FTC Proposes to Remove Trademark Registration Requirements From Textile Rules

The Federal Trade Commission is proposing to amend its textile regulations to remove a requirement that an owner of a registered word trademark provide the FTC with a copy of the mark’s registration with the Patent and Trademark Office before using the mark on labels, it said (here). The proposed rule would also eliminate the restriction on the use of such trademarks to only those employed as house marks, the FTC said. The requirements were put in place so the FTC would not have to obtain trademark registrations from the PTO, but registrations are now easily available online, it said. Comments are due July 31.