Free Talk Live

NEW YORK – Facebook has moved a step closer toward trademarking the word "face" — at least in certain contexts.

The company's 2005 application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office received a "notice of allowance" Tuesday, which means Facebook now has six months to show that it uses the trademark and pay a $100 fee, said Cynthia Lynch, administrator for trademark policy and procedure at the agency. Or, it can file for an extension for up to 36 months. Once that's done, the trademark can be approved or rejected.