Offc Action Outgoing

FSP

Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC

U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 88573683 - FSP - 166301-01010


United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

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

 

U.S. Application Serial No. 88573683

 

Mark:  FSP

 

 

 

 

Correspondence Address: 

DWAYNE L. MASON

GREENBERG TRAURIG LLP

1000 LOUISIANA STREET, SUITE 1700

HOUSTON, TX 77002

 

 

 

Applicant:  Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC

 

 

 

Reference/Docket No. 166301-01010

 

Correspondence Email Address: 

 GTIPMAIL@GTLAW.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:  November 18, 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:

  • Partial Section 2(d) Refusal – Likelihood of Confusion with Regard to Specified Goods
  • Classification and Identification of Goods and Services
  • Multiple-Class Application Requirements

 

PARTIAL SECTION 2(d) REFUSAL – LIKELIHOOD OF CONFUSION WITH REGARD

TO SPECIFIED GOODS

THIS PARTIAL REFUSAL APPLIES ONLY TO THE GOODS SPECIFIED THEREIN

 

Applicant has applied to register FSP in standard characters for:

 

  • “Flexible pipe and pipeline products, all of metal, namely, pipe, fittings, pipe clips, collars, connectors, couplings and joints; steel pipes and tubes; branching tubes of metal for pipelines, compressed air pipe fittings of metal; metal cable wire; non-electric cables of metal; reinforcing materials, namely, flexible plates of metal for building purposes, excluding hose, flexible pipe or hose or flexible pipe used for oil or petroleum retail dispensing or fueling purposes or pipeline products or other products used for oil or petroleum retail dispensing or fueling purposes; flexible steel pipe; flexible pipe and pipeline products for use in the oil and gas industry for oil and gas exploration and production, transmission and drilling, namely, pipes comprised primarily or wholly of metal and metal fittings therefor; flexible pipes comprised primarily or wholly of metal for conveying natural gas, oil, water, carbon dioxide, mined ore, jet fuel, sewage, and fiber optic cables; pipe clips, collars, connectors, couplings and joints comprised primarily or wholly of metal; but not including hose, flexible pipe or pipeline products or other products used for oil or petroleum retail dispensing or fueling purposes” in Class 6;
  • “Mechanical lifting system for deploying pipes, designed to raise or lower pipe coils and install pipe, consisting primarily of mechanical and hydraulic lifts, mounted on a trailer and trailer bed, with trailer bed actuators as a unit” in Class 7;
  • “Trailers for laying flexible steel pipe; flexible steel pipe deployment systems comprised primarily of trailers for hauling and laying pipe, coiled pipe, coiled tubing, flexible pipe, flexible steel pipe and flexible composite pipe; equipment trailers, coil trailers, coil tubing trailers, pipe trailers, flexible pipe trailers, flexible steel pipe trailers, and flexible composite pipe trailers” in Class 12;
  • “Flexible steel pipe and pipeline products for use in the oil and gas industry for oil and gas exploration and production, transmission and drilling, namely, flexible pipes for conveying natural gas comprised primarily or wholly of plastics; reinforced flexible thermoplastic pipe; flexible pipes comprised primarily or wholly of plastics for conveying natural gas, oil, water, carbon dioxide, mined ore, jet fuel, sewage, and fiber optic cables; but not including hose, flexible pipe or pipeline products or other products used for oil or petroleum retail dispensing or fueling purposes; branching tubes not of metal for pipelines, rubber tubes and pipes, non-metal pipe collars, connectors, couplings and joints, pipe fittings, namely, rosettes, non-metal tubing and tubing couplings for joining and terminating pipes, pipe gaskets, flexible compressed air pipe fittings, not of metal, flexible plastic pipes for conveying natural gas, insulated pipe supports, insulation jackets for industrial pipes, insulating sleeves for pipeline; interior linings made of non-metal fabric and sealant for the repair of electrical, telecommunication and natural gas utility conduits and pipes, rings of rubber for use as pipe connection seals; but not including hose, flexible pipe or pipeline products or other products used for oil or petroleum retail dispensing or fueling purposes; all the aforesaid goods not of metal or of composites or plastic and metals; flexible pipe, not of metal” in Class 17;
  • “Pipe deployment services, namely, pipe laying for others; operating pipe deployment systems, namely, pipe laying services using pipe laying equipment to install pipe for others; installation, operation and maintenance of steel pipes and steel pipe deployment systems” in Class 37;
  • “Flexible steel pipe deployment systems and equipment” in Class 39; and
  • “Design of pipes for others; pipeline services, namely, pipeline integrity testing” in Class 42.

 

The stated refusal refers to the following goods and does not bar registration for the other goods and services: 

 

  • “Flexible pipe and pipeline products, all of metal, namely, pipe, fittings, pipe clips, collars, connectors, couplings and joints; steel pipes and tubes; branching tubes of metal for pipelines, compressed air pipe fittings of metal; metal cable wire; non-electric cables of metal” and “flexible steel pipe; flexible pipe and pipeline products for use in the oil and gas industry for oil and gas exploration and production, transmission and drilling, namely, pipes comprised primarily or wholly of metal and metal fittings therefor; flexible pipes comprised primarily or wholly of metal for conveying natural gas, oil, water, carbon dioxide, mined ore, jet fuel, sewage, and fiber optic cables; pipe clips, collars, connectors, couplings and joints comprised primarily or wholly of metal; but not including hose, flexible pipe or pipeline products or other products used for oil or petroleum retail dispensing or fueling purposes” in Class 6.

 

Registration of the applied-for mark is partially refused because of a likelihood of confusion with the marks FSP in U.S. Registration No. 4906756, and FSP-ONE in U.S. Registration No. 3042019.  Trademark Act Section 2(d), 15 U.S.C. §1052(d); see TMEP §§1207.01 et seq.  See the attached registrations.

 

Trademark Act Section 2(d) bars registration of an applied-for mark that is so similar to a registered mark that it is likely consumers would be confused, mistaken, or deceived as to the commercial source of the goods and/or services of the parties.  See 15 U.S.C. §1052(d).  Likelihood of confusion is determined on a case-by-case basis by applying 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) (called the “du Pont factors”).  In re i.am.symbolic, llc, 866 F.3d 1315, 1322, 123 USPQ2d 1744, 1747 (Fed. Cir. 2017).  Only those factors that are “relevant and of record” need be considered.  M2 Software, Inc. v. M2 Commc’ns, Inc., 450 F.3d 1378, 1382, 78 USPQ2d 1944, 1947 (Fed. Cir. 2006) (citing Shen Mfg. Co. v. Ritz Hotel Ltd., 393 F.3d 1238, 1241, 73 USPQ2d 1350, 1353 (Fed. Cir. 2004)); see In re Inn at St. John’s, LLC, 126 USPQ2d 1742, 1744 (TTAB 2018). 

 

Although not all du Pont factors may be relevant, there are generally two key considerations in any likelihood of confusion analysis:  (1) the similarities between the compared marks and (2) the relatedness of the compared goods and/or services.  See In re i.am.symbolic, llc, 866 F.3d at 1322, 123 USPQ2d at 1747 (quoting Herbko Int’l, Inc. v. Kappa Books, Inc., 308 F.3d 1156, 1164-65, 64 USPQ2d 1375, 1380 (Fed. Cir. 2002)); Federated Foods, Inc. v. Fort Howard Paper Co.,544 F.2d 1098, 1103, 192 USPQ 24, 29 (C.C.P.A. 1976) (“The fundamental inquiry mandated by [Section] 2(d) goes to the cumulative effect of differences in the essential characteristics of the goods [or services] and differences in the marks.”); TMEP §1207.01.

 

Similarity of the Marks

 

The applicant has applied for the mark FSP. The cited marks are FSP, owned by FSP Holdings Pty. Ltd., and FSP-ONE, owned by FSP-One.

 

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 Inn at St. John’s, LLC, 126 USPQ2d 1742, 1746 (TTAB 2018) (citing In re Davia, 110 USPQ2d 1810, 1812 (TTAB 2014)); TMEP §1207.01(b).

 

When comparing marks, “[t]he proper test is not a side-by-side comparison of the marks, but instead whether the marks are sufficiently similar in terms of their commercial impression such that [consumers] who encounter the marks would be likely to assume a connection between the parties.”  Cai v. Diamond Hong, Inc., __ F.3d __, 127 USPQ2d 1797, 1801 (Fed. Cir. 2018) (quoting Coach Servs., Inc. v. Triumph Learning LLC, 668 F.3d 1356, 1368, 101 USPQ2d 1713, 1721 (Fed. Cir. 2012)); TMEP §1207.01(b).  The proper focus is on the recollection of the average purchaser, who retains a general rather than specific impression of trademarks.  In re Inn at St. John’s, LLC, 126 USPQ2d 1742, 1746 (TTAB 2018) (citing In re St. Helena Hosp., 774 F.3d 747, 750-51, 113 USPQ2d 1082, 1085 (Fed. Cir. 2014); Geigy Chem. Corp. v. Atlas Chem. Indus., Inc., 438 F.2d 1005, 1007, 169 USPQ 39, 40 (CCPA 1971)); TMEP §1207.01(b).

 

Here, the applicant’s mark, FSP, is confusingly similar to the registrants’ marks, FSP and FSP-ONE. Specifically, the marks share the wording “FSP”.

 

 First, the marks share the term “FSP”. Marks may be confusingly similar in appearance where similar terms or phrases or similar parts of terms or phrases appear in the compared marks and create a similar overall commercial impression.  See Crocker Nat’l Bank v. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, 228 USPQ 689, 690-91 (TTAB 1986), aff’d sub nom. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce v. Wells Fargo Bank, Nat’l Ass’n, 811 F.2d 1490, 1495, 1 USPQ2d 1813, 1817 (Fed. Cir. 1987) (finding COMMCASH and COMMUNICASH confusingly similar); In re Corning Glass Works, 229 USPQ 65, 66 (TTAB 1985) (finding CONFIRM and CONFIRMCELLS confusingly similar); In re Pellerin Milnor Corp., 221 USPQ 558, 560 (TTAB 1983) (finding MILTRON and MILLTRONICS confusingly similar); TMEP §1207.01(b)(ii)-(iii).

 

Further, regarding the registered mark FSP, the marks are identical in sound and meaning, are nearly identical in appearance, “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 goods and/or services.  Id.

 

The additional wording, “ONE” in the registered mark “FSP-ONE” does not sufficiently differentiate the marks, as both marks begin with the wording “FSP”. Consumers are generally more inclined to focus on the first word, prefix, or syllable in any trademark or service mark.  See Palm Bay Imps., Inc. v. Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Maison Fondee En 1772, 396 F.3d 1369, 1372, 73 USPQ2d 1689, 1692 (Fed. Cir. 2005) (finding similarity between VEUVE ROYALE and two VEUVE CLICQUOT marks in part because “VEUVE . . . remains a ‘prominent feature’ as the first word in the mark and the first word to appear on the label”); Century 21 Real Estate Corp. v. Century Life of Am., 970 F.2d 874, 876, 23 USPQ2d 1698, 1700 (Fed Cir. 1992) (finding similarity between CENTURY 21 and CENTURY LIFE OF AMERICA in part because “consumers must first notice th[e] identical lead word”); see also In re Detroit Athletic Co., 903 F.3d 1297, 1303, 128 USPQ2d 1047, 1049 (Fed. Cir. 2018) (finding “the identity of the marks’ two initial words is particularly significant because consumers typically notice those words first”).

 

Finally, the stylization and design elements present in the registered marks also do not sufficiently differentiate the marks. When evaluating a composite mark consisting of words and a design, the word portion is normally accorded greater weight because it is likely to make a greater impression upon purchasers, be remembered by them, and be used by them to refer to or request the goods and/or services.  In re Aquitaine Wine USA, LLC, 126 USPQ2d 1181, 1184 (TTAB 2018) (citing In re Viterra Inc., 671 F.3d 1358, 1362, 101 USPQ2d 1905, 1908 (Fed. Cir. 2012)); TMEP §1207.01(c)(ii).  Thus, although marks must be compared in their entireties, the word portion is often considered the dominant feature and is accorded greater weight in determining whether marks are confusingly similar, even where the word portion has been disclaimed.  In re Viterra Inc., 671 F.3d at 1366-67, 101 USPQ2d at 1911 (citing Giant Food, Inc. v. Nation’s Foodservice, Inc., 710 F.2d 1565, 1570-71, 218 USPQ2d 390, 395 (Fed. Cir. 1983)).

 

Thus, because the marks share the wording “FSP”, and therefore look and sound similar, the marks are considered similar for likelihood of confusion purposes.

 

Relatedness of the Goods

 

The applicant’s goods at issue are “Flexible pipe and pipeline products, all of metal, namely, pipe, fittings, pipe clips, collars, connectors, couplings and joints; steel pipes and tubes; branching tubes of metal for pipelines, compressed air pipe fittings of metal; metal cable wire; non-electric cables of metal” and “flexible steel pipe; flexible pipe and pipeline products for use in the oil and gas industry for oil and gas exploration and production, transmission and drilling, namely, pipes comprised primarily or wholly of metal and metal fittings therefor; flexible pipes comprised primarily or wholly of metal for conveying natural gas, oil, water, carbon dioxide, mined ore, jet fuel, sewage, and fiber optic cables; pipe clips, collars, connectors, couplings and joints comprised primarily or wholly of metal; but not including hose, flexible pipe or pipeline products or other products used for oil or petroleum retail dispensing or fueling purposes” in Class 6.

 

The goods are compared to determine whether they are similar, commercially related, or travel in the same trade channels.  See Coach Servs., Inc. v. Triumph Learning LLC, 668 F.3d 1356, 1369-71, 101 USPQ2d 1713, 1722-23 (Fed. Cir. 2012); Herbko Int’l, Inc. v. Kappa Books, Inc., 308 F.3d 1156, 1165, 64 USPQ2d 1375, 1381 (Fed. Cir. 2002); TMEP §§1207.01, 1207.01(a)(vi).

 

The compared goods 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); TMEP §1207.01(a)(i).  They need only be “related in some manner and/or if the circumstances surrounding their marketing are such that they could give rise to the mistaken belief that [the goods and/or 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).

 

The overriding concern is not only to prevent buyer confusion as to the source of the goods and/or services, but to protect the registrants from adverse commercial impact due to use of a similar mark by a newcomer.  See In re Shell Oil Co., 992 F.2d 1204, 1208, 26 USPQ2d 1687, 1690 (Fed. Cir. 1993).  Therefore, any doubt regarding a likelihood of confusion determination is resolved in favor of the registrants.  TMEP §1207.01(d)(i); see Hewlett-Packard Co. v. Packard Press, Inc., 281 F.3d 1261, 1265, 62 USPQ2d 1001, 1003 (Fed. Cir. 2002); In re Hyper Shoppes (Ohio), Inc., 837 F.2d 463, 464-65, 6 USPQ2d 1025, 1026 (Fed. Cir. 1988).

 

            In re U.S. Registration No. 4906756

 

The applicants goods at issue are Flexible pipe and pipeline products, all of metal, namely, pipe, fittings, pipe clips, collars, connectors, couplings and joints; steel pipes and tubes; branching tubes of metal for pipelines, compressed air pipe fittings of metal” and “flexible steel pipe; flexible pipe and pipeline products for use in the oil and gas industry for oil and gas exploration and production, transmission and drilling, namely, pipes comprised primarily or wholly of metal and metal fittings therefor; flexible pipes comprised primarily or wholly of metal for conveying natural gas, oil, water, carbon dioxide, mined ore, jet fuel, sewage, and fiber optic cables; pipe clips, collars, connectors, couplings and joints comprised primarily or wholly of metal; but not including hose, flexible pipe or pipeline products or other products used for oil or petroleum retail dispensing or fueling purposes” in Class 6.

 

The registrant’s relevant goods are “pipes of metal” in Class 6.

 

Determining likelihood of confusion is based on the description of the goods and/or services stated in the application and registration at issue, not on extrinsic evidence of actual use.  See In re Detroit Athletic Co., 903 F.3d 1297, 1307, 128 USPQ2d 1047, 1052 (Fed. Cir. 2018) (citing In re i.am.symbolic, llc, 866 F.3d 1315, 1325, 123 USPQ2d 1744, 1749 (Fed. Cir. 2017)).  

 

In this case, the registration uses broad wording to describe “pipes of metal”, which presumably encompasses all goods of the type described, including applicant’s more narrow “Flexible pipe and pipeline products, all of metal, namely, pipe”, “steel pipes and tubes; branching tubes of metal for pipelines”, “flexible steel pipe; flexible pipe and pipeline products for use in the oil and gas industry for oil and gas exploration and production, transmission and drilling, namely, pipes comprised primarily or wholly of metal”, and “flexible pipes comprised primarily or wholly of metal for conveying natural gas, oil, water, carbon dioxide, mined ore, jet fuel, sewage, and fiber optic cables”.  See, e.g., In re Solid State Design Inc., 125 USPQ2d 1409, 1412-15 (TTAB 2018); Sw. Mgmt., Inc. v. Ocinomled, Ltd., 115 USPQ2d 1007, 1025 (TTAB 2015).  Thus, applicant’s and registrant’s goods are highly related.  See, e.g., In re i.am.symbolic, llc, 127 USPQ2d 1627, 1629 (TTAB 2018) (citing Tuxedo Monopoly, Inc. v.Gen. Mills Fun Grp., Inc., 648 F.2d 1335, 1336, 209 USPQ 986, 988 (C.C.P.A. 1981); Inter IKEA Sys. B.V. v. Akea, LLC, 110 USPQ2d 1734, 1745 (TTAB 2014); Baseball Am. Inc. v. Powerplay Sports Ltd., 71 USPQ2d 1844, 1847 n.9 (TTAB 2004)).

 

Further, the attached Internet evidence from Grainger, American Piping Products, and Petro Piping establishes that the same entity commonly manufactures, produces, or provides the relevant goods and markets the goods under the same mark, and the relevant goods are sold or provided through the same trade channels and used by the same classes of consumers in the same fields of use. For example:

 

         Grainger provides metal pipes as well as pipe fittings, collars, connectors , couplings, joints, and compressed air pipe fittings, all comprised of metal:

o   http://www.grainger.com/product/4NXW6?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxtnI_oPb5QIVD4zICh31bgN2EAQYAiABEgLIGPD_BwE&cm_mmc=PPC:+Google+PLA&ef_id=EAIaIQobChMIxtnI_oPb5QIVD4zICh31bgN2EAQYAiABEgLIGPD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!2966!3!390126534856!!!g!540448928863!; http://www.grainger.com/product/30LX28?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInqa2pYPb5QIVEYzICh3Lig5TEAQYAiABEgK_0_D_BwE&cm_mmc=PPC:+Google+PLA&ef_id=EAIaIQobChMInqa2pYPb5QIVEYzICh3Lig5TEAQYAiABEgK_0_D_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!2966!3!390126534856!!!g!540448928863!; http://www.grainger.com/product/4NXR2?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInYeLwIPb5QIVjLbICh3UHAFdEAQYASABEgJ_xPD_BwE&cm_mmc=PPC:+Google+PLA&ef_id=EAIaIQobChMInYeLwIPb5QIVjLbICh3UHAFdEAQYASABEgJ_xPD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!2966!3!390126534856!!!g!540448928863!; http://www.grainger.com/category/pneumatics/distribution-equipment

         American Piping Products provides metal pipes as well as metal fittings for metal pipes:

o   http://www.amerpipe.com/steel-pipe-products/carbon-pipe/;

         Petro Piping provides metal pipes as well as metal fittings for metal pipes:

o   http://petropipingsupply.com/carbon-steel-pipes/; http://petropipingsupply.com/carbon-steel-fittings/ 

 

The trademark examining attorney has attached evidence from the USPTO’s X-Search database consisting of a number of third-party marks registered for use in connection with the same or similar goods as those of both applicant and registrant in this case.  This evidence shows that the goods listed therein, namely metal pipes and metal pipe fittings, are of a kind that may emanate from a single source under a single mark.  See In re I-Coat Co., 126 USPQ2d 1730, 1737 (TTAB 2018) (citing In re Infinity Broad. Corp., 60 USPQ2d 1214, 1217-18 (TTAB 2001); In re Albert Trostel & Sons Co.,29 USPQ2d 1783, 1785-86 (TTAB 1993); In re Mucky Duck Mustard Co., 6 USPQ2d 1467, 1470 n.6 (TTAB 1988)); TMEP §1207.01(d)(iii). See Registration Nos. 5900951, 5895064, 5888867, and 5885246.

 

Thus, applicant’s and registrant’s goods 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).

 

            In re U.S. Registration No. 3042019

 

Applicant’s relevant goods are “metal cable wire; non-electric cables of metal” in Class 6.

 

The registrant’s relevant goods are “Metal wires and wires of common metal alloys, except fuses” in Class 6.

 

Determining likelihood of confusion is based on the description of the goods and/or services stated in the application and registration at issue, not on extrinsic evidence of actual use.  See In re Detroit Athletic Co., 903 F.3d 1297, 1307, 128 USPQ2d 1047, 1052 (Fed. Cir. 2018) (citing In re i.am.symbolic, llc, 866 F.3d 1315, 1325, 123 USPQ2d 1744, 1749 (Fed. Cir. 2017)).  

 

In this case, the registration uses broad wording to describe metal wires, which presumably encompasses all goods of the type described, including applicant’s more narrow metal cable wire.  See, e.g., In re Solid State Design Inc., 125 USPQ2d 1409, 1412-15 (TTAB 2018); Sw. Mgmt., Inc. v. Ocinomled, Ltd., 115 USPQ2d 1007, 1025 (TTAB 2015).  Thus, applicant’s and registrant’s goods are highly related.  See, e.g., In re i.am.symbolic, llc, 127 USPQ2d 1627, 1629 (TTAB 2018) (citing Tuxedo Monopoly, Inc. v.Gen. Mills Fun Grp., Inc., 648 F.2d 1335, 1336, 209 USPQ 986, 988 (C.C.P.A. 1981); Inter IKEA Sys. B.V. v. Akea, LLC, 110 USPQ2d 1734, 1745 (TTAB 2014); Baseball Am. Inc. v. Powerplay Sports Ltd., 71 USPQ2d 1844, 1847 n.9 (TTAB 2004)).

 

Further, the attached Internet evidence from U.S. Cargo Control, Lexco, and MSC, establishes that the same entity commonly manufactures, produces, or provides the relevant goods and markets the goods under the same mark, and the relevant goods are sold or provided through the same trade channels and used by the same classes of consumers in the same fields of use. For example:

 

 

The trademark examining attorney has attached evidence from the USPTO’s X-Search database consisting of a number of third-party marks registered for use in connection with the same or similar goods as those of both applicant and registrant in this case.  This evidence shows that the goods listed therein, namely metal wires and metal cables, are of a kind that may emanate from a single source under a single mark.  See In re I-Coat Co., 126 USPQ2d 1730, 1737 (TTAB 2018) (citing In re Infinity Broad. Corp., 60 USPQ2d 1214, 1217-18 (TTAB 2001); In re Albert Trostel & Sons Co.,29 USPQ2d 1783, 1785-86 (TTAB 1993); In re Mucky Duck Mustard Co., 6 USPQ2d 1467, 1470 n.6 (TTAB 1988)); TMEP §1207.01(d)(iii). See Registration Nos. 5879174, 5869777, and 5819610.

 

Thus, applicant’s and registrant’s goods 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).

 

Accordingly, because the marks are significantly similar and the goods are highly related, purchasers are likely to be confused as to the source of the goods.  Thus, registration is partially refused pursuant to Section 2(d) of the Trademark Act.

 

Although applicant’s mark has been refused registration, applicant may respond to the refusal(s) by submitting evidence and arguments in support of registration. Applicant should note the following advisory.

 

ADVISORY: PARTIAL REFUSAL RESPONSE OPTIONS

 

Applicant may respond to the stated refusal by submitting evidence and arguments against the refusal.  In addition, applicant may respond by doing one of the following:

 

(1)  Deleting the goods and/or services to which the refusal pertains;

 

(2)  Filing a request to divide out the goods and/or services that have not been refused registration, so that the mark may proceed toward publication for opposition for those goods or services to which the refusal does not pertain.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.87.  See generally TMEP §§1110 et seq. (regarding the requirements for filing a request to divide).  If applicant files a request to divide, then to avoid abandonment, applicant must also file a timely response to all outstanding issues in this Office action, including the refusal.  37 C.F.R. §2.87(e).; or

 

(3)  Amending the basis for the goods and/or services identified in the refusal, if appropriate.  TMEP §806.03(h).  (The basis cannot be changed for applications filed under Trademark Act Section 66(a).  TMEP §1904.01(a).)

 

Applicant must address the following requirements.

 

CLASSIFICATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF GOODS AND SERVICES

 

The identification of goods/services in Classes 6, 17, 37, 39, and 42 is indefinite and/or overbroad and must be clarified or reclassified to ensure proper analysis.

 

In Class 6, the wording “reinforcing materials, namely, flexible plates of metal for building purposes, excluding hose, flexible pipe or hose or flexible pipe used for oil or petroleum retail dispensing or fueling purposes or pipeline products or other products used for oil or petroleum retail dispensing or fueling purposes” in the identification of goods is indefinite and must be clarified to further specify the nature of the goods, as set forth below.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01.

 

Applicant has classified “non-metal pipe collars” in International Class 17; however, the proper classification is International Class 20.  Therefore, applicant may respond by (1) adding International Class 20 to the application and reclassifying these goods in the proper international class, (2) deleting “non-metal pipe connectors” from the application, or (3) deleting the remainder of the items in the identification and reclassifying the specified goods in the proper international class.  See 37 C.F.R. §§2.86(a), 6.1; TMEP §§1403.02 et seq.  If applicant adds one or more international classes to the application, applicant must comply with the multiple-class requirements specified in this Office action.

 

In Class 17, the wording “Flexible steel pipe and pipeline products for use in the oil and gas industry for oil and gas exploration and production, transmission and drilling, namely, flexible pipes for conveying natural gas comprised primarily or wholly of plastics” and “connectors, couplings and joints, pipe fittings, namely, rosettes, non-metal tubing and tubing couplings for joining and terminating pipes” in the identification of goods is indefinite and must be clarified to further specify the nature of the goods, as set forth below.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01

 

In Class 37, the wording “installation, operation and maintenance of steel pipes and steel deployment systems” in the identification of services is indefinite and must be clarified to further specify the nature of the services, as set forth below.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01

 

The identification for “Flexible steel pipe deployment systems” in International Class 39 is indefinite and misclassified and must be clarified because the wording does not make clear the nature of the specific systems.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1401.05(d). 

 

Applicant must clarify the goods by (1) describing the nature, purpose, or use of the system; and (2) listing the system’s parts or components, using common generic terms and referencing the primary parts or components of the system first.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §§1401.05(d), 1402.01, 1402.03(a).  Additionally, this wording should be classified in the same international class as the primary parts or components of the system.  See TMEP §1401.05(d). 

 

In Class 39, the wording “equipment” in the identification of services is indefinite and misclassified, as it is classified in a services class rather than a goods class, and must be clarified to further specify the equipment provided, as set forth below.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01

 

In Class 42, the wording “Design of pipes for others; pipeline services, namely, pipeline integrity testing” in the identification of services is indefinite and must be clarified to further specify the nature of the services, as set forth below.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01

 

Applicant may adopt the following suggestions, if accurate:

 

006: Flexible pipe and pipeline products, all of metal, namely, pipe, fittings, pipe clips, collars, connectors, couplings and joints; steel pipes and tubes; branching tubes of metal for pipelines, compressed air pipe fittings of metal; metal cable wire; non-electric cables of metal; reinforcing materials, namely, flexible plates of steel for building purposes, excluding hose, flexible pipe or hose or flexible pipe used for oil or petroleum retail dispensing or fueling purposes or pipeline products or other products used for oil or petroleum retail dispensing or fueling purposes; flexible steel pipe; flexible pipe and pipeline products for use in the oil and gas industry for oil and gas exploration and production, transmission and drilling, namely, pipes comprised primarily or wholly of metal and metal fittings therefor; flexible pipes comprised primarily or wholly of metal for conveying natural gas, oil, water, carbon dioxide, mined ore, jet fuel, sewage, and fiber optic cables; pipe clips, collars, connectors, couplings and joints comprised primarily or wholly of metal; but not including hose, flexible pipe or pipeline products or other products used for oil or petroleum retail dispensing or fueling purposes; flexible steel pipe deployment systems comprised of {specify components, e.g., steel pipes, pipe fittings of metal, pipe tubes of metal, metal pipe clips, etc.} and equipment therefor, namely, {specify equipment, e.g., pipe fittings of metal, metal pipe clips, etc.}

 

007: Mechanical lifting system for deploying pipes, designed to raise or lower pipe coils and install pipe, consisting primarily of mechanical and hydraulic lifts, mounted on a trailer and trailer bed, with trailer bed actuators as a unit

 

012: Trailers for laying flexible steel pipe; flexible steel pipe deployment systems comprised primarily of trailers for hauling and laying pipe, coiled pipe, coiled tubing, flexible pipe, flexible steel pipe and flexible composite pipe; equipment trailers, coil trailers, coil tubing trailers, pipe trailers, flexible pipe trailers, flexible steel pipe trailers, and flexible composite pipe trailers

 

017: Flexible steel pipe and Pipeline products for use in the oil and gas industry for oil and gas exploration and production, transmission and drilling, namely, flexible pipes for conveying natural gas comprised primarily or wholly of plastics; reinforced flexible thermoplastic pipe; flexible pipes comprised primarily or wholly of plastics for conveying natural gas, oil, water, carbon dioxide, mined ore, jet fuel, sewage, and fiber optic cables, but not including hose, flexible pipe or pipeline products or other products used for oil or petroleum retail dispensing or fueling purposes; branching tubes not of metal for pipelines, rubber tubes and pipes, non-metal pipe collars, non-metal pipe connectors, pipe couplings and joints, pipe fittings, namely, rosettes, non-metal flexible tubing and tubing couplings for joining and terminating pipes, pipe gaskets, flexible compressed air pipe fittings, not of metal, flexible plastic pipes for conveying natural gas, insulated pipe supports, insulation jackets for industrial pipes, insulating sleeves for pipeline; interior linings made of non-metal fabric and sealant for the repair of electrical, telecommunication and natural gas utility conduits and pipes, rings of rubber for use as pipe connection seals; but not including hose, flexible pipe or pipeline products or other products used for oil or petroleum retail dispensing or fueling purposes; all the aforesaid goods not of metal or of composites or plastic and metals; flexible pipe, not of metal

 

020: Non-metal pipe collars

 

037: Pipe deployment services, namely, pipe laying for others; operating pipe deployment systems, namely, pipe laying services using pipe laying equipment to install pipe for others; pipeline maintenance and construction, namely, installation, operation and maintenance of steel pipes and steel deployment systems

 

039: Flexible steel pipe deployment systems and equipment

 

042: {Specify type of design, e.g., engineering, industrial} design services, namely, design of pipes for others; pipeline services, namely, testing the functionality and integrity of apparatus and instruments in the nature of {specify nature of pipelines, e.g., oil, gas} pipelines

 

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).

 

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.

 

Applicant must address the following additional requirement.

 

MULTIPLE-CLASS APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

 

The application identifies goods and services that are potentially classified in at least eight classes; however, applicant submitted a fee sufficient for only seven classes.  In a multiple-class application, a fee for each class is required.  37 C.F.R. §2.86(a)(2), (b)(2); TMEP §§810.01, 1403.01.

 

Therefore, applicant must either (1) restrict the application to the number of classes covered by the fees already paid, or (2) submit the fees for each additional class and satisfy all the requirements below for each international class based on Trademark Act Section 1(b):

 

(1)        List the goods and/or services by their international class number in consecutive numerical order, starting with the lowest numbered class.

 

(2)        Submit a filing fee for each international class not covered by the fee(s) already paid (view the USPTO’s current fee schedule).  The application identifies goods and/or services that are potentially classified in at least eight classes; however, applicant submitted a fee(s) sufficient for only seven classes.  As explained, applicant must either submit the filing fees for the classes not covered by the submitted fees or restrict the application to the number of classes covered by the fees already paid.

 

See 15 U.S.C. §§1051(b), 1112, 1126(e); 37 C.F.R. §§2.32(a)(6)-(7), 2.34(a)(2)-(3), 2.86(a); TMEP §§1403.01, 1403.02(c).

 

See an overview of the requirements for a Section 1(b) multiple-class application and how to satisfy the requirements online using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) form.

 

The fee for adding classes to a TEAS Reduced Fee (RF) application is $275 per class.  See 37 C.F.R. §§2.6(a)(1)(iii), 2.23(a).  See more information regarding the requirements for maintaining the lower TEAS RF fee and, if these requirements are not satisfied, for adding classes at a higher fee using regular TEAS.

 

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. 

 

If applicant does not timely respond to this Office action, the following goods and services will be deleted from the application:  

 

  • “Flexible pipe and pipeline products, all of metal, namely, pipe, fittings, pipe clips, collars, connectors, couplings and joints; steel pipes and tubes; branching tubes of metal for pipelines, compressed air pipe fittings of metal; metal cable wire; non-electric cables of metal; reinforcing materials, namely, flexible plates of metal for building purposes, excluding hose, flexible pipe or hose or flexible pipe used for oil or petroleum retail dispensing or fueling purposes or pipeline products or other products used for oil or petroleum retail dispensing or fueling purposes; flexible steel pipe; flexible pipe and pipeline products for use in the oil and gas industry for oil and gas exploration and production, transmission and drilling, namely, pipes comprised primarily or wholly of metal and metal fittings therefor; flexible pipes comprised primarily or wholly of metal for conveying natural gas, oil, water, carbon dioxide, mined ore, jet fuel, sewage, and fiber optic cables; pipe clips, collars, connectors, couplings and joints comprised primarily or wholly of metal; but not including hose, flexible pipe or pipeline products or other products used for oil or petroleum retail dispensing or fueling purposes” in Class 6;
  • “non-metal pipe collars, connectors, couplings and joints, pipe fittings, namely, rosettes, non-metal tubing and tubing couplings for joining and terminating pipes” in Class 17;
  • “installation, operation and maintenance of steel pipes and steel deployment systems” in Class 37;
  • “Flexible steel pipe deployment systems and equipment” in Class 39; and
  • “Design of pipes for others; pipeline services, namely, pipeline integrity testing” in Class 42.

 

See 37 C.F.R. §2.65(a); TMEP §718.02(a). 

 

In such case, the application will then proceed with the following goods and services only:

 

  • “Mechanical lifting system for deploying pipes, designed to raise or lower pipe coils and install pipe, consisting primarily of mechanical and hydraulic lifts, mounted on a trailer and trailer bed, with trailer bed actuators as a unit” in Class 7;
  • “Trailers for laying flexible steel pipe; flexible steel pipe deployment systems comprised primarily of trailers for hauling and laying pipe, coiled pipe, coiled tubing, flexible pipe, flexible steel pipe and flexible composite pipe; equipment trailers, coil trailers, coil tubing trailers, pipe trailers, flexible pipe trailers, flexible steel pipe trailers, and flexible composite pipe trailers” in Class 12;
  • “Flexible steel pipe and pipeline products for use in the oil and gas industry for oil and gas exploration and production, transmission and drilling, namely, flexible pipes for conveying natural gas comprised primarily or wholly of plastics; reinforced flexible thermoplastic pipe; flexible pipes comprised primarily or wholly of plastics for conveying natural gas, oil, water, carbon dioxide, mined ore, jet fuel, sewage, and fiber optic cables, but not including hose, flexible pipe or pipeline products or other products used for oil or petroleum retail dispensing or fueling purposes; branching tubes not of metal for pipelines, rubber tubes and pipes” and “pipe gaskets, flexible compressed air pipe fittings, not of metal, flexible plastic pipes for conveying natural gas, insulated pipe supports, insulation jackets for industrial pipes, insulating sleeves for pipeline; interior linings made of non-metal fabric and sealant for the repair of electrical, telecommunication and natural gas utility conduits and pipes, rings of rubber for use as pipe connection seals; but not including hose, flexible pipe or pipeline products or other products used for oil or petroleum retail dispensing or fueling purposes; all the aforesaid goods not of metal or of composites or plastic and metals; flexible pipe, not of metal” in Class 17; and
  • “Pipe deployment services, namely, pipe laying for others; operating pipe deployment systems, namely, pipe laying services using pipe laying equipment to install pipe for others” in Class 37.

 

See TMEP §718.02(a). 

 

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  

 

 

 

/Nathaniel Pettican/

Nathaniel Pettican

Examining Attorney

Law Office 108

(571) 272-1087

nathaniel.pettican@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.  

 

 

 

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U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 88573683 - FSP - 166301-01010

To: Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC (GTIPMAIL@GTLAW.COM)
Subject: U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 88573683 - FSP - 166301-01010
Sent: November 18, 2019 07:59:14 AM
Sent As: ecom108@uspto.gov
Attachments:

United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

 

USPTO OFFICIAL NOTICE

 

Office Action (Official Letter) has issued

on November 18, 2019 for

U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 88573683

 

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. 

 

 

 

/Nathaniel Pettican/

Nathaniel Pettican

Examining Attorney

Law Office 108

(571) 272-1087

nathaniel.pettican@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 November 18, 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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