What does it indicate if a trademark application is marked as "abandoned"?

When a trademark application is marked as "abandoned," it indicates that the applicant has failed to respond to a request from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) or has not taken necessary action to advance the application process. Abandonment often occurs when the applicant does not respond to office actions, which are communications from the USPTO regarding deficiencies or information needed to proceed, or when the applicant fails to file the required documentation within a specified timeframe. This lack of action results in the application being considered abandoned, which means it is no longer under consideration for registration.

In contrast, a trademark application being "rejected" signifies that the USPTO has denied the application based on substantive grounds, which is distinct from abandonment. If a trademark were active, it would be in the process of being reviewed or already registered, and approval indicates successful registration rather than abandonment.