最後更新日期：2026年4月21日
想申請美國商標，卻卡在「使用證據要怎麼準備」這一關？本篇用實務角度整理 SOU 提交時機、每一類別至少要準備哪些證據、常見被 USPTO 駁回的錯誤，並補充 Amazon 店家最常遇到的問題，讓你在送件前就能自我檢查一次。
美國商標申請分兩種
美國商標申請大致分成兩種途徑，一種是「已有實際使用」，另一種是「基於意向使用」。
已有實際使用：適合已經在美國銷售商品或提供服務的申請人，例如你的商品已經在美國透過 Amazon、獨立官網或經銷商穩定出貨。 這類申請必須在送件時就一併提交使用證據，之後進入形式與實體審查。
基於意向使用：適合正準備進軍美國市場、尚未完成實際銷售的新創或品牌。 審查與答覆流程和「實際使用」相似，只是 USPTO 會在核准前要求你補提 Statement of Use（SOU），拿出「真的有開始用這個商標」的證據。
美國商標申請使用證據該如何準備？
確認首次使用日期並完成宣誓聲明
須提供商標在美國首次商業使用之日期、在任何地方首次使用日期，並宣誓聲明對指定商品之如實使用。 這兩個日期會影響權利範圍與日後爭議處理，建議先整理好銷售紀錄再送件。
每一國際分類都要有一份可用的證據
指定之每一類別商品，都須至少提供一份使用證據，申請人同時需聲明已在該類別中所有商品上使用商標。 若只實際使用部分商品，應在核准後三年內補足使用，或主動刪除沒有使用計畫的商品，以降低未來被稽查或被第三人攻擊撤銷的風險。
不要忘了後續維持期限
以下時間點都必須提供使用證據及宣誓，以維持商標有效：
(1) 意圖使用基礎提申在核准通知後六個月內
(2) 已使用基礎提申同時
(3) 註冊後第5-6年間
(4) 每10年延展時使用證據之態樣，以下為可被接受之照片樣本
印有商標圖樣之商品照片
適用於實體商品，例如服飾、3C 配件、家用品等，只要消費者購買時能直接看到商標，即可作為樣本。商品標籤、吊牌或外包裝
如果商標主要是印在包裝盒、吊牌，而不是商品本體，也可以用清楚的照片當作使用證據。 尤其是高單價或體積較大的商品，常見是以包裝為主。官網或購物車畫面
販售商品或服務並有顯示商標的網頁截圖也是可接受的證據，重點是頁面上要有商品名稱、價格與明確的下單方式（例如購物車按鈕、聯絡電話）。
常見 NG 使用證據（送件前先自查）
商標看不清楚、或和申請圖樣不一致
例如只拍到部分圖樣、解析度太低，或實際使用時又多加了其他元素，和送件時的商標不相同。證據與指定商品／服務不符
申請的是 t‑shirt 商品，但提供的卻是「客製化印製 t‑shirt 服務」的廣告，這類不一致很容易被 USPTO 駁回。並非真正商業使用
例如只是後製把商標貼在產品照片上，實際上沒有出貨紀錄、僅有訂購單、發票、名片、提單或沒有 URL 與日期的網頁截圖等，通常不被視為實際使用。網頁缺少「行動呼籲」資訊
有商標、有產品介紹，但頁面上沒有下單、購買或下載方式，軟體類商品尤其常出現這個問題。
如果不確定某張照片可不可以用，可以先和專業代理人討論。
Amazon 販售可以當美國商標使用證據嗎？
可以，尤其是 FBA 模式最穩健。
以 FBA（Fulfillment by Amazon，亞馬遜物流）為例，賣家必須先將商品運送到 Amazon 物流中心，由 Amazon 負責後續揀貨、包裝與配送。 在多數情況下，這樣的實際出貨紀錄與產品頁面截圖，較容易被認定為在美國境內的真實商業使用。
FBM 為何比較有疑慮？
FBM 是賣家自行出貨，從庫存管理、寄送安排到客服都由賣家負責。 在某些情況下，若實際出貨紀錄、物流憑證或使用範圍較難證明位於美國境內，可能在使用證據的說服力上略遜於 FBA，建議在送件前先評估佐證資料是否充分。
下面由美國註冊律師 Ms. Laura Schneider 提供英文版重點說明，適合已經熟悉 USPTO 用語、或準備與美方合作律師溝通的讀者參考。
Trademark Specimen Information
(by Ms. Laura Schneider, US attorney of Schneider IP Law LLC)
Applicants do not have to wait until a trademark is actually used to file a request for trademark registration. That is, an application may be filed on an Intent-to-Use basis. However, the USPTO will not register a trademark until the Applicant proves use of the mark for all goods/services listed. Proof of use must be submitted with a “Statement of Use” (SOU) within 6 months of Allowance (extendable up to 3 years) at the latest.
The SOU requires that Applicants file a specimen showing exactly how the mark is used in commerce, for each class. That is, actual sales of a product or service in the United States must be achieved prior to registration, and the trademark must be used on all goods/services that are claimed.
Examples of a proper specimen include: photographs of the mark used on the product itself or on the product packaging, or a website showing a close link between the mark and the product.
The following are examples of proper specimens for trademarks used on product packaging.
Notes: (1) the specimens are unaltered images; (2) the images show the trademark exactly as used on the packaging; (3) the trademark shown is exactly as applied-for.
The following are examples of proper specimens for trademarks used directly on products.
Notes: (1) the specimens are unaltered images; (2) the images show the entire product and, if the product is large, a close-up to show the trademark clearly; (3) the trademark is exactly as applied-for; (4) in the case of clothing, the trademark is not used for adornment, but rather to indicate the source.
Sometimes, a photograph of the product is not possible, such as when the trademark is used to identify the source of a service, software, or an electronic product. In these cases, a screenshot of a webpage may be submitted.
Notes: (1) the webpage must show a close relationship between the trademark and the product/service being offered; (2) the webpage must include a clear “call to action”, such as a “Sales” number or “Click to Order” link; (3) the Applicant will need to provide the webpage link and date of download of the image.
The following is an acceptable specimen for an e-book sold online. Note how the trademark is in a different font and distinct from the text.
The following is an acceptable example of a service offered online.
Note the placement of the trademark in the top left corner of the webpage and the “Sales” phone number as a call to action.
Specimen Rejections:
Here are some common reasons why specimens are refused:
- Your specimen does not show the trademark in your drawing. For example, your specimen does not show your trademark clearly, does not show your entire trademark (shows only a part of the trademark in your drawing), or does not show the exact trademark in the drawing, but rather a variation of it.
- Your specimen does not show trademark use with the goods or services in your application. For example, your application identifies t-shirts as your goods, but the specimen shows your trademark advertising your custom t-shirt printing services.
- Your specimen is not in actual use in commerce. For example: a printer’s proof, a digitally created or altered image or mock-up, material used only to conduct your daily business of selling goods (e.g., packing slips, business stationery, order forms, waybills, and bills of lading), only a drawing or depiction of your trademark, a webpage that doesn’t include the URL and date accessed/printed.
- Shows that your goods have not yet been sold (e.g., pre-sale orders for goods not yet available).
- Your specimen is not an appropriate type for your goods or services. For example, your specimen is only advertising for goods, such as: a webpage with insufficient ordering or purchasing information, or a webpage for downloadable software with no means to download or purchase the software.
Contact us soon if you are unsure if your proposed SOU will be accepted, and we will be happy to provide more guidance to ensure your trademark registers smoothly.
The preceding information is published with permission from Schneider IP Law.
BY CHARLOTTE
(photos and content excerpt provided by Ms. Laura Schneider, US attorney of Schneider IP Law LLC)
如果你正準備申請美國商標，卻不確定手上的使用證據是否足夠、或 Amazon 店鋪畫面能不能用，我們可以協助從使用證據盤點、SOU 策略到正式送件一次完成。 歡迎與源道專利商標事務所聯繫，我們會依你的商品類別與銷售模式，提供量身調整的建議。
