| To: | The Kroger Co. of Michigan (sftrademarks@pillsburywinthrop.com) |
| Subject: | TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 78483412 - KROGER - 061148/03119 |
| Sent: | 2/5/05 12:14:51 PM |
| Sent As: | ECOM106@USPTO.GOV |
| Attachments: | Attachment - 1 Attachment - 2 Attachment - 3 |
UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
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SERIAL NO: 78/483412
APPLICANT: The Kroger Co. of Michigan
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CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS: |
RETURN ADDRESS: Commissioner for Trademarks P.O. Box 1451 Alexandria, VA 22313-1451
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MARK: KROGER
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CORRESPONDENT’S REFERENCE/DOCKET NO: 061148/03119
CORRESPONDENT EMAIL ADDRESS: |
Please provide in all correspondence:
1. Filing date, serial number, mark and applicant's name. 2. Date of this Office Action. 3. Examining Attorney's name and Law Office number. 4. Your telephone number and e-mail address.
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Serial Number 78/483412
The assigned trademark examining attorney has reviewed the referenced application and has determined the following.
2(d) Likelihood of Confusion
The examining attorney refuses registration under Trademark Act Section 2(d), 15 U.S.C. §1052(d), because the applicant’s mark, when used on or in connection with the identified services, so resembles the mark in U.S. Registration No. 2310549 as to be likely to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive. TMEP §§1207.01 et seq. See the attached registration.
The examining attorney must analyze each case in two steps to determine whether there is a likelihood of confusion. First, the examining attorney must look at the marks themselves for similarities in appearance, sound, connotation and commercial impression. In re E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d 1357, 177 USPQ 563 (C.C.P.A. 1973). Second, the examining attorney must compare the goods or services to determine if they are related or if the activities surrounding their marketing are such that confusion as to origin is likely. In re August Storck KG, 218 USPQ 823 (TTAB 1983); In re International Telephone and Telegraph Corp., 197 USPQ 910 (TTAB 1978); Guardian Products Co., v. Scott Paper Co., 200 USPQ 738 (TTAB 1978). TMEP §§1207.01 et seq.
The examining attorney must compare the marks for similarities in sound, appearance, meaning or connotation. In re E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d 1357, 177 USPQ 563 (C.C.P.A. 1973). Similarity in any one of these elements is sufficient to find a likelihood of confusion. In re Mack, 197 USPQ 755 (TTAB 1977). TMEP §§1207.01(b) et seq.
When a mark consists of a word portion and a design portion, the word portion is more likely to be impressed upon a purchaser’s memory and to be used in calling for the goods or services. Therefore, the word portion is controlling in determining likelihood of confusion. In re Dakin’s Miniatures Inc., 59 USPQ2d 1593, 1596 (TTAB 1999); In re Appetito Provisions Co., 3 USPQ2d 1553 (TTAB 1987); Amoco Oil Co. v. Amerco, Inc., 192 USPQ 729 (TTAB 1976); TMEP §1207.01(c)(ii).
In this case, the applicant’s mark KROGER (and design) is similar in appearance, sound and commercial impression to the mark KTV KROGER TELEVISION (and design) in the above-cited registration. Both marks contain the same dominant word KROGER. The word portion KROGER of the applicant’s mark and word portion KTV KROGER TELEVISION of registrant’s mark is more likely to be impressed upon a purchaser’s memory and to be used in calling for the services.
The goods and/or services of the parties need not be identical or directly competitive to find a likelihood of confusion. Instead, they need only be related in some manner, or the conditions surrounding their marketing be such that they could be encountered by the same purchasers under circumstances that could give rise to the mistaken belief that the goods and/or services come from a common source. In re Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc., 748 F.2d 1565, 223 USPQ 1289 (Fed. Cir. 1984); In re Melville Corp., 18 USPQ2d 1386, 1388 (TTAB 1991); In re Corning Glass Works, 229 USPQ 65 (TTAB 1985); In re Rexel Inc., 223 USPQ 830 (TTAB 1984); Guardian Prods. Co., Inc. v. Scott Paper Co., 200 USPQ 738 (TTAB 1978); In re Int’l Tel. & Tel. Corp., 197 USPQ 910 (TTAB 1978); TMEP §1207.01(a)(i).
In this case, the applicant’s services are identical to the registrant’s services. Both services are retail grocery store services, and they could be encountered by the same purchasers under circumstances that could give rise to the mistaken belief that the services come from a common source.
If applicant believes that there is no conflict between his/her application and the cited registration, the applicant may present arguments relevant to the issue.
Please note that merely claiming ownership of the cited registration is not sufficient to overcome the Section 2(d) refusal.
If the mark in the cited registration above has been assigned to applicant, then applicant must prove ownership of the mark. TMEP §812.01. Applicant may record the assignment with the Assignment Services Division of the Office. Trademark Act Section 10, 15 U.S.C. §1060; 37 C.F.R. §3.25; TMEP §§503 et seq. Applicant should then notify the trademark examining attorney when the assignment has been recorded.
In the alternative, applicant may submit evidence of the assignment of the mark to the applicant, such as: (1) documents evidencing the chain of title; or (2) an explanation of the chain of title (specifying each party in the chain, the nature of each conveyance, and the relevant dates), supported by a notarized affidavit or signed declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20. 37 C.F.R. §3.73; TMEP §502.01.
Registration is refused because the proposed mark is primarily merely a surname. Trademark Act Section 2(e)(4), 15 U.S.C. §1052(e)(4); TMEP §§1211 et seq. The primary significance of the mark to the purchasing public determines whether a term is primarily merely a surname. In re Etablissements Darty et Fils, 759 F.2d 15, 225 USPQ 652, 653 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Kahan & Weisz Jewelry Mfg. Corp., 508 F.2d 831, 184 USPQ 421 (C.C.P.A. 1975).
Please see the attached evidence from LEXIS/NEXIS® at the end of this letter, establishing the surname significance of the surname “KROGER.” This evidence shows the proposed mark appearing 50 times as a surname (in the state of California alone) in a nationwide telephone directory of names.
The fact that a term looks and sounds like a surname may contribute to a finding that the primary significance of the term is that of a surname. In re Industrie Pirelli Societa per Azioni, 9 USPQ2d 1564, 1566 (TTAB 1988), aff’d, 883 F.2d 1026 (Fed. Cir. 1989); In re Petrin Corp., 231 USPQ 902 (TTAB 1986); TMEP §1211.01(a)(vi). In this case, the applicant’s mark “KROGER” looks and sounds like a surname and, thus, is another factor supporting the conclusion that applicant’s mark is primarily merely a surname.
The record indicates that applicant has used its mark for a long time; therefore, applicant may seek registration on the Principal Register under Trademark Act Section 2(f), 15 U.S.C. §1052(f), based on acquired distinctiveness. To amend the application to Section 2(f) based on five years use, applicant should submit the following written statement claiming acquired distinctiveness, if accurate:
The mark has become distinctive of the goods and/or services through applicant’s substantially exclusive and continuous use in commerce for at least the five years immediately before the date of this statement.
Applicant must verify this statement with a notarized affidavit or a signed declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20. 37 C.F.R. §2.41(b); TMEP §1212.05(d).
The proper form of a declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20 is as follows:
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 therefrom, declares that all statements made of his/her own knowledge are true; and all statements made on information and belief are
believed to be true.
_____________________________
(Applicant’s Signature)
_____________________________
(Print or Type Name and Position)
_____________________________
(Date)
The mark as depicted on the drawing does not agree with the mark as it appears on the specimen, and clarification is required. Specifically, the drawing displays the mark as KROGER in stylized form, and the specimen depicts the mark as KROGER FOOD & DRUGS in stylized form.
Applicant must either:
(1) submit a new drawing of the mark that agrees with the mark as it appears on the specimen and that is not a material alteration of the original mark; 37 C.F.R. §2.72(a); TMEP §807.14(a);
(2) submit a substitute specimen that shows use of the mark as it presently appears on the drawing and is accompanied by a statement that “the substitute specimen was in use in commerce at least as early as the filing date of the application,” verified with a notarized affidavit or a signed declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20; 37 C.F.R. §§2.59(a) and 2.72(a); TMEP §904.09; or
(3) amend the application basis to intent-to-use under Section 1(b), and satisfy all the requirements for this new basis.
37 C.F.R. §2.51; TMEP §§807.14 and 807.14(a)(i).
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)
Effective January 31, 2005 and pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005, Pub. L. 108-447, the following are the fees that will be charged for filing a trademark application:
(1) $325 per international class if filed electronically using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS); or
(2) $375 per international class if filed on paper
These fees will be charged not only when a new application is filed, but also when payments are made to add classes to an existing application. If such payments are submitted with a TEAS response, the fee will be $325 per class, and if such payments are made with a paper response, the fee will be $375 per class.
The new fee requirements will apply to any fees filed on or after January 31, 2005.
NOTICE: TRADEMARK OPERATION RELOCATION
The Trademark Operation has relocated to Alexandria, Virginia. Effective October 4, 2004, all Trademark-related paper mail (except documents sent to the Assignment Services Division for recordation, certain documents filed under the Madrid Protocol, and requests for copies of trademark documents) must be sent to:
Commissioner for Trademarks
P.O. Box 1451
Alexandria, VA 22313-1451
Applicants, attorneys and other Trademark customers are strongly encouraged to correspond with the USPTO online via the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS), at http://www.gov.uspto.report/teas/index.html.
/Andrew Rhim/
Attorney-Adviser
Law Office 106
phone (571) 272-9711
fax (571) 273-9106
HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS OFFICE ACTION:
STATUS OF APPLICATION: To check the status of your application, visit the Office’s Trademark Applications and Registrations Retrieval (TARR) system at http://tarr.uspto.gov.
VIEW APPLICATION DOCUMENTS ONLINE: Documents in the electronic file for pending applications can be viewed and downloaded online at http://portal.gov.uspto.report/external/tow.
GENERAL TRADEMARK INFORMATION: For general information about trademarks, please visit the Office’s website at http://www.gov.uspto.report/main/trademarks.htm
FOR INQUIRIES OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS OFFICE ACTION, PLEASE CONTACT THE ASSIGNED EXAMINING ATTORNEY SPECIFIED ABOVE.
Print Request: Selected Document(s): 1-50
Time of Request: February 04, 2005 05:29 PM EST
Number of Lines: 319
Job Number: 1862:30379693
Client ID/Project Name:
Research Information:
USFIND Person Locator - Nationwide
KROGER and STATE (CALIFORNIA)
Send to: RHIM, ANDREW
TRADEMARK LAW LIBRARY
2101 CRYSTAL PLAZA ARC
MAILBOX 314
ARLINGTON, VA 22202-4600
1. FREDRICK KROGER, 51 DONNA MARIA WAY, ORINDA, CA 94563-4111, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... ORINDA, CA 94563-4111 ...
2. KROGER, AL, 2140 ARROWHEAD DR, PIEDMONT, CA 94611-1558, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... PIEDMONT, CA 94611-1558 ...
3. KROGER, ALLEN, 1202 LOMA DR SPC 15, OJAI, CA 93023-3884, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... OJAI, CA 93023-3884 ...
4. KROGER, ALFRED L, 144 GLORIETTA BLVD, ORINDA, CA 94563-3543, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... ORINDA, CA 94563-3543 ...
5. KROGER, ALFRED L, 144 GLORIETTA BLVD, ORINDA, CA 94563-3543, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... ORINDA, CA 94563-3543 ...
6. KROGER, ANNE, 32272 RIDGEWAY AVE, LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA 92677-4229, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA 92677-4229 ...
7. KROGER ANNE, 32272 RIDGEWAY AVE, LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA 92677-4229, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA 92677-4229 ...
8. KROGER, BILL, 29 FOXCROFT PL, SAN RAMON, CA 94583-3121, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... SAN RAMON, CA 94583-3121 ...
9. KROGER, C, 435 S CURSON AVE APT 9H, FIRESTONE PARK, CA 90036-5282, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... FIRESTONE PARK, CA 90036-5282 ...
10. KROGER, C & R, 2383 JACKSON ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115-1322, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115-1322 ...
11. KROGER, CHRIS, 1007 FAIR OAKS AVE, ALAMEDA, CA 94501-3921, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... ALAMEDA, CA 94501-3921 ...
12. KROGER CO 253-24, 45 IDLEWOOD RD, GREENBRAE, CA 94904-2754, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... GREENBRAE, CA 94904-2754 ...
13. KROGER CO 253-24, 7 GREGORY PL, GREENBRAE, CA 94904-3021, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... GREENBRAE, CA 94904-3021 ...
14. KROGER CO 253-24, 100 LARKSPUR LANDING CIR, LARKSPUR, CA 94939-1764, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... LARKSPUR, CA 94939-1764 ...
15. KROGER CO 253-24, 1082 POST ST APT 304, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109-5673, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109-5673 ...
16. KROGER, CHRISTOPHER J, 1007 FAIR OAKS AVE, ALAMEDA, CA 94501-3921, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... ALAMEDA, CA 94501-3921 ...
17. KROGER, CARLA, 6595 REFLECTION DR, SAN DIEGO, CA 92124-3122, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... SAN DIEGO, CA 92124-3122 ...
18. KROGER CO 253-24, 4351 PO BOX, BURLINGAME, CA 94011-4351, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... BURLINGAME, CA 94011-4351 ...
19. KROGER CO 253-24, 1128 PO BOX, SAN MATEO, CA 94403-0728, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... SAN MATEO, CA 94403-0728 ...
20. KROGER CO 253-24, 156 SAN MARCO AVE, SAN BRUNO, CA 94066-5512, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... SAN BRUNO, CA 94066-5512 ...
21. KROGER CO 253-24, 7841 ESSEX DR, HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92648-5644, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92648-5644 ...
22. KROGER, CHAD M, 6205 SAN ANSELMO RD, ATASCADERO, CA 93422-2451, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... ATASCADERO, CA 93422-2451 ...
23. KROGER CO 253-24, 1128 PO BOX, SIMI VALLEY, CA 93062-1128, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... SIMI VALLEY, CA 93062-1128 ...
24. KROGER CO 253-24, 25304 VILLAGE 25, CAMARILLO, CA 93012-7613, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... CAMARILLO, CA 93012-7613 ...
25. KROGER CO 253-24, 71 PEPPERMINT TREE, IRVINE, CA 92618-3973, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... IRVINE, CA 92618-3973 ...
26. KROGER, D C, 1117 VIA GOLETA, ROLLING HILLS ESTATES, CA 90274-2732, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... ROLLING HILLS ESTATES, CA 90274-2732 ...
27. KROGER, DALE, 41042 158TH ST E, LANCASTER, CA 93535-7069, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... LANCASTER, CA 93535-7069 ...
28. KROGER, DIETRICH, 408 E E ST, BENICIA, CA 94510-3288, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... BENICIA, CA 94510-3288 ...
29. KROGER, D, 1144 PO BOX, BENICIA, CA 94510-4144, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... BENICIA, CA 94510-4144 ...
30. KROGER-DIAMOND CATHERINE, 7220 AVENIDA ENCINAS, CARLSBAD, CA 92009-4690, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... CARLSBAD, CA 92009-4690 ...
31. KROGER, DARLENE, 7285 PINAL AVE, ATASCADERO, CA 93422-4507, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... ATASCADERO, CA 93422-4507 ...
32. KROGER, DANIEL, 24411 AVENIDA DE LOS NINOS, LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA 92677-3516, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA 92677-3516 ...
33. KROGER, DONALD L, 616 LOCHMOOR CT, DANVILLE, CA 94526-5520, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... DANVILLE, CA 94526-5520 ...
34. KROGER, DONALD L, 616 LOCHMOOR CT, DANVILLE, CA 94526-5520, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... DANVILLE, CA 94526-5520 ...
35. KROGER, DAN, 8712 VIA ALTA WAY, ELK GROVE, CA 95624-2535, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... ELK GROVE, CA 95624-2535 ...
36. KROGER, DAVID, 2570 JACQUELYN LN, WEST SACRAMENTO, CA 95691-4208, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... WEST SACRAMENTO, CA 95691-4208 ...
37. KROGER, ERLINDA B, 1141 REED AVE APT B, SUNNYVALE, CA 94086-6835, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... SUNNYVALE, CA 94086-6835 ...
38. KROGER, ERIC M, 760 ROBINSON RD, SEBASTOPOL, CA 95472-4114, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... SEBASTOPOL, CA 95472-4114 ...
39. KROGER, FRED, 466 24TH ST, OAKLAND, CA 94612-2402, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... OAKLAND, CA 94612-2402 ...
40. KROGER, FREDERICK, 51 DONNA MARIA WAY, ORINDA, CA 94563-4111, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... ORINDA, CA 94563-4111 ...
41. KROGER, FREDERICK, 51 DONNA MARIA WAY, ORINDA, CA 94563-4111, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... ORINDA, CA 94563-4111 ...
42. KROGER, GENE, 301 W VINEYARD AVE, OXNARD, CA 93036-2071, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... OXNARD, CA 93036-2071 ...
43. KROGER, HEATHER, 7546 PARKWAY DR, LA MESA, CA 91942-1744, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... LA MESA, CA 91942-1744 ...
44. KROGER, HAROLD E, 1133 MEADOW LN APT 11, CONCORD, CA 94520-3750, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... CONCORD, CA 94520-3750 ...
45. KROGER JILL, 835 N KILKEA DR, WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA 90046-6905, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA 90046-6905 ...
46. KROGER JIM R, 246 1ST ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105-2636, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105-2636 ...
47. KROGER, JIM, 2741 DARNBY DR, PIEDMONT, CA 94611-1715, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... PIEDMONT, CA 94611-1715 ...
48. KROGER, JOHN E, 203 PO BOX, KERNVILLE, CA 93238-0203, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... KERNVILLE, CA 93238-0203 ...
49. KROGER, JERRY R, 8486 SANTA ROSA RD, ATASCADERO, CA 93422-4946, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... ATASCADERO, CA 93422-4946 ...
50. KROGER, JO D, 1787 LA SELVA AVE, GROVER BEACH, CA 93433-2940, PERSON LOCATOR - USFIND
... GROVER BEACH, CA 93433-2940 ...
