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

 

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.

 

Search of Office Records

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).

 

Registration Refused – Mark is Primarily Merely a 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. 

 

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 LEXISNEXIS, establishing the surname significance of FITZPATRICK.  This evidence shows the applied-for mark appearing 52, 270 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.

Moreover, presentation of a surname in its plural or possessive form, e.g., FITZPATRICK’S, does not diminish its surname significance.  TMEP §1211.01(b)(v); see, e.g., In re Bed & Bars Ltd., 122 USPQ2d 1546, 1551 (TTAB 2017); In re Binion, 93 USPQ2d 1531, 1537 (TTAB 2009).

 

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). ____ 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).  However, please note that a mark in an application under Trademark Act Section 1(b) 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 filed.  37 C.F.R. §§2.47(d), 2.75(b); TMEP §§815.02, 1102.03.  When a Section 1(b) application is successfully amended to the Supplemental Register, the application effective filing date will be the date applicant met the minimum filing requirements under 37 C.F.R. §2.76(c) for the amendment to allege use.  TMEP §§816.02, 1102.03; see 37 C.F.R. §2.75(b).

 

Although the trademark examining attorney has refused registration, applicant may choose to respond to the refusal to register by submitting arguments and evidence in support of registration.

 

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.

 

 

 

/Renee McCray/

Trademark Examining Attorney

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Law Office 111

571.272.9388

renee.mccray@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(FITZPATRICK) maxresults(500)

 

Total number found: 57270
No.	Name	Address	Phone
1.	FITZPATRICK, A	507 1/2 E 10TH MICHIGAN CITY, IN 46360-3609	219-210-5848
2.	FITZPATRICK, A	3038 S 8TH KANSAS CITY, KS 66103-2608	913-236-6363
3.	FITZPATRICK, A	24762 FITZPATRICK WARSAW, MO 65355-3848	660-287-0439
4.	FITZPATRICK, A	216 S HENDERSON STUTTGART, AR 72160-4150	870-830-4117
5.	FITZPATRICK, A	3422 N JANSSEN CHICAGO, IL 60657-1322	773-220-5905
6.	FITZPATRICK, A	1 JUNEBERRY WESTFORD, MA 01886-4064	305-973-6038
7.	FITZPATRICK, A	911 MONROEVILLE RD MULLICA HILL, NJ 08062-4519	856-478-4432
8.	FITZPATRICK, A	2030 NEVADA TOLEDO, OH 43605-2811	419-870-8547
9.	FITZPATRICK, A	2058 NEVADA TOLEDO, OH 43605-2811	419-870-8547
10.	FITZPATRICK, A	27690 PARKVIEW APT 503 WARREN, MI 48092-3625	313-247-5682
11.	FITZPATRICK, A	800 W QUEEN CREEK CHANDLER, AZ 85248-3300	480-406-1057
12.	FITZPATRICK, A	SERENITY RUBY, NY 12475	914-336-6063
13.	FITZPATRICK, A	6 SHEFFIELD NORTH PROVIDENCE, RI 02911-3315	401-354-8440
14.	FITZPATRICK, A	439 VICKS LANDING APOPKA, FL 32712-1809	904-521-9029
15.	FITZPATRICK, A	ADELPHIA, NJ 07710	732-685-5595
16.	FITZPATRICK, A	ATLANTA, GA 30303	470-514-5434
17.	FITZPATRICK, A	BALTIMORE, MD 21202	443-939-5167
18.	FITZPATRICK, A	BOHEMIA, NY 11716	516-304-5082
19.	FITZPATRICK, A	BOSTON, MA 02108	857-333-2118
20.	FITZPATRICK, A	CHICAGO, IL 60601	312-618-2029
21.	FITZPATRICK, A	COLUMBUS, GA 31901	706-393-6751
22.	FITZPATRICK, A	CORAOPOLIS, PA 15108	412-474-3209
23.	FITZPATRICK, A	COVINGTON, KY 41011	859-609-7200
24.	FITZPATRICK, A	EASTPOINTE, MI 48021	586-404-8066
25.	FITZPATRICK, A	FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28301	910-273-5740
26.	FITZPATRICK, A	FLAT ROCK, MI 48134	734-558-0452
27.	FITZPATRICK, A	FOND DU LAC, WI 54937	920-238-5018
28.	FITZPATRICK, A	FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33317	954-513-5208
29.	FITZPATRICK, A	GILBERT, AZ 85233	602-999-7850
30.	FITZPATRICK, A	HARRISBURG, PA 17101	717-319-2054
31.	FITZPATRICK, A	HARRISBURG, PA 17104	717-265-5121
32.	FITZPATRICK, A	HOBOKEN, NJ 07030	201-737-2918
33.	FITZPATRICK, A	HOLLYWOOD, FL 33023	954-210-0899
34.	FITZPATRICK, A	JERSEY CITY, NJ 07097	201-736-1810
35.	FITZPATRICK, A	JERSEY CITY, NJ 07608	201-736-1810
36.	FITZPATRICK, A	LA JOLLA, CA 92037	858-361-8210
37.	FITZPATRICK, A	LAWRENCE, MA 01840	978-387-5361
38.	FITZPATRICK, A	LAWRENCEBURG, KY 40342	502-859-0200
39.	FITZPATRICK, A	LINCOLN PARK, NJ 07035	862-226-9271
40.	FITZPATRICK, A	MIDDLETOWN, NY 10940	845-467-5959
41.	FITZPATRICK, A	MILFORD SQUARE, PA 18935	267-371-3489
42.	FITZPATRICK, A	MILWAUKEE, WI 53202	414-312-1901
43.	FITZPATRICK, A	MOUNT CLEMENS, MI 48043	586-549-7521
44.	FITZPATRICK, A	NORCROSS, GA 30071	678-531-8684
45.	FITZPATRICK, A	NORWALK, CT 06851	203-354-9701
46.	FITZPATRICK, A	OAKDALE, WI 54649	608-567-9217
47.	FITZPATRICK, A	OLATHE, KS 66062	913-660-3246
48.	FITZPATRICK, A	PALATINE, IL 60067	630-439-4502
49.	FITZPATRICK, A	PENSACOLA, FL 32501	850-291-9014
50.	FITZPATRICK, A	SAINT LOUIS, MO 63105	314-584-9514
51.	FITZPATRICK, A	SAN ANTONIO, TX 78216	210-416-0709
52.	FITZPATRICK, A	SAN DIEGO, CA 92117	858-277-6827
53.	FITZPATRICK, A	TAHUYA, WA 98588	360-275-8511
54.	FITZPATRICK, A	TAMPA, FL 33619	813-446-2844
55.	FITZPATRICK, A	THAXTON, VA 24174	540-875-9877
56.	FITZPATRICK, A	WARRENSBURG, MO 64093	660-624-0591
57.	FITZPATRICK, A	WEST SACRAMENTO, CA 95605	916-217-0066
58.	FITZPATRICK, AARON	2602 W 11TH PUEBLO, CO 81003-1172	719-369-1982
59.	FITZPATRICK, AARON	810 FAIRFIELD WESTMORELAND, TN 37186-5305	615-717-7083
60.	FITZPATRICK, AARON	108 PIANKATANK TURN YORKTOWN, VA 23693-2734	757-766-8077
61.	FITZPATRICK, AARON	412 REDROCK ANTIOCH, CA 94509-6977	925-787-2774
62.	FITZPATRICK, ABE	12 BROADVIEW NORWALK, CT 06851-3917	469-358-4803
63.	FITZPATRICK, ADA	1250 SE 55TH PORTLAND, OR 97215-2662	503-544-6659
64.	FITZPATRICK, ADAM W	1415 580TH STORM LAKE, IA 50588-7312	712-732-4158
65.	FITZPATRICK, ADAM S	22980 SW RIGGS BEAVERTON, OR 97078-8456	503-360-8403
66.	FITZPATRICK, ADAM P	20 SAINT ANDREWS GREENVILLE, SC 29607-5515	864-281-7982
67.	FITZPATRICK, ADAM J	20 SCENIC VIEW POUGHQUAG, NY 12570-5758	845-227-5342
68.	FITZPATRICK, ADAM D	5 STEARNS LN BILLERICA, MA 01821-3517	978-667-0836
69.	FITZPATRICK, ADELLE LARII	51A MOUNT CLARE ASHEVILLE, NC 28801-1812	615-403-2914
70.	FITZPATRICK, ADRIENNE L	478 GREEN SPRING WINTER SPRINGS, FL 32708-3026	407-542-4165
71.	FITZPATRICK, AGNES L	PO BOX 227 YULAN, NY 12792-0227	914-557-6529
72.	FITZPATRICK, AILEEN P	3399 NORTH APT MCS 1243 POUGHKEEPSIE, NY 12601-1350	631-880-8006
73.	FITZPATRICK, AL	60 TIDY ISLAND BLVD BRADENTON, FL 34210-3302	941-405-4310
74.	FITZPATRICK, AL	NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ 08817	732-619-3134
75.	FITZPATRICK, AL	NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ 08901	732-619-3134
76.	FITZPATRICK, ALA	WHEELING, WV 26003	304-312-8262
77.	FITZPATRICK, ALANA	4819 RIM SANTA BARBARA, CA 93105-9745	805-729-2400
78.	FITZPATRICK, ALB	PHOENIX, AZ 85003	623-229-1294
79.	FITZPATRICK, ALBERT M	9 SHEPLEY AUBURN, ME 04210-4786	630-627-2117
80.	FITZPATRICK, ALE	3038 S 8TH KANSAS CITY, KS 66103-2608	913-236-6363
81.	FITZPATRICK, ALE	OLATHE, KS 66062	913-660-3246
82.	FITZPATRICK, ALEXA DANIELLE	2004 S SALCEDO NEW ORLEANS, LA 70125-3644	318-272-4675
83.	FITZPATRICK, ALEXANDER J	1340 CAMBRIDGE OSHKOSH, WI 54902-6224	920-410-4238
84.	FITZPATRICK, ALEXIS	1225 PICASSO SUNNYVALE, CA 94087-2862	408-888-9111
85.	FITZPATRICK, ALF	18819 N ROSELAKE TOMBALL, TX 77377-3530	713-515-9851
86.	FITZPATRICK, ALI	1526 ESTATE NORMAL, IL 61761-5721	832-287-7066
87.	FITZPATRICK, ALI	9140 HIGHWAY 6 N APT 1121 HOUSTON, TX 77095-2493	414-467-0106
88.	FITZPATRICK, ALI	ANGOLA, IN 46703	260-668-1553
89.	FITZPATRICK, ALI	QUINCY, MA 02171	617-842-1111
90.	FITZPATRICK, ALICE	2329 NE GINGER JENSEN BEACH, FL 34957-6729	561-229-6031
91.	FITZPATRICK, ALICE	4790 MIDLANE DR HILLIARD, OH 43026-1637	614-876-4704
92.	FITZPATRICK, ALICE	2710 ORCHID KISSIMMEE, FL 34744-3016	321-437-3556
93.	FITZPATRICK, ALICE MARIE	3246 SALEM SE APT ALBANY, OR 97321-4345	541-967-9760
94.	FITZPATRICK, ALICIA	1327 E 16TH LOVELAND, CO 80538-4101	970-988-1071
95.	FITZPATRICK, ALICIA	8718 COBBLER TAMPA, FL 33615-1543	813-239-7036
96.	FITZPATRICK, ALICIA A	620 DECATUR SANDUSKY, OH 44870-2445	419-621-9134
97.	FITZPATRICK, ALLAN	6200 N LEADER AVE CHICAGO, IL 60646-4808	773-763-7601
98.	FITZPATRICK, ALLEN	906 TROTWOOD APT C40 COLUMBIA, TN 38401-3086	931-505-0318
99.	FITZPATRICK, ALLEN D	150 S WATER APT 11 BOONE, NC 28607-4063	803-325-4665
100.	FITZPATRICK, ALLISON	27 SPRUCE ST MALONE, NY 12953-2104	518-319-4013

 

Search:	Public Records: Surname
Terms:	last-name(FITZPATRICK) maxresults(500)
Date/Time:	Wednesday, October 03, 2018 2:45 PM
Permissible Use:	DPPA - I have no permissible use GLBA - I have no permissible use

 

 

 

 

 

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING YOUR

U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION

 

USPTO OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) HAS ISSUED

ON 10/5/2018 FOR U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 88049706

 

Please follow the instructions below:

 

(1)  TO READ THE LETTER:  Click on this link or go to http://tsdr.uspto.gov,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)  TIMELY RESPONSE IS REQUIRED:  Please carefully review the Office action to determine (1) how to respond, and (2) the applicable response time period.  Your response deadline will be calculated from 10/5/2018 (or sooner if specified in the Office action).  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.  For information regarding response time periods, see http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/process/status/responsetime.jsp.

 

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.  Instead, the USPTO recommends that you respond online using the TEAS response form located at http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp.

 

(3)  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

 

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.