When a non-U.S. entity wishes to extend its International Application to the U.S. via the Madrid Protocol (a section 66 application), the U.S. PTO has 18 months to notify the Internatonal Bureau (IB) at WIPO that the application has been refused or could potentially be refused. If the PTO doesn’t notify the IB, the application is approved by default. On the plus side, U.S. entitites using the protocol to obtain non-U.S. protection, also are protected by this ‘approval by default’ provision.
In this opposition discussed by the TTABlog, an opposition, (timely filed by opponent) was dismissed by the TTAB as the PTO had not timely fuflfilled its notice requirements to the IB.
All is not lost for the opponent, as it may now file a cancellation petition if it sees fit.
It seems that the PTO will have to gear up to send an automatic “18 months and pending” letter to the IB.
Background PTO rules of practice here.

‘Bush to Appoint Someone to Be in Charge of Country’ is a typical title from The Onion, a humor website. Also, ‘Study Reveals Pittsburgh Unprepared for Full-Scale Zombie Attack.’
The Onion produces a parody of the President’s weekly radio address available here. In so doing, it reproduced the Presidential seal, visible here.
The White House has protested The Onion’s reproduction of the Great Seal.
Section 18 U.S.C. 713:
§ 713. Use of likenesses of the great seal of the United States, the seals of the President and Vice President, the seal of the United States Senate, the seal of the United States House of Representatives, and the seal of the United States Congress
Release date: 2005-08-03
(a) Whoever knowingly displays any printed or other likeness of the great seal of the United States, or of the seals of the President or the Vice President of the United States, or the seal of the United States Senate, or the seal of the United States House of Representatives, or the seal of the United States Congress, or any facsimile thereof, in, or in connection with, any advertisement, poster, circular, book, pamphlet, or other publication, public meeting, play, motion picture, telecast, or other production, or on any building, monument, or stationery, for the purpose of conveying, or in a manner reasonably calculated to convey, a false impression of sponsorship or approval by the Government of the United States or by any department, agency, or instrumentality thereof, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.
Emphasis mine.
Supreme Court Justice Roberts has written on 18 U.S.C. 713 previously.
I have as well, here (and was able to work in the phrase ‘coulrophobia, fear of clowns.’