Drawing and mark representation
Translation — Trademark Office Action Guide
When a mark contains foreign wording, the USPTO requires an English translation or statement that translation is not needed.
What the USPTO is saying
Your mark includes foreign-language terms. You must provide an English translation or confirm whether the term is arbitrary, fanciful, or has no English meaning relevant to the goods.
Why this issue is raised
Examining attorneys must evaluate descriptiveness and meaning. Foreign words are translated to English to assess whether the mark is merely descriptive or generic.
How applicants typically overcome it
- Provide an accurate English translation of all foreign wording in the mark.
- Argue the term is arbitrary or coined and explain its significance if not descriptive.
- Submit a disclaimer for translated descriptive terms if required.
- Clarify transliteration if the mark uses non-Latin characters.
Related Office Action issues
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