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 10, 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, 2.65(a); TMEP §§711, 718.03.

 

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).

 

Section 2(e)(4) Refusal – Surname

 

Registration is refused because the applied-for mark is primarily merely a surname.  Trademark Act Section 2(e)(4), 15 U.S.C. §1052(e)(4); see TMEP §1211. 

 

An applicant’s mark is primarily merely a surname if the surname, when viewed in connection with the applicant’s recited goods and/or services, “‘is the primary significance of the mark as a whole to the purchasing public.’”  Earnhardt v. Kerry Earnhardt, Inc., 864 F.3d 1374, 1377, 123 USPQ2d 1411, 1413 (Fed. Cir. 2017) (quoting In re Hutchinson Tech. Inc., 852 F.2d 552, 554, 7 USPQ2d 1490, 1492 (Fed. Cir. 1988)); TMEP §1211.01.

 

The following five inquiries are often used to determine the public’s perception of a term’s primary significance:

 

(1)       Whether the surname is rare;

 

(2)       Whether anyone connected with applicant uses the term as a surname;

 

(3)       Whether the term has any recognized meaning other than as a surname;

 

(4)       Whether the term has the structure and pronunciation of a surname; and

 

(5)       Whether the term is sufficiently stylized to remove its primary significance from that of a surname.

 

In re Eximius Coffee, LLC, 120 USPQ2d 1276, 1278 & n.2, 1282-83 (TTAB 2016) (citing In re Benthin Mgmt. GmbH, 37 USPQ2d 1332, 1333-34 (TTAB 1995) for the Benthin inquiries/factors); TMEP §1211.01; see also In re Etablissements Darty et Fils, 759 F.2d 15, 16-18, 225 USPQ 652, 653 (Fed. Cir. 1985). 

 

These inquiries are not exclusive, and any of these circumstances – singly or in combination – and any other relevant circumstances may be considered when making this determination.  In re Eximius Coffee, LLC, 120 USPQ2d at 1277-78; TMEP §1211.01.  For example, when the applied-for mark is not stylized, it is unnecessary to consider the fifth inquiry.  In re Yeley, 85 USPQ2d 1150, 1151 (TTAB 2007); TMEP §1211.01.

 

Please see the attached evidence from LEXISNEXIS® at the end of this letter, establishing the surname significance of PICKERELL.  This evidence shows the applied-for mark appearing 505 times (50 entries of which are attached as a representative sample) as a surname in the LEXISNEXIS® surname database, which is a weekly updated directory of cell phone and other phone numbers (such as voice over IP) from various data providers. 

 

Further, the issue of determining whether a surname is common or rare is not determined solely by comparing the number of listings of the surname to the total number of listings in a computerized database, because even the most common surname would represent only a small fraction of the database.  In re Gregory, 70 USPQ2d 1792, 1795 (TTAB 2004).  Rather, if a surname appears routinely in news reports or articles and receives media publicity so as to be broadly exposed to the general public, then such surname is not rare and its primary significance to purchasers would be that of a surname, such as in this case.  See In re Beds & Bars Ltd., 122 USPQ2d 1546, 1551 (TTAB 2017); In re Gregory, 70 USPQ2d at 1795; TMEP §1211.01(a)(v).  In this case, the attached third party websites demonstrate that the surname PICKERELL routinely appears in electronic media webpages and articles and therefore is evidence that its primary significance to purchasers would be that of a surname.

 

Therefore, this mark is refused under Section 2(e)(4) of the Trademark Act.

 

Although applicant’s mark has been refused registration, applicant may respond to the refusal by submitting evidence and arguments in support of registration.

 

Amendment to Supplement Register Not Permitted Until Acceptable AAU is Filed – Section 1(b) – Informational

 

Although an amendment to the Supplemental Register would normally be an appropriate response to this refusal, such a response is not appropriate in the present case.  The instant application was filed under Trademark Act Section 1(b) and is not eligible for registration on the Supplemental Register until an acceptable amendment to allege use meeting the requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.76 has been timely filed.  37 C.F.R. §2.47(d); TMEP §§816.02, 1102.03.

 

If applicant files an acceptable allegation of use and also amends to the Supplemental Register, the application effective filing date will be the date applicant met the minimum filing requirements under 37 C.F.R. §2.76(c) for an amendment to allege use.  TMEP §§816.02, 1102.03; see 37 C.F.R. §2.75(b).  In addition, the undersigned trademark examining attorney will conduct a new search of the USPTO records for conflicting marks based on the later application filing date.  TMEP §§206.01, 1102.03.

 

 

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  

 

 

 

/Andrew Rhim/

Examining Attorney

United States Patent & Trademark Office

Law Office 101

(571) 272-9711

andrew.rhim@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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Search:	Public Records : Surname
Terms:	last-name(pickerell) maxresults(500)

 

Total number found: 505
No.	Name	Address	Phone
1.	PICKERELL, A	4978 TROUBADOR CINCINNATI, OH 45238-6028	513-451-9221
2.	PICKERELL, A	PORTLAND, ME 04101	207-518-3445
3.	PICKERELL, ADAM	12728 K4 VALLEY FALLS, KS 66088-5169	785-817-8864
4.	PICKERELL, AGNES E	32 FAIRFIELD WARREN, NJ 07059-5756	908-884-0600
5.	PICKERELL, ALEXY	2 LINE LIMINGTON, ME 04049-3001	207-518-3445
6.	PICKERELL, ALICE F	1301 SE 3RD HOXIE, AR 72433-2010	870-886-3486
7.	PICKERELL, ALLYSON R	1923 MOUSEBIRD NW SALEM, OR 97304-2017	503-362-0034
8.	PICKERELL, ALLYSON R	1923 MOUSEBIRD NW SALEM, OR 97304-2017	503-362-0034
9.	PICKERELL, AMANDA	2222 LYONS CHAPEL TOMPKINSVILLE, KY 42167-7805	270-487-7918
10.	PICKERELL, AMANDA	PO BOX 1378 CASS LAKE, MN 56633-1378	218-252-4864
11.	PICKERELL, AMELIA	1035 CIRCLE VIEW VINE GROVE, KY 40175-6265	270-234-6551
12.	PICKERELL, ANDRE	14601 ANCHORET TAMPA, FL 33618-2703	901-288-6992
13.	PICKERELL, ANDRE	PO BOX 1766 SOUTHOLD, NY 11971-0943	631-765-8249
14.	PICKERELL, ANDRE	PO BOX 1766 SOUTHOLD, NY 11971-0943	631-903-9711
15.	PICKERELL, ANDRE	2101 SCENIC APT D206 PENSACOLA, FL 32503-8600	901-351-0453
16.	PICKERELL, ANDRE	BRENTWOOD, NY 11717	631-838-6310
17.	PICKERELL, ANDRE	CINCINNATI, OH 45202	513-693-8578
18.	PICKERELL, ANDRE	CINCINNATI, OH 45203	513-386-4552
19.	PICKERELL, ANDRE	CORDOVA, TN 38016	901-849-1925
20.	PICKERELL, ANDRE	EMERSON, KY 41135	606-541-0544
21.	PICKERELL, ANDRE	RIVERHEAD, NY 11901	631-902-0750
22.	PICKERELL, ANDREA C	2500 WESTFIELD UNIT 102 ELGIN, IL 60124-7836	513-451-9221
23.	PICKERELL, ANDY	11084 COUNTY ROAD 550 CHILLICOTHE, OH 45601-9789	740-466-8635
24.	PICKERELL, ANN	PLYMOUTH RESERVOIR NORWICH, NY 13815	607-334-2428
25.	PICKERELL, ANNA	GOLDEN, CO 80401	303-279-3583
26.	PICKERELL, ARLENE C	379 SHULL WHITE LEITCHFIELD, KY 42754-9157	270-230-2175
27.	PICKERELL, ASHLEE	1923 MOUSEBIRD NW SALEM, OR 97304-2017	503-362-0034
28.	PICKERELL, ASHLEY	3120 STRATFORD FLINT, MI 48504-4226	810-835-9595
29.	PICKERELL, ASHLEY		248-459-7241
30.	PICKERELL, ASHLEY		810-308-9928
31.	PICKERELL, AUBREY L	4355 OAKLAND CAMP QUINCY, CA 95971-9306	925-209-8201
32.	PICKERELL, B	WICHITA, KS 67213	316-371-8518
33.	PICKERELL, BARBARA	421 N ELLSON WICHITA, KS 67206-4700	316-806-7766
34.	PICKERELL, BARRY CURTIS	123 S MAPLE ELIZABETHTOWN, KY 42701-1607	270-737-2352
35.	PICKERELL, BARRY	BASKETT, KY 42402	270-748-7429
36.	PICKERELL, BETTY J	219 BRYAN ST ELIZABETHTOWN, KY 42701-7480	270-737-0257
37.	PICKERELL, BILLY J	2219 LYONS CHAPEL TOMPKINSVILLE, KY 42167-7805	270-407-8812
38.	PICKERELL, BOBBY	SALEM, OR 97301	503-910-1718
39.	PICKERELL, BONNIE L	1730 S RIVER ZANESVILLE, OH 43701-7691	740-453-9073
40.	PICKERELL, BRAD	2960 S 64TH SPRINGDALE, AR 72762-0840	417-439-4098
41.	PICKERELL, BRAD	2241 S CLAY WICHITA, KS 67207-6319	316-833-4012
42.	PICKERELL, BRETT A	12710 W TAFT WICHITA, KS 67235-8434	316-239-5369
43.	PICKERELL, BRIAN R	310 7TH TOMPKINSVILLE, KY 42167-1344	502-487-0018
44.	PICKERELL, BRIAN E	1209 FRONTIER LONGMONT, CO 80501-3110	303-772-4031
45.	PICKERELL, BRIAN K	3508 W JOHNSON MUNCIE, IN 47304-2522	765-282-6721
46.	PICKERELL, BRIAN T	PO BOX 1106 ELIZABETHTOWN, KY 42702-1106	270-763-9042
47.	PICKERELL, BRIAN T	PO BOX 1106 ELIZABETHTOWN, KY 42702-1106	270-769-9425
48.	PICKERELL, BRIAN T	PO BOX 1106 ELIZABETHTOWN, KY 42702-1106	270-769-9425
49.	PICKERELL, BRIAN TRAVIS	107 SHARON ELIZABETHTOWN, KY 42701-4608	270-769-9425
50.	PICKERELL, BRIAN	RINEYVILLE, KY 40162	270-300-2396

 

Search:	Public Records: Surname
Terms:	last-name(pickerell) maxresults(500)
Date/Time:	Tuesday, September 10, 2019 12:36 PM
Permissible Use:	Your DPPA Permissible Use: Government Agency Your GLBA Permissible Use: Legal Compliance

 

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