Legal Definitions - combined application

A combined application in the context of trademark law refers to a single application submitted to a trademark office (such as the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO) that seeks to register a trademark for goods or services falling into multiple distinct international classes. Instead of filing separate applications for each category of goods or services, an applicant can consolidate their request into one combined application, streamlining the process and often reducing administrative complexity.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: A Lifestyle Brand

  Imagine a company called "ZenFlow" that develops a unique line of yoga apparel and also offers online yoga instruction classes. When ZenFlow decides to register its trademark, it can file a single combined application. This application would seek protection for the "ZenFlow" mark in International Class 25 (for clothing, such as yoga pants and tops) and also in International Class 41 (for educational services, specifically online yoga instruction). This is a combined application because it covers two different categories of offerings—physical goods and educational services—under one unified filing.

• Example 2: A Tech Company

  Consider "DataGuard," a technology firm that develops sophisticated data encryption software and also provides IT security consulting services to businesses. To protect its brand, DataGuard can submit a combined application for the "DataGuard" trademark. This application would request registration in International Class 9 (for computer software, specifically data encryption programs) and in International Class 42 (for computer security consulting services). By including both the software product and the related professional services in one submission, it functions as a combined application.

• Example 3: A Food and Beverage Business

  Suppose a small business, "BrewHaven," creates a unique brand of artisanal coffee beans and also operates a chain of coffee shops where these beans are brewed and sold. When seeking trademark protection for "BrewHaven," the owner can file a combined application. This application would cover International Class 30 (for coffee, roasted and unroasted beans) and International Class 43 (for services related to providing food and drink, specifically coffee shop services). This single filing for both the product and the service aspect makes it a combined application.