UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
SERIAL NO: 76/519547
APPLICANT: ACKER, WESLEY
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CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS: WESLEY ACKER 3 GLEN DRIVE CASCO ME 04015
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RETURN ADDRESS: Commissioner for Trademarks 2900 Crystal Drive Arlington, VA 22202-3514 ecom102@uspto.gov
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MARK: ENDLESS
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CORRESPONDENT’S REFERENCE/DOCKET NO: N/A
CORRESPONDENT EMAIL ADDRESS:
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Please provide in all correspondence:
1. Filing date, serial number, mark and applicant's name. 2. Date of this Office Action. 3. Examining Attorney's name and Law Office number. 4. Your telephone number and e-mail address.
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Serial Number 76/519547
The assigned examining attorney has reviewed the referenced application and determined the following.
No Conflicting Marks Noted
The examining attorney has searched the Office records and has found no similar registered or pending mark which would bar registration under Trademark Act Section 2(d), 15 U.S.C. Section 1052(d). TMEP section 704.02.
The specimen is unacceptable as evidence of actual trademark use because it fails to clearly shown use of the mark. The applicant has submitted a specimen in the form of a photograph of a person wearing a shirt. It appears that the shirt may display the mark. The examining attorney, however, cannot clearly discern the nature the mark as displayed. The applicant must submit a specimen clearly showing the mark as used in commerce. 37 C.F.R. §2.56. Examples of acceptable specimens are tags, labels, instruction manuals, containers or photographs that show the mark on the goods or packaging. TMEP §904.04 et seq. The applicant must verify, with an affidavit or a declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20, that the substitute specimen was in use in commerce at least as early as the filing date of the application. Jim Dandy Co. v. Siler City Mills, Inc., 209 USPQ 764 (TTAB 1981); 37 C.F.R. §2.59(a); TMEP §904.09.
The statement supporting use of the substitute specimen must read as follows:
The substitute specimen was in use in commerce at least as early as the filing date of the application.
The applicant must sign this statement either in affidavit form or with a declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20; TMEP §904.09.
The following is a properly worded declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20. At the end of the response, the applicant should insert the declaration signed by a person authorized to sign under 37 C.F.R. §2.33(a).
The undersigned, being hereby warned that willful false statements and the like so made are punishable by fine or imprisonment, or both, under 18 U.S.C. §1001, and that such willful false statements may jeopardize the validity of the application or any resulting registration, declares that the facts set forth in this application are true; all statements made of his/her own knowledge are true; and all statements made on information and belief are believed to be true.
_____________________________
(Signature)
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(Print or Type Name and Position)
_____________________________
(Date)
The applicant also submitted as specimens what appears to be advertisements from a website. The applicant should note that such specimens are unacceptable as evidence of actual trademark use. Invoices, announcements, order forms, bills of lading, leaflets, brochures, publicity releases and other printed advertising material generally are not acceptable specimens. In re Bright of America, Inc., 205 USPQ 63 (TTAB 1979); TMEP §§904.05 and 904.07. See In re Ultraflight Inc., 221 USPQ 903 (TTAB 1984).
Identification of Goods Indefinite
The identification of goods is indefinite because the applicant uses the wording “for example.” The identification of goods must be specific. The applicant should amend the identification to replace this wording with “namely.” The applicant may amend to list only items that are within the scope of goods set forth in the identification. 37 C.F.R. §2.71(a); TMEP §§1402.01 and 1402.03(a).
The applicant may adopt the following identification, if accurate:
Clothing, namely, [list specific clothing goods, e.g., hats, sweatshirts], in international class 25.
TMEP section 1402.01.
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(a); 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.
The applicant is strongly encouraged to consult the Acceptable Identification of Goods and Services Manual. The Manual is available on the PTO's "homepage" on the Internet, which can be accessed at http://www.gov.uspto.report/web/offices/tac/doc/gsmanual/. TMEP Section 1404.04. The Acceptable Identification of Goods and Services Manual sets out acceptable language for identifying goods and services of various types. Utilizing identification language from the Manual may enable trademark owners to avoid problems relating to indefiniteness with respect to the goods or services identified in their applications for registration; however, applicants should note that they must assert actual use in commerce or a bona fide intent to use the mark in commerce for the goods or services specified. TMEP Section 1404.04.
Proper Response to Office Action
A response to this Office action requires no set form. The applicant, however, must respond to each point raised. The applicant should simply set forth the required changes or statements and request that the Office enter them. Any response must be signed by the applicant.
In all correspondence to the Patent and Trademark Office, the applicant should list the name and law office of the examining attorney, the serial number of this application, the mailing date of this Office action, and the applicant's telephone number.
If the applicant has any questions or needs assistance in responding to this Office action, please telephone the assigned examining attorney.
/Rudy Singleton/
Examining Attorney, Law Office 102
(703) 308-9102 ext. 266
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.
FOR INQUIRIES OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS OFFICE ACTION, PLEASE CONTACT THE ASSIGNED EXAMINING ATTORNEY.