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: 12/16/2015

 

 

 

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).

 

However, the applicant must address the following surname refusal.

 

Refusal – Surname

 

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 “COPLEY”.  This evidence shows the applied-for mark appearing 9538 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.  The first 100 results are printed and attached herein.  Additional attached evidence shows that the name “COPLEY” is used as a surname and does not appear in the dictionary other than as a surname. 

 

As the primary significance of the mark is that of a surname, the mark is refused registration on the Principal Register.  Although applicant’s mark has been refused registration, applicant may respond to the refusal by submitting evidence and arguments in support of registration.

 

            Amendment to Supplemental Register or under Section 2(f) Suggested

 

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). _______ 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 any other evidence that establishes recognition of the applied-for mark as a source-identifier for the goods.  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).  Note that applicant’s proposed mark is not eligible for registration on the Supplemental Register until an acceptable amendment to allege use under 37 C.F.R. §2.76 has been timely filed.  37 C.F.R. §2.47(d); TMEP §§815.02, 816.02 and 1102.03.  Please also note that amending to the Supplemental Register does not preclude applicant from submitting evidence and arguments against the refusal.

 

If applicant files an amendment to allege use and also amends to the Supplemental Register, please note that the effective filing date of the application will then be the date of filing of the amendment to allege use.  37 C.F.R. §2.75(b); TMEP §§206.01 and 816.02.

 

To amend to the Supplemental Register, applicant need only provide a request to do so.

 

Although Supplemental Register registration does not afford all the benefits of registration on the Principal Register, it does provide the following advantages:

 

• The registrant may use the registration symbol ®;
• The registration is protected against registration of a confusingly similar mark under §2(d) of the Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. §1052(d);
• The registrant may bring suit for infringement in federal court; and
• The registration may serve as the basis for a filing in a foreign country under the Paris Convention and other international agreements.

 

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.

 

If applicant has questions about the application or this Office action, please contact the assigned trademark examining attorney at the telephone number or email address below.  Applicant is encouraged to contact the examining attorney via email or telephone to make required changes to the application through an examiner’s amendment.

 

To expedite prosecution of the application, applicant is encouraged to file its response to this Office action online via the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS), which is available at http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/teas/index.jsp.  If applicant has technical questions about the TEAS response to Office action form, applicant can review the electronic filing tips available online at http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/teas/e_filing_tips.jsp and e-mail technical questions to TEAS@uspto.gov.

 

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. 

 

 

 

/Andrea Hack/

Trademark Examining Attorney

U.S. Patent & Trademark Office

Law Office 108

571-272-5413 (ph.)

andrea.hack@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.

 

108B8C

Print Request:   Selected Items: 1-100

 

Time of Request: Thursday, December 10, 2015  14:43:27 EST

 

Number of Lines: 291

Print Number:    2826:541027472

 

Client ID/Project Name:

 

Note:

Research Information:

 

Surname

last-name(COPLEY) maxresults(500)

 

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

 

 

Total number found: 9538
No.	Name		Address	Phone
1.	COPLEY, A		1255 4TH NW # 6 ROCHESTER, MN 55901-1831	507-282-5642
2.	COPLEY, A		39 HERITAGE RD PUTNAM, CT 06260-2715	860-963-7774
3.	COPLEY, A		1460 LOUDEN IMPERIAL BEACH, CA 91932-3245	619-621-0784
4.	COPLEY, A		PO BOX 724 RUSK, TX 75785-0724	903-245-7545
5.	COPLEY, A		CAPE CORAL, FL 33909	239-424-8595
6.	COPLEY, A		LAVALETTE, WV 25535	304-617-6967
7.	COPLEY, A		PHILADELPHIA, PA 19131	215-878-9604
8.	COPLEY, A		PHILADELPHIA, PA 19153	215-878-3898
9.	COPLEY, A		SAN DIEGO, CA 92131	619-708-4645
10.	COPLEY, A		TYLER, TX 75701	903-258-4395
11.	COPLEY, A		TYLER, TX 75701	903-780-0061
12.	COPLEY, AARON D		404 W 4TH ST ZUMBROTA, MN 55992-1238	507-732-5541
13.	COPLEY, AARON B		705 BALDWIN MAYSVILLE, KY 41056-9796	606-564-9204
14.	COPLEY, AARON		303 S CANEER SENATH, MO 63876-8318	870-623-8798
15.	COPLEY, AARON		2164 COUNTY ROAD 156 ASHLEY, OH 43003-9649	614-747-2186
16.	COPLEY, AARON S		PO BOX 521 DELBARTON, WV 25670-0521	304-475-3198
17.	COPLEY, AARON S		PO BOX 521 DELBARTON, WV 25670-0521	304-475-3198
18.	COPLEY, AARON		1005 W POE ROSWELL, NM 88203-2481	575-420-6498
19.	COPLEY, AARON		3289 W TUFTS ENGLEWOOD, CO 80110-5318	303-668-0859
20.	COPLEY, AARON		BELTSVILLE, MD 20705	571-217-7916
21.	COPLEY, AARON		WINCHESTER, KY 40391	606-407-0073
22.	COPLEY, ABIGAIL K		166 CARSON SPARTA, NC 28675-8367	910-409-7687
23.	COPLEY, ACACIA		1520 ANTHONY ST HANCOCK, MI 49930-1251	906-523-5240
24.	COPLEY, ACACIA		119 N BIRCH ST LANSE, MI 49946-1503	906-524-6085
25.	COPLEY, ADAM		10 ALLEGHENY PITTSBURGH, PA 15212-5245	330-813-0015
26.	COPLEY, ADAM		10 MARIN PITTSBURGH, PA 15239-2700	330-813-0015
27.	COPLEY, ADAM		AKRON, OH 44202	330-813-0079
28.	COPLEY, ADAM		KIRKLAND, WA 98033	425-761-4447
29.	COPLEY, ADAM		KIRKLAND, WA 98052	425-761-4447
30.	COPLEY, ADELINE		WEST CHESTER, PA 19382	484-354-5805
31.	COPLEY, ADRIANNE		233 WISHINGWELL LN FRIDAY HARBOR, WA 98250-7111	360-370-5794
32.	COPLEY, ADRIENNE E		111 21ST DUNBAR, WV 25064-2307	304-766-7241
33.	COPLEY, ADRIENNE		LOGAN, WV 25601	304-784-7371
34.	COPLEY, AGUSTIN		5288 FAYANN ORLANDO, FL 32812-8727	407-470-4000
35.	COPLEY, AILEEN		533 ANISE CT KISSIMMEE, FL 34759-5304	863-496-2436
36.	COPLEY, ALBERTA		RR 2 BOX 192 FORT GAY, WV 25514-9619	304-648-7278
37.	COPLEY, ALBREN		109 E WARD ST CENTERVILLE, TN 37033-1617	931-729-3712
38.	COPLEY, ALDEN		352 BELAIR COLCHESTER, VT 05446-6544	802-233-5204
39.	COPLEY, ALDEN G		409 PATTON LN VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23452-2525	757-486-1832
40.	COPLEY, ALEJANDRA		SAN DIEGO, CA 92101	619-381-8073
41.	COPLEY, ALESH D		RR 1 BOX 82 DUNLOW, WV 25511-9711	304-385-4007
42.	COPLEY, ALESIA		7970 CARTHAGE LEBANON, TN 37087-9577	615-449-9476
43.	COPLEY, ALETA J		600 W 20TH 12 YUMA, AZ 85364-5525	928-783-9701
44.	COPLEY, ALETA		7018 LA TIJERA LOS ANGELES, CA 90045-2116	310-488-4080
45.	COPLEY, ALETA		7018 LA TIJERA BLVD LOS ANGELES, CA 90045-2116	424-800-2002
46.	COPLEY, ALEX D		1474 SWEETGUM ROCHESTER, IN 46975-8004	574-835-3830
47.	COPLEY, ALEXANDER		2659 TROJAN APT 417 GREEN BAY, WI 54304-1234	920-256-0920
48.	COPLEY, ALEXANDRA N		2125 SUMMIT ST PORTSMOUTH, OH 45662-3219	740-353-1554
49.	COPLEY, ALEXIS		2841 E 15TH PUEBLO, CO 81001-2412	719-320-3422
50.	COPLEY, ALEXIS		306 RIDGEFIELD AVE STEPHENS CITY, VA 22655-2946	540-869-6251
51.	COPLEY, ALEXIS		6775 E US HIGHWAY 33 LOT 61 CHURUBUSCO, IN 46723-9703	260-246-0769
52.	COPLEY, ALEXIS		PUEBLO, CO 81004	719-994-2152
53.	COPLEY, ALFRED C		16319 MARY ST ABINGDON, VA 24210-8417	276-628-6290
54.	COPLEY, ALICIA		1113 BARBARA APT 14 REDONDO BEACH, CA 90277-4516	310-628-4263
55.	COPLEY, ALICIA K		28429 N WESLEY FLAT ROCK, MI 48134-1232	313-622-9179
56.	COPLEY, ALICIA		BRISBANE, CA 94005	415-378-0862
57.	COPLEY, ALICIA		DETROIT, MI 48122	313-282-3782
58.	COPLEY, ALICIA		DETROIT, MI 48201	313-282-3782
59.	COPLEY, ALISE		4725 ANNHURST RD COLUMBUS, OH 43228-1338	614-996-8570
60.	COPLEY, ALISON B		160 S COMMERCE SEBRING, FL 33870-3601	863-658-0754
61.	COPLEY, ALLEN		2604 BUENA VISTA ASHLAND, KY 41102-8005	606-471-2434
62.	COPLEY, ALLEN		FORT GAY FORT GAY, WV 25514	304-648-8308
63.	COPLEY, ALLEN S JR.		4607 SHERWOOD DR ASHLAND, KY 41101-6890	606-324-0897
64.	COPLEY, ALLISON		203 BOWEN HEIGHTS WAVERLY, TN 37185-2003	931-296-2795
65.	COPLEY, ALLISON R		513 RIATA TULAROSA, NM 88352-9675	575-921-7753
66.	COPLEY, ALLISON		7791 WIDGEON LAKE CORDOVA, TN 38016-5716	901-335-3857
67.	COPLEY, ALLYSON H		619 KILDEE LEXINGTON, NC 27292-4603	336-247-3689
68.	COPLEY, ALLYSSA N		11330 CHATHAM RD SPENCER, OH 44275-9527	330-648-2849
69.	COPLEY, ALMON L JR.		39 HERITAGE RD PUTNAM, CT 06260-2715	860-963-7774
70.	COPLEY, ALTON		12702 BEACH CHESTERFIELD, VA 23838-3001	804-243-1690
71.	COPLEY, ALYSE		PO BOX 102 JONES, MI 49061-0102	269-228-1690
72.	COPLEY, ALYSE		BATTLE CREEK, MI 49014	269-358-0084
73.	COPLEY, ALYSE		CASSOPOLIS, MI 49031	269-228-2065
74.	COPLEY, ALYSSA		2252 ANDREW KETTERING, OH 45440-2602	937-312-0760
75.	COPLEY, ALYSSA		1272 BAYARD SAINT PAUL, MN 55116-1638	651-734-3740
76.	COPLEY, AMANDA R		1938 NW 40TH GAINESVILLE, FL 32605-1839	352-474-0347
77.	COPLEY, AMANDA H		2629 W 65TH TULSA, OK 74132-1398	918-697-4685
78.	COPLEY, AMANDA		417 JOHN KINARD CHAPIN, SC 29036-7745	803-201-2301
79.	COPLEY, AMANDA		LAUREL LENORE, WV 25676	304-475-1420
80.	COPLEY, AMANDA LYNN		115 LILAC PRINCETON, WV 24740-2570	304-320-3699
81.	COPLEY, AMANDA DAWN		4083 PISTOLE SPARTA, TN 38583-5122	931-761-0813
82.	COPLEY, AMANDA		PO BOX 742 SOMERSET, TX 78069-0742	812-701-1233
83.	COPLEY, AMANDA		4833 RENFREW CONCORD, NC 28027-8745	704-920-0860
84.	COPLEY, AMANDA J		303 RR 1 KERMIT, WV 25674	304-475-1420
85.	COPLEY, AMANDA D		196 SHAFFIE MC MINNVILLE, TN 37110-5342	931-815-2468
86.	COPLEY, AMANDA L		4116 STATE ROUTE 61 PLYMOUTH, OH 44865-9646	567-224-6257
87.	COPLEY, AMANDA		4991 WALLBURG WINSTON SALEM, NC 27107-9272	336-425-2461
88.	COPLEY, AMANDA M		COCOA, FL 32922	321-412-6403
89.	COPLEY, AMANDA		LEBANON, MO 65536	417-664-4309
90.	COPLEY, AMANDA N		RICHMOND, KY 40475	859-582-3831
91.	COPLEY, AMBER		289 1ST WADSWORTH, OH 44281-2081	330-334-5807
92.	COPLEY, AMBER		637 E OAK APT C109 SEYMOUR, IN 47274-4139	812-593-8733
93.	COPLEY, AMBER DENISE		1299 PINE VALLEY CLAREMONT, NC 28610-7425	704-325-0947
94.	COPLEY, AMBER		MOBILE, AL 36604	251-623-1975
95.	COPLEY, AMBERLE		1126 WILHELMINIA WILLIAMSON, WV 25661-3920	859-248-7669
96.	COPLEY, AMBUR C		3423 DEER VALLEY SPRING, TX 77373-6026	281-830-3475
97.	COPLEY, AMBUR		21419 SNOWBLOSSOM TOMBALL, TX 77375-0490	832-717-5934
98.	COPLEY, AMITY A		PO BOX 490 JOB, KY 41224-0490	606-371-4223
99.	COPLEY, AMY		221 E 16TH COLUMBIA, TN 38401-4150	931-698-6636
100.	COPLEY, AMY		723 W CHARLES BUCYRUS, OH 44820-2129	419-571-5954
Search:		Public Records : Surname
Terms:		last-name(COPLEY) maxresults(500)
Date/Time:		Thursday, December 10, 2015 2:42 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: Thursday, December 10, 2015  14:43:27 EST

 

Print Number:    2826:541027472

Number of Lines: 291

Number of Pages: