Offc Action Outgoing

KROGER

The Kroger Co. of Michigan

U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 85489540 - KROGER - 061148-04014

To:	The Kroger Co. of Michigan (sftrademarks@pillsburylaw.com)
Subject:	U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 85489540 - KROGER - 061148-04014
Sent:	2/1/2012 10:04:31 AM
Sent As:	ECOM116@USPTO.GOV
Attachments:	Attachment - 1 Attachment - 2 Attachment - 3 Attachment - 4 Attachment - 5 Attachment - 6 Attachment - 7

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)

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

APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 85489540

MARK: KROGER

*85489540*

CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS:

RICHARD L. KIRKPATRICK

PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN LLP

PO BOX 7880

SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94120-7880

CLICK HERE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER:

http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp

APPLICANT: The Kroger Co. of Michigan

CORRESPONDENT’S REFERENCE/DOCKET NO:

061148-04014

CORRESPONDENT E-MAIL ADDRESS:

sftrademarks@pillsburylaw.com

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: 2/1/2012

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).

2(e)(4) Refusal – Surname

Registration is refused because the applied-for mark is primarily merely a surname. Trademark Act Section 2(e)(4), 15 U.S.C. §1052(e)(4); see TMEP §1211. The primary significance of the mark to the purchasing public determines whether a term is primarily merely a surname. In re Kahan & Weisz Jewelry Mfg. Corp., 508 F.2d 831, 832, 184 USPQ 421, 422 (C.C.P.A. 1975); In re Binion, 93 USPQ2d 1531, 1537 (TTAB 2009); see TMEP §§1211, 1211.01.

Please see the attached evidence from the LexisNexis® electronic database, establishing the surname significance of the surname “KROGER”. This evidence shows the applied-for mark appearing 587 times as a surname in a nationwide telephone directory of names.

A mark deemed primarily merely a surname may be registered on the Principal Register under Trademark Act Section 2(f) by satisfying one of the following:

(1) Submit a claim of ownership of one or more prior registrations on the Principal Register for a mark that is the same as the mark in the application and for the same or related goods and/or services. 37 C.F.R. §2.41(b); TMEP §§1212, 1212.04. The following wording is suggested: “The mark has become distinctive under Section 2(f) of the goods or services as evidenced by ownership of U.S. Registration No(s). 0813182, 2634257 and others on the Principal Register for the same mark for the same or related goods and/or services.” TMEP §1212.04(e).;

(2) Submit the following statement, verified with an affidavit or signed declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20: “The mark has become distinctive of the goods and/or services through applicant’s substantially exclusive and continuous use in commerce for at least the five years immediately before the date of this statement.” 37 C.F.R. §2.41(b); TMEP §1212.05(d); see 37 C.F.R. §2.193(e)(1).; or

(3) Submit actual evidence of acquired distinctiveness. 37 C.F.R. §2.41(a); TMEP §1212.06. Such evidence may include the following: examples of advertising and promotional materials that specifically promote the applied-for mark as a trademark and/or service mark in the United States; dollar figures for advertising devoted to such promotion; dealer and consumer statements of recognition of the applied-for mark as a trademark and/or service mark; and any other evidence that establishes recognition of the applied-for mark as a source-identifier for the goods and/or services. See In re Ideal Indus., Inc., 508 F.2d 1336, 184 USPQ 487 (C.C.P.A. 1975); In re Instant Transactions Corp. of Am., 201 USPQ 957 (TTAB 1979); TMEP §§1212.06 et seq.

Trademark Act Section 2(f), 15 U.S.C. §1052(f); see 37 C.F.R. §2.41; TMEP §§1211, 1212.

If applicant cannot satisfy one of the above, applicant can amend the application to seek registration on the Supplemental Register. Trademark Act Section 23, 15 U.S.C. §1091; see 37 C.F.R. §§2.47, 2.75(a).

Although “KROGER” appears to be a relatively rare surname, a rare surname may be unregistrable under Trademark Act Section 2(e)(4) if its primary significance to purchasers is that of a surname. E.g., In re Etablissements Darty et Fils, 759 F.2d 15, 225 USPQ 652 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Giger, 78 USPQ2d 1405 (TTAB 2006); see TMEP §1211.01(a)(v). There is no minimum number of telephone directory listings needed to prove that a mark is primarily merely a surname. See TMEP §1211.02(b)(i); see, e.g., In re Petrin Corp., 231 USPQ 902 (TTAB 1986).

There is no rule as to the kind or amount of evidence necessary to make out a prima facie showing that a term is primarily merely a surname. This question must be resolved on a case-by-case basis. TMEP §1211.02(a); see, e.g., In re Monotype Corp. PLC, 14 USPQ2d 1070 (TTAB 1989); In re Pohang Iron & Steel Co., 230 USPQ 79 (TTAB 1986). The entire record is examined to determine the surname significance of a term. The following are examples of evidence that is generally considered to be relevant: telephone directory listings, excerpted articles from computerized research databases, evidence in the record that the term is a surname, the manner of use on specimens, dictionary definitions of the term and evidence from dictionaries showing no definition of the term. TMEP §1211.02(a).

Please note: a copy of the evidence is found at the end of this Office Action, not as a separate attachment.

Prior Registrations

If applicant owns U.S. Registration Nos. 0813182, 2634257, 2645252, and others, then applicant must submit for the application record a claim of ownership of these registrations. See 37 C.F.R. §2.36; TMEP §812. See the attached copies of the registrations. See TMEP §812.

Applicant may use the following format to claim ownership of these registrations:

Applicant is the owner of U.S. Registration Nos. 0813182, 2634257, 2645252, and others.

If applicant has questions regarding this Office action, please telephone or e-mail the assigned trademark examining attorney. All relevant e-mail communications will be placed in the official application record; however, an e-mail communication will not be accepted as a response to this Office action and will not extend the deadline for filing a proper response. See 37 C.F.R. §2.191; TMEP §§304.01-.02, 709.04-.05. Further, although the trademark examining attorney may provide additional explanation pertaining to the refusal(s) and/or requirement(s) in this Office action, the trademark examining attorney may not provide legal advice or statements about applicant’s rights. See TMEP §§705.02, 709.06.

/Karen Bracey/

Examining Attorney

Law Office 116

571-272-9132

karen.bracey@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 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 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.

SURNAME EVIDENCE

Print Request: Selected Items: 1-100

Time of Request: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 15:57:06 EST

Number of Lines: 308

Print Number: 2828:330847148

Client ID/Project Name: Bracey, Karen

Note:

Research Information:

Surname

last-name(kroger) maxresults(500)

Search:	Public Records : Surname
Terms:	last-name(kroger) maxresults(500)

Total number found: 587
No.	Name	Address	Phone

1.	KROGER	555 W OGLETHORPE HWY HINESVILLE, GA 31313-4447	912-876-1880

2.	KROGER	BRANDENBURG, KY 40108	270-422-3532

3.	KROGER	BRANDENBURG, KY 40108	270-422-5464

4.	KROGER	SMITHVILLE, IN 47458	812-824-5200

5.	KROGER	SMITHVILLE, IN 47458	812-824-5202

6.	KROGER	SMITHVILLE, IN 47458	812-824-5205

7.	KROGER	SMITHVILLE, IN 47458	812-824-5215

8.	KROGER, A	49474 BEMIS RD BELLEVILLE, MI 48111-9766	734-391-8083

9.	KROGER, A S	3934 BOSTICK RD FORT WAYNE, IN 46816-9756	260-639-7394

10.	KROGER, A B	8605 COVENTRY DR ROWLETT, TX 75089-2024	972-463-8240

11.	KROGER, A	3985 MAPLEFIELD CT CINCINNATI, OH 45255-4985	513-688-0519

12.	KROGER, A L	952 PAXTON LAKE DR LOVELAND, OH 45140-6706	513-683-5293

13.	KROGER, A L	16 TRAPP CT ALEXANDRIA, KY 41001-1111	859-635-3362

14.	KROGER, A J	3262 TULSA CT CINCINNATI, OH 45238-2123	513-451-1074

15.	KROGER, A W	DEQUINCY, LA 70633	337-786-5660

16.	KROGER, ADAM	4601 PACKARD DR NASHVILLE, TN 37211-5640	615-942-5660

17.	KROGER, ADRIENNE	3804 AUGUSTA DR NASHVILLE, TN 37207-3502	615-876-3631

18.	KROGER, AL	27 MAGNOLIA CREST DR SIMPSONVILLE, SC 29681-3862	864-963-3440

19.	KROGER, ALAN	48330 279TH ST CANTON, SD 57013-5502	605-987-4172

20.	KROGER, ALEX	PALM HARBOR, FL 34683	727-772-1737

21.	KROGER, ALFRED L	ORINDA, CA 94563	925-254-1705

22.	KROGER, ALICE	1006 W 6TH AVE MITCHELL, SD 57301-1720	605-995-6255

23.	KROGER, ALLEN	OJAI, CA 93023	805-640-0099

24.	KROGER, ALLYN	4560 SAILBOAT LN PENSACOLA, FL 32514-6730	850-477-0988

25.	KROGER, ALTHEA	1 OCEAN TRACE RD SAINT AUGUSTINE, FL 32080-6974	904-461-7258

26.	KROGER, AMANDA	SEWELL, NJ 08080

27.	KROGER, AMY	110 S IOWA ST LAKE MILLS, IA 50450-1654	641-592-2323

28.	KROGER, ANDREA	5923 OLD FOX TRL GREENSBORO, NC 27407-5080	336-887-6911

29.	KROGER, ANDREW	1687 HARTLAND DR DECATUR, GA 30033-1432	404-315-0657

30.	KROGER, ANGELA	5321 JASMINE LN HILLIARD, OH 43026-9666	614-319-3574

31.	KROGER, ANGIE	1012 N DELAWARE AVE YORK, NE 68467-2727	402-362-2678

32.	KROGER, ANN	1882 AMMEN RD FINCASTLE, VA 24090-5257	540-992-5141

33.	KROGER, ANN	51 MIDDLE RD PORTSMOUTH, RI 02871-1255	401-683-2958

34.	KROGER, ANN	BREMERTON, WA 98312	360-377-0092

35.	KROGER, ANNA	114 E GARFIELD ST TEMPE, AZ 85281-1011	480-947-6849

36.	KROGER, ANNE	34 N STONE MILL DR DEDHAM, MA 02026-2948	781-329-0163

37.	KROGER, ANNETTE	1303 MOUNDVIEW AVE COLUMBUS, OH 43207-3270	614-492-0795

38.	KROGER, ANNETTE	1401 N WISCONSIN ST MITCHELL, SD 57301-1042	605-995-5902

39.	KROGER, ANTHONY	1273 GARDEN GATE LN LEBANON, OH 45036-7708	513-932-7016

40.	KROGER, ANTOINETTE	7479 MICHAEL RD MIDDLETOWN, OH 45042-1441	513-422-2814

41.	KROGER, APRIL	WARNER ROBINS, GA 31088	478-923-9584

42.	KROGER, ARLA	6326 REGENT AVE N MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55429-2029	763-535-3295

43.	KROGER, ARLENE	4337 SCHOOL SECTION RD CINCINNATI, OH 45211-2415	513-598-6745

44.	KROGER, ARNHILD	9607 E SUTTON DR SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85260-4410	480-391-3684

45.	KROGER, B	4004 N 210TH ST ELKHORN, NE 68022-5141	402-763-9740

46.	KROGER, B H BERNIE	2576 DIXIE HWY LAKESIDE PARK, KY 41017-3175	859-341-9598

47.	KROGER, B	1986 MUSKET CT STONE MOUNTAIN, GA 30087-1702	770-938-5839

48.	KROGER, B	3400 POST RD LAPORTE, CO 80535	970-482-3939

49.	KROGER, B H	38 REQUARDT LN FT MITCHELL, KY 41017-3053	859-341-9622

50.	KROGER, B	3398 TROTTERS RIDGE TRL GRAY, GA 31032-3763	478-986-4063

51.	KROGER, BARB	47522 292ND ST BERESFORD, SD 57004-6475	605-957-4270

52.	KROGER, BARBARA	GLORIETTA BLVD ORINDA, CA 94563

53.	KROGER, BARBARA	66 KNOLLWOOD DR MAYS LANDING, NJ 08330-3617	609-485-0229

54.	KROGER, BARBARA	7422 PALMER GLEN CIR SARASOTA, FL 34240-7823

55.	KROGER, BARRY	912 BAKER ST COVINGTON, KY 41011-2008	859-431-6471

56.	KROGER, BART	2785 W COUNTY ROAD 250 S GREENSBURG, IN 47240-8963	812-662-9755

57.	KROGER, BELINDA	1340 MARION AVENUE RD N MANSFIELD, OH 44903-6900	419-756-3123

58.	KROGER, BENJAMIN	1029 SENECA DR MASON, OH 45040-1432	513-229-7524

59.	KROGER, BERNARD G	10603 BUTTERCREEK LN CINCINNATI, OH 45249-3505	513-489-7509

60.	KROGER, BERNIE	600 MOSELEY AVE PALATKA, FL 32177-4939	386-325-0151

61.	KROGER, BETTY	2072 W 1425 N SAINT GEORGE, UT 84770-4142	435-634-8358

62.	KROGER, BETTY	5889 PRAIRIE RIDGE DR SAINT PAUL, MN 55126-5003	651-784-5193

63.	KROGER, BETTY	5221 WILD CINNAMON DR MELBOURNE, FL 32940-1427	321-254-2993

64.	KROGER, BEVERLY	7822 WHITNEY DR SAINT PAUL, MN 55124-9152	952-432-5342

65.	KROGER, BILL	5318 BAMBOO CT ORLANDO, FL 32811-6733	407-245-7964

66.	KROGER, BILL	625 COUNTRYSIDE DR WHEATON, IL 60187-3216	630-681-0133

67.	KROGER, BILL	14 INWOOD OAKS DR HOUSTON, TX 77024-6803	713-461-4818

68.	KROGER, BILL	7489 MICHAEL RD MIDDLETOWN, OH 45042-1441	513-423-5573

69.	KROGER, BOB	11510 E LOMITA AVE MESA, AZ 85209-1381	480-354-8304

70.	KROGER, BRAD	102 PRAIRIE HEIGHTS DR VERONA, WI 53593-2222	608-848-6374

71.	KROGER, BRENT	5553 WINDRIDGE DR CINCINNATI, OH 45248-1732	513-598-8070

72.	KROGER, BRET	14133 E COUNTY ROAD 450 N HOPE, IN 47246-9730	812-546-1324

73.	KROGER, BRETT	1340 MELODY CREEK LN JACKSON, WY 83001	307-733-0501

74.	KROGER, BRIAN	2205 KINGFISHER LN ROLLING MEADOWS, IL 60008-2736	847-577-4218

75.	KROGER, BRIAN	702 E WASHINGTON ST IOWA CITY, IA 52240-5226	319-512-1707

76.	KROGER, BRIAN	YELM, WA 98597	360-458-2538

77.	KROGER, BRIDGET	1175 COMMUNITY HOUSE RD KENTS STORE, VA 23084-2467	434-591-0011

78.	KROGER, BRUCE	4918 W ARTHINGTON ST CHICAGO, IL 60644-5207

79.	KROGER, BRUCE R	505 COLUMBINE LN WEST CHICAGO, IL 60185-5131	630-876-8065

80.	KROGER, BRUCE	5559 DUGAN AVE SAINT LOUIS, MO 63110-2931	314-781-4423

81.	KROGER, BURMA	545 W CUMING ST LINCOLN, NE 68521-4331	402-435-9629

82.	KROGER, C L	95 BALI HAI CT CARMEL, IN 46032-1022	317-846-1076

83.	KROGER, C	10207 COLONIAL CLUB DR AUSTIN, TX 78747-1129	512-292-0903

84.	KROGER, C	6500 SHERMAN AVE CINCINNATI, OH 45230-2846	513-232-2966

85.	KROGER, C	LIBERTY, NY 12754	845-292-0807

86.	KROGER, C	LOS ANGELES, CA 90036	323-857-0770

87.	KROGER, CAMILLE S	310 HAINES AVE LINWOOD, NJ 08221-1921	609-926-4928

88.	KROGER, CAREY	1520 PINEHURST AVE MITCHELL, SD 57301-5028	605-996-4847

89.	KROGER, CARL	12129 SE 91ST AVE SUMMERFIELD, FL 34491-8244	352-245-4147

90.	KROGER, CARL	355 SANTURE ST MONROE, MI 48162-4127	734-457-3871

91.	KROGER, CARL H	5647 SIDNEY RD CINCINNATI, OH 45238-1857	513-922-3072

92.	KROGER, CARL	2070 WOODCLIFFE DR TROY, OH 45373-2036	937-339-7624

93.	KROGER, CARL	AYNOR, SC 29544

94.	KROGER, CAROL	720 WELLINGTON AVE ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL 60007-3366

95.	KROGER, CAROLE	3003 YAUPON PL AMARILLO, TX 79124-4961	806-358-7359

96.	KROGER, CAROLYN	7005 GAINESWOOD DR ROSWELL, GA 30076-6317	770-650-0688

97.	KROGER, CATHRINE	3063 LORD STIRLING PL WEST POINT, NY 10996-1807	845-839-0197

98.	KROGER, CHAD M	6205 SAN ANSELMO RD ATASCADERO, CA 93422-2451	805-462-1008

99.	KROGER, CHARLES	9378 KEMPER GROVE LN LOVELAND, OH 45140-8932	513-239-6808

100.	KROGER, CHARLES	513 LAFAYETTE ST FLINT, MI 48503-5356	810-424-3297

LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier

Search:	Public Records : Surname
Terms:	last-name(kroger) maxresults(500)
Date/Time:	Tuesday, January 31, 2012 3:44 PM
Permissible Use:	DPPA - I have no permissible use GLBA - I have no permissible use

108B8C

********** Print Completed **********

Time of Request: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 15:57:06 EST

Print Number: 2828:330847148

Number of Lines: 308

Number of Pages:

Send To: Santiago, Jay

TRADEMARK LAW LIBRARY

600 DULANY ST

ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314-5790

Offc Action Outgoing [image/jpeg]

U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 85489540 - KROGER - 061148-04014

To:	The Kroger Co. of Michigan (sftrademarks@pillsburylaw.com)
Subject:	U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 85489540 - KROGER - 061148-04014
Sent:	2/1/2012 10:04:33 AM
Sent As:	ECOM116@USPTO.GOV
Attachments:

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING YOUR

U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION

USPTO OFFICE ACTION HAS ISSUED ON 2/1/2012 FOR

SERIAL NO. 85489540

Please follow the instructions below to continue the prosecution of your application:

TO READ OFFICE ACTION: Click on this link or go to http://portal.gov.uspto.report/external/portal/tow and enter the application serial number to access the Office action.

PLEASE NOTE: The Office action may not be immediately available but will be viewable within 24 hours of this e-mail notification.

RESPONSE IS REQUIRED: You should carefully review the Office action to determine (1) how to respond; and (2) the applicable response time period. Your response deadline will be calculated from 2/1/2012 (or sooner if specified in the office action).

Do NOT hit “Reply” to this e-mail notification, or otherwise attempt to e-mail your response, as the USPTO does NOT accept e-mailed responses. Instead, the USPTO recommends that you respond online using the Trademark Electronic Application System Response Form.

HELP: For technical assistance in accessing the Office action, please e-mail

TDR@uspto.gov. Please contact the assigned examining attorney with questions about the Office action.

WARNING

Failure to file the required response by the applicable deadline will result in the ABANDONMENT of your application.