UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)
OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) ABOUT APPLICANT’S TRADEMARK APPLICATION
U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 88079905
MARK: BRATZ
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CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS: |
CLICK HERE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER: http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp
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APPLICANT: MGA ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
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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.
SECTION 2(d) REFUSAL – LIKELIHOOD OF CONFUSION
Here, the applicant’s mark is BRATZ for “entertainment services provided via a global computer network featuring videos highlighting product trivia, product information and stories featuring animated fictional characters,” and the registrant’s marks are:
· BRAT US Registration No. 5533951 for “Education and entertainment services in the nature of visual and audio performances, namely, ongoing webisodes and web stream programs regarding variety, drama, comedy, children's entertainment, and topics of general interest broadcast via an online communications network; education and entertainment services in the nature of visual and audio performances, namely, ongoing webisodes and web stream programs regarding variety, drama, comedy, children's entertainment, and topics of general interest broadcast via video media; entertainment services in the nature of recording, production, and distribution of videos in the field of variety, drama, comedy, children's entertainment, and topics of general interest;” and
· BRAT US Registration No. 5533952 for “Education and entertainment services in the nature of visual and audio performances, namely, ongoing webisodes and web stream programs regarding variety, drama, comedy, children's entertainment, and topics of general interest broadcast via an online communications network; education and entertainment services in the nature of visual and audio performances, namely, ongoing webisodes and web stream programs regarding variety, drama, comedy, children's entertainment, and topics of general interest broadcast via video media; entertainment services in the nature of recording, production, and distribution of videos in the field of variety, drama, comedy, children's entertainment, and topics of general interest.”
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.
Comparison of the Goods/Services
Here, the applicant's services are closely related to the registrant’s services as discussed further below.
In this case, the registrant use(s) broad wording to describe its services, which presumably encompasses all goods and/or services of the type described, including applicant’s more narrow services identification. See, e.g., In re Solid State Design Inc., 125 USPQ2d 1409, 1412-15 (TTAB 2018); Sw. Mgmt., Inc. v. Ocinomled, Ltd., 115 USPQ2d 1007, 1025 (TTAB 2015). Thus, applicant’s and registrant’s services are legally identical. See, e.g., In re i.am.symbolic, llc, 127 USPQ2d 1627, 1629 (TTAB 2018) (citing Tuxedo Monopoly, Inc. v.Gen. Mills Fun Grp., Inc., 648 F.2d 1335, 1336, 209 USPQ 986, 988 (C.C.P.A. 1981); Inter IKEA Sys. B.V. v. Akea, LLC, 110 USPQ2d 1734, 1745 (TTAB 2014); Baseball Am. Inc. v. Powerplay Sports Ltd., 71 USPQ2d 1844, 1847 n.9 (TTAB 2004)).
Additionally, the goods and/or services of the parties have no restrictions as to nature, type, channels of trade, or classes of purchasers and are “presumed to travel in the same channels of trade to the same class of purchasers.” In re Viterra Inc., 671 F.3d 1358, 1362, 101 USPQ2d 1905, 1908 (Fed. Cir. 2012) (quoting Hewlett-Packard Co. v. Packard Press, Inc., 281 F.3d 1261, 1268, 62 USPQ2d 1001, 1005 (Fed. Cir. 2002)). Thus, applicant’s and registrant’s goods and/or services are related.
Consequently, upon encountering applicant’s mark used in connection with applicant’s services, and registrant’s mark used in connection with registrant’s services, consumers are likely to be confused and mistakenly believe that the respective services emanate from a common source.
Comparison of the Marks
Marks are compared in their entireties for similarities in appearance, sound, connotation, and commercial impression. 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)); TMEP §1207.01(b)-(b)(v). “Similarity in any one of these elements may be sufficient to find the marks confusingly similar.” In re Inn at St. John’s, LLC, 126 USPQ2d 1742, 1746 (TTAB 2018) (citing In re Davia, 110 USPQ2d 1810, 1812 (TTAB 2014)); TMEP §1207.01(b).
Here, the applicant's standard character mark BRATZ is confusingly similar to the registrant’s marks BRAT as discussed further below.
In the present case, applicant’s mark and registrant’s mark contain the nearly identical wording BRATZ and BRAT which is similar in appearance, sound, and overall commercial impression. While applicant’s mark uses the term “BRATZ” and registrant’s mark uses “BRAT,” this difference in appearance does not avoid the similarity between the applied-for mark and registrant’s marks because these words convey a similar meaning. See http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brat and http://www.wordhippo.com/what-is/the-plural-of/brat.html (defining brat an ill-mannered child or person and showing that bratz is an intentional misspelling of the plural form of brat).
Moreover, while applicant’s mark is in standard characters and registrant’s mark in US Registration No. 5533951 is in stylized or design text, this difference does not obviate the similarities between the marks. A mark in typed or standard characters may be displayed in any lettering style; the rights reside in the wording or other literal element and not in any particular display or rendition. See In re Viterra Inc., 671 F.3d 1358, 1363, 101 USPQ2d 1905, 1909 (Fed. Cir. 2012); In re Mighty Leaf Tea, 601 F.3d 1342, 1348, 94 USPQ2d 1257, 1260 (Fed. Cir. 2010); 37 C.F.R. §2.52(a); TMEP §1207.01(c)(iii). Thus, applicant mark could be presented in stylized characters and/or with a design element identical to that of registrant’s mark.
Further, where the goods and/or services of an applicant and registrant are “similar in kind and/or closely related,” the degree of similarity between the marks required to support a finding of likelihood of confusion is not as great as in the case of diverse goods and/or services. In re J.M. Originals Inc., 6 USPQ2d 1393, 1394 (TTAB 1987); see Shen Mfg. Co. v. Ritz Hotel Ltd., 393 F.3d 1238, 1242, 73 USPQ2d 1350, 1354 (Fed. Cir. 2004); TMEP §1207.01(b). Accordingly, as in this case, where applicant and registrant offer highly similar goods/services, the degree of similarity between the marks required to support a finding of likelihood of confusion is reduced
For these reasons, when consumers encounter the parties' goods and/or services using marks with these similarities, they are likely to be confused as to the source of the goods and/or services. Therefore, the marks are confusingly similar.
Because the marks are confusingly similar and the services are closely related, consumers are likely to be confused as to the source of the services. Thus, registration is refused pursuant to Trademark Act Section 2(d).
RESPONSE TO REFUSAL
Although the applicant's mark has been refused registration, the applicant may respond to the refusal by submitting evidence and offering argument against the refusal and in support of registration.
REQUIREMENTS
If the applicant responds to the refusal, then the applicant also must respond to the below requirements.
IDENTIFICATION OF GOODS AND/OR SERVICES AMENDMENT REQUIRED
Therefore, the applicant may adopt the following identification of goods and/or services, if accurate:
Class 41: Entertainment services, namely, providing
non-downloadable videos in the field of {indicate field or subject matter of videos e.g. product trivia, product
information and stories featuring animated fictional characters} via a global computer network
Class 42: Providing a website allowing users to download videos highlighting product trivia,
product information and stories featuring animated fictional characters
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.
CLARIFICATION OF THE NUMBER OF CLASSES FOR WHICH REGISTRATION IS SOUGHT REQUIRED
The applicant has identified goods and/or services that could be classified in at least 2 classes. However, the applicant submitted a fee sufficient for only 1 classes. Applicant must either submit the filing fees for the classes not covered by the submitted fees or restrict the application to the number of classes covered by the fees already paid.
MULTIPLE-CLASS APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS ADVISORY
(1) List the goods and/or services by their international class number in consecutive numerical order, starting with the lowest numbered class (for example, International Class 3: perfume; International Class 18: cosmetic bags sold empty).
(2) Submit a filing fee for each international class not covered by the fee(s) already paid (view the USPTO’s current fee schedule). Specifically, the application identifies goods and/or services based on use in commerce that are classified in at least 2 classes; however, applicant submitted a fee(s) sufficient for only 1 class(es). Applicant must either (a) submit the filing fees for the classes not covered by the submitted fees or (b) restrict the application to the number of classes covered by the fees already paid.
(3) Submit verified dates of first use of the mark anywhere and in commerce for each international class. See more information about verified dates of use.
(4) Submit a specimen for each international class. The current specimen is acceptable for class(es) 41; and applicant needs a specimen for class(es) 42. See more information about specimens.
Examples of specimens for goods include tags, labels, instruction manuals, containers, and photographs that show the mark on the actual goods or packaging, or displays associated with the actual goods at their point of sale. Webpages 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.
Examples of specimens for services include advertising and marketing materials, brochures, photographs of business signage and billboards, and website printouts that show the mark used in the actual sale, rendering, or advertising of the services.
(5) Submit a verified statement that “The specimen was in use in commerce on or in connection with the goods and/or services listed in the application at least as early as the filing date of the application.” See more information about verification.
See 15 U.S.C. §§1051(a), 1112; 37 C.F.R. §§2.32(a)(6)-(7), 2.34(a)(1), 2.86(a); TMEP §§904, 1403.01, 1403.02(c).
The fee for adding classes to a regular TEAS application is $400 per class when the fee is paid using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS). See 37 C.F.R. §2.6(a)(1)(ii); TMEP §§810, 1403.02(c).
See an overview of the requirements for a Section 1(a) multiple-class application and how to satisfy the requirements online using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) form.
RESPONSE GUIDELINES
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.
/Karen S. Derby/
Karen S. Derby
Examining Attorney
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Law Office 123
Karen.Derby@uspto.gov
571.270.7070
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.