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 21, 2019

The referenced application has been reviewed by the assigned trademark examining attorney.  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.

 

SEARCH OF OFFICE’S DATABASE OF MARKS

 

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:

• Amendment Required of the Identification of Services
• Suggested Amendment Requires Amendment of Classification
• Multiple Class Application Requirements
• Significance of Letters “LA” in the Mark
• Amendment Required of the Description of the Mark

 

 

1. Amendment Required of the Identification of Services

The wording “Downloadable software in the nature of mobile applications for displaying information relating to football exhibitions, football schedules, media guides, audio and visual recordings relating to football; football helmets; protective helmets for sports; sports helmets; cell phone covers; magnetically encoded charge cards; decorative magnets; prerecorded compact discs and DVDs featuring the sport of football; video games software and computer game software; computer mouse pads; sunglasses, eyeglass cases; downloadable ring tones via the internet and wireless devices; downloadable graphics featuring content relating to football for use on computers and mobile phones and downloadable music files via a global computer network and wireless devices; decorative refrigerator magnets; video game cartridges and discs and computer game tapes; video game discs and computer game discs, video game cassettes and computer game cassettes; video game cartridges and computer game cartridges; video game CD-roms and computer game CD-roms; and cinematographic and television films, namely, motion picture films featuring football are goods classified in International Class 009 and must be removed from this class, as provided below.  The wording, video games software and  computer game software is indefinite because the nature of the goods, e.g., downloadable must be clarified e.g.,  downloadable video games software and downloadable computer game software, as provided below.  The wording, video game CD-roms and computer game CD-roms is indefinite as the nature of the goods must be clarified, e.g., recorded video game programs on CD-roms and recorded computer game programs on CD-roms, as provided below.  The following are goods, Jewelry, watches, clocks, earrings, tie pins, bracelets, necklaces, charms for jewelry; rings being jewelry, collectible coins, commemorative coins, non-monetary coins of precious metal, pendants and key chains made of precious metal, charms for jewelry in precious metals or coated therewith, costume jewelry, cuff links, tie clips, decorative boxes made of precious metal, jewelry charms, key chains of precious metals, lapel pins, medals, ornamental novelty pins, precious metal trophies; classified in International Class 014, and must be removed from this class as provided below.   The following are goods,  Posters; calendars; pictorial prints; series of books relating to football; magazines relating to football; stickers; bumper stickers; printed tickets to sports games and events; souvenir programs for sports events; sports trading cards; notepads; picture postcards; art pictures; stationery; pens and pencils; printed collectible trading cards; collectible trading cards and memorabilia holders specially adapted for holding collectible trading cards; cardboard and paper hangtags; packaging, namely, blister cards, paper for wrapping and packaging; collector albums for sticker collectables; sticker albums; collectable printed photographs; photo albums; photographs; framed art pictures; labels, namely, printed paper labels; folders; paper place mats; paper table mats; paper napkins; paper tablecloths; paper table linens; paper lunch bags; greeting cards; pictures; decals; temporary tattoo transfers; coloring books; children's activity books; notebooks; memo pads; date books; address books; agenda books; markers; pencil sharpeners; pencil cases; rubber stamps; stamp pads; chalk; paper banners; printed paper signs for doors; drawing rulers; erasers, rubber erasers; chalk erasers; blackboard erasers; decorative decals for vehicle windows; vinyl static cling decals relating to football, namely, decals on which football team names, logos, uniforms or events are printed for affixation to windows and windshields; lithographs; paper party bags; stencils for tracing designs onto paper; paper gift wrap; paper cake decorations; paper; indoor ornaments of paper, namely, party ornaments of paper,    classified in International Class 016, and must be removed from this class as provided below.  The following are goods, Toys and sporting goods, namely, plush toys, stuffed animals, toy action figures, toy action figure accessories therefor, cases for action figures, playsets for use with action figures, toy vehicles, dolls, sports balls, golf bags, golf club covers, footballs, board games relating to football, playing cards, jigsaw puzzles, billiard balls, dart boards, toy miniature helmets, toy helmets, toy foam novelty items, namely, foam fingers and hands, hand-held units for playing electronic game other than those adapted for use with an electronic external display screen or monitor, tabletop action skill games; construction toys, Christmas tree decorations; toy spinning tops; arcade games, kites, bobble-head dolls, puppets, card games, toy guitars, toy water guns, doll furniture, party favors in the nature of crackers and noisemakers, skateboards, toy scooters, paper party favors classified in International Class 028 and must be removed from this class, as provided below.  The wording, Subscription to a television channel, namely, continuing subscription video program in the field of sports broadcast over the internet and a continuing subscription audio program in the field of football broadcast over the internet; Television broadcasting services; television transmission services; cable television broadcasting; radio broadcasting; broadcasting programming on the Internet; information transmission via electronic communications networks; transmission of information through video communication systems; communication services, namely, audio and video broadcasting  ; broadcasting services and provision of telecommunication access to video and audio content provided via a video on demand service via the Internet and television; streaming of audio material on the Internet; streaming of video material on the Internet; telecommunication services, namely, transmission of podcasts; electronic delivery of images and photos via a global computer network; providing multiple-user access to a global computer information network for the purpose of participating in interactive polling in the field of football; wireless communications services, namely, transmission of information, namely, text, graphics, data, and entertainment information to mobile phones; mobile media services in the nature of electronic transmission of entertainment media content , are services classified in International Class 038, and must be removed from this class as provided below.   The wording, communication services, namely, audio and video broadcasting is indefinite as the nature of the services must be clarified, e.g., communication services, namely, audio and video broadcasting services over the internet, as provided below.    See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01.  Applicant may substitute the following wording, if accurate:  

 

International Class 009           Downloadable software in the nature of mobile applications for displaying information relating to football exhibitions, football schedules, media guides, audio and visual recordings relating to football; football helmets; protective helmets for sports; sports helmets; cell phone covers; magnetically encoded charge cards; decorative magnets; prerecorded compact discs and DVDs featuring the sport of football; downloadable video games software and downloadable computer game software; computer mouse pads; sunglasses, eyeglass cases; downloadable ring tones via the internet and wireless devices; downloadable graphics featuring content relating to football for use on computers and mobile phones and downloadable music files via a global computer network and wireless devices; decorative refrigerator magnets; video game cartridges and discs and computer game tapes; video game discs and computer game discs; video game cassettes and computer game cassettes; video game cartridges and computer game cartridges; recorded video game programs on CD-roms and recorded computer game programs on CD-roms; cinematographic and television films, namely, motion picture films featuring football;

 

International Class 014           Jewelry, watches, clocks, earrings, tie pins, bracelets, necklaces, charms for jewelry; rings being jewelry, collectible coins, commemorative coins, non-monetary coins of precious metal, pendants and key chains made of precious metal, charms for jewelry in precious metals or coated therewith, costume jewelry, cuff links, tie clips, decorative boxes made of precious metal, jewelry charms, key chains of precious metals, lapel pins, medals, ornamental novelty pins ; precious metal trophies

 

 

International Class 016           Posters; calendars; pictorial prints; series of books relating to football; magazines relating to football; stickers; bumper stickers; printed tickets to sports games and events; souvenir programs for sports events; sports trading cards; notepads; picture postcards; art pictures; stationery; pens and pencils; printed collectible trading cards; collectible trading cards and memorabilia holders specially adapted for holding collectible trading cards; cardboard and paper hangtags; packaging, namely, blister cards, paper for wrapping and packaging; collector albums for sticker collectables; sticker albums; collectable printed photographs; photo albums; photographs; framed art pictures; labels, namely, printed paper labels; folders; paper place mats; paper table mats; paper napkins; paper tablecloths; paper table linens; paper lunch bags; greeting cards; pictures; decals; temporary tattoo transfers; coloring books; children's activity books; notebooks; memo pads; date books; address books; agenda books; markers; pencil sharpeners; pencil cases; rubber stamps; stamp pads; chalk; paper banners; printed paper signs for doors; drawing rulers; erasers, rubber erasers; chalk erasers; blackboard erasers; decorative decals for vehicle windows; vinyl static cling decals relating to football, namely, decals on which football team names, logos, uniforms or events are printed for affixation to windows and windshields; lithographs; paper party bags; stencils for tracing designs onto paper; paper gift wrap; paper cake decorations; paper; indoor ornaments of paper, namely, party ornaments of paper

 

International Class 028           Toys and sporting goods, namely, plush toys, stuffed animals, toy action figures, toy action figure accessories therefor, cases for action figures, playsets for use with action figures, toy vehicles, dolls, sports balls, golf bags, golf club covers, footballs, board games relating to football, playing cards, jigsaw puzzles, billiard balls, dart boards, toy miniature helmets, toy helmets, toy foam novelty items, namely, foam fingers and hands, hand-held units for playing electronic game other than those adapted for use with an electronic external display screen or monitor, tabletop action skill games; construction toys, Christmas tree decorations; toy spinning tops; arcade games, kites, bobble-head dolls, puppets, card games, toy guitars, toy water guns, doll furniture, party favors in the nature of crackers and noisemakers, skateboards, toy scooters, paper party favors

 

International Class 038           Subscription to a television channel, namely, continuing subscription video program in the field of sports broadcast over the internet and a continuing subscription audio program in the field of football broadcast over the internet; Television broadcasting services; television transmission services; cable television broadcasting; radio broadcasting; broadcasting programming on the Internet; information transmission via electronic communications networks; transmission of information through video communication systems; communication services, namely, audio and video broadcasting services over the internet; broadcasting services and provision of telecommunication access to video and audio content provided via a video on demand service via the Internet and television; streaming of audio material on the Internet; streaming of video material on the Internet; telecommunication services, namely, transmission of podcasts; electronic delivery of images and photos via a global computer network; providing multiple-user access to a global computer information network for the purpose of participating in interactive polling in the field of football; wireless communications services, namely, transmission of information, namely, text, graphics, data, and entertainment information to mobile phones; mobile media services in the nature of electronic transmission of entertainment media content   

 

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

 

2. Suggested Amendment Requires Amendment of Classification

If applicant adopts the suggested amendment of the goods and  services, then applicant must amend the classifications to International Classes 009, 014, 016, 028, and 038.  See 37 C.F.R. §§2.32(a)(7), 2.85; TMEP §§805, 1401.

 

3. Multiple Class Application Requirements

The application identifies goods and services in more than one international class; therefore, applicant must satisfy all the requirements below for each international class based on  Trademark Act Section 1(b):

 

(1)       List the goods and  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 already paid (view the USPTO’s current fee schedule).  The application identifies goods and services that are classified in at least 5 classes; however, applicant submitted a fee sufficient for only 1 class.  Applicant must either submit the filing fees for the classes not covered by the submitted fees or restrict the application to the class covered by the fee 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.

 

4. Significance of Letters “LA” in the Mark

To permit proper examination of the application, applicant must explain whether the letters in the mark “LA” have any significance  as applied to applicant’s goods and  services, or if such letters represent a “term of art” within applicant’s industry.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.61(b); TMEP §814.  Failure to comply with a request for information is grounds for refusing registration.  In re Harley, 119 USPQ2d 1755, 1757-58 (TTAB 2016); TMEP §814.

 

5. Amendment Required of the Description of the Mark

Applicant must submit an amended description of the mark that agrees with the mark on the drawing.  37 C.F.R. §2.37; see TMEP §§808.01, 808.02.  The current description is inconsistent with the mark on the drawing and thus is inaccurate.  37 C.F.R. §2.37; see TMEP §§808.01, 808.02.  Descriptions must be accurate and identify only those literal and design elements appearing in the mark.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.37; TMEP §§808.02, 808.03(d). 

 

The following description is suggested, if accurate:

 

The mark consists of the shaded stylized letters, “LA” with the left vertical stem in the letter, “A” placed between the left long shaded stem of the shaded letter, “L” and the short shaded right stem.    

 

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  

 

If the Applicant has questions about its application or needs assistance in responding to this Office action, please telephone the assigned Trademark Examining Attorney directly at the number below, or email.

 

/Odessa Bibbins/

Attorney-Advisor

Law Office 118

Odessa.Bibbins@USPTO.GOV (informal questions only)

571-272-9425 Telephone

571-273-9425 Fax

 

 

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 November 21, 2019 for

U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 88585869

 

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. 

 

 

/Odessa Bibbins/

Attorney-Advisor

Law Office 118

Odessa.Bibbins@USPTO.GOV (informal questions only)

571-272-9425 Telephone

571-273-9425 Fax

 

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 21, 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.”