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:  December 30, 2019

 

The referenced application has been reviewed by the assigned trademark examining attorney.  Applicant must respond timely and completely to the issue(s) below.  15 U.S.C. §1062(b); 37 C.F.R. §§2.62(a), 2.65(a); TMEP §§711, 718.03.

 

SUMMARY OF ISSUES:

• Refusal Under Section 2(d) – Likelihood of Confusion
• Refusal for Unacceptable Specimen
• Requirement for Acceptable Identification of Goods
• Requirement for Acceptable Description of the Mark

 

REFUSAL UNDER SECTION 2(d) – LIKELIHOOD OF CONFUSION

 

Registration of the applied-for mark is refused because of a likelihood of confusion with the following marks:

 

-          Reg. No. 3825215 – QUANTIC

-          Reg. No. 4637476 – QUANTICA

-          Reg. No. 4754012 – QUANTEC GEOSCIENCE

-          Reg. No. 4797533 – Q QUANTEC GEOSCIENCE

-          Reg. No. 5011280 – QUANTICMIND

-          Reg. No. 5084114 – QUANTEC

-          Reg. No. 5142531 – PARQUANTIX

-          Reg. No. 5223295 – QUANTECON

-          Reg. No. 5239055 – QUANTEX

-          Reg. No. 5322605 – QUANTIX

-          Reg. No. 5876848 – QUENTIC

 

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 so resembles a registered mark that it is likely that a potential consumer would be confused, mistaken, or deceived as to the source of the goods and/or services of the applicant and registrant.  See 15 U.S.C. §1052(d).  In the seminal decision In re E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d 1357, 177 USPQ 563 (C.C.P.A. 1973), the court listed the principal factors to be considered when determining whether there is a likelihood of confusion under Section 2(d).  See TMEP §1207.01.  However, not all the factors are necessarily relevant or of equal weight, and any one of the factors may control in a given case, depending upon the evidence of record.  Citigroup Inc. v. Capital City Bank Grp., Inc., 637 F.3d 1344, 1355, 98 USPQ2d 1253, 1260 (Fed. Cir. 2011); In re Majestic Distilling Co., 315 F.3d 1311, 1315, 65 USPQ2d 1201, 1204 (Fed. Cir. 2003); see In re E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d at 1361-62, 177 USPQ at 567.

 

In this case, the following factors are the most relevant:  similarity of the marks, similarity and nature of the goods and/or services, and similarity of the trade channels of the goods and/or services.  See In re Viterra Inc., 671 F.3d 1358, 1361-62, 101 USPQ2d 1905, 1908 (Fed. Cir. 2012); In re Dakin’s Miniatures Inc., 59 USPQ2d 1593, 1595-96 (TTAB 1999); TMEP §§1207.01 et seq.

 

Similarity of the Marks

 

The respective marks are substantially similar in appearance, sound and meaning.

 

Marks are compared in their entireties for similarities in appearance, sound, connotation, and commercial impression.  In re Viterra Inc., 671 F.3d 1358, 1362, 101 USPQ2d 1905, 1908 (Fed. Cir. 2012) (quoting In re E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d 1357, 1361, 177 USPQ 563, 567 (C.C.P.A. 1973)); TMEP §1207.01(b)-(b)(v).  Similarity in any one of these elements may be sufficient to find the marks confusingly similar.  In re White Swan Ltd., 8 USPQ2d 1534, 1535 (TTAB 1988); see In re 1st USA Realty Prof’ls, Inc., 84 USPQ2d 1581, 1586 (TTAB 2007); TMEP §1207.01(b).

 

Moreover, 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).

 

Here, the respective marks share a similar term.  Specifically, 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”).

 

In the instant case, both applicant’s and registrants’ marks begin with the same dominant syllable beginning with “QUA”- or “QUE”.

 

With respect to Reg. No. 3825215, the word portion of applicant’s mark and registrant’s mark are identical in appearance, sound, and meaning, “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.

 

Further, with respect to Reg. Nos. 4637476 and 5011280, incorporating the entirety of one mark within another does not obviate the similarity between the compared marks, as in the present case, nor does it overcome a likelihood of confusion under Section 2(d).  See Wella Corp. v. Cal. Concept Corp., 558 F.2d 1019, 1022, 194 USPQ 419, 422 (C.C.P.A. 1977) (finding CALIFORNIA CONCEPT and surfer design and CONCEPT confusingly similar); Coca-Cola Bottling Co. v. Jos. E. Seagram & Sons, Inc., 526 F.2d 556, 557, 188 USPQ 105, 106 (C.C.P.A. 1975) (finding BENGAL LANCER and design and BENGAL confusingly similar); In re Integrated Embedded, 120 USPQ2d 1504, 1513 (TTAB 2016) (finding BARR GROUP and BARR confusingly similar); In re Mr. Recipe, LLC, 118 USPQ2d 1084, 1090 (TTAB 2016) (finding JAWS DEVOUR YOUR HUNGER and JAWS confusingly similar); TMEP §1207.01(b)(iii). 

 

Here, the applicant’s mark is incorporated in Reg. Nos. 4637476 and 5011280; therefore, the marks are identical in part.

 

Generally, slight differences in the sound of similar marks will not avoid a likelihood of confusion.  In re Energy Telecomm. & Elec. Ass’n, 222 USPQ 350, 351 (TTAB 1983); see In re Viterra Inc., 671 F.3d 1358, 1367, 101 USPQ2d 1905, 1912 (Fed. Cir. 2012).

 

Consequently, applicant’s mark and registrants’ marks are similar in sound, appearance, and meaning.

 

Relatedness of the Goods/Services

 

Applicant’s mark is for “Mobile software application to download on the phone or tablet devices” in International Class 9.

 

The relevant identifications in registrants’ marks include the following goods/services:

 

Reg. No. 3825215	Cl. 42:  Software outsourcing services excluding services for engineering and scientific applications, namely, computer software consulting, computer software design for others, computer software development and computer programming development for others, installation, maintenance and repair of computer software, and technical support services, namely, troubleshooting of computer software problems
Reg. No. 4637476	Cl. 9:  computer software for use in the quantification of biological molecules;
Reg. No. 4754012	Cl. 9:  computer software for inverting and interpreting waveform data in the field of geophysical exploration, mineral exploration, geothermal exploration, oil and gas exploration for creating survey reports, maps and charts
Reg. No. 4797533	Cl. 9:  computer software for inverting and interpreting waveform data in the field of geophysical exploration, mineral exploration, geothermal exploration, oil and gas exploration for creating survey reports, maps and charts
Reg. No. 5011280	Cl. 42:  Software as a service (SAAS) services featuring advertising management software for campaign management, optimization, and reporting in the field of search engine marketing; Computer services, namely, providing temporary use of an online, non-downloadable software interface for online advertisers to use in optimizing, managing, automating, measuring, reporting, tracking and monitoring advertising, marketing and promotions conducted on the Internet, in search engines, mobile ads, paid search ads, display ads and social networking website ads; providing computer services in the field of web analytics, namely, providing on-demand software for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, editing, organizing, modifying, reporting, storing, and sharing of information related to website traffic, e-commerce transactions, and marketing campaigns conducted via the internet for purposes of marketing and advertising; Providing on-demand software in the field of advertising and marketing for the purpose of providing measurement, collection, analysis and reporting of internet data for purposes of understanding and optimizing web site usage; computer services, namely, providing on-demand software in the field of web analytics to host applications that collect, manage, integrate, analyze, monitor, and track web user behavior; computer services, namely, providing page tagging services utilizing temporary use of online non-downloadable computer language processors and interpreters to pass along with the request for an image from a web page certain information about the page and the visitor and processing such information remotely and generating statistics related thereto; Information technology consultation in the fields of web analytics and online marketing; computer services, namely, page tagging services utilizing technology that collects demographic and profile data about website visitors in business to business and business to consumer environments and processes it into information that can be used to identify potential customers; Providing on-demand software for use in collecting demographic and profile data about website visitors in business to business and business to consumer environments and processing it into information that can be used to identify potential customers through web analytics; Providing on-demand software for use in building real time behavioral profiles of website users based on actual visit and browsing history of previous visits and predicting which information will personalize the web experience of web users; computer services, namely, page tagging services utilizing technology that collects data on website visitors in business to business and business to consumer environments and converts it into data on specific website information for particular visitors; Website analytics and maintenance, namely, providing on-demand software for use in collection of data on website visitors in business to business and business to consumer environments and converting it into data on specific website information for particular visitors; Providing web analytics tools in the nature of non-downloadable software and web analytics reports to clients for building real time behavioral profiles of website users based on actual visit and browsing history of previous visits and predicting which information will personalize the web experience of web users; and providing non-downloadable software for customizing a client's website so that it can record and collect web browser data and information on the history of activities of a website user on said website, so that the client's website can feature information tailored to that website user when the website user again visits the website; Providing a website that features technology in the nature of online, non-downloadable software which assists and enables marketing professionals to customize and deliver targeted marketing content to website users and allows marketers to customize the content of their websites based on data gathered about web browsers on the site, and offers tools to show targeted offers or announcements, and launch one-to-one interactions on a website; Digital advertising technology provider featuring software and services to enable the distribution of digital and video advertising through an electronic media, specifically the Internet, wireless networks, and mobile and portable devices; namely, providing temporary use of an online, non-downloadable Internet software platform for use in creating and transmitting via the Internet messages and advertisements, in connection with digital advertising campaign management services; online non-downloadable software that analyzes the meaning of website content in order to optimize and provide targeted advertising to consumers while protecting advertiser brands in real-time; Providing temporary use of non-downloadable advertising management software for distributing and managing advertising campaigns of others across websites on the internet; Providing temporary use of non-downloadable advertising management software for distributing and managing click-to-call advertising tracked on telephone networks; Providing temporary use of non-downloadable advertising management software for distributing and managing offline advertising; Providing temporary use of non-downloadable software for optimization of online advertising impressions, and participation in online advertising auctions and exchanges and also featuring real time bidding; Providing temporary use of non-downloadable software for managing online advertisements featuring analytics and reporting, brand control, and general optimization of digital content via the internet, mobile, video, internet and other digital formats; Software as a service (SAAS) services featuring software for optimization of online advertising impressions, and participation in online advertising auctions and exchanges, and also featuring real time bidding; Software as a service (SAAS) services featuring software for managing online advertisements featuring analytics and reporting, brand control, and general optimization of digital content; Software as a Service (SAAS), namely, predictive analytic software used to predict financial, operation and merger and acquisition outcomes in the business and corporate field; Software as a Service (SAAS), namely, business intelligence software, namely, computer software to facilitate access to a wide variety of information related to the operation of a business
Reg. No. 5084114	Cl. 9: remote controlled apparatus and instruments for controlling and regulating machines, manufacturing installations, robots, namely, electric and electronic installations for the remote control of industrial operations and industrial robots, control system for the remote observation, management and operation of industrial robots and factories, cranes, comprising computers, software, electromechanical controls, and video display screens; data processing equipment and computers, recorded computer operating programs, other than for medical diagnostics and therapy, environmental rehabilitation or financing, namely, computer software for use in connection with operation of robotic machines in the field of robotics excluding computer software in the fields of medical diagnostics and therapy, environmental rehabilitation or financing; downloadable computer programs, other than for medical diagnostics and therapy, environmental rehabilitation or financing, namely, recorded and downloadable computer programs, namely, computer software used to control, diagnose and operate industrial machines in the field of robotics excluding computer software in the fields of medical diagnostics and therapy, environmental rehabilitation or financing; electric/electronic operating apparatus for machines and tools, namely, electronic apparatus for operating robots, testing compression, strength, hardness and tensile characteristics of industrial materials
Reg. No. 5142531	Cl. 42:  Providing on-line non-downloadable software for use in on-demand instance pricing or reserved instance pricing, and for use in end-customer invoicing
Reg. No. 5223295	Cl. 9: Computer software, namely, software programming development tools for creation of applications and client interfaces
Reg. No. 5239055	Cl. 42:  Platform as a service (PAAS) featuring software for analysis of commodity derivatives
Reg. No. 5322605	Cl. 9:  Computer software for use in electronic design automation; Computer software for semiconductor test data analytics
Reg. No. 5876848	Cl. 9:  Computer operating software for the collection, editing, organizing, modifying, book marking, transmission, storage and sharing of data and information; computer application software for mobile phones, namely, software in the field of occupational health and safety management, environmental management and sustainability management; all the aforesaid goods solely in connection with software solutions for the organization, documentation and evaluation of business processes and requirements in the field of occupational safety and health, environmental management and sustainability, as well as the conformity with the legal and regulatory requirements in these areas Cl. 42:  software as a service (SAAS) services featuring software in the field of occupational health and safety management, environmental management and sustainability management

 

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 application use(s) broad wording to describe mobile software application to download on the phone or tablet devices, which presumably encompasses all software, including registrant’s more narrow software identifications which specify the function of the software.  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/services are legally identical.  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)).

 

Additionally, the goods and/or services of the parties have no restrictions as to nature, type, channels of trade, or classes of purchasers and are “presumed to travel in the same channels of trade to the same class of purchasers.”  In re Viterra Inc., 671 F.3d 1358, 1362, 101 USPQ2d 1905, 1908 (Fed. Cir. 2012) (quoting Hewlett-Packard Co. v. Packard Press, Inc., 281 F.3d 1261, 1268, 62 USPQ2d 1001, 1005 (Fed. Cir. 2002)).  Thus, applicant’s and registrant’s goods and/or services are related.

 

Thus, upon encountering applicant’s and registrant’s mark, consumers are likely to be confused and mistakenly believe that the respective goods and/or services emanate from a common source.

 

The overriding concern is not only to prevent buyer confusion as to the source of the goods and/or services, but to protect the registrant 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 registrant.  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).

 

PRIOR-FILED PENDING APPLICATIONS – ADVISORY

 

The filing dates of pending U.S. Application Serial Nos. 88341968, 88353701, and 88418295 precede applicant’s filing date.  See attached referenced applications.  If one or more of the marks in the referenced applications register, applicant’s mark may be refused registration under Trademark Act Section 2(d) because of a likelihood of confusion with the registered mark(s).  See 15 U.S.C. §1052(d); 37 C.F.R. §2.83; TMEP §§1208 et seq.  Therefore, upon receipt of applicant’s response to this Office action, action on this application may be suspended pending final disposition of the earlier-filed referenced applications.

 

In response to this Office action, applicant may present arguments in support of registration by addressing the issue of the potential conflict between applicant’s mark and the marks in the referenced applications.  Applicant’s election not to submit arguments at this time in no way limits applicant’s right to address this issue later if a refusal under Section 2(d) issues.

 

Applicant should note the following additional ground for refusal.

 

REFUSAL FOR UNACCEPTABLE SPECIMEN

 

Registration is refused because the specimen in International Class 9 is not acceptable as a display associated with downloadable software and appears to be mere advertising material; thus, the specimen fails to show the applied-for mark in use in commerce for that international class.  Trademark Act Sections 1 and 45, 15 U.S.C. §§1051, 1127; 37 C.F.R. §§2.34(a)(1)(iv), 2.56(a); TMEP §§904, 904.07(a).  Specifically, the specimen fails to provide the means to enable the user to download or purchase the software from the website.  See In re Sones, 590 F.3d 1282, 1286-89, 93 USPQ2d 1118, 1122-24 (Fed. Cir. 2009); In re Azteca Sys., Inc., 102 USPQ2d 1955, 1957 (TTAB 2012); TMEP §§904.03(e), (i) et seq.  Without this feature, the specimen is mere advertising material, which is not acceptable as a specimen to show use in commerce for goods.  See In re Kohr Bros., 121 USPQ2d 1793, 1794 (TTAB 2017) (quoting In re Quantum Foods, Inc., 94 USPQ2d 1375, 1379 (TTAB 2010)); In re Genitope Corp., 78 USPQ2d 1819, 1822 (TTAB 2006); TMEP §904.04(b), (c).

 

An application based on Trademark Act Section 1(a) must include a specimen showing the applied-for mark in use in commerce for each international class of goods identified in the application or amendment to allege use.  15 U.S.C. §1051(a)(1); 37 C.F.R. §§2.34(a)(1)(iv), 2.56(a); TMEP §§904, 904.07(a). 

 

Examples of specimens for downloadable software include instruction manuals and screen printouts from (1) web pages showing the mark in connection with ordering or purchasing information or information sufficient to download the software, (2) the actual program that shows the mark in the title bar, or (3) launch screens that show the mark in an introductory message box that appears after opening the program.  See TMEP §904.03(e), (i), (j).  Webpages may also be specimens for goods when they include a picture or textual description of the goods associated with the mark and the means to order the goods.  See In re Sones, 590 F.3d at 1286-89, 93 USPQ2d at 1122-24; In re Azteca Sys., Inc., 102 USPQ2d at 1957; TMEP §§904.03(i) et seq.

 

Applicant may respond to this refusal by satisfying one of the following for each applicable international class:

 

(1)        Submit a different specimen (a verified “substitute” specimen) that (a) was in actual use in commerce at least as early as the filing date of the application or prior to the filing of an amendment to allege use and (b) shows the mark in actual use in commerce for the software identified in the application or amendment to allege use.  A “verified substitute specimen” is a specimen that is accompanied by the following statement made in a signed affidavit or supported by a declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20:  “The substitute (or new, or originally submitted, if appropriate) specimen(s) was/were in use in commerce at least as early as the filing date of the application or prior to the filing of the amendment to allege use.”  The substitute specimen cannot be accepted without this statement.

 

(2)        Amend the filing basis to intent to use under Section 1(b), for which no specimen is required.  This option will later necessitate additional fee(s) and filing requirements such as providing a specimen.

 

For an overview of both response options referenced above and instructions on how to satisfy either option online using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) form, please go to the Specimen webpage.  

 

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

 

If applicant responds to the refusal(s), applicant must also respond to the requirement(s) set forth below.

 

REQUIREMENT FOR ACCEPTABLE IDENTIFICATION OF GOODS

 

Some of the wording in the recitation of goods must be clarified because it is indefinite and/or too broad.  See TMEP §1402.01.

 

The USPTO has the discretion to determine the degree of particularity needed to clearly identify goods and/or services covered by a mark.  In re Fiat Grp. Mktg. & Corp. Commc’ns S.p.A, 109 USPQ2d 1593, 1597 (TTAB 2014) (citing In re Omega SA, 494 F.3d 1362, 1365, 83 USPQ2d 1541, 1543-44 (Fed. Cir. 2007)).  Accordingly, the USPTO requires the description of goods and/or services in a U.S. application to be specific, definite, clear, accurate, and concise.  TMEP §1402.01; see In re Fiat Grp. Mktg. & Corp. Commc’ns S.p.A, 109 USPQ2d at 1597-98; Cal. Spray-Chem. Corp. v. Osmose Wood Pres. Co. of Am., 102 USPQ 321, 322 (Comm’r Pats. 1954). 

 

Where applicant’s goods are properly classified in other classes, applicant is required to either (1) specify the goods acceptably, add the appropriate international class(es) to the application, and classify the good therein, or (2) delete the good from the application.  See 37 C.F.R. §§2.86, 6.1; TMEP §§1403 et seq.

 

Here, the identification for mobile applications in International Class 9 is indefinite and too broad and must be clarified to specify (1) the purpose or function of the software and its content or field of use, if content- or field- specific; and (2) whether its format is downloadable, recorded, or online non-downloadable.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §§1402.03(d), 1402.11(a).  Downloadable and recorded goods are in International Class 9, whereas providing their temporary, online non-downloadable use is a service in International Class 42.  See TMEP §1402.03(d).   

 

The USPTO requires such specificity in order for a trademark examining attorney to examine the application properly and make appropriate decisions concerning possible conflicts between the applicant’s mark and other marks.  See In re N.A.D. Inc., 57 USPQ2d 1872, 1874 (TTAB 2000); TMEP §1402.03(d).

 

Applicant may adopt the following wording, if accurate: 

 

Class 9:           Downloadable computer application software for mobile phones and tablet computers for use as a point-of-sale (POS) for inventory management, employee management, operating computer systems, processing and reconciliation of sales transactions, purchase order generation, purchase order submission, purchase order management, data and accounting management, customer relationship management, transmission of payment information, reservation management, kitchen and bar orders and inventory management, management of consumer loyalty programs, coordination of gift card delivery, facilitating online and mobile ordering, creating and displaying digital menus, and managing table reservations and availability

 

Applicant’s goods and/or services may be clarified or limited, but may not be expanded beyond those originally itemized in the application or as acceptably amended.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.71(a); TMEP §1402.06.  Applicant may clarify or limit the identification by inserting qualifying language or deleting items to result in a more specific identification; however, applicant may not substitute different goods and/or services or add goods and/or services not found or encompassed by those in the original application or as acceptably amended.  See TMEP §1402.06(a)-(b).  The scope of the goods and/or services sets the outer limit for any changes to the identification and is generally determined by the ordinary meaning of the wording in the identification.  TMEP §§1402.06(b), 1402.07(a)-(b).  Any acceptable changes to the goods and/or services will further limit scope, and once goods and/or services are deleted, they are not permitted to be reinserted.  TMEP §1402.07(e).

 

For assistance with identifying and classifying goods and services in trademark applications, please see the USPTO’s online searchable U.S. Acceptable Identification of Goods and Services Manual.  See TMEP §1402.04.

 

Requirement for Acceptable Description of the Mark

 

Applicant must submit an amended description of the mark because the current one is incomplete and does not describe all the significant aspects of the mark.  37 C.F.R. §2.37; see TMEP §§808.01, 808.02.  Descriptions must be accurate and identify all the literal and design elements in the mark.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.37; TMEP §§808 et seq. 

 

The following description is suggested, if accurate:

 

The mark consists of the stylized wording “QUANTIC”.

 

APPOINTMENT OF A TRADEMARK ATTORNEY – ADVISORY:

 

Because of the legal technicalities and strict deadlines of the trademark application process, applicant may wish to hire a private attorney who specializes in trademark matters to assist in the process.  The assigned trademark examining attorney can provide only limited assistance explaining the content of an Office action and the application process.  USPTO staff cannot provide legal advice or statements about an applicant’s legal rights.  TMEP §§705.02, 709.06.  See Hiring a U.S.-licensed trademark attorney for more information.

 

RESPONSE GUIDELINES

 

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.  

 

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. 

 

How to respond.  Click to file a response to this nonfinal Office action.    

 

 

 

/Jeanie H. Lee/

Examining Attorney

Law Office 105

571-272-6110

jeanie.lee@uspto.gov

 

 

RESPONSE GUIDANCE

• Missing the response deadline to this letter will cause the application to abandon.  A response or notice of appeal must be received by the USPTO before midnight Eastern Time of the last day of the response period.  TEAS and ESTTA maintenance or unforeseen circumstances could affect an applicant’s ability to timely respond.  

 

• Responses signed by an unauthorized party are not accepted and can cause the application to abandon.  If applicant does not have an attorney, the response must be signed by the individual applicant, all joint applicants, or someone with legal authority to bind a juristic applicant.  If applicant has an attorney, the response must be signed by the attorney.

 

• If needed, find contact information for the supervisor of the office or unit listed in the signature block.

 

United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

 

USPTO OFFICIAL NOTICE

 

Office Action (Official Letter) has issued

on December 30, 2019 for

U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 88618020

 

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. 

 

 

/Jeanie H. Lee/

Examining Attorney

Law Office 105

571-272-6110

jeanie.lee@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 December 30, 2019, using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS).  The response must be received by the USPTO before midnight Eastern Time of the last day of the response period.  See the Office action for more information about how to respond

 

 

 

GENERAL GUIDANCE

·         Check the status of your application periodically in the Trademark Status & Document Retrieval (TSDR) database to avoid missing critical deadlines.

 

·         Update your correspondence email address, if needed, to ensure you receive important USPTO notices about your application.

 

·         Beware of misleading notices sent by private companies about your application.  Private companies not associated with the USPTO use public information available in trademark registrations to mail and email trademark-related offers and notices – most of which require fees.  All official USPTO correspondence will only be emailed from the domain “@uspto.gov.”