| To: | JT International SA (mailroom@bskb.com) |
| Subject: | U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 88002662 - MACDONALD - 3545-0373US1 |
| Sent: | 10/9/2018 11:29:28 AM |
| Sent As: | ECOM101@USPTO.GOV |
| Attachments: | Attachment - 1 Attachment - 2 Attachment - 3 Attachment - 4 Attachment - 5 Attachment - 6 Attachment - 7 Attachment - 8 Attachment - 9 |
UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)
OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) ABOUT APPLICANT’S TRADEMARK APPLICATION
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U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 88002662
MARK: MACDONALD
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CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS: BIRCH, STEWART, KOLASCH & BIRCH, LLP |
CLICK HERE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER: http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp
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APPLICANT: JT International SA
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CORRESPONDENT’S REFERENCE/DOCKET NO: CORRESPONDENT E-MAIL ADDRESS: |
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OFFICE ACTION
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: 10/9/2018
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.
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.
SECTION 2(e)(4) PRIMARILY MERELY A SURNAME – REFUSAL
Registration is refused because the applied-for QUINN'S mark is primarily merely a surname. Trademark Act Section 2(e)(4), 15 U.S.C. §1052(e)(4); see TMEP §1211.
“The test for determining whether a mark is primarily merely a surname is the primary significance of the mark as a whole to the purchasing public.” In re Integrated Embedded, 120 USPQ2d 1504, 1505 (TTAB 2016) (quoting In re Hutchinson Tech. Inc., 852 F.2d 552, 554, 7 USPQ2d 1490, 1492 (Fed. Cir. 1988)); see In re Kahan & Weisz Jewelry Mfg. Corp., 508 F.2d 831, 832, 184 USPQ 421, 422 (C.C.P.A. 1975); TMEP §1211.01.
The following five inquiries are often used to determine the public’s perception of a term’s primary significance:
(1) Whether the surname is rare;
(2) Whether anyone connected with applicant uses the term as a surname;
(3) Whether the term has any recognized meaning other than as a surname;
(4) Whether the term has the structure and pronunciation of a surname; and
(5) Whether the term is sufficiently stylized to remove its primary significance from that of a surname.
In re Eximius Coffee, LLC, 120 USPQ2d 1276, 1278 & n.2, 1282-83 (TTAB 2016) (citing In re Benthin Mgmt. GmbH, 37 USPQ2d 1332, 1333-34 (TTAB 1995) for the Benthin inquiries/factors); TMEP §1211.01; see also In re Etablissements Darty et Fils, 759 F.2d 15, 16-18, 225 USPQ 652, 653 (Fed. Cir. 1985).
These inquiries are not exclusive, and any of these circumstances – singly or in combination – and any other relevant circumstances may be considered when making this determination. In re Eximius Coffee, LLC, 120 USPQ2d at 1277-78; TMEP §1211.01. For example, when the applied-for mark is not stylized, it is unnecessary to consider the fifth inquiry. In re Yeley, 85 USPQ2d 1150, 1151 (TTAB 2007); TMEP §1211.01.
First, Applicant’s MACDONALD mark is primarily merely a surname. Please see the attached evidence from Lexis, establishing the surname significance of MACDONALD. This evidence shows the applied-for mark appearing 66640 times 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.
Second, Applicant’s MACDONALD mark is primarily merely a surname because it does not appear to have any significant recognized meaning other than a surname. Evidence that a term has no recognized meaning or significance other than as a surname is relevant to determining whether the term would be perceived as primarily merely a surname. See In re Eximius Coffee, LLC, 120 USPQ2d 1276, 1280 (TTAB 2016); In re Petrin Corp., 231 USPQ 902, 903 (TTAB 1986); TMEP §1211.02(b)(vi). The attached evidence from the American Heritage Dictionary shows that the term QUINN does not appear in the dictionary. See http://ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=MACDONALD. Thus, the term MACDONALD appears to have no recognized meaning or significance other than as a surname.
Third, Applicant’s MACDONALD mark is primarily merely a surname because it has the look and feel of a surname. Evidence that a term has the structure and pronunciation of a surname may contribute to a finding that the primary significance of the term is that of a surname. In re Eximius Coffee, LLC, 120 USPQ2d 1276, 1280 (TTAB 2016); see In re Giger, 78 USPQ2d 1405, 1409 (TTAB 2006); In re Gregory, 70 USPQ2d 1792, 1796 (TTAB 2004); TMEP §1211.01(a)(vi). The attached evidence shows that the term MACDONALD has the look and feel of a surname because it resembles other similar looking and sounding surnames, such as MacDowell and MacDaniel. See www.familytreedna.com; http://www.houseofnames.com/macdaniel-family-crest. Because the term MACDONALD looks and sounds like other similar surnames, it is primarily merely a surname.
Further, Applicant’s MACDONALD mark is primarily merely a surname because it does not contain distinctive designs or stylization. Adding a non-distinctive design element or letter stylization to a term that is primarily merely a surname does not change the surname significance of the term. The primary significance of such a mark would still be that of a surname. TMEP §1211.01(b)(ii); see In re Pickett Hotel Co., 229 USPQ 760, 763 (TTAB 1986) (holding PICKETT a surname despite use of stylized lettering); cf. In re Benthin Mgmt. GmbH, 37 USPQ2d 1332, 1333-34 (TTAB 1995). Because the minor stylization in this case is not sufficient to alter the primarily merely a surname character of the mark, Applicant’s mark is primarily merely a surname.
Because Applicant’s mark is primarily merely a surname, it must be refused registration pursuant to Section 2(e)(4) of the Trademark Act. To overcome this refusal, Applicant may consider the option below.
SEARCH OF OFFICE’S DATABASE OF MARKS
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).
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.
Robert Clark
/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.
Search: Public Records : Surname
Terms: last-name(MACDONALD) maxresults(500)
Total number found: 66640
No. Name Address Phone
1. MACDONALD, A 30 1ST
MC GILL, NV 89318 775-815-4344
2. MACDONALD, A 151 E 3800 N
PROVO, UT 84604-4591 909-242-3095
3. MACDONALD, A A 59 AVERY HILL
LEDYARD, CT 06339-1202 203-464-8706
4. MACDONALD, A DENNIS NORTH N
PEABODY, MA 01960 978-531-1548
5. MACDONALD, A 2001 FALLS BLVD
QUINCY, MA 02169-8207 617-479-0339
6. MACDONALD, A 16 FELTON ST
HUDSON, MA 01749-2114 978-562-2501
7. MACDONALD, A 43 GREELEY CIR
ARLINGTON, MA 02474-1601 781-641-2271
8. MACDONALD, A 12 LONG LAKE
LITTLETON, MA 01460-1640 978-808-2342
9. MACDONALD, A 45 SLATER RD
SALISBURY, CT 06068-1212 860-435-2653
10. MACDONALD, A 224 TIMBER VIEW
FREDERICK, MD 21702-5508 240-344-2026
11. MACDONALD, A 635 WEDGE DR
NAPLES, FL 34103-4428 239-403-3540
12. MACDONALD, A ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL 32701 407-263-4251
13. MACDONALD, A BANGOR, ME 04401 207-852-8867
14. MACDONALD, A BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90210 310-614-2199
15. MACDONALD, A BLACK CREEK, WI 54106 920-427-1889
16. MACDONALD, A BUDD LAKE, NJ 07828 201-317-2222
17. MACDONALD, A CHICOPEE, MA 01013 413-210-8278
18. MACDONALD, A DEDHAM, MA 02026 781-801-9520
19. MACDONALD, A ELIZABETH, NJ 07201 908-267-4446
20. MACDONALD, A FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33325 954-851-5568
21. MACDONALD, A INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46278 317-590-4665
22. MACDONALD, A KNOB NOSTER, MO 65336 660-233-3313
23. MACDONALD, A LANDING, NJ 07850 973-601-3726
24. MACDONALD, A LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11101 347-447-2081
25. MACDONALD, A MANCHESTER, ME 04351 207-441-0527
26. MACDONALD, A MILLBURY, MA 01527 508-353-3089
27. MACDONALD, A MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55415 651-283-6299
28. MACDONALD, A NEW LONDON, CT 06320 860-460-1847
29. MACDONALD, A OREM, UT 84057 801-404-7087
30. MACDONALD, A PEAKS ISLAND, ME 04108 207-939-5563
31. MACDONALD, A PONTIAC, MI 48340 248-622-3047
32. MACDONALD, A ROSSMOYNE, OH 45236 513-607-5174
33. MACDONALD, A WEST ROXBURY, MA 02132 617-947-5477
34. MACDONALD, A WOBURN, MA 01801 978-408-8647
35. MACDONALD, AARON C 117 DIAMOND PT
ANDERSON, SC 29625-5723 864-260-9517
36. MACDONALD, AARON 2339 EXPRESSO
STOCKTON, CA 95210-6755 209-951-7220
37. MACDONALD, AARON SHAWN 105 PINE
HOMOSASSA, FL 34446-5201 207-944-3401
38. MACDONALD, AARON H 234 E SARATOGA
FERNDALE, MI 48220-2827 248-542-7370
39. MACDONALD, ABBIE NORCROSS, GA 30071 678-234-4927
40. MACDONALD, ABBY 667
EUREKA, CA 95501 707-616-6585
41. MACDONALD, ABBY 1025 LORING
MERRITT ISLAND, FL 32953-2553 321-431-0370
42. MACDONALD, ADAM 1415 140TH NE APT 26
BELLEVUE, WA 98005-4556 206-383-5688
43. MACDONALD, ADAM P 1160 BELLAIRE ST
BROOMFIELD, CO 80020-1439 303-665-2009
44. MACDONALD, ADAM 64 CARMICHAEL APT A
PRESQUE ISLE, ME 04769-3231 207-764-6245
45. MACDONALD, ADAM 1317 COOLIDGE
AMES, IA 50010-5169 920-470-0220
46. MACDONALD, ADAM F 74 ESSEX APT
SALEM, MA 01970-5225 508-839-3283
47. MACDONALD, ADAM 1205 FAUSSETT RD
HOWELL, MI 48855-7205 517-618-7157
48. MACDONALD, ADAM 3 OXBOW
NATICK, MA 01760-3107 508-314-1651
49. MACDONALD, ADAM 735 SUNSET HLS
MIDDLEVILLE, MI 49333-8282 269-795-5388
50. MACDONALD, ADAM CORNELL, CA 91301 818-651-4904
51. MACDONALD, ADELL PO BOX 373
OCEANSIDE, OR 97134-0373 503-842-4813
52. MACDONALD, ADRIAN 1415 ALBANY
UTICA, NY 13501-4233 315-735-9053
53. MACDONALD, ADRIANNA 6810 PATRIOT
VAN BUREN TWP, MI 48111-4260 313-929-7708
54. MACDONALD, AFTON 13669 AGNES
SOUTHGATE, MI 48195-1842 313-320-4435
55. MACDONALD, AGNES 8 GREENSIDE
SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901-1527 415-299-7441
56. MACDONALD, AGNES E 2900 MAPLE APT 23C
DOWNERS GROVE, IL 60515-4141 630-606-1499
57. MACDONALD, AIMEE KIRKLAND, WA 98104 206-852-9297
58. MACDONALD, AINSLEY 827 CHANDLER RD
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT 05001-9599 802-295-7624
59. MACDONALD, AKHEITUAME 5503 SILVER CANYON LN
ROSHARON, TX 77583-2148 281-993-4143
60. MACDONALD, ALAN SCOT 20 E 76TH APT
NEW YORK, NY 10021-2643 212-348-6425
61. MACDONALD, ALAN R 47 COTTONWOOD
ABSAROKEE, MT 59001-6211 406-489-0954
62. MACDONALD, ALAN 6779 DAWSON
MADEIRA, OH 45243-2419 502-228-9443
63. MACDONALD, ALAN 13605 EBAUGH
STEWARTSTOWN, PA 17363-8606 443-506-5437
64. MACDONALD, ALAN JOHN PO BOX 362
MILL VALLEY, CA 94942-0362 415-381-2870
65. MACDONALD, ALAN 839 SPRING
ARCATA, CA 95521-6026 530-945-3478
66. MACDONALD, ALAN CATONSVILLE, MD 21228 443-474-6446
67. MACDONALD, ALAN OLATHE, KS 66062 913-549-6025
68. MACDONALD, ALANA ELIZABETH 14 REDWOOD TRACK
OCALA, FL 34472-1981 518-488-1326
69. MACDONALD, ALBERT P 1130 N 14TH
DEKALB, IL 60115-2526 847-884-5914
70. MACDONALD, ALBERT J 408 RAVENSCLIFF
MEDIA, PA 19063-1457 610-399-0394
71. MACDONALD, ALBERT J 408 RAVENSCLIFF
MEDIA, PA 19063-1457 610-399-0394
72. MACDONALD, ALBERT 20 VIDAL APT 1
EAST FALMOUTH, MA 02536-5362 508-789-1101
73. MACDONALD, ALDON 3813 SIMMONS CREEK
FLOWER MOUND, TX 75022-5497 214-255-4287
74. MACDONALD, ALEC 8 CAROUSEL
LONDONDERRY, NH 03053-6129 603-203-5775
75. MACDONALD, ALEC 1207 RIVERCREST
NEW BRAUNFELS, TX 78130-3435 817-485-3147
76. MACDONALD, ALEC ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87107 505-304-0282
77. MACDONALD, ALEC ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87109 505-480-0313
78. MACDONALD, ALEX 1456 63RD S
FARGO, ND 58104-7679 701-590-1098
79. MACDONALD, ALEX 532 WHEELER
EXCELSIOR, MN 55331-3245 952-201-8061
80. MACDONALD, ALEX RENO, NV 89501 775-240-5125
81. MACDONALD, ALEXA 747 PHILLIPS HILL
COVENTRY, RI 02816-4711 401-499-9060
82. MACDONALD, ALEXA CHESTERFIELD, MO 63005 636-579-2102
83. MACDONALD, ALEXA DAVIS, CA 95616 530-204-8709
84. MACDONALD, ALEXA FORT LUPTON, CO 80621 303-506-9352
85. MACDONALD, ALEXA MILWAUKEE, WI 53208 414-841-4574
86. MACDONALD, ALEXA NANTUCKET, MA 02554 508-332-0618
87. MACDONALD, ALEXA WORCESTER, MA 01609 508-873-4392
88. MACDONALD, ALEXANDER M 28 N 4TH ST
LEMOYNE, PA 17043-1604 717-303-0484
89. MACDONALD, ALEXANDER N 14 SEVEN OAKS LN
EWING, NJ 08628-1617 609-406-9327
90. MACDONALD, ALEXANDRA 68 N 800 W
LINDON, UT 84042-1728 626-825-5503
91. MACDONALD, ALEXANDRA L 341 MAQUAN
HANSON, MA 02341-1713 781-294-4138
92. MACDONALD, ALEXI FRESH MEADOWS, NY 11365 917-704-2345
93. MACDONALD, ALFRE 515 E 28TH
HIALEAH, FL 33013-3643 786-925-3308
94. MACDONALD, ALFRED D 1405 SHERWOOD RD
LINDEN, NJ 07036-6014 908-486-3870
95. MACDONALD, ALFREDO 515 E 28TH
HIALEAH, FL 33013-3643 305-458-1058
96. MACDONALD, ALFREDO 6501 SW 38TH
MIAMI, FL 33155-4855 305-484-4821
97. MACDONALD, ALI 19 COLT
ADAIRSVILLE, GA 30103-3084 770-324-4852
98. MACDONALD, ALICE 813 INLAND
MCKINNEY, TX 75072-3825 469-667-2213
99. MACDONALD, ALICE 4612 N STREET
MARCELLUS, NY 13108-9734 315-673-1279
100. MACDONALD, ALICE DAWN 424 WHITEWING
MINNEOLA, FL 34715-9239 407-469-9015
Search: Public Records: Surname
Terms: last-name(MACDONALD) maxresults(500)
Date/Time: Tuesday, October 09, 2018 9:12 AM
Permissible Use: DPPA - I have no permissible use
GLBA - I have no permissible use
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