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: 11/16/2018

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.

SEARCH RESULTS

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).

SPECIMEN REFUSAL

While the specimen of use does support use of the mark in relation to the services identified in the application, registration is refused because the webpage specimens in International Classes 9 and 16 are not an acceptable display associated with the goods and appears to be mere advertising material. See TMEP §904.07(a). The specimen, thus, fails to show the applied-for mark in use in commerce. Trademark Act Sections 1 and 45, 15 U.S.C. §§1051, 1127; 37 C.F.R. §2.56(a).

To be acceptable, a specimen of a webpage display must include (1) a picture or sufficient textual description of applicant’s goods that (2) shows the mark associated with the goods, and (3) a way of ordering the goods (e.g., a “shop online” or “shopping cart” button or link, an order form, or a telephone number for placing orders). TMEP §904.03(i); see In re Sones, 590 F.3d 1282, 1286-89, 93 USPQ2d 1118, 1122-24 (Fed. Cir. 2009); In re Azteca Sys., Inc., 102 USPQ2d 1955, 1957-58 (TTAB 2012). If applicant’s specimen includes a telephone number, internet address, and/or mailing address that appears only with corporate contact information, the specimen may not show sufficient means for ordering the goods. See In re Genitope Corp., 78 USPQ2d 1819, 1822 (TTAB 2006); TMEP §904.03(i)(C)(2). In that circumstance, the specimen may also need to include instructions on how to place an order or an offer to accept orders. See In re Quantum Foods, Inc., 94 USPQ2d 1375, 1379 (TTAB 2010); TMEP §904.03(i)(C)(2).

In this case, the specimen does not include a picture or sufficient textual description of applicant’s goods in that the specimens do not present displays of the actual goods identified in the application, nor do these specimens present a nexus between the alleged goods and the proposed mark. See In re Sones, 590 F.3d at 1286-89, 93 USPQ2d at 1122-24; In re Azteca Sys., Inc., 102 USPQ2d at 1957; TMEP §§904.03(i) et seq. Without this feature, the specimen is mere advertising material, which is generally not acceptable as a specimen for showing use in commerce for goods. See In re Kohr Bros., 121 USPQ2d 1793, 1794 (TTAB 2017) (quoting In re Quantum Foods, Inc., 94 USPQ2d at 1379); In re Genitope Corp., 78 USPQ2d at 1822; TMEP §904.04(b).

An application based on Trademark Act Section 1(a) must include a specimen showing the applied-for mark in use in commerce for each international class of goods identified in the application or amendment to allege use. 15 U.S.C. §1051(a)(1); 37 C.F.R. §2.56(a).

Examples of specimens for goods include tags, labels, instruction manuals, containers, photographs that show the mark on the actual goods or packaging, and displays associated with the actual goods at their point of sale. See TMEP §§904.03 et seq. As stated above, webpage displays may also be specimens for goods when they include a picture or textual description of the goods associated with the mark and the means to order the goods. TMEP §904.03(i).

Applicant may respond to this refusal by satisfying one of the following for each applicable international class:

(1) Submit a different specimen (a verified “substitute” specimen) that (a) was in actual use in commerce at least as early as the filing date of the application or prior to the filing of an amendment to allege use and (b) shows the mark in actual use in commerce for the goods identified in the application or amendment to allege use. A “verified substitute specimen” is a specimen that is accompanied by the following statement made in a signed affidavit or supported by a declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20: “The substitute (or new, or originally submitted, if appropriate) specimen(s) was/were in use in commerce at least as early as the filing date of the application or prior to the filing of the amendment to allege use.” The substitute specimen cannot be accepted without this statement.

(2) Amend the filing basis to intent to use under Section 1(b), for which no specimen is required. This option will later necessitate additional fee(s) and filing requirements such as providing a specimen.

For an overview of both response options referenced above and instructions on how to satisfy either option online using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) form, please go to the Specimen webpage.

IDENTIFICATION OF GOODS AND SERVICES

The wording of the identification of goods/services is indefinite and must be clarified. See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01. Specifically, the applicant must indicate the with more specificity the goods and/or services in order to properly classify the goods and services. Furthermore, the wording identifies goods and services in several different international classes. Accordingly, the applicant may substitute the following wording, if accurate. Please note, the suggested amended wording and/or information for creating an acceptable identification appears in bold font.

Pre-recorded video discs, video recording and video tapes in the fields automotive, power sports, marine and home finance, insurance and warranties (International Class 9)

Printed materials, namely, written articles in the fields of automotive, power sports, marine and home finance, insurance and warranties (International Class 16)

Educational services, namely, providing {indicate form of educational activity, e.g., classes, seminars, workshops} in the fields of automotive, power sports, marine and home finance, insurance and warranties (International Class 41)

The applicant should note that the above suggested identification of goods and services is acceptable as written. Any alteration may render it unacceptable. Accordingly, if the applicant wishes to amend the goods and services differently, or if the applicant has any questions or needs assistance in responding to this Office action, please telephone the assigned examining attorney.

Please further note that, while an application may be amended to clarify or limit the identification, additions to the identification are not permitted. 37 C.F.R. Section 2.71(a); TMEP § 1402.06. Therefore, the applicant may not amend to include any goods and services that are not within the scope of goods and services set forth in the original identification.

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.

CLASSIFICATION

Some of the goods and services are classified incorrectly. The applicant must classify the goods and services as specified above. Proper classification of goods and services and services is a purely administrative matter within the sole discretion of the USPTO. See In re Faucher Indus. Inc., 107 USPQ2d 1355, 1357 (TTAB 2013) (quoting In re Tee-Pak, Inc., 164 USPQ 88, 89 (TTAB 1969)).

MULTI-CLASS APPLICATION

The application identifies goods and services that are classified in at least three classes; however, applicant submitted a fee sufficient for only one class. 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.

In a multiple-class application based on use in commerce, a specimen is required for each class specified in the identification of goods and/or services. 37 C.F.R. §2.86(a)(3); TMEP §§904.01(b), 1403.01. Therefore, if applicant amends the application to add international classes, applicant must submit a specimen showing use of the mark for each added class. In addition, applicant must submit the following statement, verified with an affidavit or signed declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20: “The specimen was in use in commerce at least as early as the filing date of the application.” 37 C.F.R. §2.59(a); TMEP §904.05; see 37 C.F.R. §2.193(e)(1).

If the additional specimen is identical to the specimen submitted with the application, and the application was properly verified, the verified statement is not necessary. Further, if a single specimen supports multiple classes, applicant should indicate which classes the specimen supports rather than providing multiple copies of the same specimen. TMEP §§904.01(b), 1403.01; see 37 C.F.R. §2.59(a).

The application identifies goods and/or services in multiple international classes; however, the dates of use apply to fewer than all the classes identified. A multiple-class application based on use in commerce must include dates of use for each class in the application. 37 C.F.R. §2.86(a)(3); TMEP §1403.01.

Therefore, applicant must provide dates of first use and use in commerce for each class of goods and/or services. If the dates differ from those of record, then applicant must verify the new dates with an affidavit or signed declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20. 37 C.F.R. §2.71(c); TMEP §903.04; see 37 C.F.R. §2.193(e)(1).

Applicant must list the goods and/or services by international class. TMEP §§801.01(b), 1403.01.

RESPONSE GUIDELINES

For this application to proceed, applicant must explicitly address each refusal and/or requirement in this Office action. For a refusal, applicant may provide written arguments and evidence against the refusal, and may have other response options if specified above. For a requirement, applicant should set forth the changes or statements. Please see “Responding to Office Actions” and the informational video “Response to Office Action” for more information and tips on responding.

Please call or email the assigned trademark examining attorney with questions about this Office action. Although the trademark examining attorney cannot provide legal advice or statements about applicant’s rights, the trademark examining attorney can provide applicant with additional explanation about the refusal(s) and/or requirement(s) in this Office action. See TMEP §§705.02, 709.06. Although the USPTO does not accept emails as responses to Office actions, emails can be used for informal communications and will be included in the application record. See 37 C.F.R. §§2.62(c), 2.191; TMEP §§304.01-.02, 709.04-.05.

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.

/Geoffrey Fosdick/

Trademark Attorney

Law Office 111

U.S. Patent & Trademark Office

571 272 9161

geoffrey.fosdick@uspto.gov

TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER: Go to http://www.uspto.gov/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.uspto.gov/. 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.uspto.gov/trademarks/process/status/.

TO UPDATE CORRESPONDENCE/E-MAIL ADDRESS: Use the TEAS form at http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/correspondence.jsp.

To:	EFG Intellectual Properties, LLC (tm@sughrue.com)
Subject:	U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 88058095 - L.O.V.E. LEARNING OPPS THROUGH - S23761
Sent:	11/16/2018 1:00:39 PM
Sent As:	ECOM111@USPTO.GOV
Attachments: