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  78/181507

 

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

 

No Conflicting Marks Noted

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. Section 1052(d).  TMEP section 704.02.

 

Geographically Descriptive

The examining attorney refuses registration on the Principal Register because the mark is primarily geographically descriptive of the applicant’s goods/services.  Trademark Act Section 2(e)(2), 15 U.S.C. §1052(e)(2); TMEP §§1210.01(a) and 1210.04(b). 

 

The applicant’s mark consist of the term AMERICANS.  The definitions of AMERICANS include:

 

A·mer·i·can (e-mèr¹î-ken) adjective

Abbr. A., Amer.

1.    Of or relating to the United States of America or its people, language, or culture.

2.    Of or relating to North or South America, the West Indies, or the Western Hemisphere.

3.    Of or relating to any of the Native American peoples.

4.    Indigenous to North or South America. Used of plants and animals.

 

noun

Abbr. A., Amer.

1.    A native or inhabitant of America.

2.    A citizen of the United States.

— A·mer¹i·can·ness noun[1]

 

The primary significance of the term “AMERICANS” is geographic, and applicant’s goods come from the geographical place named in the mark.  Therefore, a public association of the goods with the place is presumed.  In re JT Tobacconists, 59 USPQ2d 1080 (TTAB 2001); In re U.S. Cargo, Inc., 49 USPQ2d 1702 (TTAB 1998); In re Carolina Apparel, 48 USPQ2d 1542 (TTAB 1998); In re Chalk’s International Airlines Inc., 21 USPQ2d 1637 (TTAB 1991); In re California Pizza Kitchen, 10 USPQ2d 1704 (TTAB 1989); In re Handler Fenton Westerns, Inc., 214 USPQ 848 (TTAB 1982).  TMEP §1210.04(b).

 

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.

 

Miscellany

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

 

 

 

/Rudy Singleton/

Examining Attorney, Law Office 102

(703) 308-9102 ext. 266

 

 

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.