Why might a trademark application be rejected?

A trademark application may be rejected if the trademark is deemed too descriptive, as descriptive marks do not qualify for registration under the Lanham Act. Descriptive trademarks merely describe the goods or services offered, such as their function, quality, or characteristic. This lack of distinctiveness makes it difficult for consumers to identify the source of the goods solely based on the trademark. For a trademark to receive protection, it generally needs to be either suggestive, arbitrary, fanciful, or acquired distinctiveness through extensive use in commerce.

In contrast, while trademarks that identify goods exclusively by their geographic origin may face challenges, it is not an absolute reason for rejection under all circumstances, especially if the mark has acquired secondary meaning. Cultural significance does not inherently impede a trademark application unless it can be categorized under specific prohibitive grounds, such as being scandalous or deceptive. Lastly, submitting an application electronically does not provide any grounds for rejection; in fact, electronic submissions are often encouraged for their efficiency and expedited processing.