| To: | Aphria Inc. (dctrademarks@dlapiper.com) |
| Subject: | U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 88425683 - GABRIOLA - 425488-1 |
| Sent: | October 21, 2019 04:07:16 PM |
| Sent As: | ecom111@uspto.gov |
| Attachments: | Attachment - 1 Attachment - 2 Attachment - 3 Attachment - 4 Attachment - 5 Attachment - 6 Attachment - 7 Attachment - 8 Attachment - 9 Attachment - 10 Attachment - 11 Attachment - 12 Attachment - 13 Attachment - 14 Attachment - 15 Attachment - 16 Attachment - 17 Attachment - 18 Attachment - 19 Attachment - 20 Attachment - 21 Attachment - 22 Attachment - 23 Attachment - 24 Attachment - 25 Attachment - 26 Attachment - 27 Attachment - 28 Attachment - 29 Attachment - 30 Attachment - 31 Attachment - 32 Attachment - 33 Attachment - 34 Attachment - 35 Attachment - 36 Attachment - 37 Attachment - 38 Attachment - 39 Attachment - 40 Attachment - 41 Attachment - 42 Attachment - 43 Attachment - 44 Attachment - 45 |
United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
Office Action (Official Letter) About Applicant’s Trademark Application
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U.S. Application Serial No. 88425683
Mark: GABRIOLA
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Correspondence Address:
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Applicant: Aphria Inc.
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Reference/Docket No. 425488-1
Correspondence Email Address: |
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The USPTO must receive applicant’s response to this letter within six months of the issue date below or the application will be abandoned. Respond using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS). A link to the appropriate TEAS response form appears at the end of this Office action.
Issue date: October 21, 2019
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.
CSA Refusal - No Bona Fide Intent to Lawfully Use in Commerce 3, 5, 29, 30, 32, and 34 (“cannabidiol for recreational use”)
Registration is refused because applicant does not have a bona fide intent to lawfully use the applied-for mark in commerce with respect to goods and/or services that are not lawful under federal law. Trademark Act Sections 1 and 45, 15 U.S.C. §§1051, 1127; see TMEP §907.
To qualify for federal trademark/service mark registration, the use of a mark in commerce must be lawful. Gray v. Daffy Dan’s Bargaintown, 823 F.2d 522, 526, 3 USPQ2d 1306, 1308 (Fed. Cir. 1987) (stating that “[a] valid application cannot be filed at all for registration of a mark without ‘lawful use in commerce’”); TMEP §907; see In re Stellar Int’l, Inc., 159 USPQ 48, 50-51 (TTAB 1968); Coahoma Chemical Co., Inc. v. Smith, 113 USPQ 413 (Com’r Pat. & Trademarks 1957) (concluding that “use of a mark in connection with unlawful shipments in interstate commerce is not use of a mark in commerce which the [Office] may recognize.”). Thus, the goods and/or services to which the mark is applied must comply with all applicable federal laws. See In re Brown, 119 USPQ2d 1350, 1351 (TTAB 2016) (citing In re Midwest Tennis & Track Co., 29 USPQ2d 1386, 1386 n.2 (TTAB 1993) (noting that “[i]t is settled that the Trademark Act’s requirement of ‘use in commerce,’ means a ‘lawful use in commerce’”)); In re Pepcom Indus., Inc., 192 USPQ 400, 401 (TTAB 1976); TMEP §907.
Here, the items or activities with which the proposed mark will be used include those that are unlawful under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA), 21 U.S.C. §§801-971. The application identifies the following cannabis goods and/or services: all goods in International Classes 3, 5, 29, 30, 32, and 34 (“cannabidiol for recreational use”). Such goods and/or services are broad enough to include products produced from “all parts of the plant Cannabis sativa L., whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin extracted from any part of such plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of such plant, its seeds or resin” (subject to certain exceptions). 21 U.S.C. §802(16)(definition of “marihuana” – commonly referred to as “marijuana”).
In order for an application to have a valid basis that could properly result in a registration, the use of the mark has to be lawful. See In re Pepcom Indus., Inc., 192 USPQ 400, 401 (TTAB 1976) Applicant’s goods and/or services consist of, or include, items or activities that are or were prohibited by the CSA, specifically, the attached website shows that the applicant is in the medical cannabis/cannabidiol (CBD) industry, and the current wording of goods is broad enough to encompass products that contain cannabis/CBD. Applicant did not have a bona fide intent to lawfully use the applied-for mark in commerce in connection with such goods and/or services. See In re JJ206, LLC, 120 USPQ2d 1568, 1569 (TTAB 2016)(“where the identified goods are illegal under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA), the applicant cannot use its mark in lawful commerce, and ‘it is a legal impossibility’ for the applicant to have the requisite bona fide intent to use the mark.”); TMEP §907. See attached: http://aphria.ca/.
On December 20, 2018, the CSA was amended to remove hemp from the definition of marijuana and specifically exclude “tetrahydrocannabinols in hemp (as defined under section 297A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946)” from Schedule I, 21 U.S.C. §812(c)(17). The goods and/or services identified did not potentially comply with applicable federal laws until that date. Because the identified goods and/or services consist of or include items or activities that are prohibited under the Controlled Substances Act, the applicant did not have a valid basis for filing the application. Nevertheless, to the extent the applicant’s goods will be derived from cannabis plants that meet the current statutory definition of hemp, the goods may presently be lawful.
Therefore, in order to overcome this refusal, applicant must amend the identification of goods and services to specify that all cannabis-containing items are “solely derived from hemp with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.” Please see the complete requirement for an acceptable identification of goods and/or services below.
The applicant may also present arguments and evidence against this refusal.
Applicant should note the following third ground for refusal.
THIS PARTIAL REFUSAL APPLIES TO CLASS 34 ONLY
Drug Paraphernalia Refusal - No Bona Fide Intent to Lawfully Use in Commerce
Registration is refused because applicant does not have a bona fide intent to lawfully use the applied-for mark in commerce. Trademark Act Sections 1 and 45, 15 U.S.C. §§1051, 1127; see TMEP §907.
To qualify for federal trademark/service mark registration, the use of a mark in commerce must be lawful. Gray v. Daffy Dan’s Bargaintown, 823 F.2d 522, 526, 3 USPQ2d 1306, 1308 (Fed. Cir. 1987) (stating that “[a] valid application cannot be filed at all for registration of a mark without ‘lawful use in commerce’”); TMEP §907; see In re Stellar Int’l, Inc., 159 USPQ 48, 50-51 (TTAB 1968); Coahoma Chemical Co., Inc. v. Smith, 113 USPQ 413 (Com’r Pat. & Trademarks 1957) (concluding that “use of a mark in connection with unlawful shipments in interstate commerce is not use of a mark in commerce which the [Office] may recognize.”). Thus, the goods and/or services to which the mark is applied must comply with all applicable federal laws. See In re Brown, 119 USPQ2d 1350, 1351 (TTAB 2016) (citing In re Midwest Tennis & Track Co., 29 USPQ2d 1386, 1386 n.2 (TTAB 1993) (noting that “[i]t is settled that the Trademark Act’s requirement of ‘use in commerce,’ means a ‘lawful use in commerce’”)); In re Pepcom Indus., Inc., 192 USPQ 400, 401 (TTAB 1976); TMEP §907.
Here, the items or activities to which the proposed mark will be applied are broad enough to encompass products that are unlawful under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA), 21 U.S.C. §§801-971. The CSA makes it unlawful to sell, offer for sale, or use any facility of interstate commerce to transport “drug paraphernalia,” which is defined as “any equipment, product, or material of any kind which is primarily intended or designed for use in manufacturing, compounding, converting, concealing, producing, processing, preparing, injecting, ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing in the human body a controlled substance.” 21 U.S.C. § 863. Under the CSA, marijuana is a controlled substance. 21 U.S.C. §§ 812(a), (c), 841, 844.
The identification of goods/services includes equipment, for processing, inhaling, introducing to the body marijuana, namely, Smokers' articles, namely; dried hemp; derivatives of hemp, namely resins and oils, not for medical use; cannabidiol and hemp for recreational use; smokers' articles, namely, smoking pipes, and oral vaporizers for smokers.
In order for an application to have a valid basis that could properly result in a registration, the use of the mark has to be lawful. See In re Pepcom Indus., Inc., 192 USPQ 400, 401 (TTAB 1976). Accordingly, because use of the applied-for mark in connection with such goods and/or services was not lawful as of the filing date, applicant did not have a bona fide intent to lawfully use the applied-for mark in commerce. See In re JJ206, LLC, 120 USPQ2d 1568, 1569 (TTAB 2016) (“where the identified goods are illegal under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA), the applicant cannot use its mark in lawful commerce, and ‘it is a legal impossibility’ for the applicant to have the requisite bona fide intent to use the mark.”); see also In re Brown, 119 USPQ2d, 1351-1352; TMEP §907.
On December 20, 2018, the CSA was amended to remove “hemp” from the definition of marijuana and specifically exclude “tetrahydrocannabinols in hemp (as defined under section 297A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946)” from Schedule I, 21 U.S.C. §812(c)(17). Because the identified goods and/or services consist of or include items or activities that are still prohibited under the Controlled Substances Act, namely, smokers' articles, namely, grinders for use with hemp; dried hemp; derivatives of hemp, namely resins and oils, not for medical use; cannabidiol and hemp for recreational use; smokers' articles, namely, smoking pipes, pouches for use with hemp and oral vaporizers for smokers the applicant did not have a valid filing basis for any such items or activities. To the extent the applicant’s goods are exclusively for use with products derived solely from cannabis plants that meet the current statutory definition of hemp, such goods may be lawful.
Therefore, in order to overcome this refusal, applicant must amend the identification of goods and services to specify that all items are “exclusively for use with cannabis/CBD products solely derived from hemp with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.” Please see the complete requirement for an acceptable identification of goods and/or services below.
The applicant may also present arguments and evidence against this refusal.
Applicant should note the following forth ground for refusal.
THIS PARTIAL REFUSAL APPLIES TO CLASS(ES) 5, 29, 30 and 32 ONLY
FDCA Refusal - No Bona Fide Intent to Lawfully Use in Commerce as of Filing Date
Registration is refused because applicant does not have a bona fide intent to lawfully use the applied-for mark in commerce. Trademark Act Sections 1 and 45, 15 U.S.C. §§1051, 1127; see TMEP §907.
This refusal issues when “(1) a violation of federal law is indicated by the application record or other evidence, such as when a court or a federal agency responsible for overseeing activity in which the applicant is involved, and which activity is relevant to its application, has issued a finding of noncompliance under the relevant statute or regulation, or (2) when the applicant’s application-relevant activities involve a per se violation of a federal law.” In re Brown, 119 USPQ2d at 1351 (citing Kellogg Co. v. New Generation Foods Inc., 6 USPQ2d 2045, 2047 (TTAB 1988); Santinine Societa v. P.A.B. Produits, 209 USPQ 958, 964 (TTAB 1981)); TMEP §907.
To qualify for federal trademark/service mark registration, the use of a mark in commerce must be lawful. Gray v. Daffy Dan’s Bargaintown, 823 F.2d 522, 526, 3 USPQ2d 1306, 1308 (Fed. Cir. 1987) (stating that “[a] valid application cannot be filed at all for registration of a mark without ‘lawful use in commerce’”); TMEP §907; see In re Stellar Int’l, Inc., 159 USPQ 48, 50-51 (TTAB 1968); Coahoma Chemical Co., Inc. v. Smith, 113 USPQ 413 (Com’r Pat. & Trademarks 1957) (concluding that “use of a mark in connection with unlawful shipments in interstate commerce is not use of a mark in commerce which the [Office] may recognize.”). Thus, the goods to which the mark will be applied must comply with all applicable federal laws. See In re Brown, 119 USPQ2d 1350, 1351 (TTAB 2016) (citing In re Midwest Tennis & Track Co., 29 USPQ2d 1386, 1386 n.2 (TTAB 1993) (noting that “[i]t is settled that the Trademark Act’s requirement of ‘use in commerce,’ means a ‘lawful use in commerce’”)); In re Pepcom Indus., Inc., 192 USPQ 400, 401 (TTAB 1976); TMEP §907.
The application identifies items or activities that involve a per se violation of federal law. See In re Brown, 119 USPQ2d at 1352. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act prohibits the introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of a food or beverage to which has been added a drug or a biological product for which substantial clinical investigations have been instituted and for which the existence of such investigations has been made public. 21 U.S.C. §331(ll); see also 21 U.S.C. §321(ff) (indicating that a dietary supplement is deemed to be a food within the meaning of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act).
Cannabidiol (CBD) is an active ingredient in an FDA-approved drug, Epidiolex®, (see http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm611046.htm copy attached) and is the subject of substantial clinical investigations before it was marketed in foods or as dietary supplements. See FDA Regulation of Cannabis and Cannabis-derived Products: Questions and Answers http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm421168.htm copy attached. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) placed Epidiolex® on schedule V of the CSA on September 27, 2018. Nevertheless, marijuana and CBD derived from marijuana remain unlawful. No other cannabis-derived drug products have been approved by the FDA. Under the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act (FDCA), any product intended to have a therapeutic or medical use, and any product (other than a food) that is intended to affect the structure or function of the body of humans or animals, is a drug. 21 U.S.C. § 321(g)(1)
In the present case, the application identifies the following goods and/or services for which applicant has alleged a bona fide intent to use in commerce: Hemp or cannabidiol related products, namely oils, salves, concentrated pastes, tinctures, tablets and capsules, each containing cannabidiol or derivatives thereof; oils, salves, concentrated pastes, tinctures, tablets and capsules each containing resins and oils derived from hemp; nutraceuticals for medicinal purposes for the relief of pain, for relaxation, for reducing stress and fatigue, for mood enhancement, for maintaining general health and well-being, for relieving anxiety, for relieving depression, as a sleep aid and for management of opioid addiction and relief of epilepsy; nutraceuticals for medicinal purposes containing cannabidiol or derivatives thereof for the relief of pain, for relaxation, for reducing stress and fatigue, for mood enhancement, for maintaining general health and well-being, for relieving anxiety, for relieving depression, as a sleep aid and for management of opioid addiction and relief of epilepsy; nutraceuticals for medicinal purposes containing derivatives of hemp, namely, resins and oils for the relief of pain, for relaxation, for reducing stress and fatigue, for mood enhancement, for maintaining general health and well-being, for relieving anxiety, for relieving depression, as a sleep aid and for management of opioid addiction and relief of epilepsy; topical skin creams, bar and liquid soaps, bath additives, bath herbs, bath oils, body creams, body oils, face and body lotions, face and body milk, face lotion, and skin care preparations each containing derivatives of hemp for the relief of pain, for relaxation, for reducing stress and fatigue, for mood enhancement, for maintaining general health and well-being, for relieving anxiety, for relieving depression, as a sleep aid; personal sexual lubricants; transdermal patches containing cannabidiol or derivatives thereof for the relief of pain, for relaxation, for reducing stress and fatigue, for mood enhancement, for maintaining general health and well-being, for relieving anxiety, for relieving depression, as a sleep aid and for management of opioid addiction and relief of epilepsy; oral sprays containing cannabidiol for medicinal use for the relief of pain, for relaxation, for reducing stress and fatigue, for mood enhancement, for maintaining general health and well-being, for relieving anxiety, for relieving depression, as a sleep aid and for management of opioid addiction and relief of epilepsy; hemp, cannabidiol or derivatives thereof for medicinal use; hemp, cannabidiol related product, namely, oils for medicinal use for the relief of pain, for relaxation, for reducing stress and fatigue, for mood enhancement, for maintaining general health and well-being, for relieving anxiety, for relieving depression, as a sleep aid and for management of opioid addiction and relief of epilepsy; oils derived from hemp for medicinal use for the relief of pain, for relaxation, for reducing stress and fatigue, for mood enhancement, for maintaining general health and well-being, for relieving anxiety, for relieving depression, as a sleep aid and for management of opioid addiction and relief of epilepsy; Oils and resins derived from hemp for use as comestibles; hemp or cannabidiol related product, namely, oils for use as comestibles; oils derived from hemp or cannabidiol for use as comestibles; food products containing hemp, cannabidiol, resins and cannabidiol oils, namely butter; Food products containing hemp, cannabidiol or derivatives thereof namely chocolates, cookies, brownies, candy and food energy bars; tea namely teas containing hemp, cannabidiol or derivatives thereof, and teas containing hemp, cannabidiol or derivatives thereof; Smoothies, fruit beverages and fruit juices, carbonated soft drinks, and energy drinks each containing hemp, cannabidiol or derivatives thereof.
It is unlawful to introduce food or beverages containing added CBD into interstate commerce or to market CBD as, or in, dietary supplements, regardless of whether the substances are hemp-derived. See Statement from FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., on signing of the Agriculture Improvement Act and the agency’s regulation of products containing cannabis and cannabis-derived compounds.
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm628988.htm copy attached. In addition, an unapproved new drug cannot be distributed or sold in interstate commerce unless it is the subject of an FDA-approved new drug application (NDA) or abbreviated new drug application (ANDA). 21 U.S.C. §§ 331(d) and 355(a), (b), & (j); see also FDA Regulation of Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Products: Questions and Answers http://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-regulation-cannabis-and-cannabis-derived-products-questions-and-answers copy attached.
In order for an application to have a valid basis that could properly result in a registration, the use of the mark has to be lawful. See In re Pepcom Indus., Inc., 192 USPQ 400, 401 (TTAB 1976) Because introduction of such goods into commerce was not lawful as of the filing date, applicant did not have a bona fide intent to lawfully use the applied-for mark in commerce in connection with such goods and/or the identified services. See e.g. In re JJ206, LLC, 120 USPQ2d 1568, 1569 (TTAB 2016) (“where the identified goods are illegal under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA), the applicant cannot use its mark in lawful commerce, and ‘it is a legal impossibility’ for the applicant to have the requisite bona fide intent to use the mark.”); see also In re Brown, 119 USPQ2d, 1351-1352; TMEP §907.
Applicant should note the following forth ground for refusal.
REFUSAL UNDER SECTION 2(e)(1)--MERELY DESCRIPTIVE
This refusal does not include the following goods: Smokers' articles, namely, grinders for use with hemp; smokers' articles, namely, smoking pipes, pouches for use with hemp, lighters for smokers, oral vaporizers for smokers
Registration is refused because the applied-for mark merely describes a feature, characteristic, purpose and function of applicant’s goods and services. Trademark Act Section 2(e)(1), 15 U.S.C. §1052(e)(1); see TMEP §§1209.01(b), 1209.03 et seq.
“Whether consumers could guess what the product [or service] is from consideration of the mark alone is not the test.” In re Am. Greetings Corp., 226 USPQ 365, 366 (TTAB 1985).
“A mark may be merely descriptive even if it does not describe the ‘full scope and extent’ of the applicant’s goods or services.” In re Oppedahl & Larson LLP, 373 F.3d 1171, 1173, 71 USPQ2d 1370, 1371 (Fed. Cir. 2004) (citing In re Dial-A-Mattress Operating Corp., 240 F.3d 1341, 1346, 57 USPQ2d 1807, 1812 (Fed. Cir. 2001)); TMEP §1209.01(b). It is enough if a mark describes only one significant function, attribute, or property. In re The Chamber of Commerce of the U.S., 675 F.3d 1297, 1300, 102 USPQ2d 1217, 1219 (Fed. Cir. 2012); TMEP §1209.01(b); see In re Oppedahl & Larson LLP, 373 F.3d at 1173, 71 USPQ2d at 1371.
The applicant has applied for registration of the proposed mark, GABRIOLA, for various goods “containing hemp, or cannabidiol, or derivative thereof.” The attached evidence shows that the term, GABRIOLA relates to a cannabis strain and merely describes the scope of as well as an ingredient, and therefore a characteristic of the applicant’s goods. See Attached. A term that describes an ingredient of the goods is merely descriptive. TMEP §1209.01(b); see In re TriVita, Inc., 783 F.3d 872, 114 USPQ2d 1574 (Fed. Cir. 2015) (holding NOPALEA merely descriptive of dietary and nutritional supplements containing nopal juice); In re Keebler Co., 479 F.2d 1405, 178 USPQ 155 (C.C.P.A. 1973) (holding RICH ‘N CHIPS merely descriptive of chocolate chip cookies); In re Andes Candies Inc., 478 F.2d 1264, 178 USPQ 156 (C.C.P.A. 1973) (holding CREME DE MENTHE merely descriptive of candy); In re Entenmann’s, Inc., 15 USPQ2d 1750 (TTAB 1990) (holding OATNUT merely descriptive of bread containing oats and hazelnuts); Flowers Indus., Inc. v. Interstate Brands Corp., 5 USPQ 2d 1580 (TTAB 1987) (holding HONEY WHEAT merely descriptive of bread containing honey and wheat). See: http://lift.co/cannabis/strains/broken-coast-cannabis-gabriola-frost-monster.
Accordingly, the applicant’s proposed mark, GABRIOLA, is merely descriptive of a feature, characteristic, use or purpose of the identified goods, and is properly refused registration under Section 2(e)(1) of the Trademark Act.
Although the examining attorney has refused registration under Section 2(e)(1) of the Trademark Act, the applicant may respond to the refusal to register by submitting evidence and arguments in support of registration.
Applicant should note the following additional ground for refusal.
REFUSAL – APPLIED-FOR MARK IS A VARIETAL NAME
This refusal is limited to International Class 31.
Registration is refused because the applied-for mark is a varietal name for the identified goods and, thus, does not function as a trademark to indicate the source of applicant’s goods and to identify and distinguish them from others. Trademark Act Sections 1, 2, and 45, 15 U.S.C. §§1051-1052, 1127; see TMEP §1202.12. See attached evidence from http://lift.co/cannabis/strains/broken-coast-cannabis-gabriola-frost-monster that shows that Gabriola is the varietal name for a strain of cannabis.
Varietal or cultivar names are designations used to identify cultivated varieties or subspecies of live plants or agricultural seeds. TMEP §1202.12. They are generic and cannot be registered as trademarks because they are the common descriptive names of plants or seeds by which such varieties are known to the U.S. consumer. Id. Moreover, a consumer “has to have some common descriptive name he can use to indicate that he wants one [particular] variety of apple tree, rose, or whatever, as opposed to another, and it is the varietal name of the strain which naturally and commonly serves this purpose.” In re Pennington Seed, Inc., 466 F.3d 1053, 1057, 80 USPQ2d 1758, 1761 (Fed. Cir. 2006) (quoting In re Hilltop Orchards & Nurseries, Inc., 206 USPQ 1034, 1036 (TTAB 1979)); see In re Delta & Pine Land Co., 26 USPQ2d 1157, 1159 n.4 (TTAB 1993).
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION – HEMP RELATED GOODS
To permit proper examination of the application, applicant must submit additional information about the goods and/or services. 37 C.F.R. §§2.61(b), 2.69; Cf. Star Fruits S.N.C. v. United States, 393 F.3d 1277, 1284, 73 USPQ2d 1409, 1414 (Fed. Cir. 2005) (discussing Patent Rule 1.105(a)(1), which is the equivalent of Trademark Rule 2.61(b)); TMEP §§814, 907. The requested information should include fact sheets, brochures, advertisements, and/or similar materials relating to the goods and/or services. If such materials are not available, applicant must provide a detailed factual description of the goods and/or services. Any information submitted in response to this requirement must clearly and accurately indicate the nature of the goods and/or services identified in the application.
In addition, applicant must submit a written statement indicating whether the goods/services identified in the application comply with the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA). 21 U.S.C. §331(ll); see also 21 U.S.C. §321(ff) (indicating that a dietary supplement is deemed to be a food within the meaning of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act). See 37 C.F.R. §2.69; TMEP §907. Furthermore, under the FDCA, any product intended to have a therapeutic or medical use, and any product (other than a food) that is intended to affect the structure or function of the body of humans or animals, is a drug. 21 U.S.C. § 321(g)(1) An unapproved new drug cannot be distributed or sold in interstate commerce unless it is the subject of an FDA-approved new drug application (NDA) or abbreviated new drug application (ANDA). 21 U.S.C. §§ 331(d) and 355(a), (b), & (j);
Finally, applicant must provide written responses to the following questions:
Failure to satisfactorily respond to a requirement for information is a ground for refusing registration. See In re Harley, 119 USPQ2d 1755, 1758 (TTAB 2016) (affirming refusal of registration because applicant’s appeal brief failed to address the relevant refusals, including a refusal based on noncompliance with a requirement for information); In re AOP LLC, 107 USPQ2d 1644, 1651 (TTAB 2013) (“Failure to comply with a request for information is grounds for refusal,” where applicant provided equivocal responses to examining attorney’s questions and did not address this issue in its brief). Applicant’s failure to respond to an information requirement may result in an adverse evidentiary inference being drawn regarding applicant’s goods. Id. at 1651; In re Cheezwhse.com, Inc., 85 USPQ2d 1917, 1919 (TTAB 2008); TMEP §814.
Please note that merely stating that information about the goods and services is available on applicant’s website is an inappropriate response to the above requirement and is insufficient to make the relevant information properly of record. See In re Planalytics, Inc., 70 USPQ2d 1453, 1457-58 (TTAB 2004).
Applicant is advised that, upon consideration of the information provided by applicant in response to the above requirement, registration of the applied-for mark may be refused on the ground that the mark, as used/intended to be used in connection with the identified goods, is not lawful use in commerce. Trademark Act Sections 1 and 45, 15 U.S.C. §§1051, 1127. Use of a mark in commerce must be lawful use to be the basis for federal registration of the mark. Gray v. Daffy Dan’s Bargaintown, 823 F.2d 522, 526, 3 USPQ2d 1306, 1308 (Fed. Cir. 1987); see 15 U.S.C. §§1051, 1127; 37 C.F.R. §2.69; In re Midwest Tennis & Track Co., 29 USPQ2d 1386, 1386 n.2 (TTAB 1993); In re Stellar Int’l, Inc., 159 USPQ 48, 50-51 (TTAB 1968); TMEP §907.
VARIETAL NAME INQUIRY
To permit proper examination of the applied-for mark, applicant must indicate the following:
(1) Whether Gabriola has ever been used or will be used as a varietal or cultivar name; and
(2) Whether Gabriola has ever been used or will be used in connection with a plant patent, utility patent, or certificate for plant-variety protection.
TMEP §1202.12; see 37 C.F.R. §2.61(b).
Varietal or cultivar names are designations used to identify cultivated varieties or subspecies of live plants or agricultural seeds. TMEP §1202.12. They are generic and cannot be registered as trademarks because they are the common descriptive names of plants or seeds by which such varieties are known to the U.S. consumer. Id. Moreover, a consumer “has to have some common descriptive name he can use to indicate that he wants one [particular] variety of apple tree, rose, or whatever, as opposed to another, and it is the varietal name of the strain which naturally and commonly serves this purpose.” In re Pennington Seed, Inc., 466 F.3d 1053, 1057, 80 USPQ2d 1758, 1761 (Fed. Cir. 2006) (quoting In re Hilltop Orchards & Nurseries, Inc., 206 USPQ 1034, 1036 (TTAB 1979)); see In re Delta & Pine Land Co., 26 USPQ2d 1157, 1159 n.4 (TTAB 1993).
Failure to comply with a request for information is grounds for refusing registration. In re Harley, 119 USPQ2d 1755, 1757-58 (TTAB 2016); TMEP §814.
International Class 3
- Bath additivesàapplicant must specify the particular additives, e.g., “non-medicated bath salts”
- lip care preparations; lip conditionersàapplicant must specify that these are “non-medicated” to be in Class 3
- liquid soapsàapplicant must specify that these are “non-medicated” to be in Class 3
- skin care preparationsàapplicant must specify that these are “non-medicated” to be in Class 3
- soaps for body care; soaps for personal useàapplicant must specify that these are “non-medicated” to be in Class 3
International Class 5
- Hemp or cannabidiol related products, namely, oils, salves, concentrated pastes, tinctures, tablets and capsules, each containing cannabidiol or derivatives thereof; oils, salves, concentrated pastes, tinctures, tablets and capsules each containing resins and oils derived from hempàapplicant must specify that these are “medicated” to be in Class 5 and specify what the oils, salves, and pastes are for, e.g., “body oils, salves and concentrated pastes”
- topical skin creams, bar and liquid soaps, bath additives, bath herbs, bath oils, body creams, body oils, face and body lotions, face and body milk, face lotion, and skin care preparations each containing derivatives of hemp for the relief of pain, for relaxation, for reducing stress and fatigue, for mood enhancement, for maintaining general health and well-being, for relieving anxiety, for relieving depression, as a sleep aidàapplicant must specify that these are “medicated” to be in Class 5
International Class 30
- food energy barsàapplicant must clarify the type of energy bars, e.g., “cereal based energy bars”
International Class 30
- dried hemp; derivatives of hemp, namely, resins and oils, not for medical use; cannabidiol and hemp for recreational useàapplicant must clarify the use of the goods in Class 34, e.g., “herbs for smoking”
Applicant may adopt the following identification, if accurate. The wording that appears in bold and/or italics below represents the suggested changes. Any wording that is crossed out represents matter that must be deleted from the identification.
International Class 3: Non-medicated bath additives; bath herbs; bath oils; bath oils for cosmetic purposes; beauty care cosmetics; beauty creams for body care; beauty gels; beauty lotions; body and beauty care cosmetics; body creams; body oils; cosmetic creams; cosmetic oils; cosmetics and make-up; face and body lotions; face and body milk; face lotion; hair care preparations; hair styling preparations; hand cream; hand lotions; non-medicated lip care preparations; non-medicated lip conditioners; lip glosses; non-medicated liquid soaps; massage creams; massage oils; non-medicated bubble bath preparations; non-medicated preparations for the care of hair; non-medicated preparations for the care of skin; non-medicated preparations for the care of the scalp; non-medicated skin care preparations; oils for toiletry purposes; non-medicated skin care preparations; skin creams; skin emollients; skin lotions; skin soap; non-medicated soaps for body care; non-medicated soaps for personal use; each of the foregoing containing hemp, or cannabidiol solely derived from hemp with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis
International Class 5: Hemp or cannabidiol related products, namely, medicated oils, salves, concentrated pastes, tinctures, tablets and capsules, each containing cannabidiol or derivatives thereof; medicated oils, salves, concentrated pastes, tinctures, tablets and capsules each containing resins and oils derived from hemp; nutraceuticals for medicinal purposes for the relief of pain, for relaxation, for reducing stress and fatigue, for mood enhancement, for maintaining general health and well-being, for relieving anxiety, for relieving depression, as a sleep aid and for management of opioid addiction and relief of epilepsy; nutraceuticals for medicinal purposes containing cannabidiol or derivatives thereof for the relief of pain, for relaxation, for reducing stress and fatigue, for mood enhancement, for maintaining general health and well-being, for relieving anxiety, for relieving depression, as a sleep aid and for management of opioid addiction and relief of epilepsy; nutraceuticals for medicinal purposes containing derivatives of hemp, namely, resins and oils for the relief of pain, for relaxation, for reducing stress and fatigue, for mood enhancement, for maintaining general health and well-being, for relieving anxiety, for relieving depression, as a sleep aid and for management of opioid addiction and relief of epilepsy; medicated topical skin creams, bar and liquid soaps, bath additives, bath herbs, bath oils, body creams, body oils, face and body lotions, face and body milk, face lotion, and skin care preparations each containing derivatives of hemp for the relief of pain, for relaxation, for reducing stress and fatigue, for mood enhancement, for maintaining general health and well-being, for relieving anxiety, for relieving depression, as a sleep aid; personal sexual lubricants; transdermal patches containing cannabidiol or derivatives thereof for the relief of pain, for relaxation, for reducing stress and fatigue, for mood enhancement, for maintaining general health and well-being, for relieving anxiety, for relieving depression, as a sleep aid and for management of opioid addiction and relief of epilepsy; oral sprays containing cannabidiol for medicinal use for the relief of pain, for relaxation, for reducing stress and fatigue, for mood enhancement, for maintaining general health and well-being, for relieving anxiety, for relieving depression, as a sleep aid and for management of opioid addiction and relief of epilepsy; hemp, cannabidiol or derivatives thereof for medicinal use; hemp, cannabidiol related product, namely, oils for medicinal use for the relief of pain, for relaxation, for reducing stress and fatigue, for mood enhancement, for maintaining general health and well-being, for relieving anxiety, for relieving depression, as a sleep aid and for management of opioid addiction and relief of epilepsy; oils derived from hemp for medicinal use for the relief of pain, for relaxation, for reducing stress and fatigue, for mood enhancement, for maintaining general health and well-being, for relieving anxiety, for relieving depression, as a sleep aid and for management of opioid addiction and relief of epilepsy; all of the aforementioned goods containing cannabis solely derived from hemp with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis
International Class 29: Oils and resins derived from hemp for use as comestibles; hemp or cannabidiol related product, namely, oils for use as comestibles; oils derived from hemp or cannabidiol for use as comestibles; food products containing hemp, cannabidiol, resins and cannabidiol oils, namely, butter; all of the aforementioned goods containing cannabis solely derived from hemp with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis
International Class 30: Food products containing hemp, cannabidiol or derivatives thereof, namely, chocolates, cookies, brownies, candy and cereal based food energy bars; tea, namely, teas containing hemp, cannabidiol or derivatives thereof, and teas containing hemp, cannabidiol or derivatives thereof; all of the aforementioned goods containing cannabis solely derived from hemp with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis
International Class 31: Live hemp plants; hemp seeds for planting
International Class 32: Smoothies, fruit beverages and fruit juices, carbonated soft drinks, and energy drinks each containing hemp, cannabidiol or derivatives thereof; all of the aforementioned containing cannabis solely derived from hemp with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis
International Class 34: Smokers' articles, namely, grinders for use with hemp; herbs for smoking, namely, dried hemp; derivatives of hemp for smoking purposes, namely, resins and oils, not for medical use, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis; herbs for smoking, namely, cannabidiol and hemp for recreational use with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis; smokers' articles, namely, smoking pipes exclusively for use with cannabis/CBD products solely derived from hemp with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis, pouches for use with hemp, lighters for smokers, oral vaporizers for smokers exclusively for use with cannabis/CBD products solely derived from hemp with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis
For assistance with identifying and classifying goods in trademark applications, please see the USPTO’s online searchable U.S. Acceptable Identification of Goods and Services Manual. See TMEP §1402.04.
Identification advisory for ID’s
Note: If applicant amends the identification consistent with the new legal definition of “hemp” under the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018; for example, Nutritional supplements; all of the foregoing containing CBD with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis; applicant is advised that amending the identification as suggested above, may not overcome the CSA/FDCA refusals.
If applicant does not timely respond to this Office action, the following goods/classes will be deleted from the application. See 37 C.F.R. §2.65(a); TMEP §718.02(a):
International Classes 3, 5, 29, 30, 31, 32 – ENTIRE CLASSES
International Class 34: Dried hemp; derivatives of hemp, namely, resins and oils, not for medical use; cannabidiol and hemp for recreational use; smokers' articles, namely, smoking pipes, oral vaporizers for smokers
In such case, the application will then proceed with the following goods/class only. See TMEP §718.02(a).
International Class 34: Smokers’ articles, namely, grinders for use with hemp; pouches for use with hemp, lighters for smokers
Applicant should include the following information on all correspondence with the Office: (1) the name and law office number of the trademark examining attorney, (2) the serial number and filing date of the application, (3) the date of issuance of this Office action, (4) applicant’s name, address, telephone number and e-mail address (if applicable), and (5) the mark. 37 C.F.R. §2.194(b)(1); TMEP §302.03(a).
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.
How to respond. Click to file a response to this nonfinal Office action
/Mark T. Mullen/
Trademark Attorney
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Law Office 111
(571) 272-9201
mark.mullen@uspto.gov (informal inquiries only)
RESPONSE GUIDANCE
