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:  November 08, 2019

 

 

Database Search: 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).

 

Application Has Been Reviewed: The referenced application has been reviewed by the assigned trademark examining attorney.  To avoid abandonment, the applicant must respond timely and completely to the issues below.  15 U.S.C. §1062(b); 37 C.F.R. §§2.62(a), 2.65(a); TMEP §§711, 718.03.

 

Summary of Issues Applicant Must Address

• Refusal Based on Trademark Act Section 2(e)(4) – Surname Significance of the Mark
• Additional Information about the Mark

 

Refusal Based on Trademark Act Section 2(e)(4) – Surname Significance of the Mark

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.

 

The evidence attached at the end of this Office action from the LEXISNEXIS® surname database establishes the surname significance of MILLBURN.  This evidence, consisting of a sample of 50 entries, shows that the applied-for mark appears 305 times as a surname in the database, which is a weekly updated directory of cell phone and other phone numbers (such as voice over IP) from various data providers. 

 

For this reason, the examining attorney finds that because the mark is primarily merely a surname, registration of the applicant's mark is barred under Section 2(e)(4) of the Trademark Act.

 

Additional Information about the Mark

To permit proper examination of the application, the applicant must indicate whether the name Millburn identifies a person associated with the applicant’s business.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.61(b); TMEP §814.

 

The applicant should note that a term that is the surname of an individual applicant or that of an officer, founder, owner, or principal of applicant’s business is probative evidence of the term’s surname significance.  TMEP §1211.02(b)(iv); see, e.g., In re Etablissements Darty et Fils, 759 F.2d 15, 16, 225 USPQ 652, 653 (Fed. Cir. 1985) (holding DARTY primarily merely a surname where “Darty” was the surname of applicant’s corporate president); In re Eximius Coffee, LLC, 120 USPQ2d 1276, 1278-80 (TTAB 2016) (holding ALDECOA primarily merely a surname where ALDECOA was the surname of the founder and individuals continuously involved in the business); In re Integrated Embedded, 120 USPQ2d 1504, 1507 (TTAB 2016) (holding BARR GROUP primarily merely a surname where BARR was the surname of the co-founder and applicant’s corporate officer and GROUP was found “incapable of lending source-identifying significance to the mark”); Miller v. Miller, 105 USPQ2d 1615, 1620, 1622-23 (TTAB 2013) (holding MILLER LAW GROUP primarily merely a surname where “Miller” was the surname of the applicant and the term “law group” was found generic).

 

Applicant’s Response to Surname Refusal

In response to the surname refusal, the applicant may (1) claim acquired distinctiveness of the mark or (2) amend the application to seek registration on the Supplemental Register.

 

Claim of Acquired Distinctiveness

A mark deemed primarily merely a surname may be registered on the Principal Register under Trademark Act Section 2(f) by satisfying one of the following:

 

1)     Submit a claim of ownership of one or more active prior registrations on the Principal Register for a mark that is the same as the mark in the application and for the same or related goods and/or services.  37 C.F.R. §2.41(a)(1); TMEP §§1212, 1212.04.  The following wording is suggested: “The mark has become distinctive of the goods and/or services as evidenced by the ownership of active U. S. Registration No. [indicate] on the Principal Register for the same mark for sufficiently similar goods and/or services.”  TMEP § 1212.04(e).  The applicant should note that the mark MILLBURN RIDGEFIELD CORPORATION, which was registered in Registration No. 5819925, is not the same mark as the current mark RIDGEFIELD.  See In re Binion, 93 USPQ2d 1531, 1539 (TTAB 2009) (finding BINION and BINION’S are not the legal equivalents of the registered marks JACK BINION and JACK BINION’S).

 

2)     Submit the following statement, verified with an affidavit or signed declaration under 37 C.F.R. 37 §2,20: “The mark has become distinctive of the goods and/or services through the applicant’s substantially exclusive and continuous use of the mark in commerce that the U.S. Congress may lawfully regulate for at least five years immediately before the date of this statement.”  37 C.F.R. §2.41(a)(1); TMEP §§1212.05(d), see 37 C.F.R. §2.193(e)(1).; or

 

3)     Submit actual evidence of acquired distinctiveness.  37 C.F.R. §2.41(a)(3); TMEP §§1212.06.  Such evidence may include the following: examples of advertising and promotional materials that specifically promote the applied-for mark as a trademark and/or service mark in the United States; dollar figures for advertising devoted to such promotion; dealer and consumer statements of recognition of the applied-for mark as a trademark and/or service mark; and any other evidence that establishes recognition of the applied-for mark as a source-identifier for the goods and/or services.  See In re Ideal Indus., Inc., 508 F.2d 1336, 184 USPQ 487 (C.C.P.A. 1975); In re Instant Transations Corp. of Am., 201 USPQ 957 (TTAB 1979); TMEP §§1212.06 et. seq.

 

Trademark Act Section 2(f), 15 U.S.C. §1052(f); see 37 C.F.R. §2.41; TMEP §§1211, 1212.

 

Amendment to Supplemental Register

The applied-for mark has been refused registration on the Principal Register.  The applicant may respond to the refusal by submitting evidence and arguments in support of registration and/or by amending the application to seek registration on the Supplemental Register.  See 15 U.S.C. §1091; 37 C.F.R. §§2.47, 2.75(a); TMEP §§801.02(b), 816.  Amending to the Supplemental Register does not preclude applicant from submitting evidence and arguments against the refusal.  TMEP §816.04.

 

Although registration on the Supplemental Register does not afford all the benefits of registration on the Principal Register, it does provide the following advantages to the registrant:

 

(1)       Use of the registration symbol ® with the registered mark in connection with the designated goods and/or services, which provides public notice of the registration and potentially deters third parties from using confusingly similar marks.

 

(2)       Inclusion of the registered mark in the USPTO’s database of registered and pending marks, which will (a) make it easier for third parties to find it in trademark search reports, (b) provide public notice of the registration, and thus (c) potentially deter third parties from using confusingly similar marks.

 

(3)       Use of the registration by a USPTO trademark examining attorney as a bar to registering confusingly similar marks in applications filed by third parties.

 

(4)       Use of the registration as a basis to bring suit for trademark infringement in federal court, which, although more costly than state court, means judges with more trademark experience, often faster adjudications, and the opportunity to seek an injunction, actual damages, and attorneys’ fees and costs.

 

(5)       Use of the registration as a filing basis for a trademark application for registration in certain foreign countries, in accordance with international treaties.

 

See 15 U.S.C. §§1052(d), 1091, 1094; J. Thomas McCarthy, McCarthy on Trademarks & Unfair Competition §§19:33, 19:37 (rev. 4th ed. Supp. 2017).

 

Information for TEAS Applicants

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  

 

 

/Leigh Caroline Case/

Examining Attorney

Law Office 118

leigh.case@uspto.gov (preferred)

 

 

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(Millburn) maxresults(500)

 

Total number found: 305 

No.      Name  Address           Phone

                       

1.         MILLBURN, A          4011 HOPI CT

ELLICOTT CITY, MD 21043-5446              410-461-6441 

                       

2.         MILLBURN, A          187 MILLBURN

MILLBURN, NJ 07041-1847            973-379-5047 

                       

3.         MILLBURN, A          MILLBURN, NJ 07041          973-376-0670 

                       

4.         MILLBURN, A          MILLBURN, NJ 07041          973-376-9298 

                       

5.         MILLBURN, A R       MILLBURN, NJ 07041          973-379-0691 

                       

6.         MILLBURN, A R       MILLBURN, NJ 07041          973-379-1463 

                       

7.         MILLBURN, A R       MILLBURN, NJ 07041          973-379-1485 

                       

8.         MILLBURN, A R       MILLBURN, NJ 07041          973-379-8928 

                       

9.         MILLBURN, ADAM             2806 BRITTANY

SAINT CHARLES, IL 60175-5161  630-659-7696 

                       

10.       MILLBURN, ADAM             ELBURN, IL 60119  630-659-6090 

                       

11.       MILLBURN, ALLISON ILEANE     9640 S RIVEROAKS

BATON ROUGE, LA 70815-4445    225-448-3518 

                       

12.       MILLBURN, ANDREW        1670 CHAPEL HILLS DR

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80920-5446    719-268-0953 

                       

13.       MILLBURN, ANGELA         1308 DEERFIELD

MONROEVILLE, PA 15146-4408    412-373-3544 

                       

14.       MILLBURN, ANGELA                     708-522-1319 

                       

15.       MILLBURN, ASHLIN          TOPEKA, KS 66612  785-220-9748 

                       

16.       MILLBURN, BARBARA      4610 MATTHEWS PARK DR

SNELLVILLE, GA 30039-7100        770-978-4820 

                       

17.       MILLBURN, BETTY L         3605 SW HOLLY LN

TOPEKA, KS 66604-2552     785-272-9032 

                       

18.       MILLBURN, BLAINE          ELBURN, IL 60119  630-659-7282 

                       

19.       MILLBURN, BLAINE          WOOD DALE, IL 60191       630-659-7282 

                       

20.       MILLBURN, BLAIR             1001 ASHBERRY

LA GRANGE, KY 40031-6502         502-265-0134 

                       

21.       MILLBURN, BLAIR             BUCKNER, KY 40010          502-758-9944 

                       

22.       MILLBURN, BLAIR             LA GRANGE, KY 40031      502-758-9944 

                       

23.       MILLBURN, BOARD           MILLBURN, NJ 07041          973-258-0659 

                       

24.       MILLBURN, BRANDIE J     369 CHICKASAW

SAND SPRINGS, OK 74063-6848    918-241-4316 

                       

25.       MILLBURN, BRANDO        BONSALL, CA 92003           760-716-5534 

                       

26.       MILLBURN, BRANDO        DENVER, CO 80201             303-359-0309 

                       

27.       MILLBURN, BRANDO        VISTA, CA 92081      760-716-5534 

                       

28.       MILLBURN, BRANDON     546 CROSSING

CASTLE PINES, CO 80108-3423     720-280-4704 

                       

29.       MILLBURN, BRET  264 LONDON

CENTERVILLE, UT 84014-1927     801-380-8408 

                       

30.       MILLBURN, BRIAN             8129 BRIGANTINE

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80920-4405    719-554-4338 

                       

31.       MILLBURN, BRIAN             8129 BRIGANTINE

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80920-4405    719-554-4338 

                       

32.       MILLBURN, BRITTANY     180178 LARUE

COMANCHE, OK 73529      580-251-0381 

                       

33.       MILLBURN, BRYAN TANNER      1055 N 725 W

BRIGHAM CITY, UT 84302-6780  435-230-5573 

                       

34.       MILLBURN, C          10533 CROPPER

PLEASUREVILLE, KY 40057-7079            703-853-8730 

                       

35.       MILLBURN, C          18577 W MILLBURN

OLD MILL CREEK, IL 60083-9645             224-542-9590 

                       

36.       MILLBURN, C          BELTSVILLE, MD 20705     703-380-6420 

                       

37.       MILLBURN, C          BURKE, VA 22015    703-380-6420 

                       

38.       MILLBURN, C          CHULA VISTA, CA 91910  619-382-9058 

                       

39.       MILLBURN, C          ENCINITAS, CA 92024        760-943-1627 

                       

40.       MILLBURN, C          FREDERICKSBURG, VA 22405      540-842-1766 

                       

41.       MILLBURN, C          MILLBURN, NJ 07041          973-467-5783 

                       

42.       MILLBURN, C          MILLBURN, NJ 07041          973-467-9639 

                       

43.       MILLBURN, C          RAPID CITY, SD 57702        605-209-1635 

                       

44.       MILLBURN, CAMILLE P    346 W 150 N

MORGAN, UT 84050-9932  801-829-4263 

                       

45.       MILLBURN, CASSI A          1204 MILLBRIDGE

WEST BOUNTIFUL, UT 84087-1418          801-833-7334 

                       

46.       MILLBURN, CATHERINE  9710 MILLBURN DR

SAINT LOUIS, MO 63136-1946       314-388-1219 

                       

47.       MILLBURN, CATHRYN J  412 E THORNBERRY

DRAPER, UT 84020-6826     801-391-3778 

                       

48.       MILLBURN, CHAD              369 CHICKASAW

SAND SPRINGS, OK 74063-6848    918-519-2722 

                       

49.       MILLBURN, CHAD              369 CHICKASAW

SAND SPRINGS, OK 74063-6848    918-633-3979 

                       

50.       MILLBURN, CHAD              369 CHICKASAW

SAND SPRINGS, OK 74063-6848    918-636-1991  

                       

 

Search:            Public Records: Surname

Terms: last-name(Millburn) maxresults(500)

Date/Time:     Thursday, November 07, 2019 10:34 AM