UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)

OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) ABOUT APPLICANT’S TRADEMARK APPLICATION

 

 

 

OFFICE ACTION

 

STRICT DEADLINE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER 

TO AVOID ABANDONMENT OF APPLICANT’S TRADEMARK APPLICATION, THE USPTO MUST RECEIVE APPLICANT’S COMPLETE RESPONSE TO THIS LETTER WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF THE ISSUE/MAILING DATE BELOW.

 

ISSUE/MAILING DATE:

 

INTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION NO. 1045076

This is a PROVISIONAL FULL REFUSAL of the trademark and/or service mark in the above-referenced U.S. application.  See 15 U.S.C. §1141h(c).

 

WHO IS PERMITTED TO RESPOND TO THIS PROVISIONAL FULL REFUSAL:

 

Applicant may respond directly to this provisional refusal Office action if applicant is not represented by an authorized attorney.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.193(e)(2)(ii).  Otherwise, applicant’s authorized attorney must respond on applicant’s behalf.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.193(e)(2)(i).  However, the only attorneys who are authorized to sign responses and practice before the USPTO in trademark matters are as follows:

 

(1)  Attorneys in good standing with a bar of the highest court of any U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and other federal territories and possessions of the United States; and

 

(2)  Canadian agents/attorneys who represent applicants located in Canada and (a) are registered with the USPTO and in good standing as patent agents or (b) have been granted reciprocal recognition by the USPTO.

 

See 37 C.F.R. §§2.17(e), 2.62(b), 11.1, 11.5(b)(2), 11.14(a), (c); TMEP §§602, 712.03.

 

Foreign attorneys, other than authorized Canadian attorneys, are not permitted to represent applicants before the USPTO.  See 37 C.F.R. §§2.17(e), 11.14(c), (e); TMEP §602.03-.03(b).  That is, foreign attorneys may not file written communications, authorize an amendment to an application, or submit legal arguments in response to a requirement or refusal, among other things.  See 37 C.F.R. §11.5(b)(2); TMEP §§602.03(c), 608.01.  If applicant is represented by such a foreign attorney, applicant must respond directly to this provisional refusal Office action.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.193(e)(2)(ii).

 

DESIGNATION OF DOMESTIC REPRESENTATIVE:

 

The USPTO encourages applicants who do not reside in the U.S. to designate a domestic representative upon whom notices or process may be served.  15 U.S.C. §§1051(e), 1141h(d); 37 C.F.R. §2.24(a)(1)-(2); see TMEP §610.  Such designations may be filed online at http://www.gov.uspto.report/teas/index.html. 

 

THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PROVISIONALLY REFUSED AS FOLLOWS:

 

 

The referenced application has been reviewed by the assigned trademark examining attorney.  Applicant must respond timely and completely to the issue(s) below.  15 U.S.C. §1062(b); 37 C.F.R. §§2.62(a), 2.65(a); TMEP §§711, 718.03.

 

 

EARLIER-FILED PENDING APPLICATIONS

The filing date and effective filing date of pending Application Serial Nos. 85071546 and 79086150, respectively, precede applicant’s filing date.  See attached referenced applications.  If one or more of the marks in the referenced applications register, applicant’s mark may be refused registration under Trademark Act Section 2(d) because of a likelihood of confusion with the registered mark(s).  See 15 U.S.C. §1052(d); 37 C.F.R. §2.83; TMEP §§1208 et seq.  Therefore, upon receipt of applicant’s response to this Office action, action on this application may be suspended pending final disposition of the earlier-filed referenced applications.

 

In response to this Office action, applicant may present arguments in support of registration by addressing the issue of the potential conflict between applicant’s mark and the marks in the referenced applications.  Applicant’s election not to submit arguments at this time in no way limits applicant’s right to address this issue later if a refusal under Section 2(d) issues.

 

 

ADDITIONAL REFUSAL(S) AND/OR REQUIREMENT(S)

Upon receipt of applicant’s response resolving the following refusal(s) and/or requirement(s), action on this application will be suspended pending the disposition of Application Serial No(s). 85071546 and 79086150.  37 C.F.R. §2.83(c); TMEP §§716.02(c), 1208.02(c).

 

 

SECTION 2(D) REFUSAL

Registration of the applied-for mark is refused because of a likelihood of confusion with the marks in U.S. Registration Nos. 3256611 and 2946239.  Trademark Act Section 2(d), 15 U.S.C. §1052(d); see TMEP §§1207.01 et seq.  See the enclosed registrations.

 

Trademark Act Section 2(d) bars registration of an applied-for mark that so resembles a registered mark that it is likely that a potential consumer would be confused or mistaken or deceived as to the source of the goods and/or services of the applicant and registrant.  See 15 U.S.C. §1052(d).  The court in In re E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d 1357, 177 USPQ 563 (C.C.P.A. 1973) listed the principal factors to be considered when determining whether there is a likelihood of confusion under Section 2(d).  See TMEP §1207.01.  However, not all of the factors are necessarily relevant or of equal weight, and any one factor may be dominant in a given case, depending upon the evidence of record.  In re Majestic Distilling Co., 315 F.3d 1311, 1315, 65 USPQ2d 1201, 1204 (Fed. Cir. 2003); see In re E. I. du Pont, 476 F.2d at 1361-62, 177 USPQ at 567.

 

In this case, the following factors are the most relevant:  similarity of the marks, similarity of the goods and/or services, and similarity of trade channels of the goods and/or services.  See In re Opus One, Inc., 60 USPQ2d 1812 (TTAB 2001); In re Dakin’s Miniatures Inc., 59 USPQ2d 1593 (TTAB 1999); In re Azteca Rest. Enters., Inc., 50 USPQ2d 1209 (TTAB 1999); TMEP §§1207.01 et seq.

 

The applicant has applied to register VANQUISH for Spectacles (eyeglasses and goggles); phonograph records; metronomes; electronic circuits and CD-ROMs recorded with automatic performance programs for electronic musical instruments; downloadable music files; exposed cinematographic films; exposed slide films; slide film mounts; downloadable image files; recorded video discs and video tapes; electronic publications, in International Class 9; Ornaments (jewellery, jewelry); precious metals; key rings (trinkets or fobs); unwrought and semi-wrought precious stones and their imitations; clocks and watches, in International Class 14; Bags and the like; pouches and the like; handbag frames; purse frames; industrial packaging containers of leather; vanity cases (not fitted); umbrellas; walking sticks; canes; metal parts of canes and walking-sticks; walking stick handles; fur, in International Class 18; and Clothing; garters; sock suspenders; suspenders (braces); waistbands; belts (clothing); shoes and boots (other than "shoe dowels, shoe pegs, shoe handles, hobnails and shoe protective metal members"), in International Class 25.

 

The cited marks are (1) VANQUISH for time measuring apparatus and instruments, namely, remote control miniprinter timers, electronic and manual timers, photocell timers, starting gate timers, telephone liaison timers, impulse distributor timers, electronic pistol starting timers, manual contactor timers, electric time control switches, and their parts, in International Class 9, and  jewelry; precious stones; timepieces and chronometric instruments, namely, watches, watchbands, chronometers, chronographs for use as watches, electronic stop watches and clocks, in International Class 14, and (2) VANQUISH for womens' and girls' shoes and clothing, namely, tops, bottoms, sweaters, dresses, coats, jackets, hosiery, socks, lingerie, sleepwear, hats and belts, in International Class 25.

  

In regards to the marks, the applicant’s and cited marks are identical in all aspects – sight, sound, commercial impression and meaning.  All of them are standard character marks, which can be displayed in any manner.

 

In a likelihood of confusion determination, the marks are compared for similarities in their appearance, sound, meaning or connotation and commercial impression.  In re E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d 1357, 1361, 177 USPQ 563, 567 (C.C.P.A. 1973); TMEP §1207.01(b).  Similarity in any one of these elements may be sufficient to find a likelihood of confusion.  In re White Swan Ltd., 8 USPQ2d 1534, 1535 (TTAB 1988); In re Lamson Oil Co., 6 USPQ2d 1041, 1043 (TTAB 1987); see TMEP §1207.01(b).

 

Regarding the goods, the applicant’s goods in International Class 14 and the goods of Reg. No. 3256611 are identical for jewelry, precious stones, timepieces.  In this case, the marks and goods are identical.

 

Regarding the goods, the applicant’s goods in International Class 25 and the goods of Reg. No. 2946239 are identical for clothing.  In this case, the marks and goods are identical.

 

The presumption under Trademark Act Section 7(b), 15 U.S.C. §1057(b), is that the registrant is the owner of the mark and that use of the mark extends to all goods and/or services identified in the registration.  The presumption also implies that the registrant operates in all normal channels of trade and reaches all classes of purchasers of the identified goods and/or services.  In re Melville Corp., 18 USPQ2d 1386, 1389 (TTAB 1991); McDonald’s Corp. v. McKinley, 13 USPQ2d 1895, 1899 (TTAB 1989); RE/MAX of Am., Inc. v. Realty Mart, Inc., 207 USPQ 960, 964-65 (TTAB 1980); see TMEP §1207.01(a)(iii).

 

The overriding concern is not only to prevent buyer confusion as to the source of the goods and/or services, but to protect the registrant from adverse commercial impact due to use of a similar mark by a newcomer.  See In re Shell Oil Co., 992 F.2d 1204, 1208, 26 USPQ2d 1687, 1690 (Fed. Cir. 1993).  Therefore, any doubt regarding a likelihood of confusion determination is resolved in favor of the registrant.  TMEP §1207.01(d)(i); see Hewlett-Packard Co. v. Packard Press, Inc., 281 F.3d 1261, 1265, 62 USPQ2d 1001, 1003 (Fed. Cir. 2002); In re Hyper Shoppes (Ohio), Inc., 837 F.2d 463, 464-65, 6 USPQ2d 1025, 1025 (Fed. Cir. 1988).

 

Although applicant’s mark has been refused registration, applicant may respond to the refusal(s) by submitting evidence and arguments in support of registration.

 

 

IDENTIFICATION OF GOODS

The identification of goods is indefinite and must be clarified.  See TMEP §1402.01.  Applicant must specify the common commercial or generic name for the goods.  If there is no common commercial or generic name, applicant must describe the product and intended consumer as well as its main purpose and intended uses.  Also, the identification of goods must be clarified because it is too broad and could include goods in other international classes.  See TMEP §§1402.01, 1402.03. 

 

The identification of goods and/or services contains parentheses.  Generally, parentheses and brackets should not be used in identifications.  Parenthetical information is permitted in identifications only if it serves to explain or translate the matter immediately preceding the parenthetical phrase in such a way that it does not affect the clarity of the identification, e.g., “obi (Japanese sash).”  TMEP §1402.12. 

 

Therefore, applicant must remove the parentheses from the identification of goods and/or services and incorporate the parenthetical information into the description. 

 

Applicant may adopt the following identification of goods, if accurate.  See TMEP §1402.01.  Bracketed wordings are suggested deletions and bolded wordings are suggested amendments.

 

International Class 9

Spectacles [(eyeglasses and goggles)], eyeglasses and goggles for sports; phonograph records featuring <specify subject matter>; metronomes; electronic circuits and CD-ROMs recorded with automatic music performance programs for electronic musical instruments; downloadable music files; exposed cinematographic films; exposed slide films; slide film mounts; downloadable image files featuring <specify subject matter>; recorded video discs and video tapes featuring <specify subject matter>; electronic publications, namely, books, magazines and manuals featuring <specify subject matter> recorded on computer media

 

International Class 14

Ornaments [(jewellery, jewelry)], namely, jewelry; precious metals; key rings [(trinkets or fobs)]; unwrought and semi-wrought precious stones and their imitations; clocks and watches

 

International Class 18

Bags and the like, namely, <indicate specific types of bags, e.g. handbags, shoulder bags>; pouches and the like, namely, <indicate specific types, e.g. felt pouches, jewelry pouches, leather pouches>; handbag frames; purse frames; industrial packaging containers of leather; unfitted vanity cases [(not fitted)]; umbrellas; walking sticks; canes; metal parts of canes and walking-sticks; walking stick handles; fur

 

International Class 25

Clothing, namely, <specify common commercial names of clothing within class 25>; garters; sock suspenders; suspenders [(braces)]; waistbands; belts [(clothing)]; shoes and boots, [(other than “shoe dowels, shoe pegs, shoe handles, hobnails and protective metal members”)]

 

An applicant may amend an identification of goods and/or services only to clarify or limit the goods and/or services; adding to or broadening the scope of the goods and/or services is not permitted.  37 C.F.R. §2.71(a); see TMEP §1402.06 et seq.  In addition, for applications filed under Trademark Act Section 66(a), an applicant may amend the identification only to specify goods and/or services classified in the international class(es) designated in the application as filed.  37 C.F.R. §2.85(d); see TMEP §§1402.07(a), 1904.02(c).

 

For assistance with identifying and classifying goods and/or services in trademark applications, please see the online searchable Manual of Acceptable Identifications of Goods and Services at http://tess2.gov.uspto.report/netahtml/tidm.html.  See TMEP §1402.04.

 

 

COMMUNICATION

If applicant has questions about the application or this Office action, please telephone the assigned trademark examining attorney at the telephone number below.

 

 

 

 

/Sophia S. Kim/

Sophia S. Kim, Esq.

Examining Attorney

USPTO Law 106

571-272-9178

sophia.kim@uspto.gov

 

 

 

TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER:  Use the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) response form at http://teasroa.gov.uspto.report/roa/.  Please wait 48-72 hours from the issue/mailing date before using TEAS, to allow for necessary system updates of the application.  For technical assistance with online forms, e-mail TEAS@uspto.gov.

 

WHO MUST SIGN THE RESPONSE:  It must be personally signed by an individual applicant or someone with legal authority to bind an applicant (i.e., a corporate officer, a general partner, all joint applicants).  If an applicant is represented by an attorney, the attorney must sign the response. 

 

PERIODICALLY CHECK THE STATUS OF THE APPLICATION:  To ensure that applicant does not miss crucial deadlines or official notices, check the status of the application every three to four months using Trademark Applications and Registrations Retrieval (TARR) at http://tarr.gov.uspto.report/.  Please keep a copy of the complete TARR screen.  If TARR shows no change for more than six months, call 1-800-786-9199.  For more information on checking status, see http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/process/status/.

 

TO UPDATE CORRESPONDENCE/E-MAIL ADDRESS:  Use the TEAS form at http://www.gov.uspto.report/teas/eTEASpageE.htm.