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.  A RESPONSE TRANSMITTED THROUGH THE TRADEMARK ELECTRONIC APPLICATION SYSTEM (TEAS) MUST BE RECEIVED BEFORE MIDNIGHT EASTERN TIME OF THE LAST DAY OF THE RESPONSE PERIOD.

 

 

ISSUE/MAILING DATE: 1/24/2018

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

DEFERRED SEARCH

 

A search of the Office’s database of registered and pending marks for potentially conflicting marksis deferred until applicant responds to the issues raised in this Office action.  TMEP §704.02.

 

 

 

Drawing – Color Claim and Description

 

The drawing shows the mark only in black and white; however, applicant has claimed color as a feature of the mark.  The USPTO does not accept a black-and-white drawing when an applicant has claimed color as a feature of the mark.  TMEP §807.07(a); see 37 C.F.R. §2.52(b)(1).  Applications for marks depicted in color must include (1) a drawing showing the mark in color, (2) a complete list of all the colors claimed as a feature of the mark, and (3) a description of the literal and design elements in the mark that specifies where all the colors appear in those elements.  37 C.F.R. §§2.37, 2.52(b)(1); see TMEP §807.07(a)-(a)(ii).

 

Amending a mark to add color is permitted only if the change would not materially alter the mark.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.72; TMEP §807.14.  In the present case, color is not material to the commercial impression of the mark; however, any other amendments to the applied-for mark will not be accepted if the changes would materially alter the mark.  37 C.F.R. §2.72; see TMEP §§807.07(e), 807.14 et seq.

 

Therefore, applicant must clarify whether color is a feature of the mark by satisfying one of the following: 

 

(1)       If color is not a feature of the mark, applicant must submit (a) a statement that color is not a feature of the mark and (b) an accurate and concise description of the literal and design elements in the mark, omitting any reference to color.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.37; TMEP §§808.01, 808.02.  The following mark description is suggested, if accurate: 

 

The mark consists of the stylized wording CHAOS.

 

(2)       If color is a feature of the mark, applicant must (a) submit a substitute color drawing that agrees with the colors in the color claim, (b) ensure that the color claim lists all the colors that are claimed as a feature of the mark, and (c) submit a statement describing the literal and design elements in the mark that specifies where all the colors appear in those elements.  37 C.F.R. §§2.37, 2.52(b)(1); see TMEP §807.07(a)-(a)(ii).  Generic color names must be used to describe the colors in the mark, e.g., magenta, yellow, turquoise.  TMEP §807.07(a)(i)-(ii).  If black, white, and/or gray are not being claimed as a color feature of the mark, applicant must exclude these from the color claim and include in the mark description a statement that the colors black, white, and/or gray represent background, outlining, shading, and/or transparent areas and are not part of the mark.  See TMEP §807.07(d).  The following color claim and mark description are suggested, if accurate: 

 

Color claim:  “The color black is claimed as a feature of the mark.”

 

Mark description:  “The mark consists of the stylized wording CHAOS in black color.”

 

TMEP §807.07(e).

 

Identification

 

The wording “Headwear, namely, caps, hats, scarves, gloves, bags, chargeable solar caps and hat” in the identification of goods is indefinite and must be clarified because it is unclear and could include goods in multiple classes.  Additionally, applicant has include included some goods, such as gloves and bags, that are not actually “headwear.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01.  Applicant may substitute the following wording, if accurate:

 

Class 8 –

Knife bags

 

Class 9 –

Diving gloves

 

Class 10 –

Ice bags for medical purposes

 

Class 16 –

Freezer bags

 

Class 18 –

Gym bags

 

Class 21 –

Dust gloves

 

Class 24 –

Bath gloves

 

Class 25 –

Cap peaks; Cap visors; Caps being headwear; Caps with visors; Athletic apparel, namely, shirts, pants, jackets, footwear, hats and caps, athletic uniforms; Baseball caps; Baseball caps and hats; Bathing caps; Bucket caps; Coifs; Cycling caps; Do rags for use as headwear; Garrison caps; Golf caps; Headwear, namely, caps, hats, head scarves; Helmet liners being headwear; Knitted caps; Knot caps; Knotted caps; Shower caps; Skull caps; Sports caps and hats; Stocking caps; Swim caps; Swimming caps; Swimming caps; Toboggan hats, pants and caps; Toe caps; Tuques

 

Class 28 –

Swimming gloves

 

Applicant’s goods and/or services may be clarified or limited, but may not be expanded beyond those originally itemized in the application or as acceptably amended.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.71(a); TMEP §1402.06.  Applicant may clarify or limit the identification by inserting qualifying language or deleting items to result in a more specific identification; however, applicant may not substitute different goods and/or services or add goods and/or services not found or encompassed by those in the original application or as acceptably amended.  See TMEP §1402.06(a)-(b).  The scope of the goods and/or services sets the outer limit for any changes to the identification and is generally determined by the ordinary meaning of the wording in the identification.  TMEP §§1402.06(b), 1402.07(a)-(b).  Any acceptable changes to the goods and/or services will further limit scope, and once goods and/or services are deleted, they are not permitted to be reinserted.  TMEP §1402.07(e).

 

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.  See TMEP §1402.04.

 

Multiple-Class Application Requirements

 

The application identifies goods and/or services that are classified in at least 9 classes; however, applicant submitted a fee(s) sufficient for only 1 class(es).  In a multiple-class application, a fee for each class is required.  37 C.F.R. §2.86(a)(2), (b)(2); TMEP §§810.01, 1403.01.

 

Therefore, applicant must either (1) restrict the application to the number of classes covered by the fees already paid, or (2) submit the fees for each additional class.

 

The fee for adding classes to a TEAS Reduced Fee (RF) application is $275 per class.  See 37 C.F.R. §§2.6(a)(1)(iii), 2.23(a).  See more information regarding the requirements for maintaining the lower TEAS RF fee and, if these requirements are not satisfied, for adding classes at a higher fee using regular TEAS.

 

Entity

 

The name of an individual person appears in the section of the application intended for the trademark owner’s name; however, the legal entity is set forth as a limited liability company.  Applicant must clarify this inconsistency.  See 37 C.F.R. §§2.32(a)(2), (a)(3)(i)-(ii), 2.61(b); TMEP §803.02(a). 

 

If applicant is an individual, applicant should simply request that the legal entity be amended to “individual” and must indicate his/her country of citizenship for the record.  TMEP §803.03(a).  Alternatively, if applicant is a limited liability company, applicant must provide the correct name of the limited liability company and the U.S. state or foreign country of incorporation or organization.  TMEP §803.03(h).

 

If, in response to the above request, applicant provides information indicating that it is not the owner of the mark, registration may be refused because the application was void as filed.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.71(d); TMEP §§803.06, 1201.02(b).  An application must be filed by the party who owns or is entitled to use the mark as of the application filing date.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.71(d); TMEP §1201.02(b).

 

Signed Declaration Required

 

The application was unsigned, resulting in the application not being properly verified.  See 37 C.F.R. §§2.2(n), 2.33(a), (b)(2), 2.34(a)(2), (a)(3)(i), (a)(4)(ii), 2.193(e)(1).  Applicant must properly sign and therefore verify the application in an affidavit or signed declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20.  See 37 C.F.R. §§2.2(n), 2.33(a), (b)(2), 2.34(a)(2), (a)(3)(i), (a)(4)(ii), 2.193(e)(1); TMEP §804.02.

 

To respond to this requirement online using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) response Office action form, answer “yes” to the TEAS response form wizard question #10, and follow the instructions within the form for signing.  The TEAS online form will require two signatures:  one in the “Declaration Signature” section and one in the “Response Signature” section.  For more information about a signed declaration and required verified statement and how to provide them using TEAS, please go to http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademark/laws-regulations/verified-statement.

 

A verified statement supported by a declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20 must be signed by the applicant or a person properly authorized to sign on behalf of the applicant.  37 C.F.R. §2.193(e)(1); TMEP §804.04; see 37 C.F.R. §2.33(a).  A person who is properly authorized to sign on behalf of an applicant is (1) a person with legal authority to bind a juristic applicant (e.g., a corporate officer or general partner), (2) a person with firsthand knowledge of the facts and actual or implied authority to act on behalf of the applicant, and (3) an attorney who is authorized to represent the applicant and to practice before the USPTO.  37 C.F.R. §2.193(e)(1); TMEP §804.04. 

 

 

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 $125 per 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 or e-mail without incurring this additional fee.  

 

 

 

Tejbir Singh

/Tejbir Singh/

Trademark Attorney

Law Office 106

571-272-5878

571-273-9106 (fax)

Tejbir.Singh@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 1/24/2018 FOR U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 87644196

 

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 1/24/2018, using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) response form located at http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp.  A response transmitted through TEAS must be received before midnight Eastern Time of the last day of the response period.

 

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. 

 

Tejbir Singh

/Tejbir Singh/

Trademark Attorney

Law Office 106

571-272-5878

571-273-9106 (fax)

Tejbir.Singh@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.