| To: | Lubbering Corporation (john.estep@lubbering.com) |
| Subject: | TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 76664802 - AEROTECH - N/A |
| Sent: | 5/20/2008 9:16:04 PM |
| Sent As: | ECOM113@USPTO.GOV |
| Attachments: |
UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
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SERIAL NO: 76/664802
MARK: AEROTECH
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CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS: |
RESPOND TO THIS ACTION: http://www.gov.uspto.report/teas/eTEASpageD.htm
GENERAL TRADEMARK INFORMATION: http://www.gov.uspto.report/main/trademarks.htm
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APPLICANT: Lubbering Corporation
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CORRESPONDENT’S REFERENCE/DOCKET NO: CORRESPONDENT E-MAIL ADDRESS: |
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TO AVOID ABANDONMENT, THE OFFICE MUST RECEIVE A PROPER RESPONSE TO THIS OFFICE ACTION WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF THE ISSUE/MAILING DATE.
ISSUE/MAILING DATE: 5/20/2008
This letter responds to applicant’s communication filed on March 14, 2008. In this communication, applicant submitted a substitute specimen of use and supporting declaration.
Applicant must respond to the issues below.
Mark Illegible on Specimen of Use – Specimen Submitted March 14, 2008
The specimen is not acceptable because the mark in the digitized image of applicant’s specimen of use is illegible; the specimen therefore does not clearly show the applied-for mark in use in commerce for the identified goods and/or services. An application based on Section 1(a) of the Trademark Act must include a specimen showing the applied-for mark in use in commerce for each class of goods and/or services. Trademark Act Sections 1 and 45, 15 U.S.C. §§1051, 1127; 37 C.F.R. §§2.34(a)(1)(iv), 2.56; TMEP §§904, 904.07(a).
Unacceptable Specimen of Use – Specimen Submitted June 25, 2008
According to applicant’s description, the specimen submitted June 25, 2008 comprises a brochure shipped with applicant’s goods. The specimen is unacceptable as evidence of actual mark use because it does not show the mark used in connection with applicant’s goods. While the brochure shows the mark, it is not clear that the mark is used to identify the source of the goods. For example, AEROTECH, according to this specimen of use, could be the name of a retail or wholesale store that features drilling attachments.
Unacceptable Specimen of Use – Specimen Submitted August 18, 2006
The specimen submitted August 18, 2006 comprises what appear to be engineer or design drawings of applicant’s goods. The specimen is unacceptable as evidence of actual mark use because it does not show use of the mark in commerce.
Therefore, applicant must satisfy one of the following:
(1) Submit a true and unaltered copy of the specimen submitted March 14, 2008, and a statement by the person who transmitted the application to the Office that the resubmitted specimen is a true copy of the specimen that was submitted with the application. TMEP §§904.02(a)-(b).
(2) Submit a substitute specimen showing use of the mark for each class of goods and/or services based on used in commerce, and the following statement, verified with an affidavit or signed declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20: “The substitute specimen was in use in commerce at least as early as the filing date of the application.” 37 C.F.R. §2.59(a); TMEP §904.05. If submitting a specimen requires an amendment to the dates of use, applicant must also verify the amended dates. 37 C.F.R. §2.71(c).
Examples of specimens for goods are tags, labels, instruction manuals, containers, or photographs that show the mark on the goods or packaging. TMEP §§904.03 et seq.
If applicant cannot satisfy one of the above requirements, applicant may amend the Section 1(a) filing basis (use in commerce) to Section 1(b) (intent to use basis), for which no specimen is required. However, should applicant amend the basis to Section 1(b), registration cannot be granted until applicant later amends the application back to use in commerce by filing an acceptable allegation of use with a proper specimen. 15 U.S.C. §1051(c); 37 C.F.R. §§2.76, 2.88; TMEP Chapter 1100.
In order to amend to Section 1(b), applicant must submit the following statement, verified with an affidavit or signed declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20: “Applicant has had a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce on or in connection with the goods or services listed in the application as of the filing date of the application.” 15 U.S.C. §1051(b); 37 C.F.R. §§2.34(a)(2), 2.35(b)(1); TMEP §806.03(c).
Pending a proper response, registration is refused because applicant has not provided evidence of use in commerce of the applied-for mark. 15 U.S.C. §§1051, 1127; 37 C.F.R. §§2.34(a)(1)(iv), 2.56; TMEP §§904, 904.07(a).
Sample Declaration for Substitute Specimen
The following is a sample declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20 with a supporting statement for a substitute specimen:
The undersigned being warned that willful false statements and the like are punishable by fine or imprisonment, or both, under 18 U.S.C. §1001, and that such willful false statements and the like may jeopardize the validity of the application or document or any registration resulting there from, declares that the substitute specimen was in use in commerce at least as early as the filing date of the application; all statements made of his/her own knowledge are true; and all statements made on information and belief are believed to be true.
_____________________________
(Signature)
_____________________________
(Print or Type Name and Position)
_____________________________
(Date)
Sample Declaration for Amending to Section 1(b)
If applicant elects to delete its Section 1(a) basis and amend the basis to Section 1(b), the following is a properly worded declaration:
Applicant has had a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce on or in connection with the goods or services listed in the application as of the filing date of the application. 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 and the like may jeopardize the validity of the application or document 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)
_____________________________
(Print or Type Name and Position)
_____________________________
(Date)
Please note that applicant may not assert both use of the mark in commerce, under Trademark Act Section 1(a), 15 U.S.C. § 1051(a), and intent to use the mark in commerce, under Trademark Act Section 1(b), 15 U.S.C. § 1051(b), for the same goods or services. 37 C.F.R. §2.34(b)(1); TMEP §806.02(b).
Trademark Counsel
Applicant may wish to hire a specialist attorney to assist in prosecuting this application because of the technicalities involved. The Office cannot aid in the selection of a trademark attorney. 37 C.F.R. §2.11. Applicant may wish to consult the Yellow Pages for a listing of attorneys specializing in trademark or intellectual property law, or seek guidance from its local Bar Association attorney-referral service.
Response Guidelines
There is no required format or form for responding to an Office action. The Office recommends applicants use the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) to respond to Office actions online at http://www.gov.uspto.report/teas/index.html. However, if applicant responds on paper via regular mail, the response should include the title “Response to Office Action” and the following information: (1) the name and law office number of the examining attorney, (2) the serial number and filing date of the application, (3) the mailing date of this Office action, (4) applicant’s name, address, telephone number and e-mail address (if applicable), and (5) the mark. 37 C.F.R. §2.194(b)(1); TMEP §302.03(a).
The response should address each refusal and/or requirement raised in the Office action. If a refusal has issued, applicant can argue against the refusal; i.e., applicant can submit arguments and evidence as to why the refusal should be withdrawn and the mark should register. To respond to requirements, applicant should set forth in writing the required changes or statements and request that the Office enter them into the application record.
The response must be personally signed or the electronic signature manually entered by applicant or someone with legal authority to bind applicant (i.e., a corporate officer of a corporate applicant, the equivalent of an officer for unincorporated organizations or limited liability company applicants, a general partner of a partnership applicant, each applicant for applications with multiple individual applicants). TMEP §§605.02, 712.
To expedite prosecution of this application, applicant is encouraged to file any response to this Office action through the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS), available at http://www.gov.uspto.report/teas/index.html.
/kristindahling/
Kristin M. Dahling
Trademark Attorney, Law Office 113
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
(571) 272-8277
RESPOND TO THIS ACTION: If there are any questions about the Office action, please contact the assigned examining attorney. A response to this Office action should be filed using the form available at http://www.gov.uspto.report/teas/eTEASpageD.htm. If notification of this Office action was received via e-mail, no response using this form may be filed for 72 hours after receipt of the notification. Do not attempt to respond by e-mail as the USPTO does not accept e-mailed responses.
If responding by paper mail, please include the following information: the application serial number, the mark, the filing date and the name, title/position, telephone number and e-mail address of the person signing the response. Please use the following address: Commissioner for Trademarks, P.O. Box 1451, Alexandria, VA 22313-1451.
STATUS CHECK: Check the status of the application at least once every six months from the initial filing date using the USPTO Trademark Applications and Registrations Retrieval (TARR) online system at http://tarr.uspto.gov. When conducting an online status check, print and maintain a copy of the complete TARR screen. If the status of your application has not changed for more than six months, please contact the assigned examining attorney.