Offc Action Outgoing

The Office records have been searched and no similar registered or pending mark has been found that would bar registration under Trademark Act Section 2(d), 15 U.S.C. §1052(d). TMEP §704.02.

Failure to Function – Identifies a portion of applicant’s software

Registration is refused because the proposed mark, as used on the specimen of record, is used only as a portion of a title of a single creative work, namely, a portion of a title of a specific software program; it does not function as a trademark to identify and distinguish applicant’s goods from those of others and to indicate their source. Trademark Act Sections 1, 2 and 45, 15 U.S.C. §§1051-1052 and 1127; see In re Scholastic, Inc., 23 USPQ2d 1774 (TTAB 1992); TMEP §1202.08. Single creative works include works in which the content does not change, whether that work is in printed, recorded or electronic form. The applicant’s specimen shows that Eclipse iSurvey is merely a chapter in the applicant’s user manual for the Eclipse software. The specimen indicates that the mark maybe used to identify only a portion of a larger software program rather than representing a single work.

Applicant may respond to this refusal by submitting evidence that the proposed mark (1) is used on a series of creative works, (2) creates a separate impression apart from the complete title, and (3) is promoted or recognized as a mark for the series. See Scholastic, 23 USPQ2d at 1776-78.

Evidence of a series includes copies or photographs of at least two different book covers or packaging for two different recorded books (not two copies of the same work). Evidence that a portion of a title is promoted or recognized as a mark for a series includes advertising that promotes that portion of the title as the source of the series, third-party reviews showing use of that portion of the title by others to refer to the series, and/or declarations from publishers, retailers, purchasers or readers showing recognition of that portion of the title as an indicator of the source of a series of written works. Id.

If applicant cannot satisfy the above evidentiary requirements, applicant may amend the Section 1(a) filing basis (use in commerce) to Section 1(b) (intent to use), and the refusal will be withdrawn. 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 and submitting the evidence above. 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) and 2.35(b)(1); TMEP §806.01(b).

Although the trademark 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, then applicant must also respond to the following requirement.

Specimen

The specimen is not acceptable because it does not show the applied-for mark in use in commerce. An application based on Section 1(a) must include a specimen showing the applied-for mark in use in commerce for each class of goods. Trademark Act Sections 1 and 45, 15 U.S.C. §§1051 and 1127; 37 C.F.R. §§2.34(a)(1)(iv) and 2.56; TMEP §904.

The specimen is not acceptable as evidence of actual trademark use because it appears to be a specimen for a computer manual rather than for software for managing databases. Thus it fails to show proper use on the goods or on packaging of the goods.

Therefore, applicant must submit the following:

(1) A substitute specimen showing the mark in use in commerce for the goods specified in the application.

(2) 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 §904.09. 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, photographs that show the mark on the goods or packaging, or displays associated with the goods at their point of sale. TMEP §§904.04 et seq.

If applicant cannot satisfy 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 a 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) and 2.35(b)(1); TMEP §806.03(c).

Pending a proper response, registration is refused because the specimen does not show the applied-for mark in use in commerce as a trademark. 15 U.S.C. §§1051 and 1127; 37 C.F.R. §§2.34(a)(1)(iv) and 2.56.

Declaration

Applicant should add the following declaration paragraph to the end of its response, and include a dated signature by a person authorized under 37 C.F.R. §2.33(a). 37 C.F.R. §2.20.

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 he/she is properly authorized to execute this application on behalf of the applicant; he/she believes the applicant to be the owner of the trademark/service mark sought to be registered, or, if the application is being filed under 15 U.S.C. §§1051(b), 1126(d) or 1126(e), he/she believes the applicant to be entitled to use such mark in commerce; to the best of his/her knowledge and belief no other person, firm, corporation, or association has the right to use the mark in commerce, either in the identical form thereof or in such near resemblance thereto as to be likely, when used on or in connection with the goods/services of such other person, to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive; and that 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)

/R.M.Herrera/

Roselle M. Herrera

Trademark Examining Attorney

Law Office 102

P: (571) 272-1909

F: (571) 273-1909

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.