The operators of the domain name Ukraine.com, have secured the registration of the matching mark, UKRAINE.COM.
The registration took place a whopping 20 years ago, in April 2002, approximately two years after the application was filed..
The mark was renewed in 2007, 2012, and 2021.
It’s important to note that while the mark is indeed live, it’s registered with the Supplemental Register—not the Principal one.
What is the Supplemental Register at the USPTO and why is it different from the Principal Register?
According to WebTM:
- A registration on the Principal Register is constructive notice of a claim of ownership which eliminates the defense of good faith adoption by a third party. On the other hand, a registration on the Supplemental Register has no such evidentiary effect.
- A registration on the Principal Register is prima facie evidence of the Registrant’s exclusive right to use the mark. On the other hand, a registration on the Supplemental Register has no such evidentiary effect and requires proof that the mark has acquired secondary meaning.
The same resource notes that it’s better to have a registration on the Supplemental Register than no registration at all.
Regardless, UKRAINE.COM is a registered trademark with the USPTO.
