To: | HNI Technologies Inc. (tmmpls@FaegreBD.com) |
Subject: | TRADEMARK REGISTRATION NO. 3416061 - NORTHPORT - 477012.33550 |
Sent: | 05/08/14 12:22:47 PM |
Sent As: | PRG@uspto.gov |
Attachments: |
UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)
OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) ABOUT REGISTRANT’S TRADEMARK REGISTRATION
U.S. REGISTRATION NO. 3416061
REGISTRANT: HNI Technologies Inc.
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May 8, 2014 |
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CORRESPONDENT’S ADDRESS: |
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MARK: NORTHPORT
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CORRESPONDENT’S REFERENCE/DOCKET NO. 477012.33550
CORRESPONDENT’S EMAIL ADDRESS: |
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CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER:
http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/teas/reg_maintain.jsp
ISSUE/MAILING DATE: 5/8/2014
U.S. Registration Number 3416061
The Sections 8 & 15 Combined Affidavit was received on April 22, 2014. The Section 15 portion of the Combined Affidavit can be acknowledged. However, the Section 8 portion is not accepted for the reason(s) set forth below.
Material that functions merely to tell prospective purchasers about the goods, or to promote the sale of the goods, is unacceptable to show trademark use. TMEP §904.04(b). Invoices, business cards, announcements, price lists, listings in trade directories, order forms, bills of lading, leaflets, brochures, advertising circulars and other printed advertising material, while normally acceptable for showing use in connection with services, generally are not acceptable specimens for showing trademark use in connection with goods. See In re MediaShare Corp., 43 USPQ2d 1304, 1307 (TTAB 1997); In re Schiapparelli Searle, 26 USPQ2d 1520, 1522 (TTAB 1993); TMEP §904.04(b)-(c).
Therefore, the owner must submit the following:
(1) A substitute specimen showing current use of the registered mark in commerce for each class of goods specified in the registration; and
(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 during the relevant period for filing the 6-year Section 8.” 37 C.F.R. §2.161(g); TMEP §1604.12(c).
Examples of specimens for goods are tags, labels, instruction manuals, containers, photographs that show the mark on the actual goods or packaging, or displays associated with the actual goods at their point of sale. See TMEP §§904.03 et seq.
The owner was using the mark in commerce on or in connection with the goods and/or services identified in the registration for which use of the mark in commerce is claimed, as evidenced by the submitted specimen, during the relevant period for filing the 6-year Section 8, that is, between the 5th and 6th year anniversary after the date of registration or the date of publication under 15 U.S.C. §1062, or during the ensuing grace period.
The mark has been in continuous use in commerce for five (5) consecutive years after the date of registration or the date of publication under 15 U.S.C. §1062(c), and is still in use in commerce on or in connection with all goods and/or services listed in the existing registration. There has been no final decision adverse to the owner’s claim of ownership of such mark for such goods and/or services, or to the owner’s rights to register the same or to keep the same on the register; and there is no proceeding involving said rights pending and not disposed of either in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or in the courts.
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 statement may jeopardize the validity of this document, declares that s/he is properly authorized to execute this document on behalf of the owner, and all statements made of his/her own knowledge are true and that all statements made on information and belief are believed to be true.
__________________________
Signature of Authorized Person
__________________________
Type or Print Name
__________________________
Date
The following persons are properly authorized to sign a Combined Affidavit on behalf of the owner:
(1) A person with legal authority to bind the owner (e.g., a corporate officer or general partner);
(2) A person with firsthand knowledge of the facts and actual or implied authority to act on behalf of the owner; or
(3) An authorized attorney who has an actual written or verbal power of attorney or an implied power of attorney from the owner.
37 C.F.R. §§2.161(b), 2.193(e)(1); TMEP §1604.08(a).
DEFICIENCY SURCHARGE REQUIRED: The owner must submit a $100 deficiency surcharge with its response to this Office action. 37 C.F.R. §§2.6, 2.164(a)(1); TMEP §1604.17(a).
/Harpreet Singh/
Harpreet Singh
Trademark Specialist
Post Registration Division
Harpreet.singh@uspto.gov
571-272-9551
571-273-9551 (fax)
TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER: Use the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) Response to Post-Registration Office action form number 11 at http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/teas/reg_maintain.jsp. Please wait 48-72 hours from the issue/mailing date before using TEAS, to allow for necessary system updates of the registration. For technical assistance with online forms, e-mail TEAS@uspto.gov.
WHO MUST SIGN THE RESPONSE: It must be personally signed by (1) the individual owner; (2) someone with legal authority to bind the owner (e.g., a corporate officer or general partner); or (3) an authorized attorney, if one is appointed to represent the owner. If the owner is represented by an attorney, the attorney must sign the response.
TO UPDATE CORRESPONDENCE/E-MAIL ADDRESS: Use the TEAS form at http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/teas/correspondence.jsp.
FOR INQUIRIES OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS OFFICE ACTION, PLEASE CONTACT THE ASSIGNED SPECIALIST.