TMEP (Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure)

The Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure (TMEP) is an official guide used by U.S. patent and trademark examiners. It outlines the rules, policies, and procedures for reviewing trademark applications, ensuring consistent and fair decisions. The TMEP provides detailed instructions on how to evaluate trademarks for issues like similarity, descriptiveness, or likelihood of confusion, helping applicants understand what to expect during the registration process. Essentially, it serves as a reference to ensure that trademark examinations are thorough, standardized, and transparent.