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: 4/21/2014

 

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.

 

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).

 

Section 2(e)(4) – 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 LexisNexis, establishing the surname significance of the surname PROKO.  This evidence shows the applied-for mark appearing 49 times as a surname in a nationwide telephone directory of names.

 

Adding a non-distinctive design element or letter stylization to a term that is primarily merely a surname does not change the surname significance of the term.  The primary significance of such a mark would still be that of a surname.  TMEP §1211.01(b)(ii); see In re Pickett Hotel Co., 229 USPQ 760, 763 (TTAB 1986) (holding PICKETT a surname despite use of stylized lettering); cf. In re Benthin Mgmt. GmbH, 37 USPQ2d 1332, 1333-34 (TTAB 1995).

 

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

 

If applicant chooses to respond to the refusal to register, applicant must respond to the requirement(s) set forth below.

 

Identification of Goods

 

The wording “printed course materials distributed in connection therewith” in the identification of goods is indefinite and must be clarified. This wording is properly used in connection with educational services; therefore, applicant must delete this wording from the application.  See TMEP §1402.01.  Applicant may amend the entire identification to the following wording, if accurate:

 

Class 9:  Digital materials, namely, downloadable photographs featuring reference subjects for training in visual arts, drawing and painting; Digital media, namely, DVDs, downloadable video files, downloadable images, downloadable photographs featuring training in visual arts, drawing and painting; DVDs featuring training in visual arts, drawing and painting

 

Class 41:  Education services, namely, providing on-line courses, classes, instruction in the field of visual arts and painting, and distribution of course materials in connection therewith

 

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 at http://tess2.gov.uspto.report/netahtml/tidm.html.  See TMEP §1402.04.

 

An applicant may amend an identification of goods and services only to clarify or limit the goods and services; adding to or broadening the scope of the goods and/or services is not permitted.  37 C.F.R. §2.71(a); see TMEP §§1402.06 et seq., 1402.07 et seq.

 

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. 

                                                                   

In addition, applicant filed a TEAS Plus application and therefore must respond online using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) at http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp to avoid incurring an additional fee.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.23(a)(1), (b). 

 

If applicant does not respond to this Office action within six months of the issue/mailing date, or responds by expressly abandoning the application, the application process will end, the trademark will fail to register, and the application fee will not be refunded.  See 15 U.S.C. §1062(b); 37 C.F.R. §§2.65(a), 2.68(a), 2.209(a); TMEP §§405.04, 718.01, 718.02.  Where the application has been abandoned for failure to respond to an Office action, applicant’s only option would be to file a timely petition to revive the application, which, if granted, would allow the application to return to active status.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.66; TMEP §1714.   There is a $100 fee for such petitions.  See 37 C.F.R. §§2.6, 2.66(b)(1).

 

Telephone/E-mail for Clarification Recommended

 

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.

 

 

 

 

/Cimmerian Coleman/

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Trademark Examining Attorney

Law Office 102

571.272.9146

cimmerian.coleman@uspto.gov

 

 

Print Request:   All

 

Time of Request: Wednesday, April 16, 2014  09:41:30 EST

 

Number of Lines: 157

Print Number:    1825:459370080

 

Client ID/Project Name:

 

Note:

 

Research Information:

 

Surname

last-name(PROKO) maxresults(500)

 

 

 

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

 

 

Total number found: 49
No.	Name	Address	Phone
1.	PROKO, ALBINA R	606 PARK PL PITTSBURGH, PA 15237-3672	412-364-8173
2.	PROKO, ALTHEA	18048 SAN CARLOS BLVD FORT MYERS BEACH, FL 33931-2389	239-482-6694
3.	PROKO, ANDI	11866 METROPOLITAN AVE KEW GARDENS, NY 11415-2061	718-805-6542
4.	PROKO, C	206 SUMMIT DR FREDONIA, WI 53021-9448	262-692-2728
5.	PROKO, DANIEL	43171 ROSEHAVEN PL LEESBURG, VA 20176-4974
6.	PROKO, DAVID	CORAL SPRINGS, FL 33065	954-755-1246
7.	PROKO, DOLORES	708 S MAPLE AVE OAK PARK, IL 60304-1026	708-386-6160
8.	PROKO, DONALD	431 W FULTON ST PERRINTON, MI 48871-5134	989-236-5187
9.	PROKO, E	W BLUEBELL AVE ANAHEIM, CA 92802
10.	PROKO, ELIZABETH	2 HOLDEN ST WORCESTER, MA 01605-3127	508-856-9598
11.	PROKO, ELIZABETH	48 SILVERLEAF LN WEST YARMOUTH, MA 02673-5445	508-534-9632
12.	PROKO, FREDI	ROCKY RIVER, OH 44116	440-356-0071
13.	PROKO, GAIL	7530 24TH AVE KENOSHA, WI 53143-5706	262-654-8853
14.	PROKO, GENEVIEVE	2201 BAY AVE OCEAN CITY, NJ 08226-2568	609-398-1451
15.	PROKO, JAMES	46 SOUTHERLEE SHORES RD MOULTONBOROUGH, NH 03254-2669	603-284-1077
16.	PROKO, JOE	315 E SEABRIGHT RD OCEAN CITY, NJ 08226-4504	609-398-6769
17.	PROKO, JOHN	4009 PRAIRIE VILLAGE DR KENOSHA, WI 53142-5330	262-694-4838
18.	PROKO, JOHN	SAN DIEGO, CA 92101	619-955-5040
19.	PROKO, JOSEPH	3303 GREENE COUNTRIE DR NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA 19073-1909	610-353-4201
20.	PROKO, JR JOHN	775 JOHN CARROLL LN MELBOURNE, FL 32904-7534	321-723-6677
21.	PROKO, JULIE	70 HILLSIDE VILLAGE DR WEST BOYLSTON, MA 01583-2457	508-835-8906
22.	PROKO, JUNE	44 WHITE GROVE RD NOTTINGHAM, NH 03290-4954	603-895-4517
23.	PROKO, K	LA MESA, CA 91941	619-461-5648
24.	PROKO, K	WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ 07676	856-582-0393
25.	PROKO, KATHY M	4727 352ND AVE BURLINGTON, WI 53105-8866
26.	PROKO, KRISTO	92 E SQUANTUM ST QUINCY, MA 02171-2207	617-773-1860
27.	PROKO, LARRY	4821 12TH ST KENOSHA, WI 53144-1157
28.	PROKO, LUBJANA	2334 BOSTON RD BRONX, NY 10467-9016	718-547-2173
29.	PROKO, MARKELIAN	5 EUCLID AVE WORCESTER, MA 01610-2101	508-752-9608
30.	PROKO, MIRELA	22455 LAKE RD ROCKY RIVER, OH 44116-1056	440-356-0611
31.	PROKO, N	17 FOX HOLLOW TRL BERNARDSVILLE, NJ 07924-2540	908-221-1277
32.	PROKO, PARO	120 H ST BOSTON, MA 02127-3010	617-268-6485
33.	PROKO, PAUL	49 TIMBER LN HOLDEN, MA 01520-1943	508-852-4720

 

 

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.

 

 

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING YOUR

U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION

 

USPTO OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) HAS ISSUED

ON 4/21/2014 FOR U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 86163210

 

Your trademark application has been reviewed.  The trademark examining attorney assigned by the USPTO to your application has written an official letter to which you must respond.  Please follow these steps:

 

(1)  Read the LETTER by clicking on this link or going to http://tsdr.gov.uspto.report/, entering your U.S. application serial number, and clicking 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)  Respond within 6 months (or sooner if specified in the Office action), calculated from 4/21/2014, using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) response form located at http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/teas/response_forms.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. 

 

(3)  Questions about the contents of the Office action itself should be directed to the trademark examining attorney who reviewed your application, identified below. 

 

/Cimmerian Coleman/

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Trademark Examining Attorney

Law Office 102

571.272.9146

cimmerian.coleman@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.