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: 3/11/2013

 

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.

 

Section 2(d) Refusal – Likelihood of Confusion

 

Registration of the applied-for mark is refused because of a likelihood of confusion with the mark in U.S. Registration No. 3589451.  Trademark Act Section 2(d), 15 U.S.C. §1052(d); see TMEP §§1207.01 et seq.  See the enclosed registration.

 

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, 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).  In the seminal decision In re E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d 1357, 177 USPQ 563 (C.C.P.A. 1973), the court 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 the factors are necessarily relevant or of equal weight, and any one of the factors may control in a given case, depending upon the evidence of record.  Citigroup Inc. v. Capital City Bank Grp., Inc., 637 F.3d 1344, 1355, 98 USPQ2d 1253, 1260 (Fed. Cir. 2011); In re Majestic Distilling Co., 315 F.3d 1311, 1315, 65 USPQ2d 1201, 1204 (Fed. Cir. 2003); see In re E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., 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 and nature of the goods and/or services, and similarity of the trade channels of the goods and/or services.  See In re Viterra Inc., 671 F.3d 1358, 1361-62, 101 USPQ2d 1905, 1908 (Fed. Cir. 2012); In re Dakin’s Miniatures Inc., 59 USPQ2d 1593, 1595-96 (TTAB 1999); TMEP §§1207.01 et seq.

 

Comparison of the Marks

Marks are compared in their entireties for similarities in appearance, sound, connotation, and commercial impression.  In re Viterra Inc., 671 F.3d 1358, 1362, 101 USPQ2d 1905, 1908 (Fed. Cir. 2012) (quoting 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)-(b)(v).  Similarity in any one of these elements may be sufficient to find the marks confusingly similar.  In re White Swan Ltd., 8 USPQ2d 1534, 1535 (TTAB 1988); see In re 1st USA Realty Prof’ls, Inc., 84 USPQ2d 1581, 1586 (TTAB 2007); TMEP §1207.01(b).

 

The applicant’s mark is REMINGTON and the registered mark is REMINGTON.  The marks are identical, and thus are likely to create the same commercial impression in the minds of consumers. 

 

Comparison of the Services

The goods and/or services of the parties need not be identical or directly competitive to find a likelihood of confusion.  See Safety-Kleen Corp. v. Dresser Indus., Inc., 518 F.2d 1399, 1404, 186 USPQ 476, 480 (C.C.P.A. 1975); TMEP §1207.01(a)(i).  Rather, it is sufficient to show that because of the conditions surrounding their marketing, or because they are otherwise related in some manner, the goods and/or services would be encountered by the same consumers under circumstances such that offering the goods and/or services under confusingly similar marks would lead to the mistaken belief that they come from, or are in some way associated with, the same source.  In re Iolo Techs., LLC, 95 USPQ2d 1498, 1499 (TTAB 2010); see In re Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc., 748 F.2d 1565, 1566-68, 223 USPQ 1289, 1290 (Fed. Cir. 1984); TMEP §1207.01(a)(i).

 

Here, the services of both parties are closely related and identical in part, as both parties are providing “resort lodging services.”  The services of both parties are likely to be marketed in the same manner and travel in the same channels of trade, which may lead consumers to believe that the services emanate from a common source.

 

As additional evidence of the relatedness of the services, the trademark examining attorney has attached evidence from the USPTO’s X-Search database consisting of a number of third-party marks registered for use in connection with the same or similar goods and/or services as those of both applicant and registrant in this case.  This evidence shows that the goods and/or services listed therein are of a kind that may emanate from a single source under a single mark.  See In re Davey Prods. Pty Ltd.,92 USPQ2d 1198, 1203 (TTAB 2009); In re Albert Trostel & Sons Co.,29 USPQ2d 1783, 1785-86 (TTAB 1993); In re Mucky Duck Mustard Co., 6 USPQ2d 1467, 1470 n.6 (TTAB 1988); TMEP §1207.01(d)(iii).

 

In light of the above, because the marks are identical and the services being provided by both parties are related and identical in part, registration must be refused under Section 2(d) of the Trademark Act.

 

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

 

The applicant must note the following, additional ground for refusal.

 

Surname Refusal

 

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 Lexis-Nexis computerized database, establishing the surname significance of the surname REMINGTON.  This evidence shows the applied-for mark appearing 1,735 times as a surname in a nationwide telephone directory of names.  The attached 100 entries is a representative sample of the search results.

 

In light of the above, registration must be refused under Section 2(e)(4) of the Trademark Act, on the ground that the proposed mark is primarily merely a surname.

 

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

 

If the applicant has any questions or needs assistance in responding to this Office action, please telephone the assigned examining attorney.

 

 

 

 

 

 

/Amy Alfieri/

Trademark Examining Attorney

Law Office 109

571.272.9422

amy.alfieri@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.

 

Print Request:   Selected Items: 1-100

 

Time of Request: Monday, March 04, 2013  11:04:51 EST

 

Number of Lines: 305

Print Number:    2828:397453243

 

Client ID/Project Name: Amy Alfieri

 

 

Surname

last-name(REMINGTON) maxresults(500)

 

 

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

 

 

Total number found: 1735
No.	Name	Address	Phone
1.	REMINGTON	9944 SANTA MONICA BLVD BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90212-1607	310-786-8800
2.	REMINGTON, A	256 3RD AVE SE WELLS, MN 56097-1626	507-553-5460
3.	REMINGTON, A P	20 ASH DR LITTLESTOWN, PA 17340-9476	717-337-2383
4.	REMINGTON, A	7867 BRIMFIELD ST CLINTON, NY 13323-4007	315-853-5476
5.	REMINGTON, A	7500 COMET RD HENRICO, VA 23294-4610	804-270-7698
6.	REMINGTON, A A	3904 ELBA ST VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23452-2406	757-431-1015
7.	REMINGTON, A	118 S MONROE AVE LOVELAND, CO 80537-6433	970-619-8566
8.	REMINGTON, A	8526 ORCHARD AVE SAINT LOUIS, MO 63132-2824	314-997-0520
9.	REMINGTON, A	4622 SAUL RD KENSINGTON, MD 20895-4224	301-493-4898
10.	REMINGTON, A	ALVARADO, TX 76009	817-783-3300
11.	REMINGTON, A	BETHEL, ME 04217	207-824-8330
12.	REMINGTON, A	CLAREMORE, OK 74017	918-923-6213
13.	REMINGTON, A	CORVALLIS, OR 97333	541-754-8435
14.	REMINGTON, A	DALLAS, TX 75248	972-931-0601
15.	REMINGTON, A A	EUGENE, OR 97404	541-607-1191
16.	REMINGTON, A	MACHIAS, NY 14101	716-942-9908
17.	REMINGTON, A P	VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23464	757-474-6538
18.	REMINGTON, A	WYOMING, MI 49519	616-531-7031
19.	REMINGTON, ABIGAIL	100 N NEW ST WEST CHESTER, PA 19380-2929	484-266-0886
20.	REMINGTON, ADA E	611 E 1ST ST MC COOK, NE 69001-3204	308-345-5573
21.	REMINGTON, ADAM	12721 E SHANNON AVE SPOKANE VALLEY, WA 99216-1651	509-703-7175
22.	REMINGTON, AIMEE	580 HOOKER DR GETTYSBURG, PA 17325-8952	717-334-0546
23.	REMINGTON, AL	11733 MOCCASIN LN MISSOULA, MT 59808-8460	406-549-4422
24.	REMINGTON, ALAN	BELLE RIVE SANTA ANA, CA 92780
25.	REMINGTON, ALAN	1164 BOISE WAY COSTA MESA, CA 92626-2704	714-546-7713
26.	REMINGTON, ALAN	7430 FAWCETT CREEK RD TILLAMOOK, OR 97141-9548	503-842-8344
27.	REMINGTON, ALAN	3319 RIVERPOINTE CIR NE CEDAR RAPIDS, IA 52411-7426	319-378-2943
28.	REMINGTON, ALAN	41598 TEAL RD BIGFORK, MN 56628-4746	218-832-3984
29.	REMINGTON, ALAN	SANTA ANA, CA 92780	714-731-8448
30.	REMINGTON, ALBERT	931 S 245TH PL DES MOINES, WA 98198-3803	206-878-8484
31.	REMINGTON, ALBERT	8003 RIVER DR OAK RIDGE, TN 37830-3529	865-927-3316
32.	REMINGTON, ALDEN	406 E 2ND ST MC COOK, NE 69001-2012	308-345-1398
33.	REMINGTON, ALDRETE	JEFFERSON, GA 30549	706-367-1378
34.	REMINGTON, ALEXANDER	408 FORD RD MELROSE, NY 12121-2909	518-663-5585
35.	REMINGTON, ALFRED	98 UTICA RD CLINTON, NY 13323-1515	315-853-5479
36.	REMINGTON, ALICE	154 OLYMPIC CIR VACAVILLE, CA 95687-3306
37.	REMINGTON, ALICIA	ENCINITAS, CA 92024	760-944-1907
38.	REMINGTON, ALLAN	15829 CHASE ST NORTH HILLS, CA 91343-6303	818-893-1591
39.	REMINGTON, ALLECIA	4005 HYRIDGE DR AUSTIN, TX 78759-7525	512-346-0746
40.	REMINGTON, ALYCE	1021 SW MULVANE ST TOPEKA, KS 66604-1419	785-234-0315
41.	REMINGTON, AMBER	513 W JEFFERSON ST ALEXANDRIA, IN 46001-1728	765-724-7041
42.	REMINGTON, AMOS	1205 4TH ST MONETT, MO 65708-1410
43.	REMINGTON, AMY	1920 E 2ND ST EDMOND, OK 73034-6352	405-216-5840
44.	REMINGTON, AMY	103 HUFNAGLE DR HANOVER, PA 17331-9336	717-630-8771
45.	REMINGTON, AMY	305 MIMOSA DR NEWPORT NEWS, VA 23606-3736	757-596-0819
46.	REMINGTON, AND VERNICK ENGINEERS	227 KINGS HWY E HADDONFIELD, NJ 08033-1909	856-216-9942
47.	REMINGTON, ANDREA	174 PIERCE ST STATEN ISLAND, NY 10304-5018	718-727-1947
48.	REMINGTON, ANDREW	2323 20TH AVE S BIRMINGHAM, AL 35223-1072	205-868-3312
49.	REMINGTON, ANDREW B	W HIGHWAY 54 NEVADA, MO 64772	417-667-2640
50.	REMINGTON, ANDREW	INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MN 56649	218-373-2008
51.	REMINGTON, ANGELA	684 W 1400 N ALEXANDRIA, IN 46001-9238	765-724-7756
52.	REMINGTON, ANGELINE	5355 N COUNTY LINE RD GLEASON, WI 54435	715-536-1905
53.	REMINGTON, ANN M	2445 SW PICKFORD ST CORVALLIS, OR 97333-1646	541-757-9713
54.	REMINGTON, ANN	11 POND ST MARBLEHEAD, MA 01945-3452	781-631-9274
55.	REMINGTON, ANN	235 STUYVESANT AVE BROOKLYN, NY 11221-1625	718-602-0043
56.	REMINGTON, ANNA A	12799 DOULA LN NORTH ROYALTON, OH 44133-1020	440-877-9181
57.	REMINGTON, ANNE	56 HILL ST CONCORD, MA 01742-2821	978-369-6063
58.	REMINGTON, ANNE	2570 W HORIZON RIDGE PKWY HENDERSON, NV 89052-5618	702-837-0488
59.	REMINGTON, ANTHONY	2805 NW CANTERBURY RD BLUE SPRINGS, MO 64015-2666	816-622-8358
60.	REMINGTON, ANTHONY	LA MESA, CA 91941	619-741-0605
61.	REMINGTON, ARCHIE C	410 E RD CLAREMORE, OK 74017	918-341-7652
62.	REMINGTON, ARIEL	155 CALDERA LN HEMET, CA 92545-9172	951-223-3486
63.	REMINGTON, ART	5524 S 80TH ST LINCOLN, NE 68516-6345	402-327-7026
64.	REMINGTON, ARTHUR	64 CLARK RD LONDONDERRY, NH 03053-2121	603-432-7819
65.	REMINGTON, ARTHUR F	19 DECATUR ST BROOKLYN, NY 11216-2503	718-399-9060
66.	REMINGTON, ARTHUR	310 WYNWOOD DR WILLOW STREET, PA 17584-9436	717-464-1288
67.	REMINGTON, AUBREY	36 HAWTHORNE PL MONTCLAIR, NJ 07042-3229	973-744-4138
68.	REMINGTON, B C	10121 E 22ND ST TULSA, OK 74129-4606	918-622-7275
69.	REMINGTON, B G	1218 BALLANTRAE PL MUNDELEIN, IL 60060-3272	847-549-1498
70.	REMINGTON, B	278 CLARK ST CROCKETT, CA 94525-1518	510-787-6880
71.	REMINGTON, B J	1715 CLIFFVIEW DR ROCHESTER HILLS, MI 48306-4270	248-608-9505
72.	REMINGTON, B	58 DYER ST DANIELSON, CT 06239-3552	860-779-1494
73.	REMINGTON, B	2461 LOFTON RD SW ROANOKE, VA 24015-4121	540-774-7802
74.	REMINGTON, B D	158 MCLELLAN AVE SAN MATEO, CA 94403-2828	650-345-4653
75.	REMINGTON, B	7001 NEW POST DR NORTH FORT MYERS, FL 33917-3440	239-599-8559
76.	REMINGTON, B ALVA	618 VALLEY DR CENTERVILLE, UT 84014-1060	801-292-8859
77.	REMINGTON, B	AUBURN, CA 95603	530-889-9358
78.	REMINGTON, B	CLACKAMAS, OR 97015	503-454-0194
79.	REMINGTON, B	DUBLIN, CA 94568	925-829-7684
80.	REMINGTON, B	FOREST GROVE, OR 97116
81.	REMINGTON, B	GREENDALE, WI 53129	414-421-8527
82.	REMINGTON, B	HIGHLAND, CA 92346	909-862-4293
83.	REMINGTON, B	LA JOLLA, CA 92037	858-457-1368
84.	REMINGTON, B	SEATTLE, WA 98117	206-432-9014
85.	REMINGTON, BARBARA	15810 83RD LN N LOXAHATCHEE, FL 33470-2815	561-753-9232
86.	REMINGTON, BARBARA	260 BENT GRASS DR ROSWELL, GA 30076-1307	770-518-4876
87.	REMINGTON, BARBARA	2003 COBB ST FARMVILLE, VA 23901-2603	434-395-1040
88.	REMINGTON, BARBARA A	2162 NW EVERETT ST PORTLAND, OR 97210-5530
89.	REMINGTON, BARBARA	5504 N FOREST BLVD SPOKANE, WA 99205-7519	509-326-5178
90.	REMINGTON, BARBARA	51 HEIGHTS AVE WARWICK, RI 02889-4609	401-738-3254
91.	REMINGTON, BARBARA	155 MAIN ST MONTPELIER, VT 05602-2923	802-223-0208
92.	REMINGTON, BARBARA	5620 NICHOLS RUN LIMESTONE, NY 14753-9715	716-925-7517
93.	REMINGTON, BARBARA	242 NICHOLS RD THOMPSON, PA 18465-9758	570-727-2381
94.	REMINGTON, BARBARA	9290 OLD 32 RD ARGONNE, WI 54511-9064	715-649-3725
95.	REMINGTON, BARBARA	4230 S RD CLAREMORE, OK 74017	918-341-7309
96.	REMINGTON, BARBARA	359 S SHORE RD PECK LK GLOVERSVILLE, NY 12078-7045	518-773-2002
97.	REMINGTON, BARBARA	SOUTHVILLE RD POTSDAM, NY 13676	315-265-4693
98.	REMINGTON, BARBARA	28940 VIA NORTE VISTA MURRIETA, CA 92563-5672	951-600-9393
99.	REMINGTON, BARBARA	FORTUNA, CA 95540	707-725-4699
100.	REMINGTON, BARBARA	LAKE FOREST, CA 92630	949-855-4032

 

LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier

Search:	Public Records : Surname
Terms:	last-name(REMINGTON) maxresults(500)
Date/Time:	Monday, March 04, 2013 11:04 AM
Permissible Use:	DPPA - I have no permissible use GLBA - I have no permissible use

 

 

Copyright © 2012 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

 

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING YOUR

U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION

 

USPTO OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) HAS ISSUED

ON 3/11/2013 FOR U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 85772071

 

Please follow the instructions below:

 

(1)  TO READ THE LETTER:  Click on this link or go to http://tsdr.uspto.gov,enter the U.S. application serial number, and click on “Documents.”

 

The Office action may not be immediately viewable, to allow for necessary system updates of the application, but will be available within 24 hours of this e-mail notification.

 

(2)  TIMELY RESPONSE IS REQUIRED:  Please 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 3/11/2013 (or sooner if specified in the Office action).  For information regarding response time periods, see http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/process/status/responsetime.jsp.

 

Do NOT hit “Reply” to this e-mail notification, or otherwise e-mail your response because the USPTO does NOT accept e-mails as responses to Office actions.  Instead, the USPTO recommends that you respond online using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) response form located at http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp.

 

(3)  QUESTIONS:  For questions about the contents of the Office action itself, please contact the assigned trademark examining attorney.  For technical assistance in accessing or viewing the Office action in the Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TSDR) system, please e-mail TSDR@uspto.gov.

 

WARNING

 

Failure to file the required response by the applicable response deadline will result in the ABANDONMENT of your application.  For more information regarding abandonment, see http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/basics/abandon.jsp.

 

PRIVATE COMPANY SOLICITATIONS REGARDING YOUR APPLICATION:  Private companies not associated with the USPTO are using information provided in trademark applications to mail or e-mail trademark-related solicitations.  These companies often use names that closely resemble the USPTO and their solicitations may look like an official government document.  Many solicitations require that you pay “fees.” 

 

Please carefully review all correspondence you receive regarding this application to make sure that you are responding to an official document from the USPTO rather than a private company solicitation.  All official USPTO correspondence will be mailed only from the “United States Patent and Trademark Office” in Alexandria, VA; or sent by e-mail from the domain “@uspto.gov.”  For more information on how to handle private company solicitations, see http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/solicitation_warnings.jsp.