To: | Gardner Industries (trademarks@briangibbons.com) |
Subject: | U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 85653864 - INVINCIBLE - N/A |
Sent: | 4/22/2013 4:54:06 PM |
Sent As: | ECOM101@USPTO.GOV |
Attachments: |
UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)
OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) ABOUT APPLICANT’S TRADEMARK APPLICATION
U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 85653864
MARK: INVINCIBLE
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CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS: 3936 S SEMORAN BLVD STE 330 |
CLICK HERE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER: http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp
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APPLICANT: Gardner Industries
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CORRESPONDENT’S REFERENCE/DOCKET NO: CORRESPONDENT E-MAIL ADDRESS: |
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OFFICE ACTION
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: 4/22/2013
THIS IS A FINAL ACTION.
This letter responds to the applicant's communication filed on April 1, 2013.
INTRODUCTION
The applicant has argued against the identification of goods requirements that were set forth in the Office Action of September 30, 2012. Applicant’s arguments have been considered and found unpersuasive.
Prior decisions and actions of other trademark examining attorneys in registering different marks have little evidentiary value and are not binding upon the Office. TMEP §1207.01(d)(vi). Each case is decided on its own facts, and each mark stands on its own merits. See AMF Inc. v. Am. Leisure Prods., Inc., 474 F.2d 1403, 1406, 177 USPQ 268, 269 (C.C.P.A. 1973); In re Int’l Taste, Inc., 53 USPQ2d 1604, 1606 (TTAB 2000); In re Sunmarks, Inc., 32 USPQ2d 1470, 1472 (TTAB 1994).
For the reasons set forth below, the stated requirements are maintained and made FINAL.
IDENTIFICATION OF GOODS
The wording “acrylic and elastomeric coatings and sealants for use on roofs, walls, foundations, windows and doors” could include goods found in both International Classes 2 and 17. The applicant must therefore amend the identification to specify the commercial name of the goods and/or the industry or field in which the goods are used, as indicated below in the suggested identification. If there is no common commercial name for the product, the applicant must describe the product and its intended uses. TMEP section 804.
It is the applicant's duty and prerogative to identify the goods and services. TMEP Section 804.06. The identification of goods or services should be clear, accurate and as concise as possible. See Procter & Gamble Co. v. Economics Laboratory, Inc., 175 USPQ 505 (TTAB 1972); In re Cardinal Laboratories, Inc., 149 USPQ 709 (TTAB 1966); California Spray-Chemical Corp. v. Osmose Wood Preserving Co. of America, Inc., 102 USPQ 321 (Comm'r Pats. 1954); Ex parte A.C. Gilbert Co., 99 USPQ 344 (Comm'r Pats. 1953). Furthermore, the identification of goods and services must be specific and definite. In re Societe Generale des Eaux Minerales de Vittel S.A., 1 USPQ2d 1296 (TTAB 1986), rev'd on other grounds, 824 F.2d 957, 3 USPQ2d 1450 (Fed. Cir. 1987). TMEP Section 804.01.
The Acceptable Identification of Goods and Services Manual sets out acceptable language for identifying goods and services of various types. Utilizing identification language from the Manual may enable trademark owners to avoid problems relating to indefiniteness with respect to the goods or services identified in their applications for registration; however, applicants should note that they must assert actual use in commerce or a bona fide intent to use the mark in commerce for the goods or services specified. TMEP Section 804.04.
For assistance with identifying and classifying goods and/or services in trademark applications, please see the USPTO’s online searchable U.S. Acceptable Identification of Goods and Services Manual at http://tess2.gov.uspto.report/netahtml/tidm.html. See TMEP §1402.04.
Please note that, 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(b); TMEP section 804.09. Therefore, the applicant may not amend to include any goods that are not within the scope of goods set forth in the present identification.
The applicant may adopt one or more of the following, if accurate:
“Acrylic protective coatings and elastomeric-based coatings for use on roofs, walls, building foundations, windows and doors,” in International Class 2;
“Acrylic based sealants for use on roofs, walls, building foundations, windows and doors; and elastomeric expansion and contraction joint seals for use on roofs, walls, building foundations, windows and doors,” in International Class 17; and/or
“Building seam tape,” in International Class 19.
MULTIPLE – CLASS APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
(1) LIST GOODS AND/OR SERVICES BY INTERNATIONAL CLASS: Applicant must list the goods and/or services by international class.
(2) PROVIDE FEES FOR ALL INTERNATIONAL CLASSES: Applicant must submit an application filing fee for each international class of goods and/or services not covered by the fee(s) already paid (confirm current fee information at http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/tm_fee_info.jsp).
See 15 U.S.C. §§1051(b), 1112, 1126(e); 37 C.F.R. §§2.34(a)(2)-(3), 2.86(a); TMEP §§1403.01, 1403.02(c).
CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing, the requirements as stated above are maintained and made FINAL.
APPLICANT'S OPTIONS
(1) A response that fully satisfies all outstanding requirements;
(2) An appeal to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, with the appeal fee of $100 per class.
37 C.F.R. §2.64(a); TMEP §714.04; see 37 C.F.R. §2.6(a)(18); TBMP ch. 1200.
In certain rare circumstances, an applicant may respond by filing a petition to the Director pursuant to 37 C.F.R. §2.63(b)(2) to review 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).
FAILURE TO RESPOND
If applicant does not respond to this Office action within the six-month period for response, then the following goods and/or services will be deleted from the application: “Acrylic and elastomeric coatings and sealants for use on roofs, walls, foundations, windows and doors,” in International Class 19. The application will then proceed with the following goods and/or services only: “Building seam tape,” in International Class 19. 37 C.F.R. §2.65(a).
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.
/Alec Powers/
Trademark Examining Attorney
Trademark Law Office 101
Direct: 571-272-9309
Alexander.Powers@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.