UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)

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

 

 

 

PRIORITY 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: 11/11/2014

 

DATABASE SEARCH:  The trademark examining attorney has searched the USPTO’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).

 

ISSUES APPLICANT MUST ADDRESS:  On November 11, 2014, the trademark examining attorney and ESTER MARTÍN MAILLARO discussed the issues below.  Applicant must timely respond to these issues.  See 15 U.S.C. §1062(b); 37 C.F.R. §2.62(a); TMEP §§708, 711.

 

Amend the Identification of Goods and Services

 

The identification of goods and services is indefinite and must be clarified.  See TMEP §1402.01. 

 

For some of the goods, applicant must provide more information. 

 

In other identifications, applicant must specify the common commercial or generic name for the goods.  If there is no common commercial or generic name, applicant must describe the product and intended consumer as well as its main purpose and intended uses. 

 

For the services, further clarification is required.  Please note that applicant’s presentation services may instead be broadcasting services in International Class 38.

 

Applicant may adopt the following identification, if accurate: 

 

Identification tags of metal; key tags of common metal; metal ________________ (indicate specific type, e.g., sealing, gasket, key) rings; metal boxes in International Class 6.

 

Interactive game software; computer games software; video games programs; computer application software for __________________ (please specify the particular wireless device or devices, e.g., mobile phones, portable media players, handheld computers), namely, software for _____________________ (here, please specify the function of the programs, e.g., use in database management, use in electronic storage of data, etc.); downloadable telephone ring tones  for mobile phones; downloadable computer screen saver software; downloadable computer screen wallpapers; laptop covers made of ________________ (please specify composition, e.g. Neoprene; covers for telephone receivers not made of paper; protective carrying cases specially adapted for personal digital assistants (PDA); laptop sleeves; sleeves for portable tablets; mousse; mouse pads; mouse mats; keyboards; headphones; blank USB flash drives; downloadable electronic publications in the nature of _____________________{indicate specific nature of publication} in the field of __________________{indicate subject matter of publication}; electronic publications, namely, ___________________{indicate specific type of publication, e.g., book, magazine, manual} featuring ____________________{indicate subject matter} recorded on computer media; downloadable electronic books in the field of ___________________{indicate subject matter}; electronic books featuring _______________________{indicate subject matter} recorded on computer media; sound recordings featuring _____________________{specify subject matter, e.g., music, self-improvement, mathematics instruction}; downloadable video recordings featuring __________________________{specify subject matter, e.g., music, self-improvement, mathematics instruction}; motion picture films about __________________{indicate subject matter};  downloadable films and movies featuring ____________________{indicate subject matter} provided via a video-on-demand service; animated films about __________________{indicate subject matter} in International Class 9.

 

Jewelry; jewelry items, namely, ___________________ (please specify these goods by their common commercial names); clocks; watches in International Class 14.

 

Publications, namely, ______________________{indicate form of publications, e.g., books, hand-outs, workbooks, etc.} in the fields of _______________________{indicate subject matter(s) or field(s) of publications}; books in the field of {indicate subject matter}; blank journals; journals in the field of ____________________{specify type or subject matter, e.g., medicine, law}; leaflets in the field of ____________________{specify type or subject matter}; brochures in the field of ____________________{specify type or subject matter}; posters, stationery; postcards, greetings cards; printed guides for video game playing; stickers, decals in International Class 16.

 

Drinks containers, namely, ___________________ (please specify these goods by their common commercial names);  drinking vessels; cups; mugs; beverage glassware in International Class 21.

 

Articles of clothing, namely, ___________________ (please specify these goods by their common commercial names);  T-shirts, vests, shorts, trousers, sweatshirts, hooded sweatshirts, bathrobes; headgear, namely, {specify type, e.g., hats, caps}; hats, caps; footwear in International Class 25.

 

Toys, games and playthings, ; namely, ___________________ (please specify these goods by their common commercial names); plush toys; board games; playing cards; gymnastic and sporting articles, namely, ___________________ (please specify these goods by their common commercial names); in International Class 28.

 

Broadcasting services and provision of telecommunication access to films and television programmes provided via a video-on-demand service in International Class 38.  (New Class possibly added.)

 

Providing on-line computer games; arranging, organizing, conducting, and hosting social entertainment events; conducting _______________________ (specify events, e.g., award show events) events about electronic games and internet games; production of films; entertainment services, namely, displaying a series of films; distribution of films; production of television programmes; distribution of television programmes;  film presentation services, namely, motion picture theaters;   providing a website featuring entertainment information; Providing advice in the field of television programming and motion picture films in International Class 41. 

 

TMEP §1402.01

 

The Trademark Act requires that a trademark or service mark application must include a “specification of … the goods [or services]” in connection with which the mark is being used or will be used.  15 U.S.C. §1051(a)(2) (emphasis added), (b)(2) (emphasis added); see 15 U.S.C. §1053.  Specifically, a complete application must include a “list of the particular goods or services on or in connection with which the applicant uses or intends to use the mark.”  37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6) (emphasis added).  This requirement for a specification of the particular goods and/or services applies to applications filed under all statutory bases.  See 15 U.S.C. §§1051(a)(2), 1051(b)(2), 1053, 1126(d)-(e), 1141f; 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §§1402.01, 1402.01(b)-(c).

 

The USPTO has the discretion to determine the degree of particularity needed to clearly identify goods and/or services covered by a mark.  In re Fiat Grp. Mktg. & Corp. Commc’ns S.p.A, 109 USPQ2d 1593, 1597 (TTAB 2014) (citing In re Omega SA, 494 F.3d 1362, 1365, 83 USPQ2d 1541, 1543-44 (Fed. Cir. 2007)).  Accordingly, the USPTO requires the description of goods and/or services in a U.S. application to be specific, definite, clear, accurate, and concise.  TMEP §1402.01; see In re Fiat Grp. Mktg. & Corp. Commc’ns S.p.A, 109 USPQ2d at 1597-98; Cal. Spray-Chem. Corp. v. Osmose Wood Pres. Co. of Am., 102 USPQ 321, 322 (Comm’r Pats. 1954). 

 

 

The purpose of the identification of goods and/or services is to provide the general population, including consumers and members of the relevant industry, with an understandable description of the goods and services, which is done by using the common commercial name for the goods and/or services.  In re Gulf Coast Nutritionals, Inc., 106 USPQ2d 1243, 1247 (TTAB 2013) (citing In re Sones, 590 F.3d 1282, 1289, 93 USPQ2d 1118, 1124 (Fed. Cir. 2009)).  If there is no common, ordinary name for the goods and/or services, applicant should describe the goods and/or services using wording that would be generally understood by the average person.  See Schenley Indus., Inc. v. Battistoni, 112 USPQ 485, 486 (Comm’r Pats. 1957); Cal. Spray-Chem. Corp. v. Osmose Wood Pres. Co. of Am., 102 USPQ 321, 322 (Comm’r Pats. 1954); TMEP §1402.01.

 

An in depth knowledge of the relevant field should not be necessary for understanding a description of the goods and/or services.  TMEP §1402.01.  “[T]echnical, high-sounding verbiage” should be avoided.  Cal. Spray-Chem. Corp. v. Osmose Wood Pres. Co. of Am., 102 USPQ at 322.

 

 

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 only amend an identification to clarify or limit the goods, but not to add to or broaden the scope of the goods.  37 C.F.R. §2.71(a); see TMEP §§1402.06 et seq., 1402.07. 

 

The application identifies goods and/or services in more than one international class; therefore, applicant must satisfy all the requirements below for each international class based on Trademark Act Section 44:

 

(1)        List the goods and/or services by their international class number in consecutive numerical order, starting with the lowest numbered class.

 

(2)        Submit a filing fee for each international class not covered by the fee(s) already paid (view the USPTO’s current fee schedule at http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/tm_fee_info.jsp).  The application identifies goods and/or services that are classified in at least nine classes; however, applicant submitted fee sufficient for only eight classes.  Applicant must either submit the filing fees for the classes not covered by the submitted fees or restrict the application to the number of classes covered by the fees already paid.

 

See 15 U.S.C. §§1051(b), 1112, 1126(e); 37 C.F.R. §§2.32(a)(6)-(7), 2.34(a)(2)-(3), 2.86(a); TMEP §§1403.01, 1403.02(c).

 

For an overview of the requirements for a Section 44 multiple-class application and how to satisfy the requirements online using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) form, please go to http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/law/multiclass.jsp.

 

Responding to this Office Action

 

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.

 

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).

 

Official documents and responses should be filed electronically using TEAS at http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/teas/index.jsp.

 

If needed, applicant may contact the examining attorney via email or telephone with informal questions regarding this application and/or the required response.  While e-mail communication is appropriate to conduct informal communications regarding applications/registrations, e-mail communication is not appropriate for obtaining advisory request regarding the sufficiency of a response or for submitting any official documentation, such as applications for registration of marks, responses to examining attorneys’ Office actions, amendments to allege use under 15 U.S.C. §1051(c), statements of use under 15 U.S.C. §1051(d), etc.  TMEP §§304.01 and 304.02.  Further, pursuant to TMEP §§709.04 and 709.05, the examining attorney is required to upload all informal e-mail communications related to this applicant or this application into this application’s record. 

/John D. Dalier/

Trademark Examining Attorney

Law Office 106

(571) 272-9150

John.Dalier@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.

 

 

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING YOUR

U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION

 

USPTO OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) HAS ISSUED

ON 11/11/2014 FOR U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 86360266

 

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 11/11/2014 (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.