GMA

What this record means

The record shows that the GMA mark, owned by the Gospel Music Association (a Tennessee corporation), is dead – it was abandoned after an appeal of the examining attorney’s final refusal, with the last status change recorded on May 24 2005. The registration covered only educational and entertainment services related to gospel music, specifically seminars, exhibitions, conferences, workshops, gospel‑music shows and awards for excellence in that field; a similar name used for anything outside that narrow gospel‑music context would be the closest area of concern, but the record does not give the owner control over every possible use of the letters “GMA.” Because the mark was on the Principal Register and never reached the Supplemental Register, there is no prosecution history to explain a descriptiveness refusal or amendment. The supplied history contains no oppositions, cancellations or other enforcement actions. I'd treat this as a meaningful concern if you plan a name tied to gospel‑music education or entertainment, but the risk drops sharply for unrelated goods or services.