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: 1/21/2019

 

The referenced application has been reviewed by the assigned trademark examining attorney.  Applicant must respond timely and completely to the issues below.  15 U.S.C. §1062(b); 37 C.F.R. §§2.62(a), 2.65(a); TMEP §§711, 718.03.

 

SUMMARY OF ISSUES:

• Section 2(d) – Likelihood of Confusion
• Unacceptable Specimen of Use
• Identification and Classification of Services
• Multi-Class Application Requirements
• Complete Mark Description Required
• Additional Fee Required – Loss of TEAS Plus

 

 

Registration Refused – Section 2(d) Likelihood of Confusion

 

Registration of the applied-for mark is refused because of a likelihood of confusion with the marks in U.S. Registration Nos. 2723551, 4230122, 4867215.  Trademark Act Section 2(d), 15 U.S.C. §1052(d); see TMEP §§1207.01 et seq.  See the attached registrations (“Exhibit A”).

 

The applied-for mark is “PLUS” with design for “On-line retail store services featuring business consultation services in the field of business formation, commercial registered agent services, business records management, public document search and filing, and remote notarization of documents.; Retail store services featuring business consultation services in the field of business formation, commercial registered agent services, business records management, public document search and filing, and remote notarization of documents.; Mobile retail store services featuring business consultation services in the field of business formation, commercial registered agent services, business records management, public document search and filing, and remote notarization of documents” in International Class 35.

 

The registered mark in U.S. Registration No. 2723551 is “PLUS” with design for, inter alia, “Retail store services in the fields of packaging and mailing supplies, stamps, stationery, office products, and balloons; document reproduction services, secretarial and business support services, namely, secretarial and business clerical services; arranging for tax preparation and consultation services” in International Class 35 and “Notary public services” in International Class 42.

 

The registered mark in U.S. Registration No. 4230122 is “PLUS” in stylized form for, inter alia, “Business management and administration services, namely, the provision of assistance to physicians, medical groups and other healthcare providers in the management and administration of an accountable care organization; Business data analysis services, namely, collection, aggregation, analysis and reporting of comprehensive, patient-centered health and healthcare data for use in assessing practice management, clinical performance, product performance, health outcomes, economics and quality of care” in International Class 35. The applicant should note that the registered mark is in its grace period for filing the §8 or §71 affidavit or §9 renewal application.

 

The registered mark in U.S. Registration No. 4867215 is “PLUS” in standard characters for, inter alia, “New business venture development and formation consulting services” in International Class 35 and “Incubation services, namely, providing financing to freelancers, start-ups, existing businesses and non-profits; Venture capital advisory services; Venture capital financing” in International Class 36.

 

In this case, the following factors are the most relevant: similarity of the marks, similarity and nature of the services, and similarity of the trade channels of the services.  See In re Viterra Inc., 671 F.3d 1358, 1361-62, 101 USPQ2d 1905, 1908 (Fed. Cir. 2012); TMEP §§1207.01 et seq.

 

Comparison of 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); 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); TMEP §1207.01(b).

 

In this instance, the wording in the applied-for mark “PLUS” is identical to the wording in the registered marks “PLUS”. This wording is identical in appearance, sound, and meaning, “and have the potential to be used . . . in exactly the same manner.”  In re i.am.symbolic, llc, 116 USPQ2d 1406, 1411 (TTAB 2015), aff’d, 866 F.3d 1315, 123 USPQ2d 1744 (Fed. Cir. 2017).  Additionally, because the wording is identical, these marks are likely to engender the same connotation and overall commercial impression when considered in connection with applicant’s and registrants’ respective services.  Id.

 

The inclusion of a design element in the applied-for mark and stylization and design elements in U.S. Registration Nos. 2723551 and 4230122 does not obviate the likelihood of confusion between the marks. When evaluating a composite mark consisting of words and a design, the word portion is normally accorded greater weight because it is likely to make a greater impression upon purchasers, be remembered by them, and be used by them to refer to or request the services.  In re Aquitaine Wine USA, LLC, 126 USPQ2d 1181, 1184 (TTAB 2018); TMEP §1207.01(c)(ii).  Thus, although marks must be compared in their entireties, the word portion is often considered the dominant feature and is accorded greater weight in determining whether marks are confusingly similar. 

 

Based on the foregoing, the applied-for mark and registered marks are sufficiently similar to find a likelihood of confusion.

 

Comparison of Services

The compared services need not be identical or even competitive to find a likelihood of confusion.  See On-line Careline Inc. v. Am. Online Inc., 229 F.3d 1080, 1086, 56 USPQ2d 1471, 1475 (Fed. Cir. 2000); TMEP §1207.01(a)(i).  Instead, the respective services need only be “related in some manner and/or if the circumstances surrounding their marketing are such that they could give rise to the mistaken belief that [the services] emanate from the same source.”  7-Eleven Inc. v. Wechsler, 83 USPQ2d 1715, 1724 (TTAB 2007); TMEP §1207.01(a)(i).

 

The determination of likelihood of confusion is based on the description of the services in the application and registration at issue, not on extrinsic evidence of actual use.  See Stone Lion Capital Partners, LP v. Lion Capital LLP, 746 F.3d 1317, 1323, 110 USPQ2d 1157, 1162 (Fed. Cir. 2014).  Broad and unrestricted identifications are presumed to encompass all services of the type described. See, e.g., In re Solid State Design Inc., 125 USPQ2d 1409, 1412-15 (TTAB 2018).

 

Here, the applicant uses broad, vague wording to describe its services, such as “Retail store services featuring business consultation services in the field of business formation, commercial registered agent services, business records management, public document search and filing, and remote notarization of documents”. This wording is presumed to encompass all services of the type described, such as retail store services, business consultation services in the field of business formation, and public notary services.

 

Accordingly, the services of the applicant would encompass the services of the registrants, including new business formation consulting services, business management services provided to physicians and medical groups, retail store services featuring packaging and mailing supplies, and notary public services. Moreover, the 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).

 

Therefore, the services of the applicant and registrants are considered related for likelihood of confusion purposes.  See, e.g., In re Davey Prods. Pty Ltd., 92 USPQ2d 1198, 1202-04 (TTAB 2009).

 

Conclusion

Because the applicant’s applied-for mark and the registered marks are similar and the services are related, registration is refused for a likelihood of confusion under Section 2(d).

 

Applicant should note the following additional ground for refusal.

 

 

Registration Refused – Unacceptable Specimen of Use

 

Registration is refused because the specimen in International Class 35 is merely an in-color rendering of the applied-for mark with additional wording, and thus fails to show the applied-for mark in use in commerce with the services for each international class.  Trademark Act Sections 1 and 45, 15 U.S.C. §§1051, 1127; 37 C.F.R. §§2.34(a)(1)(iv), 2.56(a); In re Chica, 84 USPQ2d 1845, 1848 (TTAB 2007); TMEP §§904, 904.07(a), 1301.04(g)(i). 

 

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 services identified in the application.  15 U.S.C. §1051(a)(1); 37 C.F.R. §§2.34(a)(1)(iv), 2.56(a); TMEP §§904, 904.07(a).  Examples of specimens for services include advertising and marketing materials, brochures, photographs of business signage and billboards, and webpages that show the mark used in the actual sale, rendering, or advertising of the services.  See TMEP §1301.04(a), (h)(iv)(C).  Specimens comprising advertising and promotional materials must show a direct association between the mark and the services.  TMEP §1301.04(f)(ii).

 

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 and (b) shows the mark in actual use in commerce for the services identified in the application.  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.”  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 http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/law/specimen.jsp.

 

Although applicant’s mark has been refused registration, applicant may respond to the refusals by submitting evidence and arguments in support of registration.  However, if applicant responds to the refusals, applicant must also respond to the requirements set forth below.

 

 

Identification and Classification of Services

The identification of services is indefinite and must be clarified because it is unclear whether the applicant is providing retail store services or, instead provided business services, such as business consultation services, commercial registered agent services, or business records management.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01.  An identification for retail store services must specify the field or type of goods offered through those retail services, such as clothing. Here, the indication that the retail store services features business services makes it unclear as to whether the applicant is providing a retail store service or a business service.

 

If the applicant is providing business services, the identification of services would still be unacceptable because it is indefinite and too broad. Specifically, public document filing and search services and remote notarization of documents could encompass business assistance in the field of filing business formation documents in International Class 35 as well as public notary services in International Class 45. Accordingly, the applicant must clarify the nature of the service being rendered and classify the service in the proper international class.

 

Furthermore, the applicant must correct the punctuation in the identification to clarify the individual items in the list of services.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01(a).  Proper punctuation in identifications is necessary to delineate explicitly each product or service within a list and to avoid ambiguity.  Commas, semicolons, and apostrophes are the only punctuation that should be used in an identification of services.  TMEP §1402.01(a).  An applicant should not use colons, periods, exclamation points, and question marks in an identification.  Id.  In addition, applicants should not use symbols in the identification such as asterisks (*), at symbols (@), or carets.  Id.

 

The examining attorney has indicated below using “{ }” where the applicant must be specific. In addition, the examining attorney has bolded and underlined additions to the applicant’s original identification of services.

 

Applicant may adopt the following identification of services, if accurate:

 

Class 035:       Online retail store services featuring {specify field of goods, e.g., clothing}; Business consultation services in the field of business formation; Commercial registered agent services; Business records management; Public document filing services, namely, business assistance in the field of filing business formation documents

 

Class 045:       Remote notary public services

 

If applicant adopts the suggested amendment of the identification of services, then applicant must amend the classification to International Classes 35 and 45.  See 37 C.F.R. §§2.32(a)(7), 2.85; TMEP §§805, 1401.

 

Applicant may amend the identification to clarify or limit the services, but not to broaden or expand the services beyond those in the original application or as acceptably amended.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.71(a); TMEP §1402.06.  Generally, any deleted services may not later be reinserted.  See TMEP §1402.07(e).

 

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.

 

 

Multi-Class Application Requirements

The application references services based on use in commerce in more than one international class; therefore, applicant must satisfy all the requirements below for each international class:

 

(1)       List the 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 already paid (view the USPTO’s current fee schedule).  Specifically, the application identifies services based on use in commerce that are classified in at least two (2) classes; however, applicant submitted a fee sufficient for only one (1) class.  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 not acceptable for any international class.  See more information about specimens.

 

            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 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).

 

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.

 

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).

 

 

Complete Mark Description Required

Applicant must submit an amended description of the mark because the current one is incomplete and does not describe all the significant aspects of the mark.  37 C.F.R. §2.37; see TMEP §§808.01, 808.02.  Specifically, the mark description does not indicate that the term “PLUS” is in the mark drawing. Descriptions must be accurate and identify all the literal and design elements in the mark.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.37; TMEP §§808 et seq. 

 

The following description is suggested, if accurate:  The mark consists of the stylized term “PLUS” with a paper clip design forming the letter “P”.

 

 

Additional Fee Required – Loss of TEAS Plus

Applicant filed a TEAS Plus application that identified one or more services from the USPTO’s U.S. Acceptable Identification of Goods and Services Manual (ID Manual) that used a fill-in-the-blank format.  However, applicant inserted wording in the identification that is clearly inappropriate or unrelated to the preceding services.  At the time of filing, a TEAS Plus application must include an identification of services from the ID Manual.  TMEP §819.01(g); see 37 C.F.R §2.22(a)(8).  By inserting inappropriate wording, applicant has, in effect, failed to submit an identification from the ID Manual.  See TMEP §819.01(g). 

 

Because applicant has not satisfied all the TEAS Plus application filing requirements, applicant must submit an additional processing fee of $125 per class.  See 37 C.F.R §§2.6(a)(1)(v), 2.22(c); TMEP §819.04.  The additional fee is required even if applicant later satisfies this requirement by properly inserting appropriate wording in the identification.  TMEP §819.01(g).

 

 

Response Guidelines

For this application to proceed, applicant must explicitly address each refusal and 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.

 

Because of the legal technicalities and strict deadlines involved in the USPTO application process, applicant may wish to hire a private attorney specializing in trademark matters to represent applicant in this process and provide legal advice.  Although the undersigned trademark examining attorney is permitted to help an applicant understand the contents of an Office action as well as the application process in general, no USPTO attorney or staff is permitted to give an applicant legal advice or statements about an applicant’s legal rights.  TMEP §§705.02, 709.06. 

 

For attorney referral information, applicant may consult the American Bar Association’s Consumers’ Guide to Legal Help; an online directory of legal professionals, such as FindLaw®; or a local telephone directory.  The USPTO, however, may not assist an applicant in the selection of a private attorney.  37 C.F.R. §2.11.

 

If the applicant has any questions or requires assistance in responding to this Office action, please telephone the assigned examining attorney.

 

/Thomas Young/

Examining Attorney

Law Office 120

thomas.young@uspto.gov

(571) 272-5152

 

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.  

 

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.

 

 

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING YOUR

U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION

 

USPTO OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) HAS ISSUED

ON 1/21/2019 FOR U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 88145474

 

Your trademark application has been reviewed.  The trademark examining attorney assigned by the USPTO to your application has written an official letter to which you must respond.  Please follow these steps:

 

(1)  Read the LETTER by clicking on this link or going to http://tsdr.gov.uspto.report/, entering your U.S. application serial number, and clicking 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)  Respond within 6 months (or sooner if specified in the Office action), calculated from 1/21/2019, using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) response form located at http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp.  A response transmitted through TEAS must be received before midnight Eastern Time of the last day of the response period.

 

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. 

 

(3)  Questions about the contents of the Office action itself should be directed to the trademark examining attorney who reviewed your application, identified below. 

 

/Thomas Young/

Examining Attorney

Law Office 120

thomas.young@uspto.gov

(571) 272-5152

 

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.