(a) A mark that distinguishes an applicant’s goods or services from those of others is registrable unless the mark:
(1) consists of or comprises matter that is immoral, deceptive, or scandalous;
(2) consists of or comprises matter that may disparage, falsely suggest a connection with, or bring into contempt or disrepute:
(A) a person, whether living or dead;
(B) an institution;
(C) a belief; or
(D) a national symbol;
(3) depicts, comprises, or simulates the flag, the coat of arms, the seal, the geographic outline, or other insignia of:
(A) the United States;
(B) a state;
(C) a municipality; or
(D) a foreign nation;
(4) consists of or comprises the name, signature, or portrait of a particular living individual who has not consented in writing to the mark’s registration;
(5) when used on or in connection with the applicant’s goods or services:
(A) is merely descriptive or deceptively misdescriptive of the applicant’s goods or services; or
(B) is primarily geographically descriptive or deceptively misdescriptive of the applicant’s goods or services;
(6) is primarily merely a surname; or
(7) is likely to cause confusion or mistake, or to deceive, because, when used on or in connection with the applicant’s goods or services, it resembles:
(A) a mark registered in this state; or
(B) an unabandoned mark registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
(b) Subsection (a)(5) or (6) does not prevent the registration of a mark used by the applicant that has become distinctive as applied to the applicant’s goods or services. The secretary of state may accept as evidence that a mark has become distinctive, when used on or in connection with the applicant’s goods or services, proof of continuous use of the mark as such by the applicant in this state for the five years preceding the date on which the claim of distinctiveness is made.

Terms Used In Texas Business and Commerce Code 16.051

  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • in writing: includes any representation of words, letters, or figures, whether by writing, printing, or other means. See Texas Government Code 312.011
  • Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
  • Signature: includes the mark of a person unable to write, and "subscribe" includes the making of such a mark. See Texas Government Code 312.011
  • United States: includes a department, bureau, or other agency of the United States of America. See Texas Government Code 311.005