To: | Truox, Inc. (Truox@comcast.net) |
Subject: | U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 85145888 - VANQUISH - N/A |
Sent: | 1/24/2011 12:58:55 PM |
Sent As: | ECOM110@USPTO.GOV |
Attachments: | Attachment - 1 Attachment - 2 Attachment - 3 Attachment - 4 |
UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)
OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) ABOUT APPLICANT’S TRADEMARK APPLICATION
APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 85145888
MARK: VANQUISH
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CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS: |
CLICK HERE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER: http://www.gov.uspto.report/teas/eTEASpageD.htm
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APPLICANT: Truox, Inc.
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CORRESPONDENT’S REFERENCE/DOCKET NO: CORRESPONDENT E-MAIL ADDRESS: |
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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: 1/24/2011
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, 2.65(a); TMEP §§711, 718.03.
LIKELIHOOD OF CONFUSION UNDER TRADEMARK ACT SECTION 2(d)
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).
After examining the marks, the examining attorney applies the second step of the test, whether there is a likelihood of confusion on the basis of the goods identified in the application and registration. If the cited registration describes the goods broadly and there are no limitations as to their nature, type, channels of trade or classes of purchasers, it is presumed that the registration encompasses all goods of the type described, that they move in all normal channels of trade, and that they are available to all potential customers. In re Elbaum, 211 USPQ 639 (TTAB 1981).
Applicant seeks to register the mark “VANQUISH.” Registration Nos. 2059946, 2873034 and 3165848 are all for the mark “VANQUISH.” Applicant’s mark is similar with regard to appearance, sound, meaning and commercial impression to the mark of cited registrant. Applicant has merely added a common rectangle with a green background to the term VANQUISH. The rectangle does not obviate the likelihood of confusion. Based on the marks alone, the marks convey the same overall commercial impression. See: In re Akzona Inc., 94 (TTAB 1983); In re Wm. E. Wright Co., 185 USPQ 445 (TTAB 1975). Thus, there is a likelihood of confusion.
Applicant’s goods are described as “Chemicals for the treatment of cooling water systems.” Registrant’s goods are “chemical compositions for sequestering impurities in and clarifying swimming pool, spa and hot tub water; Biocidal chemicals for use in the manufacture of molded plastic articles, plastic sheeting, processed plastics, namely, plastics in the form of sheets, films and foils, for the purpose of preventing and inhibiting fungal and bacterial growth; Biocidal chemicals; antimicrobial preparations; biocidal chemicals for use in the manufacture of grouts and waterproof membranes; antimicrobial preparations for use in the manufacture of grouts and waterproof membranes; grouts; waterproof membranes.” The goods of applicant are closely related or identical to the goods of registrant. The applicant’s and registrant’s goods are likely to be encountered by the same purchasers in the same channel of trade. Given the confusing similarity of the marks, consumers familiar with the registrant’s goods are likely to believe that applicant’s goods come from the same source.
Based on the above reasons, a likelihood of confusion must be found to exist. Although applicant’s mark has been refused registration, applicant may respond to the refusal(s) by submitting evidence and arguments in support of registration.
However, applicant must respond to the requirement(s) set forth below.
DESCRIPTION OF MARK
Therefore, applicant must provide a more complete description of the applied-for mark. The following is suggested:
The mark consists of the term VANQUISH in yellow surrounded by a green rectangle background.
TEAS PLUS APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT DOCUMENTS ELECTRONICALLY OR SUBMIT FEE: Applicants who filed their application online using the reduced-fee TEAS Plus application must continue to submit certain documents online using TEAS, including responses to Office actions. See 37 C.F.R. §2.23(a)(1). For a complete list of these documents, see TMEP §819.02(b). In addition, such applicants must accept correspondence from the Office via e-mail throughout the examination process and must maintain a valid e-mail address. 37 C.F.R. §2.23(a)(2); TMEP §§819, 819.02(a). TEAS Plus applicants who do not meet these requirements must submit an additional fee of $50 per international class of goods and/or services. 37 C.F.R. §2.6(a)(1)(iv); TMEP §819.04. In appropriate situations and where all issues can be resolved by amendment, responding by telephone to authorize an examiner’s amendment will not incur this additional fee.
/Caroline E. Wood/
Trademark Examining Attorney
Law Office 110
(571) 272-9243
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.