Offc Action Outgoing

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

 

 

 

OFFICE ACTION

 

TO AVOID ABANDONMENT, WE MUST RECEIVE A PROPER RESPONSE TO THIS OFFICE ACTION WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF OUR MAILING OR E-MAILING DATE. 

 

 

Serial Number  78/153038

 

This letter responds to the applicant’s communication filed on 6/17/03 and 6/18/03.

 

The amendment to the identification of goods has been accepted.

 

The amendment to the e-mail address has been accepted.

 

The disclaimer has been accepted.

 

The amendment to the drawing, deleting the TM has been accepted.

 

The specimen requirement is continued for the following reason.  The substitute specimens are unacceptable as evidence of actual trademark use because they do not show how the mark is used on the actual goods themselves.  The applicant must submit a specimen showing the mark as used in commerce.  37 C.F.R. §2.56.  Examples of acceptable specimens are tags, labels, instruction manuals, containers or photographs that show the mark on the goods or packaging.  TMEP §904.04 et seq.  The applicant must verify, with an affidavit or a declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20, that the substitute specimen was in use in commerce at least as early as the filing date of the application.  Jim Dandy Co. v. Siler City Mills, Inc., 209 USPQ 764 (TTAB 1981); 37 C.F.R. §2.59(a); TMEP §904.09.

 

The statement supporting use of the substitute specimen must read as follows: 

 

The substitute specimen was in use in commerce at least as early as the filing date of the application.

 

The applicant must sign this statement either in affidavit form or with a declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20; TMEP §904.09. 

 

The amendment to the dates of use is unacceptable for the following reason.

 

The application sets forth a date of first use of the mark and first use of the mark in commerce which are after the filing date of the application.  For an application filed on the basis of use in commerce, an applicant must use the mark in commerce at least as early as the filing date.  Trademark Act Section 1(a)(2), 15 U.S.C. §1051(a)(2); 37 C.F.R. §2.34(a)(1); TMEP §§806.01(a) and 901. 

 

If the applicant used the mark in commerce on or before the filing date, the applicant may amend the dates of use.  The applicant must verify any amendment of the dates of use with an affidavit or a declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20.  37 C.F.R. §2.71(c); TMEP §903.05.

 

If the applicant did not use the mark in commerce on or before the filing date, the applicant may substitute a different basis for filing if the applicant can meet the requirements for the new basis.  In this case, the applicant may wish to amend the application to assert a Section 1(b) basis.  TMEP §903.05.

 

The applicant must submit the following statement:

 

The 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 since the filing date of the application. 

 

Trademark Act Section 1(b), 15 U.S.C. §1051(b).  This statement must be verified with an affidavit or a declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20.  Trademark Act Section 1(b), 15 U.S.C. §1051(b); 37 C.F.R. §2.34(a)(2)(i); TMEP §§806.01(b) and 804.02.

 

If the applicant amends the application to assert Trademark Act Section 1(b) as a basis for filing, the applicant must file an allegation of use in commerce prior to registration, i.e., an amendment to allege use under Trademark Act Section 1(c), 15 U.S.C. §1051(c), or a statement of use under Trademark Act Section 1(d), 15 U.S.C. §1051(d).  37 C.F.R. §2.35(h); TMEP §§806.01(b) and 1103. 

 

The following is a properly worded declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20.  At the end of the response, the applicant should insert the declaration signed by a person authorized to sign under 37 C.F.R. §2.33(a).

 

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 may jeopardize the validity of the application 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)

 

No set form is required for response to this Office action.  The applicant must respond to each point raised.  The applicant should simply set forth the required changes or statements and request that the Office enter them.  The applicant must sign the response.  In addition to the identifying information required at the beginning of this letter, the applicant should provide a telephone number to speed up further processing.

 

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

 

 

 

 

/Priscilla Milton/

Examining Attorney

Law Office 110

Priscilla.Milton@uspto.gov (for informal questions)

(703) 308-9110 Ext. 423

ecom110@uspt.gov (for Formal responses only)

 

 

How to respond to this Office Action:

 

To respond formally using the Office’s Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS), visit http://www.gov.uspto.report/teas/index.html and follow the instructions.

 

To respond formally via E-mail, visit http://www.gov.uspto.report/web/trademarks/tmelecresp.htm and follow the instructions.

 

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.

 

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

 

For general and other useful information about trademarks, you are encouraged to visit the Office’s web site at http://www.gov.uspto.report/main/trademarks.htm

 

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