, S. 12; P.A. 95-79, S. 132, 189.) History: P.A. 93-152 replaced alphabetic with numeric Subdiv. indicators, amended the definition of “person” to include any “governmental body or agency”, amended definitions of “applicant” and “registrant” to delete the “predecessors” of the person, replaced the definition of when a certification mark shall be deemed to be used in this state with a definition of the term “use” and a provision specifying when a certification mark shall be deemed to be in use in commerce on goods and on services and amended Subdiv. (9) to replace numeric with alphabetic Subpara. indicators; P.A. 95-79 redefined “person” to include a limited liability company, effective May 31, 1995.