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:  September 30, 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.

 

DATABASE SEARCH:  The trademark examining attorney has searched the USPTO’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:

• Requirement – Amend Identification of Goods
• Requirement – Amend Color Claim and Mark Description

REQUIREMENT – AMEND IDENTIFICATION OF GOODS

The wording “computer software and mobile device software for creating, managing, organizing, displaying, tagging, bookmarking, storing, sharing or otherwise providing electronic media or information over the Internet or other communications network” and “computer software and mobile device software for creating, managing, organizing, displaying, tagging, bookmarking, storing, sharing or otherwise providing electronic media information about vehicles for sale, namely, vehicle specifications, selection, availability, pricing, vehicle comparisons, valuations, and providing photographs of vehicles” in the identification of goods is indefinite and must be clarified because the wording does not specify the nature of the goods and the wording “otherwise” does not specify the purpose and/or function of the goods.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01.  Applicant may substitute the following wording, if accurate:  “{specify downloadable or recorded} computer software and downloadable mobile device software for creating, managing, organizing, displaying, tagging, bookmarking, storing, sharing and otherwise {specify function/purpose} providing electronic media and information over the Internet or other communications network” and “{specify downloadable or recorded} computer software and mobile device software for creating, managing, organizing, displaying, tagging, bookmarking, storing, sharing and otherwise {specify function/purpose} providing electronic media information about vehicles for sale, namely, vehicle specifications, selection, availability, pricing, vehicle comparisons, valuations, and providing photographs of vehicles.”

 

The wording “computer software and mobile device software to allow users to perform electronic business transactions via a global computer network; computer software and mobile device software for online retail store services featuring a variety of consumers goods of others” in the identification of goods is indefinite and must be clarified because the wording does not specify the nature of the goods.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01.  Applicant may substitute the following wording, if accurate:  “{specify downloadable or recorded} computer software and downloadable mobile device software to allow users to perform electronic business transactions via a global computer network; {specify downloadable or recorded} computer software and downloadable mobile device software for online retail store services featuring a variety of consumers goods of others.”

 

The wording “computer software and mobile device software to e-commerce software to allow users to perform electronic business transactions via a global computer network; computer software and mobile device software to e-commerce software to allow users to purchase and sell vehicles via a global computer network” in the identification of goods is indefinite and must be clarified because the wording does not specify the nature of the goods.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01.  Applicant may substitute the following wording, if accurate:  “{specify downloadable or recorded} computer e-commerce software and downloadable mobile device e-commerce software to allow users to perform electronic business transactions via a global computer network; {specify downloadable or recorded} computer e-commerce software and downloadable mobile device e-commerce software to allow users to purchase and sell vehicles via a global computer network.”

 

Applicant has included the term “and/or” or “or” in the identification of goods.  However, this term is generally not accepted in identifications when (1) it is unclear whether applicant is using the mark, or intends to use the mark, on all the identified goods or services; (2) the nature of the goods and services is unclear; or (3) classification cannot be determined from such wording.  See TMEP §1402.03(a).  In this case, it is unclear whether applicant is using the mark, or intends to use the mark, on all the identified goods.

 

An application must specify, in an explicit manner, the particular goods or services on or in connection with which the applicant uses, or has a bona fide intention to use, the mark in commerce.  See 15 U.S.C. §1051(a)(2), (b)(2); 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01.  Therefore, applicant should replace “and/or” or “or” with “and” in the identification of goods or services, if appropriate, or rewrite the identification with the “and/or” or “or” deleted and the goods or services specified using definite and unambiguous language. 

 

Applicant may substitute the following wording, if accurate: 

 

Class 9: {specify downloadable or recorded} computer software and downloadable mobile device software for creating, managing, organizing, displaying, tagging, bookmarking, storing, sharing and otherwise {specify function/purpose} providing electronic media and information over the Internet or other communications network; {specify downloadable or recorded} computer software and downloadable mobile device software to allow users to perform electronic business transactions via a global computer network; {specify downloadable or recorded} computer software and downloadable mobile device software for online retail store services featuring a variety of consumers goods of others; {specify downloadable or recorded} computer e-commerce software and downloadable mobile device e-commerce software to allow users to perform electronic business transactions via a global computer network; {specify downloadable or recorded} computer e-commerce software and downloadable mobile device e-commerce software to allow users to purchase and sell vehicles via a global computer network; {specify downloadable or recorded} computer software and mobile device software for creating, managing, organizing, displaying, tagging, bookmarking, storing, sharing and otherwise {specify function/purpose} providing electronic media information about vehicles for sale, namely, vehicle specifications, selection, availability, pricing, vehicle comparisons, valuations, and providing photographs of vehicles

 

Applicant may amend the identification to clarify or limit the goods, but not to broaden or expand the goods 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 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.

 

REQUIREMENT – AMEND COLOR CLAIM AND MARK DESCRIPTION

Applicant must clarify the colors that are being claimed as a feature of the mark.  See 37 C.F.R. §§2.37, 2.52(b)(1), 2.61(b); TMEP §§807.07(a) et seq.  The drawing shows the mark in the colors red and white; however, the following colors appear in the color claim and description of the mark: red. 

 

Where the color claim and/or description of the mark and drawing are inconsistent with one another, generally the USPTO looks to the drawing to determine what the mark is.  TMEP §807.07(a)(i)-(a)(ii), (c).  Additionally, the colors in the drawing, color claim, and description must match.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.52(b)(1); TMEP §§807.07 et seq. 

 

To clarify the colors in the mark, applicant may satisfy one of the following:

 

(1)       Submit a new color drawing that shows the mark in the colors specified in the color claim and description.  TMEP §807.07(c).  However, any other amendments to the drawing will not be accepted if they would materially alter the mark.  37 C.F.R. §2.72; see TMEP §§807.07(c), 807.14 et seq.

 

(2)       Submit an amended color claim and description that matches the colors in the drawing.  Generic color names must be used to describe the colors in the mark, e.g., red, yellow, blue.  TMEP §807.07(a)(i)-(ii).  If black, white, and/or gray represent background, outlining, shading, and/or transparent areas and are not part of the mark, applicant must so specify in the description.  See TMEP §807.07(d). 

 

The following color claim and description are suggested:

 

Color claim:  “The colors red and white are claimed as a feature of the mark.”

 

Description:  “The mark consists of the word "VROOM" in white displayed in stylized font displayed on a red background.”

 

For more information about drawings and instructions on how to submit a new color drawing, amended color claim and/or description online using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) form, see the Drawing webpage.

 

ASSISTANCE

 

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  

 

 

Calloway, Christina

/Christina Calloway/

Examining Attorney

Law Office 122

571-272-7342

christina.calloway@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 September 30, 2019 for

U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 88491407

 

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. 

 

 

Calloway, Christina

/Christina Calloway/

Examining Attorney

Law Office 122

571-272-7342

christina.calloway@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 September 30, 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.”