Trademark Suitability Standards

According to 11 V.S.A. § 2527.:

The Secretary of State shall not register a trademark which consists of or comprises:

1. Immoral, deceptive, or scandalous matter;
2. Matter which may disparage or falsely suggest a connection with persons, living or dead, institutions, beliefs, or national symbols, or bring them into contempt, or disrepute; consists of or comprises the flag or coat of arms or other insignia of the United States, or of any state or municipality, or of any foreign nation or any simulation thereof.

The Secretary of State shall not register as a trademark:

1. A merely geographical name or term.
2. A phrase which consists merely in words which are descriptive of the merchandise with which they are used or the character or quality of such merchandise.
3. A word and/or symbol which is identical with any previously registered trademark by any other person which when applied to the goods of the applicant is likely to cause confusion or mistake or to deceive purchasers or such trademark as to be likely to cause confusion or mistake in the minds of the public or to deceive purchasers.
4. A word and/or symbol which so nearly resembles previously registered trademark as to be likely to cause confusion or mistake in the minds of the public or to deceive purchasers, or any trademark which consists merely in the name of any person, not written, printed, impressed, or woven in a particular or distinctive manner or in association with a portrait of such individual.
5. The portrait of any living individual, except with the consent of such individual evidenced by an instrument in writing.