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: 10/30/2015

 

 

TEAS PLUS OR TEAS REDUCED FEE (TEAS RF) APPLICANTS – TO MAINTAIN LOWER FEE, ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET, INCLUDING SUBMITTING DOCUMENTS ONLINE:  Applicants who filed their application online using the lower-fee TEAS Plus or TEAS RF application form must (1) file certain documents online using TEAS, including responses to Office actions (see TMEP §§819.02(b), 820.02(b) for a complete list of these documents); (2) maintain a valid e-mail correspondence address; and (3) agree to receive correspondence from the USPTO by e-mail throughout the prosecution of the application.  See 37 C.F.R. §§2.22(b), 2.23(b); TMEP §§819, 820.  TEAS Plus or TEAS RF applicants who do not meet these requirements must submit an additional processing fee of $50 per international class of goods and/or services.  37 C.F.R. §§2.6(a)(1)(v), 2.22(c), 2.23(c); TMEP §§819.04, 820.04.  However, in certain situations, TEAS Plus or TEAS RF applicants may respond to an Office action by authorizing an examiner’s amendment by telephone without incurring this additional fee. 

 

This is responsive to the communication received October 27, 2015.

 

SECTION 2(e)(4) REFUSAL – PRIMARILY MERELY A SURNAME

 

Upon further consideration, 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 FLINK.  This evidence shows the applied-for mark appearing 1276  times as a surname in the LEXISNEXIS® surname database, which is a weekly updated directory of cell phone and other phone numbers (such as voice over IP) from various data providers. 

 

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 active 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(a)(1); TMEP §§1212, 1212.04.  The following wording is suggested:  “The mark has become distinctive of the goods and/or services as evidenced by the ownership of active U.S. Registration No(s). {SPECIFY} on the Principal Register for the same mark for sufficiently similar 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 the applicant’s substantially exclusive and continuous use of the mark in commerce that the U.S. Congress may lawfully regulate for at least the five years immediately before the date of this statement.”  37 C.F.R. §2.41(a)(2); 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)(3); 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).

 

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. §§2.62(c), 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.

 

 

 

Clark, Robert

/Robert Clark/

Examining Attorney

Law Office 101

571-272-9144

robert.clark@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: Friday, October 30, 2015  16:13:57 EST

 

Number of Lines: 295

Print Number:    1826:535490389

 

Client ID/Project Name:

 

Note:

 

Research Information:

 

Surname

last-name(FLINK) maxresults(500)

 

Note:  

Search:            Public Records : Surname

Terms: last-name(FLINK) maxresults(500)

 

 

Total number found: 1276

 No.     Name  Address           Phone

                         

 1.        FLINK, A        132 COUNTRY CLUB DR

LANSDALE, PA 19446-1456            215-412-7902

                         

 2.        FLINK, AARON         350 HERMANN

SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117-3417  518-436-0058

                         

 3.        FLINK, AARON         5306 RONWOOD

LOUISVILLE, KY 40219-2861         502-962-8883

                         

 4.        FLINK, AARON         5306 RONWOOD

LOUISVILLE, KY 40219-2861         502-962-8883

                         

 5.        FLINK, ABBEY         49 NORTHFIELD

FAIRFIELD, CT 06824-5619 203-249-5300

                         

 6.        FLINK, ABIGAIL       3801 E PACIFIC COAST

LONG BEACH, CA 90804-2023       812-361-5777

                         

 7.        FLINK, ADAM           3345 BARBERRY

GRAPEVINE, TX 76051-4201          817-894-7894

                         

 8.        FLINK, ADAM P       10518 RAPP RD

NEW MIDDLETOWN, OH 44442-8708       330-542-0862

                         

 9.        FLINK, ADOLF          STATE RD

MAHOPAC, NY 10541          845-628-3653

                         

 10.      FLINK, ALAN J         6 WHITTIER PL

BOSTON, MA 02114-1443    617-670-2143

                         

 11.      FLINK, ALAN            PROVIDENCE, RI 02903       401-323-4933

                         

 12.      FLINK, ALAN            PROVIDENCE, RI 02903       401-323-7723

                         

 13.      FLINK, ALEX            2230 N 16TH AVE

PHOENIX, AZ 85007-1409   602-258-2419

                         

 14.      FLINK, ALEX            808 S ANDERSON

TACOMA, WA 98405-2751  253-579-5777

                         

 15.      FLINK, ALEX            970 WINDSOR

WAYNESBORO, VA 22980-5659    540-942-2834

                         

 16.      FLINK, ALEXANDER           4025 BRYN MAWR DR

DALLAS, TX 75225-7032     214-363-4799

                         

 17.      FLINK, ALEXANDER           4691 W DAWSON

MERIDIAN, ID 83646-3924  910-546-8945

                         

 18.      FLINK, ALEXIS M    807 BROADWAY APT 1

S PORTLAND, ME 04106-2764        207-228-5031

                         

 19.      FLINK, ALEXIS         807 BROADWAY

S PORTLAND, ME 04106-2708        207-228-5031

                         

 20.      FLINK, ALISON M    6454 DORA

MOUNT DORA, FL 32757-7064       352-735-2680

                         

 21.      FLINK, AMANDA A 1011 CHRISTOPHER

CHAPEL HILL, NC 27517-7457       919-480-5012

                         

 22.      FLINK, AMANDA J  7 HARPERS FERRY DR

RICHARDSON, TX 75080-2336       972-690-0447

                         

 23.      FLINK, AMANDA R PO BOX 963

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MN 56649-0963           715-384-7599

                         

 24.      FLINK, AMANDA     LINCOLN, NE 68501 402-525-6387

                         

 25.      FLINK, AMBER         26 LIVE OAK

LAKELAND, GA 31635-5812           801-390-6320

                         

 26.      FLINK, AMY C          4695 NW 58TH TER

CORAL SPRINGS, FL 33067-2116   954-755-4565

                         

 27.      FLINK, AMY C          982 W BREVARD APT F4

TALLAHASSEE, FL 32304-7738     954-263-2691

                         

 28.      FLINK, AMY I           770 BROADWAY FL 12

NEW YORK, NY 10003-9522           551-795-1467

                         

 29.      FLINK, AMY C          3611 DATA APT 104

TAMPA, FL 33613-6160       954-501-5171

                         

 30.      FLINK, AMY C          1111 N DEARBORN APT 2005

CHICAGO, IL 60610-7169    954-501-5171

                         

 31.      FLINK, AMY 14720 DUBUQUE RD

SNOHOMISH, WA 98290-9793        425-334-4579

                         

 32.      FLINK, AMY L          2330 LAKE SE

GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49506-3028    616-245-7749

                         

 33.      FLINK, AMY ANN    N4122 PETERSON

FREEDOM, WI 54130-7125  920-585-4177

                         

 34.      FLINK, AMY PO BOX 90804

SAN DIEGO, CA 92169-2804           201-388-0794

                         

 35.      FLINK, AMY C          5324 SILVER STRAND

SACRAMENTO, CA 95841-2146     916-338-1624

                         

 36.      FLINK, AMY C          DEERFIELD BEACH, FL 33065       954-501-4565

                         

 37.      FLINK, ANDREA      500 W END AVE

NEW YORK, NY 10024-4338          

                         

 38.      FLINK, ANDREA      FRESH MEADOWS, NY 11365        347-255-3144

                         

 39.      FLINK, ANDREAS    1000 HOLT

WINTER PARK, FL 32789-4499      407-622-9292

                         

 40.      FLINK, ANDREW H  155 ELIZABETH CV

ROSWELL, GA 30075-6232 770-569-9572

                         

 41.      FLINK, ANDREW RICHARD           50 EVERGREEN APT 36

JAMAICA PLAIN, MA 02130-1133 610-745-1871

                         

 42.      FLINK, ANDREW     231 W GREEN MEADOWS

GREENFIELD, IN 46140-1033          317-467-0128

                         

 43.      FLINK, ANDREW     1558 HUSKY APT A

CLOVIS, NM 88101-2570     954-552-2464

                         

 44.      FLINK, ANDREW B  1923 MURDOCH

GREENFIELD, IN 46140-7190          317-201-8070

                         

 45.      FLINK, ANDREW     1923 MURDOCH

GREENFIELD, IN 46140-7190          317-443-4609

                         

 46.      FLINK, ANDREW     DEERFIELD BEACH, FL 33441       954-803-4211

                         

 47.      FLINK, ANDREW     HOLLYWOOD, FL 33023     954-309-9855

                         

 48.      FLINK, ANDREW     HOLLYWOOD, FL 33023     954-439-5493

                         

 49.      FLINK, ANDREW     HOLLYWOOD, FL 33023     954-804-8584

                         

 50.      FLINK, ANDREW     HOLLYWOOD, FL 33023     954-980-3715

                         

 51.      FLINK, ANDREW     NORCROSS, GA 30071         678-294-3521

                         

 52.      FLINK, ANDREW     PEMBROKE PINES, FL 33023         954-980-3719

                         

 53.      FLINK, ANDREW     PEMBROKE PINES, FL 33082         954-980-3719

                         

 54.      FLINK, ANDY B        1923 MURDOCH

GREENFIELD, IN 46140-7190          317-467-0128

                         

 55.      FLINK, ANDY B        1923 MURDOCH

GREENFIELD, IN 46140-7190          317-467-0128

                         

 56.      FLINK, ANDY           SACRAMENTO, CA 94203-0001     916-363-1531

                         

 57.      FLINK, ANGELA       941 DAKOTA RIVER

EL PASO, TX 79932-1836     915-241-0286

                         

 58.      FLINK, ANGELA C   46-063 EMEPELA APT T202

KANEOHE, HI 96744-3931   808-397-0494

                         

 59.      FLINK, ANGELA       5309 S SAMUEL

SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84129-1749 801-879-1196

                         

 60.      FLINK, ANGELA       BLOOMINGTON, IL 61704  309-533-2536

                         

 61.      FLINK, ANGELA       BLOOMINGTON, IL 61761  309-826-1971

                         

 62.      FLINK, ANGIE S       1830 E CAPITOL APT 113

BISMARCK, ND 58501-2200            701-730-0078

                         

 63.      FLINK, ANITA           621 S 300 E

KAYSVILLE, UT 84037-2547           801-444-2635

                         

 64.      FLINK, ANN C           21926 LADEENE

TORRANCE, CA 90503-6931           310-922-3591

                         

 65.      FLINK, ANN E           1207 PALOMINO LN UNIT A

SAN MARCOS, TX 78666-1183       512-396-9851

                         

 66.      FLINK, ANNA M       1307 112TH

PLEASANT PRAIRIE, WI 53158-4503         906-399-7059

                         

 67.      FLINK, ANNA           87142 GOLF CLUB

DIAMONDHEAD, MS 39525-3707  228-363-3572

                         

 68.      FLINK, ANNA H        682 KOKO

DIAMONDHEAD, MS 39525-3560  228-255-6572

                         

 69.      FLINK, ANNE E        120 HIGH

BOSTON, MA 02110 617-504-0760

                         

 70.      FLINK, ANNIE           AUSTIN, TX 78749    512-925-4924

                         

 71.      FLINK, ANNIKA R    767 15TH

MENLO PARK, CA 94025-1945       650-269-3452

                         

 72.      FLINK, ANNIKA P    20445 LONGBAY DR

YORBA LINDA, CA 92887-3249      714-695-9470

                         

 73.      FLINK, ANNIKA       COMMERCE, CA 90040       213-479-4323

                         

 74.      FLINK, ANTHONY   9705 205TH AVENUE E

BONNEY LAKE, WA 98391-8456   253-335-9495

                         

 75.      FLINK, ANTHONY   6142 CHARLES

OMAHA, NE 68132-1216      402-657-6669

                         

 76.      FLINK, ANTONIO     5617 DESERT EAGLE

LAS VEGAS, NV 89131-2528           702-882-1644

                         

 77.      FLINK, ARA  2826 PAYTON NE

ATLANTA, GA 30345-2638  305-632-6581

                         

 78.      FLINK, ARA  KENDALL, FL 33176            305-878-6272

                         

 79.      FLINK, ARI    6454 DORA

MOUNT DORA, FL 32757-7064       352-988-8377

                         

 80.      FLINK, ARI    6558 JEREMIE

SAN JOSE, CA 95120-5530  408-821-9951

                         

 81.      FLINK, ARLENE       605 MAIN

HACKENSACK, NJ 07601-5914       201-891-2303

                         

 82.      FLINK, ARNE V        245 CAMP CREEK RD

MONTESANO, WA 98563-9739      360-249-4955

                         

 83.      FLINK, ARTHUR       3795 NE 209TH

MIAMI, FL 33180-3782         305-586-8460

                         

 84.      FLINK, ARTHUR L   3795 NE 209TH

MIAMI, FL 33180-3782         305-932-1315

                         

 85.      FLINK, ARTHUR       54 GARLAND RD

NEWTON CENTER, MA 02459-1710          617-244-3505

                         

 86.      FLINK, ASHLEY       1540 N 23RD

LINCOLN, NE 68503-1159   402-438-5986

                         

 87.      FLINK, ASHLEY       1540 N 23RD

LINCOLN, NE 68503-1159   402-805-1273

                         

 88.      FLINK, ASHLEY       LINCOLN, NE 68508 402-304-0885

                         

 89.      FLINK, ASHLEY       SHAWANO, WI 54166          715-851-2905

                         

 90.      FLINK, B K    302 15TH ST NW APT 8

MANDAN, ND 58554-2079  701-663-9609

                         

 91.      FLINK, B        KINGSTON, NJ 08528           609-937-1586

                         

 92.      FLINK, BALAZS       28 STONERISE DR

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ 08648-5533  609-844-1245

                         

 93.      FLINK, BARBARA    3795 NE 209TH

AVENTURA, FL 33180-3782            305-932-1315

                         

 94.      FLINK, BARBARA J 1924 ABERDEEN

BUTTE, MT 59701-5513       406-723-5593

                         

 95.      FLINK, BARBARA J 1850 GRAND

BUTTE, MT 59701-4822       406-723-5593

                         

 96.      FLINK, BARBARA    10100 ROCK HOLLOW RD

RALEIGH, NC 27617-7866   919-251-9447

                         

 97.      FLINK, BARBARA    LENEXA, KS 66210  913-269-6926

                         

 98.      FLINK, BARBARA    LENEXA, KS 66215  913-269-6926

                         

 99.      FLINK, BARRY         16710 SW 82ND

PALMETTO BAY, FL 33157-3690   305-582-3687

                         

 100.    FLINK, BARRY         3841 BROOKLAWN NE

ATLANTA, GA 30319-1606  404-558-8000

                         

Search:            Public Records : Surname

Terms: last-name(FLINK) maxresults(500)

Date/Time:     Friday, October 30, 2015 4:13 PM

Permissible Use:        DPPA - I have no permissible use

GLBA - I have no permissible use

 

 

Copyright © 2015 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved.

108B8C

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

 

Time of Request: Friday, October 30, 2015  16:13:57 EST

 

Print Number:    1826:535490389

Number of Lines: 295

Number of Pages: 

 

Send To:  Snyder, Samantha

          TRADEMARK LAW LIBRARY

          600 DULANY ST

          ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314-5790

 

 

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING YOUR

U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION

 

USPTO OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) HAS ISSUED

ON 10/30/2015 FOR U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 86502465

 

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 10/30/2015 (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.