Offc Action Outgoing

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

 

 

 

OFFICE ACTION

 

RESPONSE TIME LIMIT:  TO AVOID ABANDONMENT, THE OFFICE MUST RECEIVE A PROPER RESPONSE TO THIS OFFICE ACTION WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF THE MAILING OR E-MAILING DATE. 

 

 

Serial Number  76/616762

 

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

 

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. §1052(d).  TMEP §704.02.

 

Registration Refused – Surname

Registration is refused because the proposed mark is primarily merely a surname.  Trademark Act Section 2(e)(4), 15 U.S.C. §1052(e)(4); TMEP §§1211 et seq.  The primary significance of the mark to the purchasing public determines whether a term is primarily merely a surname.  In re Etablissements Darty et Fils, 759 F.2d 15, 225 USPQ 652, 653 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Kahan & Weisz Jewelry Mfg. Corp., 508 F.2d 831, 184 USPQ 421 (C.C.P.A. 1975).

 

Please see the attached evidence from Lexis-Nexis® USFIND database, establishing the surname significance of the surname KARSTEN.

 

Combining a surname with the generic name for the goods or services does not overcome a mark’s surname significance.  See In re Hamilton Pharmaceuticals Ltd., 27 USPQ2d 1939 (TTAB 1993) (HAMILTON PHARMACEUTICALS held primarily merely a surname for “pharmaceutical products”); In re Cazes, 21 USPQ2d 1796 (TTAB 1991) (BRASSERIE LIPP held primarily merely a surname when used in connection with “restaurant services”); In re Woolley’s Petite Suites, 18 USPQ2d 1810 (TTAB 1991) (WOOLLEY’S PETITE SUITES held primarily merely a surname for hotel and motel services).

 

Hence, the addition of the wording HOMES does not alter the surname significance of the mark because it identifies the generic name for the goods offered via the applicant’s retail outlets  (“retail outlets of manufactured homes”).

 

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.

 

Section 2(f) Acquired Distinctiveness

Applicant may register a surname as a trademark under Trademark Act Section 2(f), 15 U.S.C. §1052(f), by establishing acquired distinctiveness in any one of the following three ways:

 

(1)   submitting a claim of ownership of one or more prior registrations on the Principal Register for a mark that is the same as the mark in this application for the same or related goods and/or services.  37 C.F.R. §2.41(b); TMEP §§1212.04 et seq.

 

(2)   submitting a statement that the mark has become distinctive of applicant's goods and/or services by reason of substantially exclusive and continuous use in commerce by the applicant for the five years preceding the date of the statement.  Applicant must verify this statement with a notarized affidavit or signed declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20.  37 C.F.R. §2.41(b); TMEP §§1212.05 et seq.

 

(3)   submitting actual evidence of acquired distinctiveness.  37 C.F.R. §2.41(a); TMEP §§1212.06 et seq.

 

TMEP §§1211 and 1212.02(a).

 

 

Informalities

If the applicant chooses to respond to the refusal to register, the applicant must also respond to the following informalities.

 

 

Prior Registration on Supplemental Register Does Not Establish Distinctiveness

An applicant may not base a claim of acquired distinctiveness under Trademark Act Section 2(f) on ownership of a registration on the Supplemental Register.  In re Canron, Inc., 219 USPQ 820 (TTAB 1983); TMEP §1212.04(d).  The examining attorney notes that the applicant’s Reg. No. 2333917 is on the Supplemental Register.   Therefore, the applicant may not base the instant claim of acquired distinctiveness on Reg. No. 2333917.

 

 

Disclaimer

The applicant must disclaim the generic wording “HOMES” apart from the mark as shown. Trademark Act Section 6, 15 U.S.C. §1056; TMEP §§1213 and 1213.03(a).  The wording is generic because it identifies the generic name for the goods offered via the applicant’s retail outlets  (“retail outlets of manufactured homes”).  Furthermore, the examining attorney notes that the applicant disclaimed the term “HOMES” in Reg. No. 2333917, which appears on the Supplemental Register.

 

The computerized printing format for the Office’s Trademark Official Gazette requires a standardized format for a disclaimer.  TMEP §1213.08(a)(i).  The following is the standard format used by the Office:

 

No claim is made to the exclusive right to use “HOMES” apart from the mark as shown.

 

See In re Owatonna Tool Co., 231 USPQ 493 (Comm’r Pats. 1983).

 

 

Standard Character Claim

Applicant must submit the following standard character claim:  “The mark consists of standard characters without claim to any particular font style, size, or color.”  37 C.F.R. §2.52(a); TMEP §807.03(a)

 

 

If the applicant has any questions or needs assistance in responding to this Office action, please telephone the assigned examining attorney.

 

 

/Richard F. White/

Trademark Examining Attorney

Law Office 113

Telephone:  (571) 272-9442

Fax:  (571) 273-9113

 

 

NOTICE:  FEE CHANGE   

 

Effective January 31, 2005 and pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005, Pub. L. 108-447, the following are the fees that will be charged for filing a trademark application:

 

(1) $325 per international class if filed electronically using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS); or 

 

(2)   $375 per international class if filed on paper

 

These fees will be charged not only when a new application is filed, but also when payments are made to add classes to an existing application. If such payments are submitted with a TEAS response, the fee will be  $325 per class, and if such payments are made with a paper response, the fee will be $375 per class.

 

The new fee requirements will apply to any fees filed on or after January 31, 2005.

 

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.

 

 

HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS OFFICE ACTION:

• ONLINE RESPONSE:  You may respond formally using the Office’s Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) Response to Office Action form (visit http://www.gov.uspto.report/teas/index.html and follow the instructions, but if the Office Action issued via email you must wait 72 hours after receipt of the Office Action to respond via TEAS).
• REGULAR MAIL RESPONSE:  To respond by regular mail, your response should be sent to the mailing return address above and include the serial number, law office number and examining attorney’s name in your response.

 

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

 

VIEW APPLICATION DOCUMENTS ONLINE: Documents in the electronic file for pending applications can be viewed and downloaded online at http://portal.gov.uspto.report/external/portal/tow.

 

GENERAL TRADEMARK INFORMATION: For general information about trademarks, please visit the Office’s website at http://www.gov.uspto.report/main/trademarks.htm

 

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

LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.

Copyright © 2005 Allrights reserved.

 

 

MAIL-IT REQUESTED: MAY 20, 2005                             10083K        CLIENT:

       LIBRARY: FINDER

          FILE: USFIND

YOUR SEARCH REQUEST AT THE TIME THIS MAIL-IT WAS REQUESTED:

 LAST-NAME (KARSTEN)

NUMBER OF DOCUMENTS FOUND WITH YOUR REQUEST THROUGH:  847

PRINTEDTHE SELECTED  DOCUMENT NUMBERS:  1-100

DISPLAY FORMAT: CITE

 

 

1. KARSTEN, E & J, 473 LAKE MUREX CIR, SANIBEL, FL 33957-5524, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

2. KARSTEN, CINDY, 544 GIFFORD ST, GENOA CITY, WI 53128-2143, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

3. KARSTEN, NELLIE, 14177 BROADMOOR DR, BRAINERD, MN 56425-5901, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

4. KARSTEN, M & R, 111 MADDREY DR, CAMDEN, NC 27921-7574, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

5. KARSTEN, JOERN, 296 LAS BRISAS LN, ALBANY, GA 31721-9446, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

6. KARSTEN, OPAL, 610 OLD HIGHWAY 60 APT 1, SAMPLE, KY 40143-2593, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

7. KARSTEN, HARRY E, 2706 E 61ST LN, NEW CHICAGO, IN 46342-6402, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

8. KARSTEN, DONALD, 921 MONON RD, LOWELL, IN 46356-9734, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

9. KARSTEN, CARL C, 9300 W 92ND PL, SAINT JOHN, IN 46373-9604, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

10. KARSTEN, LARRY T, 2104 E 73RD AVE, MERRILLVILLE, IN 46410-4815, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

11. KARSTEN, MILTON, 5252 COVENTRY LN, FORT WAYNE, IN 46804-7151, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

12. KARSTEN, NORMAN, 55633 9 MILE RD, SOUTH LYON, MI 48178-8900, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

13. KARSTEN, EDMOND L, 511 S LIBERTY ST, NEW CHICAGO, IN 46342-4647, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

14. KARSTEN, ERIC, 660 GATLIN RD, SCHERERVILLE, IN 46375-1245, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

15. KARSTEN, EDMON, 2388 SEA HORSE ST, PORTAGE, IN 46368-6508, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

16. KARSTEN, GUS, 5601 KRAMER CT, NEWAYGO, MI 49337-8720, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

17. KARSTEN, BRIAN, 625 APACHE DR, FREMONT, MI 49412-1711, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

18. KARSTEN, HARVEY, 8995 E BUCHANAN RD, HESPERIA, MI 49421-9778, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

19. KARSTEN, KERWIN J, 733 STIMSON ST, HOXEYVILLE, MI 49601-2249, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

20. KARSTEN, K, 607 17TH ST, HOXEYVILLE, MI 49601-8718, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

21. KARSTEN, TIMOTHY, 11333 W 38 RD, HARRIETTA, MI 49638-9722, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

22. KARSTEN, EUGENE B, 7447 23 MILE RD, MARION, MI 49665-8005, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

23. KARSTEN, LEE, 2791 S CAMP 10 RD, ELMIRA, MI 49730-9707, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

24. KARSTEN, MARK A, 275 S BEAVER CT, OCONOMOWOC, WI 53066-9439, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

25. KARSTEN, JEFFRY, 196 WALNUT ST, DELAVAN, WI 53115-1664, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

26. KARSTEN, DONALD F, 545 SIOUX DR, FONTANA, WI 53125-1536, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

27. KARSTEN, MARY, 53 N KLONDIKE DR, ELY, MN 55731-1054, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

28. KARSTEN, LARRY, 1400 WINTON RD, ELY, MN 55731-8144, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

29. KARSTEN, DAVID, 5730 CASTLETON LN, KALAMAZOO, MI 49009-1802, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

30. KARSTEN, BRIAN, 3771 121ST AVE, ALLEGAN, MI 49010-9445, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

31. KARSTEN, DAVID, 520 PETRIE AVE, SAINT JOSEPH, MI 49085-1928, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

32. KARSTEN, DAVID, 2716 SUNNYDALE AVE, SAINT JOSEPH, MI 49085-2424, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

33. KARSTEN, KELLY, 2158 HANLEY RD N, SAINT JOSEPH, MI 49085-2916, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

34. KARSTEN, ROBERT, 420 E TRILLIUM CIR, SAINT JOSEPH, MI 49085-8508, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

35. KARSTEN, J, 3811 140TH AVE, HAMILTON, MI 49419-9759, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

36. KARSTEN, SAM, 508 S MAIN ST, DELAVAN, WI 53115-2110, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

37. KARSTEN, RON, 281 E MEYERING RD, MARION, MI 49665-9403, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

38. KARSTEN, JENNIFER, 1040 SHEPHERDS DR, WEST BEND, WI 53090-8463, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

39. KARSTEN, MARK, 4940 N JOHNSON RD, MIDDLEVILLE, MI 49333-9471, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

40. KARSTEN, MATTHEW, 5461 MARKET ST, KALAMAZOO, MI 49048-9559, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

41. KARSTEN, SCOTT R, 411 WAYNE ST, SAINT JOSEPH, MI 49085-1253, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

42. KARSTEN, GENE R, 2805 MORTON AVE, SAINT JOSEPH, MI 49085-2524, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

43. KARSTEN, D, 4422290 SUNRIDGE DR, WAUKESHA, WI 53189-8073, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

44. KARSTEN, MAYNARD P, 157 PO BOX, ULEN, MN 56585-0157, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

45. KARSTEN, LORETTA, 583 PO BOX, DEER RIVER, MN 56636-0583, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

46. KARSTEN, E, 9853 JEFFERSON HWY, BATON ROUGE, LA 70809-2794, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

47. KARSTEN, J G, 18726 WELLS CT, PEARLAND, TX 77584-3895, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

48. KARSTEN, JOHN G, 5422 HERON LN, PEARLAND, TX 77584-9677, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

49. KARSTEN, HERMELINDA, 1311 PERSHING ST, BAYTOWN, TX 77520-6548, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

50. KARSTEN, DAN, 18307 SPRUCE CREEK DR, HOUSTON, TX 77084-2373, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

51. KARSTEN, LE ANN, 15503 FM 529 RD APT 722, HOUSTON, TX 77095-5404, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

52. KARSTEN, BUTCH, 762 PALMETTO DR, EAGLE, ID 83616-5144, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

53. KARSTEN, GEORGE, 4313 S RIDGEVIEW DR, MERIDIAN, ID 83642-6805, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

54. KARSTEN, E, 2755 N WALNUT RD SPC 159, TURLOCK, CA 95382-9706, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

55. KARSTEN, LOUISE M, CONFEDERATE LN, GARDEN CITY, ID 83714-6049, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

56. KARSTEN, JERRY, 13806 12TH AVE SW APT 121, SEATTLE, WA 98166-1171, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

57. KARSTEN, LEROY, 3519 DEER ISLAND DR E, SUMNER, WA 98390-9495, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

58. KARSTEN, M & J, 20838 60TH ST E, SUMNER, WA 98390-8629, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

59. KARSTEN, WILLIAM, 800 HUNT RD, BAYTOWN, TX 77521-9062, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

60. KARSTEN, JACK, 20159 COUNTY 84, CLARISSA, MN 56440-1198, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

61. KARSTEN, ANDREA, 253 E STATE RD, GRANT, MI 49327-9751, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

62. KARSTEN, HOMES, 101 COUNTY ROAD 241, BRECKENRIDGE, TX 76424-4863, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

63. KARSTEN, SUZANNE M, 411 EAGLE ST, DELAVAN, WI 53115-3066, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

64. KARSTEN, ROBERT W, N67W34478 COUNTY ROAD K, OCONOMOWOC, WI 53066-1318, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

65. KARSTEN, CHARLES, 16 HUNTS LN, READFIELD, ME 04355-3567, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

66. KARSTEN, MATTHEW, 330 ILENE ST, GALESBURG, MI 49053-7705, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

67. KARSTEN, E, 9198 MOCKINGBIRD LN, HOXEYVILLE, MI 49601-8497, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

68. KARSTEN, WAYLON, 22464 28TH AVE N, ROLLAG, MN 56549-9437, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

69. KARSTEN, B, N56W24187 S SYCAMORE CIR, LISBON, WI 53089-5164, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

70. KARSTEN, JAMES R, 253 E STATE RD, GRANT, MI 49327-9751, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

71. KARSTEN, JERRY, 12023 1ST AVE S, TUKWILA, WA 98168-2011, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

72. KARSTEN, LIZA, 11 RIVERSIDE DR, NEW YORK, NY 10023-2504, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

73. KARSTEN, ROGER, 628 HOLLY RD, HOXEYVILLE, MI 49601-2420, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

74. KARSTEN, MARY, 1760 INTERTOWN RD, BAY HARBOR, MI 49770-9206, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

75. KARSTEN, JOANNE, 2402 E MAIN ST, KALAMAZOO, MI 49048-2159, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

76. KARSTEN, A & S, 1550 HARRAH RD, NILES, MI 49120-8742, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

77. KARSTEN, A & J, 1941 E DEVEREAUX LAKE RD, INDIAN RIVER, MI 49749-9126, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

78. KARSTEN, HOMES L, 1704 PO BOX, BRECKENRIDGE, TX 76424-1704, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

79. KARSTEN, HOMES L, C34 RR 1 BOX, BRECKENRIDGE, TX 76424-9739, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

80. KARSTEN, SHAWN, 1516 BAY AREA BLVD APT N7, HOUSTON, TX 77058-2114, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

81. KARSTEN, JAMES, 10919 SAGELEAF LN, HOUSTON, TX 77089-3911, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

82. KARSTEN, JOHN P, 429 N STORY PL, ALHAMBRA, CA 91801-2606, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

83. KARSTEN, ROBERT, 126 S WILSON ST, WAUBEKA, WI 53021-9481, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

84. KARSTEN, TAMARA, 2500 FAIRWAY DR, ALVIN, TX 77511-4627, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

85. KARSTEN, JACK, 20708 10TH AVE E, BETHEL, WA 98387-8128, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

86. KARSTEN, W, 456 PO BOX, FAYETTE, ME 04349-0456, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

87. KARSTEN, W D, 456 PO BOX, FAYETTE, ME 04349-0456, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

88. KARSTEN, E, 435 E 77TH ST APT 3F, NEW YORK, NY 10021-2320, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

89. KARSTEN, RUBY, 936 SHIVE LN LOT 180, BOWLING GREEN, KY 42103-8020, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

90. KARSTEN, HOLM, 3615 WOODBRIDGE LN, PORTAGE, MI 49024-4093, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

91. KARSTEN, PARIS, 1491 COUNTRY KNOLL PL, SAINT JOSEPH, MI 49085-9491, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

92. KARSTEN, JEROLD, 44616 460TH AVE, PERHAM, MN 56573-8810, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

93. KARSTEN, ROBERT J, 1003 W EMBARGO ST, ROME, NY 13440-8346, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

94. KARSTEN, MATHEW, 604 BEAVER CREEK DR, MACEDON, NY 14502-8869, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

95. KARSTEN, SCOTT G, 10 MORRIS DR APT 304, LAUREL, MD 20707-4522, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

96. KARSTEN, LINDA, 811 HIGHLAND AVE, ROME, NY 13440-3220, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

97. KARSTEN, DAVID W, 3613 THORNAPPLE ST, CHEVY CHASE, MD 20815-4113, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

98. KARSTEN, DAVID, 3613 THORNAPPLE ST, CHEVY CHASE, MD 20815-4113, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

99. KARSTEN, MICHELLE, 457 PARK DRIVE MANOR 2, ROME, NY 13440-4770, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND

100. KARSTEN, JULIUS R, 2645 ELLIOT WAY APT 2, MELBOURNE, FL 32935-2260, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND