Offc Action Outgoing

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

 

 

 

OFFICE ACTION

 

TO AVOID ABANDONMENT, WE MUST RECEIVE A PROPER RESPONSE TO THIS OFFICE ACTION WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF OUR MAILING OR E-MAILING DATE. 

 

 

Serial Number  76/444417

 

The assigned examining attorney has reviewed the referenced application and determined the following.

 

Likelihood of Confusion

The examining attorney refuses registration under Trademark Act Section 2(d), 15 U.S.C. Section 1052(d), because applicant's mark, when used in connection with the identified goods, so resembles the marks in U.S. Registration Nos. 2,260,168 and 2,032,699 as to be likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake, or to deceive.  TMEP section 1207.  See the enclosed registration.

 

The examining attorney must analyze each case in two steps to determine whether there is a likelihood of confusion.  First, the examining attorney must look at the marks themselves for similarities in appearance, sound, connotation and commercial impression.  In re E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d 1357, 177 USPQ 563 (CCPA 1973).  Second, the examining attorney must compare the goods or services to determine if they are related or if the activities surrounding their marketing are such that confusion as to origin is likely.  In re August Storck KG, 218 USPQ 823 (TTAB 1983); In re International Telephone and Telegraph Corp., 197 USPQ 910 (TTAB 1978); Guardian Products Co., v. Scott Paper Co., 200 USPQ 738 (TTAB 1978).

 

The goods of the parties need not be identical or directly competitive to find a likelihood of confusion.  They need only be related in some manner, or the conditions surrounding their marketing be such, that they could be encountered by the same purchasers under circumstances that could give rise to the mistaken belief that the goods come from a common source.  In re Martin's Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc., 748 F.2d 1565, 223 USPQ 1289 (Fed. Cir. 1984); In re Corning Glass Works, 229 USPQ 65 (TTAB 1985); In re Rexel Inc., 223 USPQ 830 (TTAB 1984); Guardian Products Co., Inc. v. Scott Paper Co., 200 USPQ 738 (TTAB 1978); In re International Telephone & Telegraph Corp., 197 USPQ 910 (TTAB 1978).

 

The applicant’s mark and the cited registered marks all share the term NEXTWAVE. The design element and additional term NAVIGATOR are insufficient to obviate the likelihood of confusion.  The marks are highly similar in sound, appearance and commercial impression.  All of the marks are used in connection with satellite receivers, therefore, the goods are highly related and move in the same channels of trade.  Due to the close relation between both the marks and the goods, consumers are likely to be confused as to the source of the  goods.

 

Prior Pending Applications

The examining attorney encloses information regarding pending Application Serial Nos. 75904698; 76184869; 76184411; and 78125247.  The filing dates of the referenced applications precede applicant's filing date.  There may be a likelihood of confusion between the marks under Trademark Act Section 2(d), 15 U.S.C. Section 1052(d).  If either of the referenced applications matures into a registration, the examining attorney may refuse registration in this case under Section 2(d).  37 C.F.R. Section 2.83; TMEP section 1208.01.

 

Although the examining attorney has refused registration, applicant may respond to the refusal to register by submitting evidence and arguments in support of registration.  If applicant chooses to respond to the refusal to register, applicant must also respond to the following informalities.

 

Identification of Goods

The wording "internet set-top boxes" in the identification of goods is unacceptable as indefinite because the applicant must specify the composition and function of the boxes.  The applicant may amend this wording to "internet set-top boxes comprised of computer hardware and software for connecting to the internet and transmitting data," if accurate.  TMEP section 1402.

 

The wording "digital set-top boxes" in the identification of goods is unacceptable as indefinite because the applicant must specify the composition and function of the boxes.  The applicant may amend this wording to "digital set-top boxes comprised of computer hardware and software for connecting to satellites and transmitting television broadcasts," if accurate.  TMEP section 1402.

 

The wording "decoders" in the identification of goods is unacceptable as indefinite because the applicant must specify what is decoded.  The applicant may amend this wording to "television signal decoders," if accurate.  TMEP section 1402.

 

The wording "(recorded)" in the identification of goods is unacceptable as indefinite because the applicant may not use parentheses in an identification.  The applicant may amend this wording to "recorded computer operating programs," if accurate.  TMEP section 1402.

 

Please note that, while an application may be amended to clarify or limit the identification, additions to the identification are not permitted.  37 C.F.R. Section 2.71(b); TMEP section 1402.06.  Therefore, the applicant may not amend to include any goods that are not within the scope of goods set forth in the present identification.

 

If the applicant has any questions or needs assistance in responding to this Office action, please telephone the assigned examining attorney.  If the applicant has questions regarding the status of the application, the applicant should telephone the status line at 703-305-8747.

 

Fee increase effective January 1, 2003

Effective January 1, 2003, the fee for filing an application for trademark registration will be increased to $335.00 per International Class.  The USPTO will not accord a filing date to applications that are filed on or after that date that are not accompanied by a minimum of $335.00. 

 

Additionally, the fee for amending an existing application to add an additional class or classes of goods/services will be $335.00 per class for classes added on or after January 1, 2003.

 

 

 

/Rebecca L. Gilbert/

Trademark Attorney

Law Office 113

703-308-9103 ex 119

ecom113@uspto.gov

 

 

How to respond to this Office Action:

 

To respond formally using the Office’s Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS), visit http://www.gov.uspto.report/teas/index.html and follow the instructions.

 

To respond formally via E-mail, visit http://www.gov.uspto.report/web/trademarks/tmelecresp.htm and follow the instructions.

 

To respond formally via regular mail, your response should be sent to the mailing Return Address listed above and include the serial number, law office and examining attorney’s name on the upper right corner of each page of your response.

 

To check the status of your application at any time, visit the Office’s Trademark Applications and Registrations Retrieval (TARR) system at http://tarr.gov.uspto.report/

 

For general and other useful information about trademarks, you are encouraged to visit the Office’s web site at http://www.gov.uspto.report/main/trademarks.htm

 

FOR INQUIRIES OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS OFFICE ACTION, PLEASE CONTACT THE ASSIGNED EXAMINING ATTORNEY.

Mark
        NEXTWAVE NAVIGATOR
Pseudo Mark
        NEXT WAVE NAVIGATOR
Goods and Services
        IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: electronic equipment, namely, satellite receivers for receiving satellite audio and video signals for consumer use. FIRST USE: 19950817. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19950915
Mark Drawing Code
        (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number
        75000519
Filing Date
        October 2, 1995
Publication for Opposition Date
        April 20, 1999
Registration Number
        2260168
Registration Date
        July 13, 1999
Owner Name and Address
        (REGISTRANT) C.R.E., Inc. CORPORATION MISSOURI 1530 Page Industrial Boulevard St. Louis MISSOURI 63132
Type of Mark
        TRADEMARK
Register
        PRINCIPAL
Live Dead Indicator
        LIVE
Attorney of Record
        LAWRENCE E. EVANS, JR.

 

Mark
        NEXTWAVE
Pseudo Mark
        NEXT WAVE
Goods and Services
        IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: satellite equipment, namely consumer satellite receivers. FIRST USE: 19941215. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19941215
Mark Drawing Code
        (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number
        74593315
Filing Date
        November 1, 1994
Filed ITU
        FILED AS ITU
Publication for Opposition Date
        January 2, 1996
Registration Number
        2032699
Registration Date
        January 21, 1997
Owner Name and Address
        (REGISTRANT) C.R.E., Inc. CORPORATION MISSOURI 1409 Washington, 5th Floor St. Louis MISSOURI 63103
Type of Mark
        TRADEMARK
Register
        PRINCIPAL
Live Dead Indicator
        LIVE
Attorney of Record
        EDWARD J. GRIESEDIECK

 

Mark
        NEXTWAVE COMPUTERS
Goods and Services
        IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S: Retail computer stores and warranty centers. FIRST USE: 20020401. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20020401
Mark Drawing Code
        (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number
        78125247
Filing Date
        April 30, 2002
Owner Name and Address
        (APPLICANT) Icon 3, Inc. CORPORATION FLORIDA 1825 Tamiami Trail, Unit B3 Port Charlotte FLORIDA 33948
Type of Mark
        SERVICE MARK
Register
        PRINCIPAL
Live Dead Indicator
        LIVE
Attorney of Record
        Patrick W. Fletcher

Mark
        NEXWAVE
Pseudo Mark
        next wave
Goods and Services
        IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: blank magnetic data carriers; blank discs for computers; optical discs; blank hard computer discs; blank floppy computer discs; computers; computer peripherals, namely, computer monitors, computer keyboards, computer mice, computer consoles, computer printers; computer programs for time sharing services and providing access to a global computer network; computer game software; computer game joysticks; computer game equipment containing memory devices, namely, discs, for use with a television receiver

        IC 042. US 100 101. G & S: computer time sharing services; engineering in the fields of electronic, audio-visual, and data processing technologies
Mark Drawing Code
        (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number
        76184411
Filing Date
        December 20, 2000
Filed ITU
        FILED AS ITU
Owner Name and Address
        (APPLICANT) Suntech SA CORPORATION FRANCE Le Serantue / Bat.A, 130-140 Quaitlora Tristan 34070 Montpellier FRANCE
Type of Mark
        TRADEMARK. SERVICE MARK
Register
        PRINCIPAL
Live Dead Indicator
        LIVE
Attorney of Record
        John F McNulty

Mark
        NEXWAVE
Goods and Services
        IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: computer software, namely, component-based operating systems software and embedded operating system software

        IC 038. US 100 101 104. G & S: telecommunication services, namely, electronic transmission of messages via global computer networks

        IC 042. US 100 101. G & S: computer software design for others
Mark Drawing Code
        (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number
        76184869
Filing Date
        December 20, 2000
Filed ITU
        FILED AS ITU
Owner Name and Address
        (APPLICANT) SUNTECH SA CORPORATION FRANCE Le Seranne/Bat.A 130-140 Quaiflora Tristan 34070 Montpellier FRANCE
Section 44 Indicator
        SECT44
Priority Date
        July 19, 2000
Type of Mark
        TRADEMARK. SERVICE MARK
Register
        PRINCIPAL
Live Dead Indicator
        LIVE
Attorney of Record
        JOHN S. EGBERT

Mark
        NEXTWAVE
Pseudo Mark
        NEXT WAVE
Goods and Services
        IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: switching and routing apparatus for connecting or routing voice and data to correct destinations in the field of digital wireless communications
Mark Drawing Code
        (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number
        75904698
Filing Date
        January 28, 2000
Filed ITU
        FILED AS ITU
Owner Name and Address
        (APPLICANT) interWAVE Communications, Inc. CORPORATION DELAWARE 656 BAIR ISLAND ROAD, SUITE 108 REDWOOD CITY CALIFORNIA 94063
Type of Mark
        TRADEMARK
Register
        PRINCIPAL
Live Dead Indicator
        LIVE
Attorney of Record
        DEBORAH BAILEY-WELLS