Which of the following can cause a registration to be canceled?

The choice indicating that failure to submit a maintenance document can cause a registration to be canceled is correct because the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) requires trademark owners to file specific maintenance documents to keep their registrations active. These documents typically include a Declaration of Use (Section 8) and a Renewal Application (Section 9), which must be filed at set intervals. If the registrant fails to submit these documents by the required deadlines, the trademark registration can be canceled due to noncompliance with maintenance requirements.

This requirement for maintenance filings is crucial as it helps ensure that only marks that are actively used in commerce remain registered, thus maintaining the integrity of the trademark register. The cancellation process is also important in preventing the cluttering of the register with unused marks, allowing for a clearer landscape for trademark rights.

In contrast, excessive advertising would not typically lead to cancellation as it has no negative implications for the registration itself. A successful opposition from another party usually pertains to an attempt to prevent registration from occurring in the first place rather than canceling an existing registration. Improvement of trademark distinctiveness generally enhances a trademark's protection rather than leads to its cancellation.