Offc Action Outgoing

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

 

 

 

OFFICE ACTION

 

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: 4/13/2010

 

The referenced application has been reviewed by the assigned trademark examining attorney.  Applicant must respond timely and completely to the issue(s) below.  15 U.S.C. §1062(b); 37 C.F.R. §§2.62(a), 2.65(a); TMEP §§711, 718.03.

 

Search Results

 

The trademark examining attorney has searched the Office’s database of registered and pending marks and has found no conflicting marks that would bar registration under Trademark Act Section 2(d).  TMEP §704.02; see 15 U.S.C. §1052(d).

 

Information Regarding Mark’s Significance Required

 

Applicant must explain whether “ICAM” has any meaning or significance in the industry in which the goods are manufactured, or if such wording is a “term of art” within applicant’s industry.  Applicant must also explain whether this wording identifies a geographic place.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.61(b); TMEP §§808.01(a), 814.

 

Failure to respond to this request for information can be grounds for refusing registration.  See In re DTI P’ship LLP, 67 USPQ2d 1699, 1701 (TTAB 2003); TMEP §814.

 

 

Amended Identification of Goods Required

 

Applicant must remove any parentheses from the identification of goods and services and incorporate the parenthetical information into the description.  Generally, parentheses and brackets should not be used in identifications.  Parenthetical information is only permitted in identifications if it serves to explain or translate the matter immediately preceding the parenthetical phrase in such a way that it does not affect the clarity of the identification, e.g., “obi (Japanese sash).”  TMEP §1402.12.

 

The wording “apparatus for use in cutting; ” in the identification of goods is indefinite and must be clarified because it is too broad and could include goods in other international classes.  See TMEP §§1402.01, 1402.03.  Therefore, applicant must specify the common commercial or generic name of the particular apparatus for use in cutting and adopt the appropriate International Class(es).  Applicant may substitute the following wording, if accurate:  “apparatus for use in cutting, namely, [specify particular apparatus, e.g., cutting torches, etc.]” in International Class 007. 

 

The wording “cutting devices being parts of machines; cutting tools being parts of machines; rotary metal cutting tools (machines); single point cutting tools (machines); work processing machines for the cutting of metals; apparatus for machining; flexible machining units; precision machine tools for machining materials” in the identification of goods must be clarified because it is unacceptably indefinite.  TMEP §1402.01.  Applicant must further describe the particular cutting devices and tools as machine parts intended (e.g., milling cutters, gear cutters, metal working machine tools, etc.), must clarify whether its “rotary metal cutting tools (machines)” and “single point cutting tools” are machines or are machine tools, must specify the common commercial or generic name of its “work processing machines for the cutting of metals” (e.g., cutting machines, bending machines, boring machines, drilling machines, etc.), must specify the common commercial name of the particular apparatus for machining and flexible machining units (e.g., metal working machining centers, etc.), and must specify the particular type of machine tools for machining materials intended (e.g., lathes, grinding tools, gear cutters, chasers, broaches, etc.).

 

Applicant may substitute the following wording, if accurate:  “cutting devices being parts of machines, namely, [specify particular devices]; cutting tools being parts of machines, namely, [specify particular cutting tools]; rotary metal cutting tools for machines; single point cutting tools for machines; work processing machines for the cutting of metals, namely, [specify common commercial name of machines]; apparatus for machining, namely, [specify particular apparatus]; flexible machining units, namely, [specify particular type of machining units]; precision machine tools for machining materials, namely, [specify particular tools].”

 

To summarize, applicant may adopt the following identification of goods, in whole or in part, if accurate:

 

Class 007         Apparatus for use in cutting, namely, [specify particular apparatus, e.g., cutting torches, etc.]; automatic cutting machines; automatic machines for cutting work pieces; automatic machines for the cutting of fabrics; chucking apparatus for metal cutting machines; cutting devices being parts of machines, namely, [specify particular devices]; cutting machines; cutting tools being parts of machines, namely, [specify particular cutting tools]; industrial cutting machines; machines for the cutting of sheet material; rotary metal cutting tools for machines; single point cutting tools for machines; work processing machines for the cutting of metals, namely, [specify common commercial name of machines]; routers being machines; routers being parts for machines; apparatus for machining, namely, [specify particular apparatus]; flexible machining units, namely, [specify particular type of machining units]; precision machine tools for machining materials, namely, [specify particular tools]

 

If the suggestions offered by the examining attorney are incomplete or are inaccurate, applicant is encouraged to consult the online searchable Manual of Acceptable Identifications of Goods and Services for guidance at http://tess2.gov.uspto.report/netahtml/tidm.html.

 

Identifications of goods can be amended only to clarify or limit the goods; adding to or broadening the scope of the goods is not permitted.  37 C.F.R. §2.71(a); see TMEP §§1402.06 et seq., 1402.07.  Therefore, applicant may not amend the identification to include goods that are not within the scope of the goods set forth in the present identification.

 

Information Regarding Multi-Class Applications

 

The application identifies goods that may be classified in more than the number of international classes covered by the fee paid.  Therefore, the applicant must either:  (1) restrict the application to the number of classes covered by the fee already paid, or (2) pay the required fee for each additional class.  37 C.F.R. §2.86(a)(2); TMEP §§810.0l, 1401.04, 1401.04(b) and 1403.01. 

 

If applicant prosecutes this application as a combined, or multiple-class application, then applicant must comply with each of the following for those goods based on a foreign registration under Trademark Act Section 44(e):

 

(1)   Applicant must list the goods by international class with the classes listed in ascending numerical order.  TMEP § 1403.01; and

 

(2)   Applicant must submit a filing fee for each international class of goods not covered by the fee already paid (current fee information should be confirmed at http://www.uspto.gov).  37 C.F.R. §2.86(a)(2); TMEP §§810 and 1403.01.

 

Copy of Foreign Registration Required

 

Applicant asserts Trademark Act Section 44(d) as the sole basis for the application.  See 15 U.S.C. §1126(d).  Although the application does not include a foreign registration certificate or a statement that applicant intends to rely upon the resulting foreign registration under Section 44(e) as a basis for registration, the Office presumes applicant is asserting Section 44(e) because Section 44(d) is a filing basis only and not a basis for registration.  TMEP §§806.01(c), 1003.03; see 15 U.S.C. §1126(d)-(e); 37 C.F.R. §2.34(a)(4)(iii). 

 

An application filed under Section 44(e) must include a true copy, photocopy, certification or certified copy of a foreign registration from an applicant’s country of origin.  15 U.S.C. §1126(e); 37 C.F.R. §2.34(a)(3)(ii); TMEP §§1004, 1004.01, 1016.  In addition, an applicant’s country of origin must 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.  15 U.S.C. §1126(b); TMEP §§1002.01, 1004.

 

Therefore, applicant must respond to this requirement by satisfying one of the following:

 

(1)        Applicant must submit a copy of the foreign registration from applicant’s country of origin.  If applicant’s country of origin does not issue registrations or Madrid Protocol certificates of extension of protection, applicant may submit a copy of the Madrid Protocol international registration that shows that protection of the international registration has been extended to the applicant’s country of origin.  TMEP §1016.  In addition, applicant must also provide an English translation if the foreign certificate is not written in English.  37 C.F.R. §2.34(a)(3)(ii).  The translation should be signed by the translator.  TMEP §1004.01(b).; or

 

(2)        Applicant must submit a request that the trademark examining attorney suspend action on the application until applicant has procured a copy of the foreign registration (and English translation, as appropriate).  TMEP §1003.04(a).

 

If applicant cannot satisfy one of the above, applicant may respond by requesting to amend the basis for registration from Section 44(e) to Section 1(a) or 1(b), if applicant can satisfy the requirements for the new basis.  See 15 U.S.C. §§1051(a)-(b), 1126(e); TMEP §806.03.

 

Miscellaneous Information Regarding Responding to this Office Action

 

Please note that there is no required format or form for responding to this Office action.  However, applicant should include the following information on all correspondence with the Office:  (1) the name and law office number of the examining attorney; (2) the serial number of this application; (3) the mailing date of this Office action; and, (4) applicant's telephone number.

 

When responding to this Office action, applicant must make sure to respond in writing to each refusal and requirement raised.  If there is a refusal to register the proposed mark, then applicant may wish to argue against the refusal, i.e., explain why it should be withdrawn and why the mark should register.  If there are other requirements, then applicant should simply set forth in writing the required changes or statements and request that the Office enter them into the application record.  Applicant must also sign and date its response.

 

If applicant has questions about its application or needs assistance in responding to this Office action, please telephone the assigned trademark examining attorney directly at the number below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

/Debra Lee/

Trademark Attorney

Law Office 116

Voice:  571-272-5897

Fax:  571-273-9116

 

 

RESPOND TO THIS ACTION: Applicant should file a response to this Office action online using the form at http://www.gov.uspto.report/teas/eTEASpageD.htm, waiting 48-72 hours if applicant received notification of the Office action via e-mail.  For technical assistance with the form, please e-mail TEAS@uspto.gov.  For questions about the Office action itself, please contact the assigned examining attorney.  Do not respond to this Office action by e-mail; 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.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING YOUR TRADEMARK APPLICATION

 

Your trademark application (Serial No. 77910430) has been reviewed.   The examining attorney assigned by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) has written a letter (an “Office action”) on 4/13/2010 to which you must respond (unless the Office letter specifically states that no response is required).  Please follow these steps:

 

1. Read the Office letter by clicking on this link http://tmportal.gov.uspto.report/external/portal/tow?DDA=Y&serial_number=77910430&doc_type=OOA&mail_date=20100413 OR go to  http://tmportal.gov.uspto.report/external/portal/tow and enter your serial number to access the Office letter.  If you have difficulty accessing the Office letter, contact TDR@uspto.gov.  

                                         

PLEASE NOTE: The Office letter may not be immediately available but will be viewable within 24 hours of this e-mail notification.

 

2. Contact the examining attorney who reviewed your application if you have any questions about the content of the Office letter (contact information appears at the end thereof).

 

3. Respond within 6 months, calculated from 4/13/2010 (or sooner if specified in the Office letter), using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) Response to Office Action form. If you have difficulty using TEAS, contact TEAS@uspto.gov. 

 

ALERT:

 

Failure to file any required response by the applicable deadline will result in the ABANDONMENT (loss) of your application.

 

Do NOT hit “Reply” to this e-mail notification, or otherwise attempt to e-mail your response, as the USPTO does NOT accept e-mailed responses.