Suspension Letter

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)

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

 

 

 

SUSPENSION NOTICE: NO RESPONSE NEEDED

 

ISSUE/MAILING DATE: 12/4/2018

 

 

The trademark examining attorney is suspending action on the application for the reason(s) stated below.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.67; TMEP §§716 et seq. 

 

The effective filing date of the pending application(s) identified below precedes the filing date of applicant’s application.  If the mark in the referenced application(s) registers, applicant’s mark may be refused registration under Section 2(d) because of a likelihood of confusion with that registered mark(s).  See 15 U.S.C. §1052(d); 37 C.F.R. §2.83; TMEP §§1208 et seq.  Therefore, action on this application is suspended until the earlier-filed referenced application(s) is either registered or abandoned.  37 C.F.R. §2.83(c).  A copy of information relevant to this referenced application(s) was sent previously.

 

            - Application Serial No(s). 87299924

 

 

FOREIGN REGISTRATION:  Applicant is required to provide a true copy, a photocopy, a certification, or a certified copy of a foreign registration from applicant’s country of origin that will be in force at the time the United States registration issues.  15 U.S.C. §1126(e); 37 C.F.R. §2.34(a)(3)(ii)-(iii); In re Societe D’Exploitation de la Marque Le Fouquet’s, 67 USPQ2d 1784, 1788-89 (TTAB 2003); TMEP §§1003.04(a)-(b), 1004.01, 1004.01(a).  Action on this application is suspended until the USPTO receives a copy of such foreign registration or proof of its renewal.  TMEP §§716.02(b), 1003.04(a)-(b), 1004.01(a).  If the foreign registration or renewal document is not in English, applicant must provide an English translation.  37 C.F.R. §2.34(a)(3)(ii)-(iii); TMEP §1004.01(b).  Further, applicant should notify the trademark examining attorney in the event that the foreign application abandons or the foreign registration is not renewed.  See TMEP §§1003.08, 1004.01(a).  In such case, applicant may amend the application to rely on another basis, if appropriate, and will retain the priority filing date, if applicable.  TMEP §§1003.08, 1004.01(a).

 

REFUSAL(S)/REQUIREMENT(S) CONTINUED AND MAINTAINED:  The following refusal(s)/requirement(s) is/are continued and maintained:

 

-          Section 2(d) Refusal – Likelihood of Confusion

-          Indefinite Identification of Goods – Indefinite & Scope  

 

 

POTENTIAL NEW REFUSAL:  The trademark examining attorney notes that the mark that was the subject of U.S. Ser. No. 87299932 has now matured to registration (U.S. Reg. No. 5527431).  Upon the final disposition of U.S. Ser. No. 87299924, the trademark examining attorney notes that the application may be additionally refused under Section 2(d) of the Trademark Act for a likelihood of confusion with a registered mark(s).

 

SUMMARY OF ISSUES:

• Section 2(d) Refusal – Likelihood of Confusion
• Prior-filed application (and potential 2d refusal based on U.S. Reg. No. 5527431) –  see above
• Identification of Goods – Indefinite & Scope

 

SECTION 2(d) REFUSAL – LIKELIHOOD OF CONFUSION

 

The trademark examining attorney maintains the refusal to register the applied-for mark because of a likelihood of confusion with the mark in U.S. Registration No. 2583240.  Trademark Act Section 2(d), 15 U.S.C. §1052(d); see TMEP §§1207.01 et seq.  Please reference the registration made of record in the Office Action dated May 1, 2018.

 

Trademark Act Section 2(d) bars registration of an applied-for mark that is so similar to a registered mark that it is likely consumers would be confused, mistaken, or deceived as to the commercial source of the goods and/or services of the parties.  See 15 U.S.C. §1052(d).  Likelihood of confusion is determined on a case-by-case basis by applying the factors set forth in In re E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d 1357, 1361, 177 USPQ 563, 567 (C.C.P.A. 1973) (called the “du Pont factors”).  In re i.am.symbolic, llc, 866 F.3d 1315, 1322, 123 USPQ2d 1744, 1747 (Fed. Cir. 2017).  Only those factors that are “relevant and of record” need be considered.  M2 Software, Inc. v. M2 Commc’ns, Inc., 450 F.3d 1378, 1382, 78 USPQ2d 1944, 1947 (Fed. Cir. 2006) (citing Shen Mfg. Co. v. Ritz Hotel Ltd., 393 F.3d 1238, 1241, 73 USPQ2d 1350, 1353 (Fed. Cir. 2004)); see In re Inn at St. John’s, LLC, 126 USPQ2d 1742, 1744 (TTAB 2018). 

 

Although not all du Pont factors may be relevant, there are generally two key considerations in any likelihood of confusion analysis:  (1) the similarities between the compared marks and (2) the relatedness of the compared goods and/or services.  See In re i.am.symbolic, llc, 866 F.3d at 1322, 123 USPQ2d at 1747 (quoting Herbko Int’l, Inc. v. Kappa Books, Inc., 308 F.3d 1156, 1164-65, 64 USPQ2d 1375, 1380 (Fed. Cir. 2002)); Federated Foods, Inc. v. Fort Howard Paper Co.,544 F.2d 1098, 1103, 192 USPQ 24, 29 (C.C.P.A. 1976) (“The fundamental inquiry mandated by [Section] 2(d) goes to the cumulative effect of differences in the essential characteristics of the goods [or services] and differences in the marks.”); TMEP §1207.01.

 

 

Marks are Identical

 

In a likelihood of confusion determination, the marks in their entireties are compared for similarities in appearance, sound, connotation, and commercial impression.  In re i.am.symbolic, llc, 866 F.3d 1315, 1323, 123 USPQ2d 1744, 1748 (Fed. Cir. 2017); Stone Lion Capital Partners, LP v. Lion Capital LLP, 746 F.3d 1317, 1321, 110 USPQ2d 1157, 1160 (Fed. Cir. 2014) (quoting Palm Bay Imps., Inc. v. Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Maison Fondee En 1772, 396 F.3d 1369, 1371, 73 USPQ2d 1689, 1691 (Fed. Cir. 2005)); In re E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d 1357, 1361, 177 USPQ 563, 567 (C.C.P.A. 1973); TMEP §1207.01(b)-(b)(v). 

 

In the present case, applicant’s mark is "PARASITE EVE" and registrant’s mark is "PARASITE EVE".  These marks are identical in appearance, sound, and meaning, “and have the potential to be used . . . in exactly the same manner.”  In re i.am.symbolic, llc, 116 USPQ2d 1406, 1411 (TTAB 2015), aff’d, 866 F.3d 1315, 123 USPQ2d 1744 (Fed. Cir. 2017).  Additionally, because they are identical, these marks are likely to engender the same connotation and overall commercial impression when considered in connection with applicant’s and registrant’s respective goods and/or services.  Id.

 

Therefore, the trademark examining attorney maintains that the marks are confusingly similar. 

 

In its response to the Office Action, applicant has not submitted any arguments refuting the identical nature of the respective marks.  Please reference applicant's response to the Office Action dated October 30, 2018.

 

 

Goods are Related

 

The goods and/or services are compared to determine whether they are similar, commercially related, or travel in the same trade channels.  See Coach Servs., Inc. v. Triumph Learning LLC, 668 F.3d 1356, 1369-71, 101 USPQ2d 1713, 1722-23 (Fed. Cir. 2012); Herbko Int’l, Inc. v. Kappa Books, Inc., 308 F.3d 1156, 1165, 64 USPQ2d 1375, 1381 (Fed. Cir. 2002); TMEP §§1207.01, 1207.01(a)(vi).  The compared goods and/or services need not be identical or even competitive to find a likelihood of confusion.  See On-line Careline Inc. v. Am. Online Inc., 229 F.3d 1080, 1086, 56 USPQ2d 1471, 1475 (Fed. Cir. 2000); Recot, Inc. v. Becton, 214 F.3d 1322, 1329, 54 USPQ2d 1894, 1898 (Fed. Cir. 2000); TMEP §1207.01(a)(i).  They need only be “related in some manner and/or if the circumstances surrounding their marketing are such that they could give rise to the mistaken belief that [the goods and/or services] emanate from the same source.”  Coach Servs., Inc. v. Triumph Learning LLC, 668 F.3d 1356, 1369, 101 USPQ2d 1713, 1722 (Fed. Cir. 2012) (quoting 7-Eleven Inc. v. Wechsler, 83 USPQ2d 1715, 1724 (TTAB 2007)); TMEP §1207.01(a)(i).

 

In its response to the Office Action, applicant submits that it has amended the identification of goods to obviate the likelihood of confusion based on the registered mark.  Please reference applicant's response to the Office Action dated October 30, 2018.  The trademark examining attorney has considered applicant's arguments and found the foregoing unpersuasive. 

 

The trademark examining attorney maintains that the respective goods, as amended and at least in part, are still related to the goods identified in the cited registration.  As amended, applicant provides computer game software, video recordings featuring a number of genres, various game goods, related printed materials and the like that still are related to the computer game programs and video computer game programs identified by the registrant.   Therefore, the trademark examining attorney maintains that applicant's and registrant's goods and/or services are considered related for likelihood of confusion purposes.

 

The trademark examining attorney reserves the right to more fully address applicant's arguments if a final Office Action issues in this ex parte examination. 

 

Based on the foregoing, a likelihood of confusion exists between applicant's mark and the cited registration(s) and the trademark examining attorney maintains the refusal to register the applied-for under Section 2(d) of the Trademark Act. 

 

 

IDENTIFICATION OF GOODS – Scope (limited to International Class 9)

 

-          Generally (applicable to Class 9 and 28)

 

Applicant must correct the punctuation in the identification to clarify the individual items in the list of goods and/or services.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01(a).  Proper punctuation in identifications is necessary to delineate explicitly each product or service within a list and to avoid ambiguity.  Commas, semicolons, and apostrophes are the only punctuation that should be used in an identification of goods and/or services.  TMEP §1402.01(a).  An applicant should not use colons, periods, exclamation points, and question marks in an identification.  Id.  In addition, applicants should not use symbols in the identification such as asterisks (*), at symbols (@), or carets.  Id.

 

In this case, applicant has appeared to place a colon in a manner that has improperly split up a particular goods description (see suggested amendment below in International Class 9).  Further, applicant has placed a "?" mark in a particular spot in the identification of goods (see suggested amendment below in International Class 28). 

 

In general, commas should be used in an identification (1) to separate a series of related items identified within a particular category of goods or services, (2) before and after “namely,” and (3) between each item in a list of goods or services following “namely” (e.g., personal care products, namely, body lotion, bar soap, shampoo).  Id.  Semicolons generally should be used to separate a series of distinct categories of goods or services within an international class (e.g., personal care products, namely, body lotion; deodorizers for pets; glass cleaners).  Id. 

 

-          Class 16

 

The trademark examining attorney maintains that the wording "music sheets" in the identification of goods for International Class 16 must be clarified because it is too broad and could include goods in other international classes.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §§1402.01, 1402.03.  In particular, this wording could encompass electronic type music sheets and the like in International Class 9 or printed music sheets in International Class 16.

 

-          Class 28

 

Particular wording in the proposed amendment to the identification is not acceptable because it exceeds the scope of the identification in the U.S. application.  See 37 C.F.R. §§2.32(a)(6), 2.71(a); TMEP §§1012, 1402.06 et seq., 1402.07.  Applicant’s goods and/or services may be clarified or limited, but may not be expanded beyond those originally itemized in the U.S. application or as acceptably amended.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.71(a); TMEP §1402.06.  Therefore, the original identification in the U.S. application, and any previously accepted amendments, remain operative for purposes of future amendment.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.71(a); TMEP §1402.07(d).

 

In this case, the U.S. application originally identified the goods and/or services as follows:  "gymnastic articles not included in other classes," in International Class 28.

 

The proposed amendment to the U.S. application identifies the following goods and/or services (where the underlined portion is the unacceptable portion):  "gymnastic and sporting articles not included in other classes, namely, . . . athletic supporters, protective supports for shoulders and elbows, sleds, weight lifting belts, athletic tape, waist trimmer exercise belts," in International Class 28. 

 

This portion of the proposed amendment is beyond the scope of the original identification because sporting articles is broader than the originally identified more narrow gymnastic articles, and it is not clear if any of the above-referenced goods listed thereafter are used as gymnastic articles.   

 

Applicant may substitute the following wording, if accurate: 

 

"Computer hardware; Computer software, namely, downloadable computer software for word processing, computer software for document and database management, for application and database integration, for producing financial models, for use as a spreadsheet, for authorizing access to databases, for creating searchable databases of information and data, for use in customer relationship management (CRM), to automate data warehousing, and for the collection, editing, organizing, modifying, book marking, transmission, storage and sharing of data and information, software that provides real-time, integrated business management intelligence by combining information from various databases and presenting it in an easy-to-understand user interface; Communications software for connecting computer network users, global computer networks, computer software for controlling self-service terminals, for administration of computer networks, for wireless content delivery, for administration of computer local area networks, for use in computer access control, for controlling and managing access server applications, for controlling and managing access server applications, for monitoring and controlling communication between computers and automated machine systems, to maintain and operate computer system, for providing access to the Internet; Computer software for processing digital images, for processing digital music files, for organizing and viewing digital images and photographs, for creating and editing music and sounds, for creating digital animation and special effects of images, for manipulating digital audio information for use in audio media applications, to enhance the audio-visual capabilities of multimedia applications, namely, for the integration of text, audio, graphics, still images and moving pictures; Computer software, namely, computer software for encryption, computer software development tools, computer operating software, computer graphics software, computer game software, computer anti-virus software, computer software for the creation of firewalls, computer software and firmware for operating system programs, computer aided design (CAD) software for general use, computer aided manufacturing (CAM) software for general use; computer peripherals; electronic data processing apparatus; computer networking and data communications equipment, namely, computer networking hardware, electronic communications systems comprised of computer hardware for the transmission of data between two points, computer network adapters, switches, routers, and hubs; Computer components and parts, namely, electronic components for computers; electronic computer memory devices; electronic control apparatus in the nature of electrical controlling devices and computer keyboard controllers; programmed-data-carrying electronic circuits; video films, namely, video recordings featuring art, music and artistic performances, entertainment, fashion, sports, culture, general human interest, film production, languages, science and technology, law electronic circuits; electric wires for communication; electrodes; telephones; aerials; batteries; micro processors; keyboards," in International 9;

 

"Paper; cardboard; printed publications and printed matter, namely, printed certificates, booklets, coupons, lectures, leaflets, paper signs, manuals, curricula, newsletters, informational cards and brochures in the fields of art, music and artistic performances, entertainment, fashion, sports, culture, general human interest, film production, languages, science and technology, law; Inking Ribbons for computer printers; bookbinding materials; books in the field of art, music and artistic performances, entertainment, fashion, sports, culture, general human interest, film production, languages, science and technology, law; adhesives for stationery or household purposes; artists' paint brushes; printed music sheets; printed music scores on sheets; periodical magazines in the field of art, music and artistic performances, entertainment, fashion, sports, culture, general human interest, film production, languages, science and technology, law; photographs; stationery and educational supplies, namely, blank note books and school supply kits containing various combinations of selected school supplies, namely, writing instruments, pens, pencils, mechanical pencils, erasers, markers, crayons, highlighter pens, folders, notebooks, paper, protractors, paper clips, pencil sharpeners, writing grips, glue for stationery or household use and book marks; typewriters; printed instructional and teaching material, except apparatus, namely in the field of art, music and artistic performances, entertainment, fashion, sports, culture, general human interest, film production, languages, science and technology, law; plastic materials, namely, bags, bubble packs and films for packaging; printing blocks," in International Class 16;

 

"Games and playthings, namely, board games, dice games, tabletop games, action target games, party games, puzzles, playing cards and card games, mechanical toys, parlor games, stuffed toys, toy construction kits, toy vehicles; ?{delete}gymnastic and sporting articles not included in other classes, namely, springboards, appliances for gymnastics, athletic supporters for use by gymnasts, protective supports for shoulders and elbows for use by gymnasts, sleds used for training purposes by gymnasts, weight lifting belts used for training purposes by gymnasts, athletic tape used by gymnasts , waist trimmer exercise belts used for training purposes by gymnasts," in International Class 28.

 

 

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.

 

 

RESPONSE GUIDELINES

 

The USPTO will periodically conduct a status check of the application to determine whether suspension remains appropriate, and the trademark examining attorney will issue as needed an inquiry letter to applicant regarding the status of the matter on which suspension is based.  TMEP §§716.04, 716.05.  Applicant will be notified when suspension is no longer appropriate.  See TMEP §716.04.

 

No response to this notice is necessary; however, if applicant wants to respond, applicant should use the “Response to Suspension Inquiry or Letter of Suspension” form online at http://teasroa.gov.uspto.report/rsi/rsi.

 

 

 

/Erin Z. Dyer/

Erin Zaskoda Dyer

Examining Attorney

Law Office 103

(571) 272-9740

erin.zaskoda@uspto.gov (preferred)

 

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 Trademark Electronic Application System (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 12/4/2018 FOR U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO.87808072

 

Please follow the instructions below:

 

(1)  TO READ THE LETTER:  Click on this link or go to http://tsdr.gov.uspto.report/, 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)  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

 

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.