UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
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SERIAL NO: 76/594107
APPLICANT: HERMES MICROVISION, INC.
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CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS: |
RETURN ADDRESS: Commissioner for Trademarks P.O. Box 1451 Alexandria, VA 22313-1451
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MARK: ESCAN
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CORRESPONDENT’S REFERENCE/DOCKET NO: ESCA6001USA/
CORRESPONDENT EMAIL ADDRESS: |
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 76/594107
The assigned examining attorney has reviewed the referenced application and determined the following.
MARK IS MERELY DESCRIPTIVE
The examining attorney refuses registration on the Principal Register because the proposed mark merely describes the goods. Trademark Act Section 2(e)(1), 15 U.S.C. Section 1052(e)(1); TMEP section 1209 et seq.
A mark is merely descriptive under Trademark Act Section 2(e)(1), 15 U.S.C. 1052(e)(1), if it describes an ingredient, quality, characteristic, function, feature, purpose or use of the relevant goods. In re Gyulay, 820 F.2d 1216, 3 USPQ2d 1009 (Fed. Cir. 1987); In re Bed & Breakfast Registry, 791 F.2d 157, 229 USPQ 818 (Fed. Cir. 1986); In re MetPath Inc., 223 USPQ 88 (TTAB 1984); In re Bright‑Crest, Ltd., 204 USPQ 591 (TTAB 1979); TMEP section 1209.01(b).
The examining attorney must consider whether a mark is merely descriptive in relation to the identified goods, not in the abstract. In re Omaha National Corp., 819 F.2d 1117, 2 USPQ2d 1859 (Fed. Cir. 1987); In re Abcor Development Corp., 588 F.2d 811, 200 USPQ 215 (CCPA 1978); In re Venture Lending Associates, 226 USPQ 285 (TTAB 1985).
It is not necessary that a term describe all of the purposes, functions, characteristics or features of the goods to be merely descriptive. It is enough if the term describes one attribute of the goods. In re H.U.D.D.L.E., 216 USPQ 358 (TTAB 1982); In re MBAssociates, 180 USPQ 338 (TTAB 1973).
The applicant intends to use the mark “eScan” on “1; Measuring apparatus, namely, instruments for use in the semiconductor industry 2; Probes for testing integrated circuits 3; Computer software to enhance the yield productivity of semiconductors 4; Optical inspection apparatus for industrial use 5; Data processors 6; Industrial process control software 7; Visual instruments for examining semiconductor apparatus 8; Inspection instruments [other than for medical or dentist use] 9; Wafer steppers for adjusting the production of integrated circuits, Wafer steppers for controlling the production of integrated circuits and Wafer steppers for monitoring the production of integrated circuits 10; Computer programs for use in computer-aided manufacturing/Computer programs for integrated circuits diagnostics.” The wording in the mark is a recognized abbreviation for the descriptive term “electronic scanning.” This determination is based upon the attached printout from www.acronymfinder.com. The goods of the applicant perform electronic scanning of semiconductors and integrated circuits. This determination is based upon the information in the application and the attached printout from the applicant’s website. No imagination, thought or perception is required to determine the nature of the goods from the term in the mark. The mark immediately and directly conveys some information about the relevant goods. In re Aid Laboratories, Inc., 223 USPQ 357 (TTAB 1984).
Although the examining attorney has refused registration, the applicant may respond to the refusal to register by submitting evidence and arguments in support of registration.
Although the trademark examining attorney has refused registration on the Principal Register, applicant may respond to the stated refusal(s) under Section 44(e) by amending the application to seek registration on the Supplemental Register. Trademark Act Section 23, 15 U.S.C. §1091; 37 C.F.R. §§2.47 and 2.75(a); TMEP §§801.02(b), 815 and 816 et seq. Please note that Section 1(b) must be deleted if the applicant chooses to proceed to registration on the Supplemental Register based upon Section 44(e).
If the applicant chooses to respond to the refusal to register, the applicant must also respond to the following requirements.
In the identification, the applicant must use the common commercial names for the goods, be as complete and specific as possible and avoid the use of indefinite words and phrases. If the applicant chooses to use indefinite terms, such as “accessories,” “components,” “devices,” “equipment,” “materials,” “parts,” “systems” and “products,” then those words must be followed by the word “namely” and the goods listed by their common commercial names. TMEP §§1402.01 and 1402.03(a).
The wording “measuring apparatus, namely, instruments for use in the semiconductor industry” in the identification of goods is unacceptable as indefinite. The applicant must amend the identification to specify the commercial name of the goods. If there is no common commercial name for the product, the applicant must describe the product and its intended uses. TMEP §1402.01.
The wording “visual instruments for examining semiconductor apparatus” in the identification of goods is unacceptable as indefinite. The applicant must amend the identification to specify the commercial name of the goods. If there is no common commercial name for the product, the applicant must describe the product and its intended uses. TMEP §1402.01.
The wording “inspection instruments [other than for medical or dentist use]” in the identification of goods is unacceptable as indefinite. The applicant must amend the identification to specify the commercial name of the goods. If there is no common commercial name for the product, the applicant must describe the product and its intended uses. TMEP §1402.01.
The applicant may amend the goods to the following wording, if accurate:
Measuring instruments for use in the semiconductor industry, namely, electronic scanners; Probes for testing integrated circuits; Computer software to enhance the yield productivity of semiconductors; Optical inspection apparatus for industrial use; Data processors; Industrial process control software; Visual instruments, namely, lenses for examining semiconductors; Inspection instruments for product quality control in the field of semiconductor manufacturing; Wafer steppers for adjusting the production of integrated circuits; Wafer steppers for controlling the production of integrated circuits; and Wafer steppers for monitoring the production of integrated circuits; Computer programs for use in computer-aided manufacturing; Computer programs for integrated circuits diagnostics.
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. §2.71(a); TMEP §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 applicant wishes to proceed relying on the applicant’s intent to use the mark in commerce under Trademark Act Section 1(b) as the sole basis for registration, with the claim of priority under Section 44(d), then applicant should so advise the trademark examining attorney. TMEP §§806.02(f) and 806.04(b). If applicant chooses to do so, this Office will approve the mark for publication without waiting for applicant to submit a copy of the foreign registration, once all other outstanding issues are resolved. However, while the application may be approved for publication, the mark will not register until after an acceptable allegation of use has been filed.
If applicant does not indicate otherwise, this Office will presume that applicant wishes to rely on the foreign registration as an additional basis for registration and will require applicant to submit the copy of the foreign registration and, if appropriate, an English translation signed by the translator. TMEP §§1004.01 and 1004.01(b).
Applicant must submit a copy of the foreign registration. If the foreign certificate of registration is not written in English, then applicant must provide an English translation signed by the translator. See TMEP §§1004.01 and 1004.01(b).
The application does not presently contain a copy of the foreign registration. An application filed under Trademark Act Section 44(e), 15 U.S.C. §1126(e), must include a true copy, photocopy, certification or certified copy of a foreign registration from the applicant’s country of origin. Applicant’s country of origin must either be a party to a convention or treaty relating to trademarks to which the United States is also a party, or must extend reciprocal registration rights to nationals of the United States by law. See TMEP §§1002.01 and 1004.
If applicant is the owner of U.S. Registration No. 2833431, then applicant must submit a claim of ownership. 37 C.F.R. §2.36; TMEP §812. A printout of the registration is attached for the applicant’s review. The following standard format is suggested:
Applicant is the owner of U.S. Registration No. 2833431.
NOTICE: TRADEMARK OPERATION RELOCATION
The Trademark Operation has relocated to Alexandria, Virginia. Effective October 4, 2004, all Trademark-related paper mail (except documents sent to the Assignment Services Division for recordation, certain documents filed under the Madrid Protocol, and requests for copies of trademark documents) must be sent to:
Commissioner for Trademarks
P.O. Box 1451
Alexandria, VA 22313-1451
Applicants, attorneys and other Trademark customers are strongly encouraged to correspond with the USPTO online via the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS), at http://www.gov.uspto.report/teas/index.html.
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 1105.01.
Applicant may respond to this Office action using the Office’s Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) at <http://www.gov.uspto.report/teas/index.html>. When using TEAS the data the applicant submits is directly uploaded into the Office’s database, which reduces processing time and eliminates the possibility of data entry errors by the Office. Applicants are strongly encouraged to use TEAS to respond to Office actions. Applicants using TEAS should not submit a duplicate paper copy of the response.
The Trademark Applications and Registrations Retrieval (TARR) database on the USPTO website at http://tarr.uspto.gov provides detailed, up to the minute information about the status and prosecution history of trademark applications and registrations. The TARR database is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Status and status date information is also available via push-button telephone at (703) 305‑8747 from 6:30 a.m. until midnight, Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
/Tina L. Snapp
Examining Attorney
Law Office 116
(571) 272-9224
RightFax (571)273-9224
How to respond to this Office Action:
You may respond formally using the Office's Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) Response to Office Action form (visit http://eteas.gov.uspto.report/V2.0/oa242/WIZARD.htm and follow the instructions therein, but you must wait until at least 72 hours after receipt if the office action issued via e-mail). PLEASE NOTE: Responses to Office Actions on applications filed under the Madrid Protocol (Section 66(a)) CANNOT currently be filed via TEAS.
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.