What document is submitted by an applicant in response to an office action?

The correct answer is the Response to Office Action, which is specifically designed for applicants to address issues or concerns raised by the USPTO examiners during the application review process. When the USPTO issues an office action, it typically outlines reasons for refusal, required corrections, or additional information needed to proceed with the trademark application.

The applicant must respond formally to this office action to continue progressing their application. This response can include arguments against the examiner’s findings, amendments to the application, or additional evidence supporting the registrability of the trademark. Submitting a Response to Office Action is crucial because failing to do so can lead to the abandonment of the application.

Other options such as a Statement of Use are used in the context of demonstrating use of a trademark in commerce after the application is allowed, but they do not specifically respond to objections or requests made in an office action. A Cancellation Request pertains to the revocation of an existing trademark registration, and an Abandonment Notice signifies that an applicant is choosing to abandon their application, which is unrelated to responding to an office action. Thus, the Response to Office Action serves a unique and essential function in the trademark application process.