| To: | PERFORMANCE FOOD GROUP COMPANY, LLC (mholloway@mcguirewoods.com) |
| Subject: | U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 78920844 - MAGELLAN - N/A |
| Sent: | 5/7/2009 2:04:39 PM |
| Sent As: | ECOM114@USPTO.GOV |
| Attachments: | Attachment - 1 Attachment - 2 Attachment - 3 Attachment - 4 Attachment - 5 Attachment - 6 Attachment - 7 Attachment - 8 |
UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
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SERIAL NO: 78/920844
MARK: MAGELLAN
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CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS: |
RESPOND TO THIS ACTION: http://www.gov.uspto.report/teas/eTEASpageD.htm
GENERAL TRADEMARK INFORMATION: http://www.gov.uspto.report/main/trademarks.htm
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APPLICANT: PERFORMANCE FOOD GROUP COMPANY, LLC
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CORRESPONDENT’S REFERENCE/DOCKET NO: CORRESPONDENT E-MAIL ADDRESS: |
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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: 5/7/2009
THIS IS A FINAL ACTION.
On April 24, 2007, action on this application was suspended pending the disposition of Application Serial No. 76123680. The referenced pending application has abandoned and is no longer posses a bar to registration. In addition, U.S. Registration Nos. 2226523 and 2226545 were both cancelled on May 5, 2009. Thus, the refusal due to likelihood of confusion with respect to these registrations is withdrawn.
Thus, the varietal refusal with respect to International Class 31 continued and maintained in the suspended Office action of April 24, 2007 is continued and made FINAL.
VARIETAL NAME REFUSAL – PARTIAL TO SPECIFIC GOODS
THIS REFUSAL APPLIES TO THE GOODS SPECIFIED THEREIN, NAMELY, IMPORTED FRESH AND RAW FRUITS, VEGETABLES AND GRAINS
The refusal under Trademark Act Sections 1, 2, and 45 is now made FINAL for the reasons set forth below. See 15 U.S.C. §§1051; 37 C.F.R. §2.64(a).
Registration is refused because the proposed mark is a varietal name for the identified goods and as such, does not function as a trademark. Trademark Act Sections 1, 2 and 45; 15 U.S.C. §§1051, 1052 and 1127; TMEP §1202.12.
The applicant’s mark is Magellan. The goods to which this refusal apply are imported fresh and raw fruits, vegetables and grains.
In the Office action dated October 20, 2006, the examining attorney attached evidence which demonstrated that Magellan is the varietal name for soybeans, broccoli, cauliflower, corn, peas, melons, wheat and sunflowers.
With this Office action, the examining attorney attaches the updated varietal information. In particular, the attached USDA vegetable database indicates Magellan is a varietal name for wheat, corn and soybeans. The USDA agricultural database indicates Magellan is a varietal name for melon.
The UPOV Plant Variety database entries provided below support that Magellan is a varietal name for peas (Latin name: PISUM SATIVUM L.), melon (Latin name: Cucumis melo L.), beets (Latin name: beta vulgaris), wheat (Latin name: Triticum aestivum L.), broccoli, cauliflower (Latin Name: Brassica oleracea L. convar. botrytis (L.) Alef. var botrytis), and soybeans (Latin name: Glycine max (L.) Merr.). In some cases for the UPOV Plant Variety Database entries, the Latin name is used to derive the common name in English, particularly for the melon, beats, wheat, broccoli and cauliflower. The UPOV information attachments support these English translations of the Latin names.
In addition, the GRIN or Germplasm Resources Information Network results confirm that Magellan is also a varietal or cultivar name for soybeans.
See either attachments or information attached below the signature field from the various databases indicating that Magellan is a varietal name for wheat, corn, soybeans, peas, melons, beets broccoli and cauliflower.
From when the original UPOV search was conducted, the goods sunflowers no longer appear in the UPOV database indicating a varietal name. Thus, sunflowers are no longer included as part of this refusal.
Thus, the evidence supports that Magellen is currently a varietal or cultivar name for wheat, corn, soybeans, peas, melons beets, broccoli and cauliflower. Thus, the evidence of record shows that applicant’s mark is a varietal name for wheat, corn, soybeans, peas, melons beets, broccoli and cauliflower. Varietal (or cultivar) names are generic designations and cannot be registered as trademarks. See In re Delta & Pine Land Co., 26 USPQ2d 1157, 1159 n.4 (TTAB 1993); In re Hilltop Orchards & Nurseries, Inc., 206 USPQ 1034 (TTAB 1979); In re Farmer Seed & Nursery Co., 137 USPQ 231 (TTAB 1963); In re Cohn Bodger & Sons Co., 122 USPQ 345 (TTAB 1959); Dixie Rose Nursery v. Coe, Comm’r Pats., 55 USPQ 315 (D.C. App. 1942), cert. denied 318 U.S. 782 (1943). Thus, the applicant’s mark is generic for the applicant’s goods which are broad enough to include these specific fruits, vegetables and grains.
Applicant may wish to obviate this refusal by amending the identification of goods in International Class 31 to indicate with more specificity the nature of the goods which would not include those with a varietal name Magellan.
On April 20, 2007, the applicant indicated that applicant never used MAGELLAN as a varietal name and that it does not own a plant patent under such name. While this may be the case, the evidence of record indicates that the term is a varietal name for wheat, corn, soybeans, peas, melons, beets broccoli and cauliflower. Thus, registration is refused accordingly.
Thus, for the foregoing reasons, the mark is refused registration under Trademark Act Sections 1, 2, and 45 because the proposed mark is a varietal name for the identified goods and as such, does not function as a trademark.
RESPONSE TO THIS ACTION
Applicant may respond to this final Office action by:
(1) Submitting a response that fully satisfies all outstanding requirements, if feasible; and/or
(2) Filing an appeal to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, with an appeal fee of $100 per class.
37 C.F.R. §§2.6(a)(18), 2.64(a); TBMP ch. 1200; TMEP §714.04.
In certain rare circumstances, a petition to the Director may be filed pursuant to 37 C.F.R. §2.63(b)(2) to review a final Office action that is limited to procedural issues. 37 C.F.R. §2.64(a); TMEP §714.04; see 37 C.F.R. §2.146(b), TBMP §1201.05; TMEP §1704 (explaining petitionable matters). The petition fee is $100. 37 C.F.R. §2.6(a)(15).
/Brendan D. McCauley/
Brendan D. McCauley
Examining Attorney
Law Office 114
571-272-9459
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.
GRIN
(Germplasm Resources Information Network)
The Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) web server provides germplasm information about plants, animals, microbes and invertebrates within the National Genetic Resources Program (NGRP)of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS). This web server is maintained by the Database Management Unit (DBMU) of the National Germplasm Resources Laboratory (NGRL), Plant Sciences Institute (PSI), Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Cite as: USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.
Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov
Number of Pages: 1
Search string: magellan
Include inactive and unavailable accessions
Limit to first 1000 records
Glycine max (L.) Merr. FABACEAE
'MAGELLAN'
Developed in: Kansas, United States
Maintained by the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation. NPGS received: 18-Sep-1997. PI assigned:
1996. Inventory volume: 205. Life form: Annual. Improvement status: Cultivar. Reproductive uniformity: Pureline. Form received: Seed.
MAGELLAN
Type: CULTIVAR.
Crop Science Registration
Identifier: CV-379 Crop: SOYBEAN. Date issued: 01-May-1998.
Reference: W.T. Schapaugh, Jr., P.A. Owen, K.M. Clark, D.A. Sleper. 1998. Magellan Soybean. Crop Sci 38(3):892.
U.S. Plant Variety Protection
PVP 9600319 Crop: SOYBEAN. Date issued: 27-Oct-2000. Assignee: University of Missouri. Current status
This accession is protected by Intellectual Property Rights, it should be requested from the donor/developer.
Group IV maturity, relative maturity 4.3. Indeterminate growth habit, flowers purple, pubescenc gray, and pods tan at maturity. Seeds yellow, hila buff, seed coat luster shiny, and weight approx. 150 mg seed-1. Susceptible to cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines), brown stem rot (Phialophora gergata), phytophthora rot (Phytophthora sojae), and iron chlorosis.
Sherman x Harper
UPOV Plant Variety database
Database Coverage:
The main database on the UPOV-ROM disc is the database of information on plant
varieties of the UPOV member States and of two organizations (CPVO and OECD). It
covers mainly information on plant variety protection and national listing of varieties for
marketing. The data of the UPOV member States are supplied by their competent
national authorities which are also responsible for the correctness of the information
submitted.
INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR THE PROTECTION OF NEW VARIETIES OF PLANTS
34, chemin des Colombettes - CH-1211 Genève 20 - % (+41-22) 338 91 11 - Fax: (+41-22) 733 03 36
E-mail: upov.mail@wipo.int - Internet: http://www.upov.int
Search Strategies: (see separate file)
Total pages: 5
COUNTRY/AUTHORITY : DE
IDENTIFIER : NLI RKL 00250
UPOV CODE : TRFOL_PRA
LATIN NAME : Trifolium pratense L.
COMMON NAME : Rotklee
DENOMINATION/proposed : 2008.01.31 Magellan
DENOMINATION/published : 2008.03.15 Magellan
BREEDER'S REFR. : SLM 3.445
APPL./FILING NUMB. : RKL 00250
APPL./FILING DATE : 2005.12.02
APPLICANT : NORDDEUTSCHE
Norddeutsche Pflanzenzucht Hans-Georg Lembke KG.
BREEDER : FRAUEN
Dr. Martin Frauen in Fa. Norddeutsche Pflanzenzucht Hans-Georg Lembke KG.
: GAUE ROLF
Dr. Rolf Gaue
: LUESINK
Wilbert Luesink
COUNTRY/AUTHORITY : DE
IDENTIFIER : NLI WD 01335
UPOV CODE : LOLIU_PER
LATIN NAME : Lolium perenne L.
COMMON NAME : Deutsches Weidelgras
DENOMINATION/proposed : 2005.11.09 Magellan
DENOMINATION/published : 2006.01.15 Magellan
BREEDER'S REFR. : ADV Lp 7329
APPL./FILING NUMB. : WD 01335
APPL./FILING DATE : 2002.12.30
EXPIRATION ACTUAL : 2007.04.23 (WDR)
APPLICANT : LIMAGRAIN NEDERLAND
Limagrain Nederland B.V. (LVH-Research)
BREEDER : LIMAGRAIN NEDERLAND
Limagrain Nederland B.V. (LVH-Research)
OTHER APPLICATIONS : GB NLI 2002.12.13 ADV Lp 7329
NOTE : Open pollinated variety
COUNTRY/AUTHORITY : DK
IDENTIFIER : PBR 19466
UPOV CODE : PISUM_SAT
LATIN NAME : PISUM SATIVUM L.
COMMON NAME : PEA
: AERT
DENOMINATION/proposed : 2001.01.26 MAGELLAN
BREEDER'S REFR. : MH 97-5
APPL./FILING NUMB. : 19466
APPL./FILING DATE : 2001.01.26
DATE PUBL. APPL./FILING : 2001.04.15
EXPIRATION ACTUAL : 2001.02.02 (WDR)
APPLICANT : SARL ADRIEN MOMONT ET FILS
BREEDER : SARL ADRIEN MOMONT ET FILS
MAINTAINER : SARL ADRIEN MOMONT ET FILS
OTHER PARTIES : PAJBJERG A/S (AGT)
COUNTRY/AUTHORITY : ES
IDENTIFIER : NLI
UPOV CODE : CUCUM_MEL
LATIN NAME : Cucumis melo L.
DENOMINATION/proposed : 2000.03.10 MAGELLAN
DENOMINATION/published : 2000.03.09 MAGELLAN
DENOMINATION/accepted : 2000.06.15 MAGELLAN
APPL./FILING NUMB. : 20000104
APPL./FILING DATE : 2000.03.10
EXPIRATION ACTUAL : 2003.11.20 (WDR)
APPLICANT : SYNGENTA SEEDS B.V.
BREEDER : NOVARTIS SEEDS B.V.
MAINTAINER : SYNGENTA SEEDS B.V.
TITLE HOLDER : SYNGENTA SEEDS B.V.
COUNTRY/AUTHORITY : FR
IDENTIFIER : NLI 9000748
UPOV CODE : BETAA_VUL
LATIN NAME : Beta vulgaris L.
COMMON NAME : Betterave sucriere
DENOMINATION/proposed : 2007.09.07 Magellan
DENOMINATION/published : 2007.09.10 Magellan
DENOMINATION/accepted : 2007.12.10 Magellan
BREEDER'S REFR. : SR 90
APPL./FILING NUMB. : 1018929
APPL./FILING DATE : 2006.01.12
GRANT/REG. NUMB. : 1018929
GRANT/REG. DATE : 2008.01.01
APPLICANT : SESVanderhave France SAS (FR)
BREEDER : SESVanderhave NV/SA (BE)
MAINTAINER : SESVanderhave NV/SA (BE)
COUNTRY/AUTHORITY : FR
IDENTIFIER : PBR 0141079
UPOV CODE : TRITI_AES
LATIN NAME : Triticum aestivum L.
COMMON NAME : BLE TENDRE
DENOMINATION/proposed : 1994.02.23 MAGELLAN
DENOMINATION/published : 1992.07.10 MAGELLAN
DENOMINATION/accepted : 1992.10.10 MAGELLAN
BREEDER'S REFR. : MH 25.69
APPL./FILING NUMB. : 11673
APPL./FILING DATE : 1992.06.15
DATE PUBL. APPL./FILING : 1992.07.10
GRANT/REG. NUMB. : 7215
DATE PUBL. GRANT/REG. : 1995.03.10
GRANT/REG. DATE : 1994.02.23
EXPIRATION ACTUAL : 1995.02.24 (SUR)
APPLICANT : Adrien Momont et Fils SCA (FR)
BREEDER : Adrien Momont et Fils SCA (FR)
TITLE HOLDER : Adrien Momont et Fils SCA (FR)
COUNTRY/AUTHORITY : NZ
IDENTIFIER : PBR MAN014
UPOV CODE : LPTOS
LATIN NAME : Leptospermum J.R. Forst. & G. Forst.
COMMON NAME : Manuka/Tea Tree
: Manuka/Tea Tree
DENOMINATION/proposed : 1999.10.18 Magellan
DENOMINATION/published : 2000.01.14 Magellan
DENOMINATION/accepted : 2001.01.08 Magellan
BREEDER'S REFR. : Magellan
APPL./FILING NUMB. : MAN014
APPL./FILING DATE : 1999.10.18
DATE PUBL. APPL./FILING : 2000.01.14
GRANT/REG. NUMB. : 1757
DATE PUBL. GRANT/REG. : 2001.04.14
GRANT/REG. DATE : 2001.01.08
EXPIRATION CALC. : 2024.01.08
APPLICANT : New Zealand Institute for Crop and Food Research Ltd
BREEDER : New Zealand Institute for Crop and Food Research Ltd
TITLE HOLDER : New Zealand Institute for Crop and Food Research Ltd
OTHER PARTIES : Quality Growers N.Z. Inc. (AGT)
COUNTRY/AUTHORITY : RU
IDENTIFIER : NLI 9553185
UPOV CODE : BRASS_OLE_GBB
LATIN NAME : Brassica oleracea L. convar. botrytis (L.) Alef. var. botrytis
COMMON NAME : KAPUSTA TSVETNAYa
DENOMINATION/proposed : 2004.07.28 MAGELLAN
DENOMINATION/published : 2004.09.08 MAGELLAN
DENOMINATION/accepted : 2005.01.26 MAGELLAN
BREEDER'S REFR. : SG 4179
APPL./FILING NUMB. : 41541
APPL./FILING DATE : 2004.07.28
DATE PUBL. APPL./FILING : 2004.09.08
DATE PUBL. GRANT/REG. : 2005.02.25
GRANT/REG. DATE : 2005.01.26
APPLICANT : SYNGENTA SEEDS B.V.
BREEDER : SYNGENTA SEEDS B.V.
OTHER PARTIES : OOO 'SINGENTA' (OPN)
COUNTRY/AUTHORITY : US
IDENTIFIER : PBR 200400159
UPOV CODE : FESTU_ARU
LATIN NAME : Festuca arundinacea Schreber
COMMON NAME : FESCUE, TALL
DENOMINATION/proposed : 2004.03.26 Magellan
DENOMINATION/published : 2004.09.26 Magellan
DENOMINATION/accepted : 2008.05.16 Magellan
BREEDER'S REFR. : OD-4
APPL./FILING NUMB. : 200400159
APPL./FILING DATE : 2004.03.26
DATE PUBL. APPL./FILING : 2004.09.26
GRANT/REG. NUMB. : 200400159
DATE PUBL. GRANT/REG. : 2008.06.16
GRANT/REG. DATE : 2008.05.16
EXPIRATION CALC. : 2028.05.16
APPLICANT : Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey and Novel AG, Inc.
BREEDER : Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey and Novel AG, Inc.
TITLE HOLDER : Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey and Novel AG, Inc.
COUNTRY/AUTHORITY : US
IDENTIFIER : PBR 9600319
UPOV CODE : GLYCI_MAX
LATIN NAME : Glycine max (L.) Merr.
COMMON NAME : SOYBEAN
DENOMINATION/proposed : 1996.07.23 Magellan
DENOMINATION/published : 1997.01.23 Magellan
DENOMINATION/accepted : 2000.10.27 Magellan
BREEDER'S REFR. : K1207
APPL./FILING NUMB. : 9600319
APPL./FILING DATE : 1996.07.23
DATE PUBL. APPL./FILING : 1997.01.23
GRANT/REG. NUMB. : 9600319
DATE PUBL. GRANT/REG. : 2000.11.27
GRANT/REG. DATE : 2000.10.27
EXPIRATION CALC. : 2020.10.27
APPLICANT : The Curators of the University of Missouri
BREEDER : The Curators of the University of Missouri
TITLE HOLDER : The Curators of the University of Missouri
