What is a proper specimen for the use of a mark on goods (products)?
A proper specimen for goods typically shows the mark affixed to the product, labeling, or packaging. For example, your specimen may be a photo of a tag or label affixed to the product displaying the mark, or a photograph showing the mark on packaging. The specimen should be a picture of a real article as it would be encountered by a consumer, not a mock-up. For instance, a sample of an acceptable specimen for the mark “FRESH” used on t-shirts would be a tag on the shirt displaying the mark. For t-shirts and baseball caps, the mark should not be emblazoned in large type on the front of the item; otherwise, the examiner might reject the mark as being merely ornamental or informational.