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

 

 

INTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION NO. 1370851

 

STRICT DEADLINE TO RESPOND TO THIS NOTIFICATION:  TO AVOID ABANDONMENT OF THE REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF PROTECTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION, THE USPTO MUST RECEIVE A COMPLETE RESPONSE TO THIS PROVISIONAL FULL REFUSAL NOTIFICATION WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF THE “DATE ON WHICH THE NOTIFICATION WAS SENT TO WIPO (MAILING DATE)” LOCATED ON THE WIPO COVER LETTER ACCOMPANYING THIS NOTIFICATION.

 

In addition to the Mailing Date appearing on the WIPO cover letter, a holder (hereafter “applicant”) may confirm this Mailing Date using the USPTO’s Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TSDR) system at http://tsdr.gov.uspto.report/.  To do so, enter the U.S. application serial number for this application and then select “Documents.”  The Mailing Date used to calculate the response deadline for this provisional full refusal is the “Create/Mail Date” of the “IB-1rst Refusal Note.”

 

This is a PROVISIONAL FULL REFUSAL of the request for extension of protection of the mark in the above-referenced U.S. application.  See 15 U.S.C. §1141h(c).  See below in this notification (hereafter “Office action”) for details regarding the provisional full refusal.

 

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.

 

Search Results

 

The trademark examining attorney has searched the Office’s database of registered and pending marks and has found no conflicting marks that would bar registration under Trademark Act Section 2(d).  TMEP §704.02; see 15 U.S.C. §1052(d).

 

However, applicant must address the following issues:

 

• Section 2(e)(1) refusal based on the mark’s descriptiveness;
• Information regarding owner; and
• Identification of goods.

 

Refusal – Merely Descriptive

Registration is refused because the applied-for mark merely describes a feature of applicant’s goods.  Trademark Act Section 2(e)(1), 15 U.S.C. §1052(e)(1); see TMEP §§1209.01(b), 1209.03 et seq.

 

A mark is merely descriptive if it describes an ingredient, quality, characteristic, function, feature, purpose, or use of an applicant’s goods and/or services.  TMEP §1209.01(b); see, e.g., In re TriVita, Inc., 783 F.3d 872, 874, 114 USPQ2d 1574, 1575 (Fed. Cir. 2015) (quoting In re Oppedahl & Larson LLP, 373 F.3d 1171, 1173, 71 USPQ2d 1370, 1371 (Fed. Cir. 2004)); In re Steelbuilding.com, 415 F.3d 1293, 1297, 75 USPQ2d 1420, 1421 (Fed. Cir. 2005) (citing Estate of P.D. Beckwith, Inc. v. Comm’r of Patents, 252 U.S. 538, 543 (1920)). 

 

The determination of whether a mark is merely descriptive is made in relation to an applicant’s goods and/or services, not in the abstract.  DuoProSS Meditech Corp. v. Inviro Med. Devices, Ltd., 695 F.3d 1247, 1254, 103 USPQ2d 1753, 1757 (Fed. Cir. 2012); In re The Chamber of Commerce of the U.S., 675 F.3d 1297, 1300, 102 USPQ2d 1217, 1219 (Fed. Cir. 2012); TMEP §1209.01(b); see, e.g., In re Polo Int’l Inc., 51 USPQ2d 1061, 1062-63 (TTAB 1999) (finding DOC in DOC-CONTROL would refer to the “documents” managed by applicant’s software rather than the term “doctor” shown in a dictionary definition); In re Digital Research Inc., 4 USPQ2d 1242, 1243-44 (TTAB 1987) (finding CONCURRENT PC-DOS and CONCURRENT DOS merely descriptive of “computer programs recorded on disk” where the relevant trade used the denomination “concurrent” as a descriptor of a particular type of operating system). 

 

“Whether consumers could guess what the product [or service] is from consideration of the mark alone is not the test.”  In re Am. Greetings Corp., 226 USPQ 365, 366 (TTAB 1985).

 

“A mark may be merely descriptive even if it does not describe the ‘full scope and extent’ of the applicant’s goods or services.”  In re Oppedahl & Larson LLP, 373 F.3d 1171, 1173, 71 USPQ2d 1370, 1371 (Fed. Cir. 2004) (citing In re Dial-A-Mattress Operating Corp., 240 F.3d 1341, 1346, 57 USPQ2d 1807, 1812 (Fed. Cir. 2001)); TMEP §1209.01(b).  It is enough if a mark describes only one significant function, attribute, or property.  In re The Chamber of Commerce of the U.S., 675 F.3d 1297, 1300, 102 USPQ2d 1217, 1219 (Fed. Cir. 2012); TMEP §1209.01(b); see In re Oppedahl & Larson LLP, 373 F.3d at 1173, 71 USPQ2d at 1371.

 

Here, applicant’s mark is “HYPHY” in standard characters.  This is phonetically identical to the word “hi-fi,” which the attached definitional evidence shows means the electronic reproduction of sound with minimal distortion.

 

Applicant’s identification of goods is a long list of items in International Class 009, which includes many goods that involve the electronic transmission of sound.  Thus, the wording in the mark would be perceived by consumers as indicating a feature of the goods, namely, that the sound reproduction is of high quality and involves minimal distortion. 

 

That applicant has used a novel spelling for the word “hi-fi” does not obviate from the descriptiveness of the mark.  A novel spelling or an intentional misspelling that is the phonetic equivalent of a merely descriptive word or term is also merely descriptive if purchasers would perceive the different spelling as the equivalent of the descriptive word or term.  See In re Quik-Print Copy Shop, Inc., 616 F.2d 523, 526 & n.9, 205 USPQ 505, 507 & n.9 (C.C.P.A. 1980) (holding “QUIK-PRINT,” phonetic spelling of “quick-print,” merely descriptive of printing and photocopying services); In re Calphalon Corp., 122 USPQ2d 1153, 1163 (TTAB 2017) (holding “SHARPIN”, phonetic spelling of “sharpen,” merely descriptive of cutlery knife blocks with built-in sharpeners); In re Carlson, 91 USPQ2d 1198, 1203 (TTAB 2009) (holding “URBANHOUZING,” phonetic spelling of “urban” and “housing,” merely descriptive of real estate services); TMEP §1209.03(j).

 

Accordingly, applicant’s mark is refused registration. 

 

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

 

Requirement – Owner Information

 

Applicant must specify its form of business or type of legal entity and its national citizenship or foreign country of organization or incorporation.  See 37 C.F.R. §§2.32(a)(3)(i)-(ii), 7.25(a)-(b); TMEP §§803.03, 803.04, 1904.02(a).  This information is required in all U.S. trademark applications, including those filed under Trademark Act Section 66(a) (also known as “requests for extension of protection of international registrations to the United States”).  See 37 C.F.R. §§2.32(a)(3)(i)-(ii), 7.25(a)-(b); TMEP §§803.03, 803.04, 1904.02(a). 

 

Acceptable entity types include an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a joint venture, or the foreign equivalent.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(3)(i)-(ii); TMEP §§803.03 et seq.

 

If applicant’s entity type is an individual, applicant must indicate his or her national citizenship for the record.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(3)(i); TMEP §803.04.  If applicant’s entity type is a corporation, association, partnership, joint venture, or the foreign equivalent, applicant must set forth the foreign country under whose laws applicant is organized or incorporated.  37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(3)(ii); TMEP §§803.03(b)-(c), 803.04.  For an association, applicant must also specify whether the association is incorporated or unincorporated, unless the foreign country and the designation or description “association/associazione” appear in Appendix D of the Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure (TMEP).  TMEP §803.03(c).

 

If applicant is organized under the laws of a foreign province or geographical region, applicant should specify both the foreign province or geographical region and the foreign country in which the province or region is located.  See TMEP §803.04.  To provide this information online via the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) response form, applicant must (1) locate the “Entity Type” heading and select “Other;” (2) locate the “Specify Entity Type” heading and select “Other” under the Foreign Entity option, and enter in the free-text field below both applicant’s entity type and the foreign province or geographical region of its organization (e.g., partnership of Victoria); and (3) locate the “State or Country Where Legally Organized” heading and select the appropriate foreign country (e.g., Australia) under the Non-U.S. Entity option.  See id.

 

 

 

Requirement – Identification

All identifications must be precise and identify the goods with particularity using common or commercial names for the goods.  TMEP §1402.01. 

            Current Identification

 

Applicant’s current identification reads (applicant should note that the wording requiring amendment, as discussed further below, has been highlighted in bold font):

 

International Class 009:  Apparatus for acquisition of signals; apparatus for controlling cameras; apparatus for decoding encoded signals; apparatus for electrical signal transmission; apparatus for joining electric cables; apparatus for processing audio signals; apparatus for processing video signals; apparatus for the transmission of electronic signals; apparatus for transmitting signals; audio and video receivers; audio processing apparatus for use with video apparatus; cable junctions for electric cables; cables for electronic transmission; cables for signal transmission systems; camera apparatus; cameras; chips (integrated circuits); circuit cards; circuits (electric or electronic); circuits for computers; closed circuit communication apparatus; closed circuit television apparatus; closed circuit television cameras; closed circuit television instruments; closed circuit television security apparatus; closed circuit television surveillance cameras; closed circuit video apparatus; closed circuit video installations; coaxial cables; communication interface units; communication software; communications cables; communications processing computer software; computer chips; computer circuit boards; computer controlled installations of video display apparatus; computer programmes (programs) and recorded software distributed online; computer programs (downloadable software); computer software; computer software applications (downloadable); computer software downloaded from the internet; computer software programs; control apparatus for video reproducing apparatus; control circuits for use in connection with motor vehicles; controlled access security apparatus (closed circuit television); converters for analogue signals; converters for digital signals; couplings for electrical cables; data communications receivers; data receivers; data transmission cables; decoders; electric apparatus for converting signals into visual information; electric apparatus for the transmission of analogue signals; electric circuit components; electrical apparatus for the transmission of audio signals; electrical communications cables; electrical receivers; electrically driven swivel tilt apparatus for video cameras; electrically driven tilt apparatus for video cameras; electronic cameras; electronic circuit boards; electronic circuits for use with computers; electronic decoders; electronic interface apparatus; electronic interfaces; electronic signal generating apparatus; electronic signal processing apparatus; electronic signal transmission apparatus; electronic signal transmitters; electronic units for transmitting audio signals; electronic video multiplexer; encoders; flexible electric cables; instruments for use in reception of electronic signals; insulated electrical cables; integrated circuit boards; integrated circuits; integrated electronic circuits; integrated software packages; interactive entertainment software for use with computers; interactive video apparatus; interactive video instruments; interactive video software; interactive video work stations; interface apparatus for computing apparatus; interface boards for electrical apparatus; interface cables (electric); interface cards for computers; interface cards for electrical apparatus; interface converters for electrical apparatus; interface units for electrical apparatus; line scanning cameras being image sensing apparatus; mechanical swivel heads for cameras; network management computer software; point-to-point receivers; point-to-point transmitters; printed circuit boards; printed circuits; printed electric circuits; rapid scan cameras; receiving terminals for signals; remote control apparatus for cameras; security apparatus for processing video and/or audio signals; security apparatus for receiving video signals; security apparatus for transmitting video signals; semiconductors (integrated circuits); signal generators; signal transmission apparatus; signal transmitters; solid-state integrated circuits; solid-state integrated electronic circuits; still video cameras; still video transmitters; transmitters for the transmission of electronic signals; transmitters for use in security; transmitters of electronic signals; video acquisition transition apparatus; video apparatus; video camera security apparatus; video camera security installations; video camera security instruments; video cameras; video cameras adapted for monitoring purposes; video cameras adapted for security purposes; video circuit boards; video communications apparatus; video communications instruments; video data converting apparatus; video detectors; video devices; video display apparatus; video display screens; video display terminals; video display units; video local area network controllers; video modifying apparatus; video monitor controllers; video monitors; video players; video processing apparatus; video processors; video projectors; video recorders; video recording apparatus; video recording apparatus incorporating sound reproducing apparatus; video reproducing apparatus; video reproduction instruments; video signalling apparatus; video surveillance apparatus; video surveillance cameras; video terminals; video transmitters; video transmitting apparatus; video wall installations; wireless pulse transmitters; apparatus for network communication; apparatus for use in communications networks; communications networks; computer programs for the creation of networks; network boards; network controlling apparatus; network management apparatus; software for preparing signals for transmission into an electromagnetic pathway; software for receiving and decoding signals from an electromagnetic pathway; apparatus for preparing signals for transmission into an electromagnetic pathway; apparatus for receiving and decoding signals from an electromagnetic pathway.

 

The identification is unacceptable as presently worded because certain goods are worded indefinitely, need clarification and/or have been misclassified. In the identification, applicant must use the common commercial or generic names for the goods, be all-inclusive, as complete and specific as possible, and avoid the use of indefinite words and phrases.  If applicant chooses to use indefinite terms, then such terms must be followed by the word "namely" and a list of the specific goods identified by their common commercial or generic names.  TMEP §§1402.01 and 1402.03(a).

 

Specifically, in addition to the issues identified below, the identification contains parentheses.  Generally, applicants should not use parentheses and brackets in identifications in their applications so as to avoid confusion with the USPTO’s practice of using parentheses and brackets in registrations to indicate goods and/or services that have been deleted from registrations or in an affidavit of incontestability to indicate goods and/or services not claimed.  See TMEP §1402.12.  The only exception is that parenthetical information is permitted in identifications in an application 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 or scope of the identification, e.g., “fried tofu pieces (abura-age).”  Id.

 

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

 

The identification for software in International Class 009 is indefinite and must be clarified by amending to specify the purpose or function of the software.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.03(d).  Where applicant has not specified the field of use, if the software is content- or field-specific, applicant must also specify its content or field of use.  See TMEP §1402.03(d).  The USPTO requires such specificity in identifying computer software in order for a trademark examining attorney to examine the application properly and make appropriate decisions concerning possible conflicts between the applicant’s mark and other marks.  See In re N.A.D. Inc., 57 USPQ2d 1872, 1874 (TTAB 2000); TMEP §1402.03(d).

 

The international classification of goods in applications filed under Trademark Act Section 66(a) cannot be changed from the classification the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization assigned to the goods in the corresponding international registration.  37 C.F.R. §2.85(d); TMEP §1401.03(d).  Therefore, although software may be classified in international classes other than International Class 009 (i.e., International Classes 041 and 042), any modification to the identification must identify goods in International Class 009 only, the class specified in the application for such goods.  See TMEP §1904.02(c)(ii).

 

The following are examples of acceptable identifications for software in International Class 009:  “downloadable mobile applications for managing bank accounts,” “desktop publishing software,” “tax preparation software.”

 

 

 

            Suggested Amendment

 

Applicant may adopt the following identification, if accurate (applicant should note that the suggested amended language appears in bold font, and that the applicant must supply the requisite information detailed within the brackets {} and then delete the brackets and the informational matter within):  

 

1.     International Class 009:  Apparatus for acquisition of signals, namely, _____ {specify goods by common or commercial name or indicate their primary components and/or usage with greater particularity, e.g., component feature of an oscilloscope in the nature of an electrical signal acquisition mode}; apparatus for controlling cameras, namely, ________ {specify the nature of the goods by using the common or commercial name or by indicating the type of controller with greater particularity, e.g., remote controller for cameras}; apparatus for decoding encoded signals; apparatus for electrical signal transmission,  namely, _____ {specify goods by common or commercial name or indicate their primary components and/or usage with greater particularity, e.g., cables for electrical signal transmission}; apparatus for joining electric cables, namely, _____ {specify goods by common or commercial name or indicate their primary components and/or usage with greater particularity}; electronic apparatus for processing audio signals; electronic apparatus for processing video signals; apparatus for the transmission of electronic signals, namely, _____ {specify goods by common or commercial name or indicate their primary components and/or usage with greater particularity}; apparatus for transmitting signals, namely, _____ {specify goods by common or commercial name or indicate their primary components and/or usage with greater particularity}; audio and video receivers; electronic audio processing apparatus for use with electronic video apparatus; cable junctions for electric cables; cables for electronic transmission of _______ {indicate what is being transmitted, e.g., signals, sound and images}; cables for _______ {specify type, e.g., optical, electrical} signal transmission systems; camera apparatus; cameras; integrated circuits; _________ {specify type, e.g., electronic, integrated} circuit cards; electric or electronic circuits; electronic circuits for computers; closed circuit communication apparatus, namely, _____ {specify goods by common or commercial name or indicate their primary components and/or usage with greater particularity, e.g. cameras and microphones}; closed circuit television apparatus; closed circuit television cameras; closed circuit television instruments, namely, _______ {list the particular instruments with specificity}; closed circuit television security apparatus; closed circuit television surveillance cameras; closed circuit video apparatus; closed circuit video installations; coaxial cables; communication interface units comprised of _________ {specify the main components of the units, e.g., closed circuit televisions and microphones}; communication software for ________ {specify the function of the software e.g., translating documents into English}; communications cables, namely, ______ {specify type of cables with greater particularity, e.g., radio relay cables}; communications processing computer software for ______ {specify the function of the software with greater particularity}; computer chips; computer circuit boards; computer controlled installations of video display apparatus, namely, _______ {list the goods by common or commercial name or indicate their function with greater particularity}; computer programs and recorded downloadable software distributed online, all for _______ {specify the function of the software, e.g., tax preparation}; computer programs  in the nature of downloadable software for _______ {specify the function of the software, e.g., learning to speak Russian}; computer software for _______ {specify the function of the software, e.g., tax preparation}; downloadable computer software applications for ______ {specify the function of the software, e.g., tax preparation}; computer software downloaded from the internet for ________ {specify the function of the software}; computer software programs for ______ {specify the function of the software}; control apparatus for video reproducing apparatus, namely, ________ {specify the nature of the controlling apparatus as well as the nature of the video reproducing apparatus with greater particularity}; control circuits for use in connection with motor vehicles, namely, _______ {specify the nature of these goods with greater particularity, noting that, generally, circuits for vehicles are in International Class 012}; controlled access security apparatus in the nature of closed circuit television; converters for analogue signals, namely, _______ {specify type of converter by indicating what is being converted to what, e.g., digital to analog converters, analog to digital converters}; converters for digital signals, namely, _______ {specify type of converter by indicating what is being converted to what, e.g., digital to analog converters, analog to digital converters}; electric couplings for electrical cables; data communications receivers, namely, _______ {indicate type of receivers with greater particularity, e.g., telephone receivers, audio receivers}; mobile data receivers; data transmission cables; decoders; electric apparatus for converting signals into visual information; electric apparatus for the transmission of analogue signals; electric circuit components, namely, ______ {specify particular components, e.g., electric circuit closers}; electrical apparatus for the transmission of audio signals; electrical communications cables; electrical receivers; electrically driven swivel tilt apparatus for video cameras; electrically driven tilt apparatus for video cameras; electronic cameras; electronic circuit boards; electronic circuits for use with computers; electronic decoders; electronic interface apparatus, namely, ________ {specify the use for the apparatus, e.g., interfaces for touchscreens, interfaces for electric control panels}; electronic display interfaces; electronic signal generating apparatus; electronic signal processing apparatus; electronic signal transmission apparatus; electronic signal transmitters; electronic units for transmitting audio signals; electronic video multiplexer; encoders; flexible electric cables; instruments for use in reception of electronic signals, namely, _______ {list particular instruments by common or commercial name}; insulated electrical cables; integrated circuit boards; integrated circuits; integrated electronic circuits; integrated software packages comprised of software for ________ {specify the function of the software and the field, if field-specific, e.g., tax preparation}; interactive entertainment software for ________ {specify the function of the software with greater particularity, e.g., playing computer games} for use with computers; interactive video apparatus, namely, _______ {specify the common or commercial name for the apparatus or indicate its function with greater particularity}; interactive video instruments, namely, ________ {list the instruments with particularity}; interactive video software, namely, software for _________ {while the field of the software is listed, the function is not clear, therefore, indicate the function with greater particularity}; interactive video work stations comprised of ________ {list the main components of the work stations, e.g., computers and computer keyboards}; interface ________ {specify type of interface, e.g., touchscreen} apparatus for computing apparatus; interface boards being _______ {indicate what an interface board is with greater particularity} for electrical apparatus; electric interface cables; interface cards for computers in the form of printed circuits; interface cards in the form of printed circuits for electrical apparatus; interface converters for electrical apparatus, namely, ________ {specify the goods by common or commercial name or indicate their main components and function with greater particularity}; interface units for electrical apparatus, namely, ________ {specify the goods by common or commercial name or indicate their main components and function with greater particularity}; line scanning cameras being image sensing apparatus; mechanical swivel heads for cameras; network management computer software; point-to-point _______ {specify type, e.g., audio} receivers; point-to-point _______ {specify type, e.g., audio} transmitters; printed circuit boards; printed circuits; printed electric circuits; rapid scan cameras; receiving terminals for _______ {specify type of signal, e.g., electrical} signals; remote control apparatus for cameras; security apparatus for processing video and/or audio signals, namely, _______ {specify common or commercial name}; security apparatus for receiving video signals, namely, _______ {specify common or commercial name}; security apparatus for transmitting video signals, namely, _______ {specify common or commercial name}; semiconductors being integrated circuits; _________ {specify type of signal, e.g., electrical} signal generators; _________ {specify type of signal, e.g., electrical} signal transmission apparatus; _________ {specify type of signal, e.g., electrical} signal transmitters; solid-state integrated circuits; solid-state integrated electronic circuits; still video cameras; still video transmitters; transmitters for the transmission of electronic signals; ________ {specify type of transmitter, e.g., radio} transmitters for use in security; transmitters of electronic signals; video acquisition transition apparatus, namely, ________ {specify common or commercial name for the particular goods}; video apparatus, namely, _______ {specify particular goods, e.g., cameras}; video camera security apparatus comprised of _______ {specify main components, e.g., video camera and remote controller for video camera}; video camera security installations comprised of ________ {specify the components of the installation}; video camera security instruments, namely, ________ {specify particular instruments, e.g., video camera remote controller}; video cameras; video cameras adapted for monitoring purposes; video cameras adapted for security purposes; video circuit boards; video communications apparatus, namely, __________ {specify the common or commercial name, or indicate the function and/or main components, e.g., video camera and remote controller for video camera}; video communications instruments, namely, _______ {specify the particular instruments}; video data converting apparatus, namely, _______ {specify particular goods, e.g., television and video converters}; video ________ {specify what is being detected, e.g., motion} detectors; video devices, namely, ______ {specify the particular devices by common or commercial name}; video display apparatus, namely, _______ {specify common or commercial name or indicate main components}; video display screens; video display terminals; video display units, namely, _______ {specify common or commercial name or indicate main components}; video local area network hardware; video modifying apparatus, namely, _________ {specify the nature of the goods with greater particularity, e.g., film splicer}; video monitor controllers; video monitors; video players; video processing apparatus; video processors; video projectors; video recorders; video recording apparatus; video recording apparatus incorporating sound reproducing apparatus; video reproducing apparatus; video reproduction instruments; video signalling apparatus, namely, ________ {indicate common or commercial name for the goods, e.g., distribution amplifiers for video signals}; video surveillance apparatus comprised of ________ {specify main components, e.g., video camera and motion detector}; video surveillance cameras; video lottery ticket terminals; video transmitters; video transmitting apparatus; video wall installations comprised of _________ {specify main components, e.g., video cameras and motion detectors}; wireless electronic pulse transmitters; apparatus for network communication, namely, __________ {specify the main components of the goods and/or the common or commercial name for the goods, e.g., cellular telephone}; apparatus for use in communications networks, namely, __________ {specify the main components of the goods and/or the common or commercial name for the goods, e.g., cellular telephone}; communications networks, namely, ________ {specify the main components of the goods, e.g., computers and computer servers}; computer programs for the creation of networks; network boards, namely, _______ {specify the common or commercial name for the goods with greater particularity}; network controlling apparatus, namely, _______ {specify the common or commercial name for the goods with greater particularity}; network management apparatus, namely, _______ {specify the common or commercial name for the goods with greater particularity}; software for preparing signals for transmission into an electromagnetic pathway; software for receiving and decoding signals from an electromagnetic pathway; apparatus for preparing signals for transmission into an electromagnetic pathway; apparatus for receiving and decoding signals from an electromagnetic pathway.

 

            Limitation on Amendments

 

In a Trademark Act Section 66(a) application, classification of goods and/or services may not be changed from that assigned by the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization.  37 C.F.R. §2.85(d); TMEP §§1401.03(d), 1904.02(b).  Additionally, classes may not be added or goods and/or services transferred from one class to another in a multiple-class Section 66(a) application.  37 C.F.R. §2.85(d); TMEP §1401.03(d). 

 

While an application may be amended to clarify or limit the identification, additions to the identification are not permitted.  37 C.F.R. Section 2.71(a); TMEP §1402.06.   Trademark Rule 2.71(a), 37 C.F.R. §2.71(a), restricts amendments to the identification of goods or services as follows, “The applicant may amend the application to clarify or limit, but not to broaden, the identification of goods and/or services.”  This rule applies to all applications.

 

Therefore, the applicant may not amend to include any goods or services that are not within the scope of goods or service set forth in the present identification.

 

For assistance with identifying and classifying goods and services in trademark applications, please see the USPTO’s online searchable U.S. Acceptable Identification of Goods and Services Manual.  See TMEP §1402.04.

 

 

 

Response Guidelines

 

For this application to proceed toward registration, applicant must explicitly address each refusal and/or requirement raised in this Office action.  If the action includes a refusal, applicant may provide arguments and/or evidence as to why the refusal should be withdrawn and the mark should register.  Applicant may also have other options for responding to a refusal and should consider such options carefully.  To respond to requirements and certain refusal response options, applicant should set forth in writing the required changes or statements.

 

If applicant has questions about the application or this Office action, please contact the assigned trademark examining attorney at the telephone number or email address below.  Applicant is encouraged to contact the examining attorney via email or telephone to make required changes to the application through an examiner’s amendment.

 

To expedite prosecution of the application, applicant is encouraged to file its response to this Office action online via the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS), which is available at http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/teas/index.jsp.  If applicant has technical questions about the TEAS response to Office action form, applicant can review the electronic filing tips available online at http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/teas/e_filing_tips.jsp and e-mail technical questions to TEAS@uspto.gov.

 

 

WHO IS PERMITTED TO RESPOND TO THIS PROVISIONAL FULL REFUSAL:  Any response to this provisional refusal must be personally signed by an individual applicant, all joint applicants, or someone with legal authority to bind a juristic applicant (e.g., a corporate officer or general partner).  37 C.F.R. §§2.62(b), 2.193(e)(2)(ii); TMEP §712.01.  If applicant hires a qualified U.S. attorney to respond on his or her behalf, then the attorney must sign the response.  37 C.F.R. §§2.193(e)(2)(i), 11.18(a); TMEP §§611.03(b), 712.01.  Qualified U.S. attorneys include those in good standing with a bar of the highest court of any U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and other U.S. commonwealths or U.S. territories.  See 37 C.F.R. §§2.17(a), 2.62(b), 11.1, 11.14(a); TMEP §§602, 712.01.  Additionally, for all responses, the proper signatory must personally sign the document or personally enter his or her electronic signature on the electronic filing.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.193(a); TMEP §§611.01(b), 611.02.  The name of the signatory must also be printed or typed immediately below or adjacent to the signature, or identified elsewhere in the filing.  37 C.F.R. §2.193(d); TMEP §611.01(b).

 

In general, foreign attorneys are not permitted to represent applicants before the USPTO (e.g., file written communications, authorize an amendment to an application, or submit legal arguments in response to a requirement or refusal).  See 37 C.F.R. §11.14(c), (e); TMEP §§602.03-.03(b), 608.01. 

 

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

 

 

 

 

/Andrea Hack/

Trademark Examining Attorney

U.S. Patent & Trademark Office

Law Office 108

571-272-5413 (ph.)

andrea.hack@uspto.gov

 

 

TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER:  Go to http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp.  Please wait 48-72 hours from the issue/mailing date before using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS), to allow for necessary system updates of the application.  For technical assistance with online forms, e-mail TEAS@uspto.gov.  For questions about the Office action itself, please contact the assigned trademark examining attorney.  E-mail communications will not be accepted as responses to Office actions; therefore, do not respond to this Office action by e-mail.

 

All informal e-mail communications relevant to this application will be placed in the official application record.

 

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 the Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TSDR) system at http://tsdr.gov.uspto.report/.  Please keep a copy of the TSDR status screen.  If the status shows no change for more than six months, contact the Trademark Assistance Center by e-mail at TrademarkAssistanceCenter@uspto.gov or 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/trademarks/teas/correspondence.jsp.