Offc Action Outgoing

United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

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

 

 

 

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 31, 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.

 

SEARCH RESULTS

The trademark examining attorney has searched the Office’s database of registered and pending marks and has found no conflicting marks that would bar registration under Trademark Act Section 2(d).  TMEP §704.02; see 15 U.S.C. §1052(d).

 

SUMMARY OF ISSUES:

 

• Identification amendment is required.

 

IDENTIFICATION OF GOODS AND SERVICES

The identification of goods and services is indefinite and must be clarified.  See TMEP §1402.01.

 

Effective January 1, 2019, a new version of the Nice Agreement Eleventh Edition changed the classification of certain goods and services.  See Nice Classification, 11th ed., version 2019 (Nice 11-2019).  Applications filed on or after January 1, 2019 must comply with this new version.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.85(e)(1); TMEP §1401.09.  Applications filed prior to January 1, 2019 must comply with the edition/version of the Nice Agreement in effect as of the application filing date; however, applicants of such applications can choose to comply with the new version.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.85(e)(1)-(2); TMEP §1401.09.  If applicant chooses to comply with the new version, the entire identification must comply with this version.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.85(e)(2); TMEP §1401.09.  The USPTO’s online U.S. Acceptable Identification of Goods and Services Manual provides classification information for the new version as well as information for previous editions/versions in notes to specific entries.  See TMEP §1402.04.

 

Computer software must be specified as “downloadable” and/or “recorded” to clarify the nature of the goods.  Alternatively, the software may described as being provided on a temporary online non-downloadable basis in class 42.

 

The currently identified “certification” services are misclassified and indefinite, as the entry may refer to services in more than one international class.

   

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

Class 9

Computer hardware for streaming and playing audio, video, and multimedia content, and for controlling televisions, monitors, gaming systems, DVD players, portable media players, and digital media streaming devices; Audio speakers; Loud Speakers; Wireless indoor and outdoor speakers; Voice controlled audio speakers; Electronic devices embedded with computer software that allows the sharing and transmission of data and information between devices for the purposes of facilitating environmental monitoring, control, and automation; Climate control system consisting of a digital thermostat; Wireless cameras; digital cameras; motion activated cameras; video cameras; Electronic monitors and sensors for monitoring water, humidity levels, heat, temperature, air quality, light, movement, motion, sound, and the presence of people, animals and objects; Light switches; lighting control panels; light systems comprising light sensors and switches; Electronic locks; programmable locking systems comprised of [specify the components of the system, identifying the primary components first, e.g., electronic door locks and keypads]; digital door locks; Electronic doorbells; electronic wirelessly enabled doorbells; electronic doorbells featuring a camera; intercoms; Smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fire alarms; access control and alarm monitoring systems; security alarm hubs; sound alarms; alarm sensors; security alarm controllers; keypads for use with security alarm devices; electronic key fobs being remote control apparatus; Stand alone information device, namely, voice and manual controlled audio speakers with personal digital assistant capabilities for streaming and playing audio, video, and multimedia content, for controlling televisions, monitors, gaming systems, DVD Players, portable media players, and digital media streaming devices; Stand alone information device, namely, voice and manual controlled audio speakers with personal digital assistant capabilities for accessing and searching online databases, websites, mobile phones, computers, tablets, smart phones, handheld computers, portable computers for documents, files, and other stored information on command; Stand alone information device, namely, voice and manual controlled audio speakers with personal digital assistant capabilities for providing personal concierge services for others initiated by voice-controlled commands via a mobile phone, computer, tablet, smart phone, handheld computer, portable computer, namely, adding and accessing calendar appointments, alarms, timers, reminders, making restaurant, travel, and hotel reservations, and making professional services appointments; [specify if the goods are Downloadable, Pre-recorded, or Downloadable and Prerecorded] Software for controlling home automation systems, namely, lighting, appliances, HVAC systems, thermostats, air quality monitors and sensors, alarms and other safety equipment, locks, doorbells, cameras, and home monitoring equipment; [specify if the goods are Downloadable, Pre-recorded, or Downloadable and Prerecorded] Software for streaming and playing audio, video, and multimedia content, and for controlling televisions, monitors, gaming systems, DVD players, portable media players, and digital media streaming devices; Downloadable voice-controlled search engine software for obtaining data, images, audio and video via a global computer network”

Class 37

 

“Installation of electronic devices, computer hardware, security systems, HVAC systems, lighting, and appliances.” [Note that the originally specified “security and surveillance products” is overly broad and may imply services in different classes, e.g. security software in class 42.]

 

 

Class 38 (Acceptable as written)

 

“Telecommunication services, namely, transmission of emails, text messages, phone calls, voice, data, graphics, images, audio and video clips by means of telecommunications networks, wireless communication networks, and the Internet”

 

Class 42

 

“Providing temporary use of online non-downloadable software for providing a personal voice-enabled digital assistant; Providing temporary use of online non-downloadable voice recognition software; Computer services, namely, providing a non-downloadable voice-controlled search engine for obtaining data, images, audio and video via a global computer network; Provision of Internet search engines; Providing temporary use of online non-downloadable software used to provide voice-controlled information and communications; Electronic storage of electronic media, namely, images, text, audio, and video data; providing online non-downloadable software for recording, viewing, storing, sharing and analyzing online audio and video; Providing temporary use of online non-downloadable software for streaming and playing audio, video, and multimedia content, and for controlling televisions, monitors, gaming systems, DVD players, portable media players, and digital media streaming devices; Providing temporary use of online non-downloadable software for use in providing personal concierge services for others by voice-controlled commands via a mobile phone, computer, tablet, smart phone, handheld computer, portable computer, namely, adding and accessing calendar appointments, alarms, timers, reminders, making restaurant, travel, hotel reservations, and making professional services appointments; Providing temporary use of online non-downloadable software for controlling home automation systems, namely, lighting, appliances, HVAC systems, thermostats, air quality monitors and sensors, alarms and other safety equipment, locks, doorbells, cameras, and home monitoring equipment; Providing non-downloadable computer software that allows the sharing and transmission of data and information between electronic devices for the purposes of facilitating environmental monitoring, control, and automation in homes;  Installation of security and surveillance software; Certification services, namely, ensuring the professional installation of electronic devices, computer hardware, and security and surveillance products, HVAC systems, lighting, and appliances conforms with certification standards.”

 

Applicant may amend the identification to clarify or limit the goods and/or services, but not to broaden or expand the goods and/or 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 goods and/or services may not later be reinserted.  See TMEP §1402.07(e).

 

If applicant prosecutes this application as a combined, or multiple-class application, then applicant must comply with each of the requirements below:

 

(1)        Applicant must list the goods/services by international class;

 

(2)        Applicant must submit a filing fee for each international class of goods and/or services not covered by the fee already paid (current fee information should be confirmed at http://www.uspto.gov); and

 

ONLINE IDENTIFICATION MANUAL

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

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

 

TEAS PLUS OR TEAS REDUCED FEE (TEAS RF) APPLICANTS – TO MAINTAIN LOWER FEE, ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET, INCLUDING SUBMITTING DOCUMENTS ONLINE:  Applicants who filed their application online using the lower-fee TEAS Plus or TEAS RF application form must (1) file certain documents online using TEAS, including responses to Office actions (see TMEP §§819.02(b), 820.02(b) for a complete list of these documents); (2) maintain a valid e-mail correspondence address; and (3) agree to receive correspondence from the USPTO by e-mail throughout the prosecution of the application.  See 37 C.F.R. §§2.22(b), 2.23(b); TMEP §§819, 820.  TEAS Plus or TEAS RF applicants who do not meet these requirements must submit an additional processing fee of $125 per class of goods and/or services.  37 C.F.R. §§2.6(a)(1)(v), 2.22(c), 2.23(c); TMEP §§819.04, 820.04.  However, in certain situations, TEAS Plus or TEAS RF applicants may respond to an Office action by authorizing an examiner’s amendment by telephone or e-mail without incurring this additional fee.  

 

 

How to respond.  Click to file a response to this nonfinal Office action  

 

 

/David Taylor/

David Taylor

Examining Attorney

Law Office 112

571-272-9420

David.Taylor2@uspto.gov

 

 

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.  

 

• Responses signed by an unauthorized party are not accepted and can cause the application to abandon.  If applicant does not have an attorney, the response must be signed by the individual applicant, all joint applicants, or someone with legal authority to bind a juristic applicant.  If applicant has an attorney, the response must be signed by the attorney.

 

• If needed, find contact information for the supervisor of the office or unit listed in the signature block.

 

United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

 

USPTO OFFICIAL NOTICE

 

Office Action (Official Letter) has issued

on August 31, 2019 for

U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 88478286

 

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. 

 

 

/David Taylor/

David Taylor

Examining Attorney

Law Office 112

571-272-9420

David.Taylor2@uspto.gov

 

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 31, 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.”