Offc Action Outgoing

CATAPULT

Conservation International Foundation

U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 88469539 - CATAPULT - 150566.00111


United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

Office Action (Official Letter) About Applicant’s Trademark Application

 

U.S. Application Serial No. 88469539

 

Mark:  CATAPULT

 

 

 

 

Correspondence Address: 

BRADFORD C. CRAIG

BLANK ROME LLP

130 N. 18TH STREET

ONE LOGAN SQUARE

PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103

 

 

Applicant:  Conservation International Foundation

 

 

 

Reference/Docket No. 150566.00111

 

Correspondence Email Address: 

 trademarks@blankrome.com

 

 

 

NONFINAL OFFICE ACTION

 

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:  August 13, 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.

 

SUMMARY OF ISSUES:

  • Refusal: Section 2(d) Likelihood of Confusion
  • Requirement: Identification of Services

 

SECTION 2(d) REFUSAL – LIKELIHOOD OF CONFUSION

 

Registration of the applied-for mark 88469539 is refused because of a likelihood of confusion with the mark in U.S. Registration No. 4531946.  Trademark Act Section 2(d), 15 U.S.C. §1052(d); see TMEP §§1207.01 et seq.  See the enclosed registration.

 

Trademark Act Section 2(d) bars registration of an applied-for mark that so resembles a registered mark that it is likely a potential consumer would be confused, mistaken, or deceived as to the source of the goods and/or services of the applicant and registrant.  See 15 U.S.C. §1052(d).  A determination of likelihood of confusion under Section 2(d) is made on a case-by case basis and the factors set forth in In re E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d 1357, 1361, 177 USPQ 563, 567 (C.C.P.A. 1973) aid in this determination.  Citigroup Inc. v. Capital City Bank Grp., Inc., 637 F.3d 1344, 1349, 98 USPQ2d 1253, 1256 (Fed. Cir. 2011) (citing On-Line Careline, Inc. v. Am. Online, Inc., 229 F.3d 1080, 1085, 56 USPQ2d 1471, 1474 (Fed. Cir. 2000)).  Not all the du Pont factors, however, are necessarily relevant or of equal weight, and any one of the factors may control in a given case, depending upon the evidence of record.  Citigroup Inc. v. Capital City Bank Grp., Inc., 637 F.3d at 1355, 98 USPQ2d at 1260; In re Majestic Distilling Co., 315 F.3d 1311, 1315, 65 USPQ2d 1201, 1204 (Fed. Cir. 2003); see In re E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d at 1361-62, 177 USPQ at 567.

 

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); In re Dakin’s Miniatures Inc., 59 USPQ2d 1593, 1595-96 (TTAB 1999); TMEP §§1207.01 et seq.

 

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 Davia, 110 USPQ2d 1810, 1812 (TTAB 2014) (citing In re 1st USA Realty Prof’ls, Inc., 84 USPQ2d 1581, 1586 (TTAB 2007)); In re White Swan Ltd., 8 USPQ2d 1534, 1535 (TTAB 1988)); TMEP §1207.01(b).

 

Applicant’s mark is CATAPULT in standard characters.

 

Registrant’s mark is CATAPULT in standard characters.

 

These marks are 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 they are identical, these marks are likely to engender the same connotation and overall commercial impression when considered in connection with applicant’s and registrant’s respective services.  Id.

 

Therefore, the marks are confusingly similar. 

 

Comparison of the Services

 

The services of the parties 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); Recot, Inc. v. Becton, 214 F.3d 1322, 1329, 54 USPQ2d 1894, 1898 (Fed. Cir. 2000) (“[E]ven if the goods in question are different from, and thus not related to, one another in kind, the same goods can be related in the mind of the consuming public as to the origin of the goods.”); TMEP §1207.01(a)(i). 

 

The respective services need only be “related in some manner and/or if the circumstances surrounding their marketing [be] such that they could give rise to the mistaken belief that [the services] emanate from the same source.”  Coach Servs., Inc. v. Triumph Learning LLC, 668 F.3d 1356, 1369, 101 USPQ2d 1713, 1722 (Fed. Cir. 2012) (quoting 7-Eleven Inc. v. Wechsler, 83 USPQ2d 1715, 1724 (TTAB 2007)); TMEP §1207.01(a)(i).

 

Applicant’s identified services are: “providing information in the fields of global sustainable business solutions and innovative products and services in the field of sustainability and conservation; charitable services, namely, promoting public and private sector awareness of the necessity of corporate sustainability efforts; promoting public awareness of the need for corporate sustainability efforts” in Class 35, “charitable fundraising in the field of innovative products in the field of sustainability” in Class 36, “product research and development in the field of innovative products and services for sustainability and environmental conservation; consulting services in the field of environmental assessment and planning; software as a service (SAAS) services featuring software for use in data aggregation, data visualization, and data analytics in the fields of environmental protection and corporate sustainability; services and software as a service (SAAS) services featuring software platforms and practical methodologies for use of innovative products and services in the field of environmental protection and corporate sustainability; earth science services including the provision of scientific information, research in the field of environmental protection, corporate sustainability and environmental conservation” in Class 42.

 

Registrant’s identified services are: “Providing an online directory information service featuring information regarding charities and charitable projects; Providing information to others about charities and charitable projects that support girls' and women's rights and development for the purpose of making donations to charities and charitable projects” in Class 35 and “Charitable fundraising services, namely, by soliciting charitable donations by means of a crowdfunding website where donors search for and make monetary donations to specific charities or projects aimed at providing support to girls' and women's rights and development; Providing online computer databases and online searchable databases in the field of charitable fundraising and monetary donations; Providing charitable grants to support girls' and women's rights and development” in Class 36.

 

Determining likelihood of confusion is based on the description of the services stated in the application and registration at issue, not on 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) (quoting Octocom Sys. Inc. v. Hous. Computers Servs. Inc., 918 F.2d 937, 942, 16 USPQ2d 1783, 1787 (Fed. Cir. 1990)).

 

In this case, 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) (quoting Hewlett-Packard Co. v. Packard Press, Inc., 281 F.3d 1261, 1268, 62 USPQ2d 1001, 1005 (Fed. Cir. 2002)).

 

Additionally, the attached Internet evidence consisting of third party websites shows that entities that provide charitable fundraising for various causes also provide information about charities and services pertaining to sustainability under the same mark.  See attached evidence from http://www.globalgiving.org/, http://sustainableamerica.org/, http://www.leonardoacademy.org/, http://thecosa.org/, and http://www.greeneducationfoundation.org/.

 

The evidence establishes that the same entity commonly provides the relevant services and markets the services under the same mark, and that the relevant services are sold or provided through the same trade channels and used by the same classes of consumers in the same fields of use.  Thus, applicant’s and registrant’s services are considered related for likelihood of confusion purposes.  See, e.g., In re Davey Prods. Pty Ltd., 92 USPQ2d 1198, 1202-04 (TTAB 2009); In re Toshiba Med. Sys. Corp., 91 USPQ2d 1266, 1268-69, 1271-72 (TTAB 2009).

  

Because the marks are highly similar and the services are closely related, a likelihood of confusion exists and registration is refused.

 

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

 

IDENTIFICATION OF SERVICES

 

The identification of services must be clarified because it is indefinite or otherwise unacceptable.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01. 

 

Specifically, the entry “providing information in the fields of global sustainable business solutions and innovative products and services in the field of sustainability and conservation” in the identification of services in Class 35 is indefinite and must be clarified because the nature of the services are unclear.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01. 

 

Further, “services and software as a service (SAAS) services featuring software platforms and practical methodologies for use of innovative products and services in the field of environmental protection and corporate sustainability” is indefinite because the term “services” is potentially redundant, or could otherwise encompass a broad range of services in Class 42.

 

Lastly, “earth science services including the provision of scientific information, research in the field of environmental protection, corporate sustainability and environmental conservation” contains the broad language “including” that should be replaced with more definite language.  In the identification of services, applicant must use the common commercial or generic names for the services, be as complete and specific as possible, and avoid the use of indefinite words and phrases.  TMEP §1402.03(a); see 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6).  If applicant uses indefinite words and phrases such as “services in connection with,” “including,” “and like services,” “concepts,” or “not limited to,” such wording must be followed by “namely,” and a list of each specific service identified by its common commercial or generic name.  See TMEP §1402.03(a).

 

Applicant may substitute the following wording, if accurate (suggestions in bold; comments in bold italics):

 

International Class 35: “business information, namely, providing information in the fields of global sustainable business solutions and adoption of innovative products and services in the field of sustainability and conservation; charitable services, namely, promoting public and private sector awareness of the necessity of corporate sustainability efforts; promoting public awareness of the need for corporate sustainability efforts”

 

International Class 36: No changes required

 

International Class 42: “product research and development in the field of innovative products and services for sustainability and environmental conservation; consulting services in the field of environmental assessment and planning; software as a service (SAAS) services featuring software for use in data aggregation, data visualization, and data analytics in the fields of environmental protection and corporate sustainability; services and software as a service (SAAS) services featuring software platforms and practical methodologies for use of innovative products and services in the field of environmental protection and corporate sustainability; earth science services including the provision of scientific information, research in the field of environmental protection, corporate sustainability and environmental conservation”

 

Applicant’s goods and/or services may be clarified or limited, but may not be expanded beyond those originally itemized in the application or as acceptably amended.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.71(a); TMEP §1402.06.  Applicant may clarify or limit the identification by inserting qualifying language or deleting items to result in a more specific identification; however, applicant may not substitute different goods and/or services or add goods and/or services not found or encompassed by those in the original application or as acceptably amended.  See TMEP §1402.06(a)-(b).  The scope of the goods and/or services sets the outer limit for any changes to the identification and is generally determined by the ordinary meaning of the wording in the identification.  TMEP §§1402.06(b), 1402.07(a)-(b).  Any acceptable changes to the goods and/or services will further limit scope, and once goods and/or services are deleted, they are not permitted to be reinserted.  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.

 

 

RESPONSE GUIDELINES

 

For this application to proceed toward registration, applicant must explicitly address each refusal and/or requirement raised in this Office action. If the action includes a refusal, applicant may provide arguments and/or evidence as to why the refusal should be withdrawn and the mark should register. Applicant may also have other options for responding to a refusal and should consider such options carefully. To respond to requirements and certain refusal response options, applicant should set forth in writing the required changes or statements.

 

If applicant does not respond to this Office action within six months of the issue/mailing date, or responds by expressly abandoning the application, the application process will end, the trademark will fail to register, and the application fee will not be refunded. See 15 U.S.C. §1062(b); 37 C.F.R. §§2.65(a), 2.68(a), 2.209(a); TMEP §§405.04, 718.01, 718.02. Where the application has been abandoned for failure to respond to an Office action, applicant’s only option would be to file a timely petition to revive the application, which, if granted, would allow the application to return to active status. See 37 C.F.R. §2.66; TMEP §1714. There is a $100 fee for such petitions. See 37 C.F.R. §§2.6, 2.66(b)(1).

 

If applicant has questions regarding this Office action, please telephone or e-mail the assigned trademark examining attorney. All relevant e-mail communications will be placed in the official application record; however, an e-mail communication will not be accepted as a response to this Office action and will not extend the deadline for filing a proper response. See 37 C.F.R. §2.191; TMEP §§304.01-.02, 709.04-.05. Further, although the trademark examining attorney may provide additional explanation pertaining to the refusal(s) and/or requirement(s) in this Office action, the trademark examining attorney may not provide legal advice or statements about applicant’s rights. See TMEP §§705.02, 709.06.

 

 

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  

 

 

/C. Scott Strickland/

C. Scott Strickland

Examining Attorney

Law Office 122

scott.strickland@USPTO.gov

571-272-3277

 

 

RESPONSE GUIDANCE

  • Missing the response deadline to this letter will cause the application to abandon.  A response or notice of appeal must be received by the USPTO before midnight Eastern Time of the last day of the response period.  TEAS and ESTTA maintenance or unforeseen circumstances could affect an applicant’s ability to timely respond.  

 

 

 

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U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 88469539 - CATAPULT - 150566.00111

To: Conservation International Foundation (trademarks@blankrome.com)
Subject: U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 88469539 - CATAPULT - 150566.00111
Sent: August 13, 2019 01:41:16 PM
Sent As: ecom122@uspto.gov
Attachments:

United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

 

USPTO OFFICIAL NOTICE

 

Office Action (Official Letter) has issued

on August 13, 2019 for

U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 88469539

 

Your trademark application has been reviewed by a trademark examining attorney.  As part of that review, the assigned attorney has issued an official letter that you must respond to by the specified deadline or your application will be abandoned.  Please follow the steps below.

 

(1)  Read the official letter.

 

(2)  Direct questions about the contents of the Office action to the assigned attorney below. 

 

 

/C. Scott Strickland/

C. Scott Strickland

Examining Attorney

Law Office 122

scott.strickland@USPTO.gov

571-272-3277

 

Direct questions about navigating USPTO electronic forms, the USPTO website, the application process, the status of your application, and/or whether there are outstanding deadlines or documents related to your file to the Trademark Assistance Center (TAC).

 

(3)  Respond within 6 months (or earlier, if required in the Office action) from August 13, 2019, using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS).  The response must be received by the USPTO before midnight Eastern Time of the last day of the response period.  See the Office action for more information about how to respond.

 

 

 

GENERAL GUIDANCE

·       Check the status of your application periodically in the Trademark Status & Document Retrieval (TSDR) database to avoid missing critical deadlines.

 

·       Update your correspondence email address, if needed, to ensure you receive important USPTO notices about your application.

 

·       Beware of misleading notices sent by private companies about your application.  Private companies not associated with the USPTO use public information available in trademark registrations to mail and email trademark-related offers and notices – most of which require fees.  All official USPTO correspondence will only be emailed from the domain “@uspto.gov.”

 

 

 


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