807.03(a)   Requirements for Standard Character Drawings

A standard character drawing must show the mark in black on a white background.  An applicant may submit a standard character drawing if:

• The mark does not include a design element;
• All letters and words in the mark are depicted in Latin characters;
• All numerals in the mark are depicted in Roman or Arabic numerals;
• The mark includes only common punctuation or diacritical marks; and
• No stylization of lettering and/or numbers is claimed in the mark.

37 C.F.R. §2.52(a).

If the applicant files an application on paper, the applicant may depict the mark in any font style; may use bold or italicized letters; and may use both uppercase and lowercase letters, all uppercase letters, or all lowercase letters, since no claim is made to any particular font style, size, or color.  The applicant does not have to display the mark in all uppercase letters.  If filing electronically via the Trademark Electronic Application System ("TEAS"), the applicant may neither depict the mark in any particular font style nor use bold or italicized letters.  TEAS will automatically convert any wording typed into the standard-character field to a standardized typeface.

Superscripts, subscripts, exponents, or other characters that are not in the USPTO’s standard character set (see TMEP §807.03(b)) are not permitted in standard character drawings.  In re AFG Industries Inc., 17 USPQ2d 1162 (TTAB 1990) (special form drawing required for raised numeral).  The degree symbol is permitted.

Underlining is not permitted in a standard character drawing.

Standard Character Claim Required.  An applicant who submits a standard character drawing must also submit the following standard character claim:

The mark consists of standard characters without claim to any particular font style, size, or color.

This statement will appear in the Official Gazette and on the certificate of registration.