Why would an application be considered Abandoned - No SOU filed?

An application can be considered abandoned when no Statement of Use (SOU) is filed within the required timeframe after a notice of allowance has been issued by the USPTO. When an applicant receives a notice of allowance, they are generally required to submit a Statement of Use to demonstrate that the trademark is in actual use in commerce or to prove that they intend to use it. If the applicant fails to file the SOU within six months from the date of the notice of allowance, the application will be deemed abandoned.

This process is a safeguard to ensure that trademarks are only registered for goods or services that are actively in commerce, thereby maintaining the integrity of the trademark register. The six-month period can be extended for an additional six months, but if the applicant does not take action by filing the SOU or asking for an extension during this time, the application is automatically abandoned.

The other options do not accurately reflect the reason for abandonment related to the SOU. Filing a Statement of Use would prevent abandonment, a rejection of the application leads to a different outcome than abandonment, and an opposition would be considered a dispute rather than a cause for abandonment due to no SOU being filed.