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: 10/5/2018

 

Introduction:

 

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:

 

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).

 

SUMMARY OF ISSUES:

 

• Surname Refusal;
• Identification of goods.

 

Surname Refusal:

 

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. 

 

An applicant’s mark is primarily merely a surname if the surname “‘is the primary significance of the mark as a whole to the purchasing public.’”  Earnhardt v. Kerry Earnhardt, Inc., 864 F.3d 1374, 1377, 123 USPQ2d 1411, 1413 (Fed. Cir. 2017) (quoting In re Hutchinson Tech. Inc., 852 F.2d 552, 554, 7 USPQ2d 1490, 1492 (Fed. Cir. 1988)); 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.

 

Please see the attached evidence from Lexis, establishing the surname significance of ARMSTRONG.  This evidence shows the applied-for mark appearing over 190000 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.  Additionally included are registrations from the Office database showing the name ARMSTRONG registered under 2(f) or on the Supplemental Register.

 

Although applicant’s mark has been refused registration, applicant may respond to the refusal(s) by submitting evidence and arguments in support of registration.

 

A mark deemed primarily merely a surname may be registered on the Principal Register under Trademark Act Section 2(f) based on a claim of acquired distinctiveness.  See 15 U.S.C. §1052(f); 37 C.F.R. §2.41(a); TMEP §§1211, 1212.  Applicant may respond by asserting a claim of acquired distinctiveness based on one or more of the following:

 

(1)       Prior Registrations:  Applicant may claim ownership of one or more active prior registrations on the Principal Register of the same mark for goods and/or services that are sufficiently similar to those named in the pending application.  37 C.F.R. §2.41(a)(1); TMEP §§1212, 1212.04.  Applicant may do so by submitting the following statement, if accurate:  “The mark has become distinctive of the goods and/or services as evidenced by the ownership of active U.S. Registration No(s). (list number) on the Principal Register for the same mark for sufficiently similar goods and/or services.”  TMEP §1212.04(e).

 

(2)       Five Years’ Use:  Applicant may 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).

 

(3)       Other Evidence:  Applicant may submit other evidence of acquired distinctiveness, with the following statement, if accurate:  “The evidence shows that the mark has become distinctive of the goods and/or services.”  37 C.F.R. §2.41(a)(3); TMEP §1212.06.  Such additional evidence may include “advertising expenditures, sales success, length and exclusivity of use, unsolicited media coverage, and consumer studies (linking the name to a source).”  In re Change Wind Corp., 123 USPQ2d 1453, 1467 (TTAB 2017) (quoting In re Steelbuilding.com, 415 F.3d 1293, 1300, 75 USPQ2d 1420, 1424 (Fed. Cir. 2005)). 

 

If applicant cannot satisfy one of the above, applicant may respond by amending the application to seek registration on the Supplemental Register.  See 15 U.S.C. §1091; 37 C.F.R. §§2.47, 2.75(a).

 

Other Informalities:

If the applicant chooses to respond to the refusal to register, the applicant must also respond to the following informalities.

Identification of Goods:

 

The identification of goods is indefinite and must be clarified because further information is required.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01. 

 

Applicant may adopt the following identification, if accurate: 

 

International Class 11:

 

Night lights, namely, Electric night lights and Battery-operated night lights.

 

For assistance regarding an acceptable listing of goods and/or services, please see the on-line searchable Manual of Acceptable Identifications of Goods and Services, at http://www.gov.uspto.report/web/offices/tac/doc/gsmanual/.

 

Recitation and Identification Amendment Advisory:

 

Please note that, while the identification of goods/services may be amended to clarify or limit the goods/services, adding to the goods/services or broadening the scope of the goods/services is not permitted.  37 C.F.R. §2.71(a); TMEP §1402.06.  Therefore, applicant may not amend the identification to include goods/services that are not within the scope of the goods/services set forth in the present identification/recitation.

 

Questions:

 

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.

 

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.  

 

 

 

/LDA/

Lourdes Ayala, Attorney at Law

Law Office 106

Telephone Number 571-272-9316

Lourdes.Ayala@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(armstrong) maxresults(500)

Total number found: 191132 

No.      Name                                                     Address                                                            Phone

 

1 .        ARMSTRONG, A                                       1002 140TH ST E

TACOMA, WA 98445-2732 

253-537-1475 

 

2.        ARMSTRONG, A                                       9940 AGENA

EL PASO, TX 79924-5008 

915-740-5404 

 

3 .        ARMSTRONG, A                                       8855 S BLACKSTONE CHICAGO, IL 60619-7104 

708-642-4185 

 

4 .        ARMSTRONG, A                                       20 CHANNEL CTR BOSTON, MA 02210-3402 

713-417-4788 

 

5 .        ARMSTRONG, A                                       225 COGGINS APT 192 PLEASANT HILL, CA 94523-4493 

813-817-5827 

 

6 .        ARMSTRONG, A                                       1512 DEER CREEK DESOTO, TX 75115-3697 

214-707-4253 

 

7 .        ARMSTRONG, A                                       2632 DOWNING PARK SE CONYERS, GA 30094-2036 

770-369-1420 

 

8 .        ARMSTRONG, A                                       8208 GARNET SW TACOMA, WA 98498-6242 

253-389-6202 

 

9 .        ARMSTRONG, A                                       GREEN RIVER CORONA, CA 92880 

951-582-0278 

 

10 .      ARMSTRONG, A                                       143 HILARY

CHARLOTTE, NC 28217-5109 

704-345-2479 

 

11 .      ARMSTRONG, A                                       422 W JACKSON

UNION CITY, TN 38261-4930 

731-885-9967 

 

12 .      ARMSTRONG, A                                       11736 LOST TREE

NORTH PALM BEACH, FL 33408-2913 

973-723-9801 

 

13 .      ARMSTRONG, A                                       1575 MCLELLAN

FELTON, CA 95018-9512 

831-345-1650 

 

14 .      ARMSTRONG, A                                       6365 E OHIO

DENVER, CO 80224-1488 

303-359-8052 

 

15 .      ARMSTRONG, A                                       1310 SANCHEZ LN BLOOMFIELD, NM 87413-9790 

505-632-3365 

 

16 .      ARMSTRONG, A                                       3031 SILVER SPRING KATY, TX 77449-4618 

713-277-5447 

Page 2 of 5

 

Total number found: 191132 

 

No.	Name	Address	Phone
17.	ARMSTRONG, A	ALAMEDA, CA 94501	510-355-5326
18.	ARMSTRONG, A M	ATLANTA, GA 30329	404-634-4000
19.	ARMSTRONG, A	AUBURNDALE, FL 33823	863-604-2634
20.	ARMSTRONG, A	AUSTIN, TX 78759	512-914-0861
21.	ARMSTRONG, A	BARODA, MI 49101	269-326-2016
22.	ARMSTRONG, A	COCOA, FL 32922	321-362-1749
23.	ARMSTRONG, A	COVINGTON, GA 30014	678-760-0317
24.	ARMSTRONG, A	CUDAHY, WI 53110	414-795-6337
25.	ARMSTRONG, A	FAYETTEVILLE, AR 72701	479-313-4629
26.	ARMSTRONG, A J	GARDENA, CA 90247	310-291-2764
27.	ARMSTRONG, A	GOLDSBORO, NC 27534	919-394-5090
28.	ARMSTRONG, A	GREENSBORO, NC 27408	336-987-2243
29.	ARMSTRONG, A	HACKENSACK, NJ 07601	201-394-6804
30.	ARMSTRONG, A	HONOLULU, HI 96816	808-375-2957
31.	ARMSTRONG, A	HOPKINS, MN 55343	651-414-1052
32.	ARMSTRONG, A	HOUSTON, TX 77055	936-697-3599
33.	ARMSTRONG, A	JACKSBORO, TX 76458	940-229-2802
34.	ARMSTRONG, A	JEFFERSONTOWN, KY 40299	502-594-7434
35.	ARMSTRONG, A	KENNETT SQUARE, PA 19348	610-335-6630
36.	ARMSTRONG, A	MADISON, WI 53705	608-443-8248
37.	ARMSTRONG, A	MANCHESTER, CT 06040	860-281-8764
38.	ARMSTRONG, A	MIAMI, FL 33128	786-306-0728
39.	ARMSTRONG, A	MIAMI, FL 33186	305-490-0732
40.	ARMSTRONG, A	MONROE, NC 28110	704-221-1310
41.	ARMSTRONG, A	MONROE, NC 28173	704-221-1310
42.	ARMSTRONG, A	NASHVILLE, TN 37211	615-403-7022

Page 3 of 5

 

Total number found: 191132 

 

No.	Name	Address	Phone
43.	ARMSTRONG, A	NASHVILLE, TN 37211	615-753-2730
44.	ARMSTRONG, A	NEW YORK, NY 10010	646-552-1622
45.	ARMSTRONG, A	NEWARK, OH 43130	740-973-5578
46.	ARMSTRONG, A	NORFOLK, VA 23501	757-747-2767
47.	ARMSTRONG, A	NORFOLK, VA 23501	757-747-9145
48.	ARMSTRONG, A	NORFOLK, VA 23502	757-747-9145
49.	ARMSTRONG, A	NORFOLK, VA 23708	757-747-9145
50.	ARMSTRONG, A	OAKLAND, CA 94607	510-472-6439
51.	ARMSTRONG, A	OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73109	405-651-7755
52.	ARMSTRONG, A	ORLANDO, FL 32801	407-914-4369
53.	ARMSTRONG, A	SAINT PAUL, MN 55121	952-688-1639
54.	ARMSTRONG, A	SANTA FE SPRINGS, CA 90670	323-592-8270
55.	ARMSTRONG, A	SHELBYVILLE, IN 46176	317-392-4010
56.	ARMSTRONG, A	VACAVILLE, CA 95688	707-624-5053
57.	ARMSTRONG, A	WEST VALLEY CITY, UT 84120	801-548-7127
58.	ARMSTRONG, A	WYNNE, AR 72396	870-208-7601
59.	ARMSTRONG, AARON	400 HANOVER MANCHESTER, NH 03104-5033	603-289-9934
60.	ARMSTRONG, AARON	404 HANOVER 1WEST MANCHESTER, NH 03104-5033	603-289-9934
61.	ARMSTRONG, AARON K	182 W JENNINGS CENTERVILLE, UT 84014-1147	801-299-1245
62.	ARMSTRONG, AARON K	182 W JENNINGS CENTERVILLE, UT 84014-1147	801-299-1245
63.	ARMSTRONG, AARON	534 KARI CT SHELTON, WA 98584-1324	360-427-8687
64.	ARMSTRONG, AARON	120 MORNINGSIDE ELKVIEW, WV 25071-9377	304-633-8252
65.	ARMSTRONG, AARON	60 N YELLOWSTONE HWY RIGBY, ID 83442-5656	208-745-7232

Page 4 of 5

 

Total number found: 191132 

 

No.   66.    67.    68.    69.    70.	Name ARMSTRONG, AARON ARMSTRONG, AARON ARMSTRONG, AARON ARMSTRONG, AARON ARMSTRONG, AARRON C	Address BENICIA, CA 94510 DENISON, TX 75020 KIRKWOOD, MO 63122 MENLO PARK, CA 94025 8141 PARK HAVEN RD	Phone   707-712-1298    903-337-7779    314-401-8215    650-644-8928    443-503-8435
		DUNDALK, MD 21222-3462
71.	ARMSTRONG, AARY	6516 OSLER SAN DIEGO, CA 92111-5414	858-945-7850
72.	ARMSTRONG, ABBEY	493 S PERRY APT 11 OREGON, WI 53575-3215	608-345-1092
73.	ARMSTRONG, ABRAHAM	1043 PEGASUS LAFAYETTE, CO 80026-2703	510-206-9983
74.	ARMSTRONG, ACRES	DULUTH, MN 55802	218-310-4143
75.	ARMSTRONG, ADAIR	PO BOX 1375 NEWARK, CA 94560-6375	510-796-9131
76.	ARMSTRONG, ADAM WHITNEY	5337 CEDAR LAKE APT BOYNTON BEACH, FL 33437-3056	561-369-1221
77.	ARMSTRONG, ADAM	128 CEDAR RIDGE NEWINGTON, CT 06111-2063	860-268-5708
78.	ARMSTRONG, ADAM	9425 GEMINI INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46229-1271	317-748-7001
79.	ARMSTRONG, ADAM	1361 HARRIS ST STATE COLLEGE, PA 16803-3022	814-237-2034
80.	ARMSTRONG, ADAM R	353 IRONHILL TRCE WOODSTOCK, GA 30189-6758	770-928-6493
81.	ARMSTRONG, ADAM W	182 W JENNINGS CENTERVILLE, UT 84014-1147	801-299-1245
82.	ARMSTRONG, ADAM	1306 JOHNSTONE BATAVIA, IL 60510-9312	773-593-4039
83.	ARMSTRONG, ADAM C	1617 E MAIN APT L103 PUYALLUP, WA 98372-6789	253-770-3265
84.	ARMSTRONG, ADAM R	450 MILL BROOKLYN, MI 49230-9409	517-536-8349
85.	ARMSTRONG, ADAM	3744 NORTH OAKS LAKE ORION, MI 48359-1481	248-535-1951

Page 5 of 5

 

Total number found: 191132 

No.      Name                                                     Address                                                            Phone

 

86.	ARMSTRONG, ADAM	405 PEACH ORCHARD OAKWOOD, OH 45419-2647	937-231-0887
87.	ARMSTRONG, ADAM	1417 STAGECOACH RICHARDSON, TX 75080-5720	469-487-4847
88.	ARMSTRONG, ADDIE	112 PEDEN RD FOUNTAIN INN, SC 29644-9743	864-862-3623
89.	ARMSTRONG, ADDIE	PO BOX 1973 GEORGETOWN, SC 29442-1973	843-240-8792
90.	ARMSTRONG, ADDIS	682 AFFIRMED WHITSETT, NC 27377-8705	919-268-5699
91.	ARMSTRONG, ADDISON	682 AFFIRMED WHITSETT, NC 27377-8705	919-268-5699
92.	ARMSTRONG, ADDISON	17 CANAL WESTPORT, CT 06880-2420	203-912-6675
93.	ARMSTRONG, ADDISON	SOUTHERN PINES, NC 28387	910-638-7080
94.	ARMSTRONG, ADRIENNE C	5200 5200 VINTNER DR 102-4 RICHMOND, VA 23234	713-865-6339
95.	ARMSTRONG, AGGIE	9099 STILLWATER BRADFORD, OH 45308-9623	937-448-2960
96.	ARMSTRONG, AIMEE	926 NW 96TH SEATTLE, WA 98117-2243	206-769-1355
97.	ARMSTRONG, AIMEE	YORK, PA 17404	717-758-1739
98.	ARMSTRONG, AIR C	ORLANDO, FL 32801	407-760-9346
99.	ARMSTRONG, AISHA	6835 N DARIEN APT 4 MILWAUKEE, WI 53209-2437	414-247-3780
100.	ARMSTRONG, AKEEM	40 E 95TH APT 1F BROOKLYN, NY 11212-3013	347-335-5241

 

Search:                     Public Records: Surname

Terms:                      last-name(armstrong) maxresults(500) Date/Time:                Thursday, October 04, 2018 4:14 PM