| (a) An applicant may assert a date of first use by
a predecessor in title, or by a related company, if the use operates
to benefit the applicant. The application must include a statement
that the first use was by the predecessor in title or by the related
company.
(b) If the applicant is not using the mark, but one
or more related companies are using the mark, and their use operates
to benefit the applicant, the application must indicate this fact.
(c) The trademark examiner may inquire into the relationship
and may require appropriate evidence showing that the use by related
companies operates to benefit the applicant.
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