Pleiades Publishing Services, Co.

Can the Office refuse to register a mark?
Yes!
The Office will refuse to register matter if it does not function as a trademark. Not all words, names, symbols, or devices function as trademarks. For example matter which is merely the generic name of the goods on which it is used cannot be registered. Additionally, Section 2 [...]

The Patents and Trademarks registration process
refers to a specimen.
What exactly is a specimen?
A specimen is a real-world example of how the mark is actually used on the goods or in the offer of services. Labels, tags, or containers for the goods are considered to be acceptable specimens of use for a trademark. For a service [...]

Protecting your Ideas or Inventions From Others’ Infringement
What is a copyright?
The owner of a registered copyright enjoys the ability of blocking the unauthorized copying or public performance of a work protected by copyright. Depending on how old a work is, whether or not copyright was renewed, when the work was published (if at all), and [...]