To: | Bennett, Kenneth (docket@jpglegal.com) |
Subject: | U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 88638103 - STRYKER - N/A |
Sent: | January 10, 2020 12:51:37 PM |
Sent As: | ecom120@uspto.gov |
Attachments: | Attachment - 1 Attachment - 2 Attachment - 3 Attachment - 4 Attachment - 5 |
United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
Office Action (Official Letter) About Applicant’s Trademark Application
U.S. Application Serial No. 88638103
Mark: STRYKER
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Correspondence Address: |
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Applicant: Bennett, Kenneth
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Reference/Docket No. N/A
Correspondence Email Address: |
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COMBINED EXAMINER’S AMENDMENT/PRIORITY ACTION 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: January 10, 2020
USPTO database searched; no conflicting marks found. The trademark examining attorney searched the USPTO database of registered and pending marks and found no conflicting marks that would bar registration under Trademark Act Section 2(d). 15 U.S.C. §1052(d); TMEP §704.02.
Applicant must address issues shown below. On January 10, 2020, the examining attorney and applicant’s attorney Jeremy Peter Green discussed the issues below. Applicant must timely respond to these issues. See 15 U.S.C. §1062(b); 37 C.F.R. §2.62(a); TMEP §708.05.
Registration Refused – Section 2(e)(4) Primarily Merely A Surname
Registration is refused because the applied-for mark is primarily merely a surname. Trademark Act Section 2(e)(4), 15 U.S.C. §1052(e)(4); see TMEP §1211.
The applied-for mark is “STRYKER” in standard characters for “Suspension systems for non-military automotive trucks” in International Class 12.
An applicant’s mark is primarily merely a surname if the surname, when viewed in connection with the applicant’s recited goods, “‘is the primary significance of the mark as a whole to the purchasing public.’” Earnhardt v. Kerry Earnhardt, Inc., 864 F.3d 1374, 1377, 123 USPQ2d 1411, 1413 (Fed. Cir. 2017) (quoting In re Hutchinson Tech. Inc., 852 F.2d 552, 554, 7 USPQ2d 1490, 1492 (Fed. Cir. 1988)); TMEP §1211.01.
The following five inquiries are often used to determine the public’s perception of a term’s primary significance:
(1) Whether the surname is rare;
(2) Whether anyone connected with applicant uses the term as a surname;
(3) Whether the term has any recognized meaning other than as a surname;
(4) Whether the term has the structure and pronunciation of a surname; and
(5) Whether the term is sufficiently stylized to remove its primary significance from that of a surname.
In re Eximius Coffee, LLC, 120 USPQ2d 1276, 1278 & n.2, 1282-83 (TTAB 2016); TMEP §1211.01.
These inquiries are not exclusive, and any of these circumstances – singly or in combination – and any other relevant circumstances may be considered when making this determination. In re Eximius Coffee, LLC, 120 USPQ2d at 1277-78; TMEP §1211.01. For example, when the applied-for mark is not stylized, it is unnecessary to consider the fifth inquiry. In re Yeley, 85 USPQ2d 1150, 1151 (TTAB 2007); TMEP §1211.01.
In this instance, the attached evidence from LexisNexis® establishes the surname significance of “STRYKER” (“Exhibit A”). This evidence shows the applied-for mark appearing over 7,600 times as a surname in the LexisNexis® surname database, which is a weekly updated directory of cell phone and other phone numbers (such as voice over IP) from various data providers.
Therefore, registration of the applied-for mark is refused under Section 2(e)(4) of the Trademark Act because the applied-for mark is primarily merely a surname.
Advisory: Supplemental Register
The applied-for mark has been refused registration on the Principal Register. Applicant may respond to the refusal by submitting evidence and arguments in support of registration and/or by amending the application to seek registration on the Supplemental Register. See 15 U.S.C. §1091; 37 C.F.R. §§2.47, 2.75(a); TMEP §§801.02(b), 816. Amending to the Supplemental Register does not preclude applicant from submitting evidence and arguments against the refusal(s). TMEP §816.04.
(1) Use of the registration symbol ® with the registered mark in connection with the designated goods and/or services, which provides public notice of the registration and potentially deters third parties from using confusingly similar marks.
(2) Inclusion of the registered mark in the USPTO’s database of registered and pending marks, which will (a) make it easier for third parties to find it in trademark search reports, (b) provide public notice of the registration, and thus (c) potentially deter third parties from using confusingly similar marks.
(3) Use of the registration by a USPTO trademark examining attorney as a bar to registering confusingly similar marks in applications filed by third parties.
(4) Use of the registration as a basis to bring suit for trademark infringement in federal court, which, although more costly than state court, means judges with more trademark experience, often faster adjudications, and the opportunity to seek an injunction, actual damages, and attorneys’ fees and costs.
(5) Use of the registration as a filing basis for a trademark application for registration in certain foreign countries, in accordance with international treaties.
See 15 U.S.C. §§1052(d), 1091, 1094; J. Thomas McCarthy, McCarthy on Trademarks & Unfair Competition §§19:33, 19:37 (rev. 4th ed. Supp. 2017).
Application has been amended as shown below. As agreed to by the individual identified in the Priority Action section, the examining attorney has amended the application as shown below. Please notify the examining attorney immediately of any objections. TMEP §707. In addition, applicant is advised that amendments to the goods are permitted only if they clarify or limit them; amendments that add to or broaden the scope of the goods are not permitted. 37 C.F.R. §2.71(a).
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 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 the applicant has any questions or requires assistance in responding to this Office action, please telephone the assigned examining attorney.
/Thomas P. Young/
Examining Attorney
Law Office 120
thomas.young@uspto.gov
(571) 272-5152
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.
RESPONSE GUIDANCE
“EXHIBIT A”
Search: |
Public Records : Surname |
Terms: |
last-name(stryker) maxresults(500) |
Total number found: 7661 |
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No. |
Name |
Address |
Phone |
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1. |
STRYKER, A |
7711 N 51ST |
602-930-6905 |
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2. |
STRYKER, A |
3412 E 6TH |
816-394-1125 |
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3. |
STRYKER, A |
102 INTERVALE |
541-760-5418 |
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4. |
STRYKER, A |
ATLANTA, GA 30303 |
678-467-2131 |
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5. |
STRYKER, A |
BEND, OR 97701 |
541-647-4203 |
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6. |
STRYKER, A |
NAPLES, FL 34109 |
239-572-0384 |
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7. |
STRYKER, A JR. |
NAPLES, FL 34109 |
239-777-7416 |
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8. |
STRYKER, A |
NEW CASTLE, DE 19720 |
302-753-7242 |
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9. |
STRYKER, A |
NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34652 |
727-359-5883 |
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10. |
STRYKER, A |
PHOENIX, AZ 85027 |
623-434-4106 |
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11. |
STRYKER, A |
SAN ANTONIO, TX 78212 |
210-326-2957 |
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12. |
STRYKER, AARON |
1929 GRAND PRAIRIE SE |
541-606-5316 |
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13. |
STRYKER, AARON |
156 HIGH |
203-942-8851 |
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14. |
STRYKER, AARON |
8262 MACKENZIE NW |
330-933-9130 |
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15. |
STRYKER, AARON |
201 W PACIFIC |
308-870-1590 |
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16. |
STRYKER, AARON |
PO BOX 373 |
760-742-4326 |
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17. |
STRYKER, AARON CHRISTOPHER |
3841 TIMBER STREAM |
951-215-5603 |
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18. |
STRYKER, AARON MICHAEL |
136 SW WACISSA |
850-339-3202 |
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19. |
STRYKER, AARON |
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616-634-6823 |
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20. |
STRYKER, AARON |
CARNEGIE, PA 15106 |
412-276-9498 |
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21. |
STRYKER, ABIGAIL |
428 CHESTNUT |
402-802-0595 |
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22. |
STRYKER, ABIGAIL R |
1137 E CLIFF APT |
831-458-3156 |
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23. |
STRYKER, ABNE |
2401 PENNSYLVANIA APT 212 |
239-777-7416 |
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24. |
STRYKER, ADAM |
2200 COLUMBIA APT 201 |
917-355-2325 |
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25. |
STRYKER, ADAM |
580 NW HAVEN |
786-217-4448 |
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26. |
STRYKER, ADAM |
262 WILLARD |
516-593-6519 |
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27. |
STRYKER, ADAMS |
5880 W 5300 S |
801-479-5559 |
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28. |
STRYKER, ADAMS |
EL MONTE, CA 91731 |
626-617-8442 |
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29. |
STRYKER, ADDIE |
45 CARROLL |
404-623-8110 |
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30. |
STRYKER, ADELHEID ADELHEID |
APT 160 |
239-598-3522 |
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31. |
STRYKER, ADING |
329 OLIVE |
808-636-8659 |
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32. |
STRYKER, ADRIAN |
1505 WREATH |
785-268-0502 |
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33. |
STRYKER, AGNES I |
3539 BENDER TRL |
972-867-5572 |
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34. |
STRYKER, AIMEE M |
207 SE 2ND STE I8 |
727-862-8439 |
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35. |
STRYKER, ALAN |
1600 W WASHINGTON |
903-267-0644 |
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36. |
STRYKER, ALBERT |
2619 KALAMAZOO SE APT 115 |
616-550-4839 |
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37. |
STRYKER, ALEE |
91970 MARCOLA |
541-933-1066 |
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38. |
STRYKER, ALEX C |
528 HIGHLAND TOWNE |
540-520-6998 |
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39. |
STRYKER, ALEX |
3433 ROCK SPRING |
703-606-8738 |
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40. |
STRYKER, ALEX |
BURKE, VA 22015 |
703-508-1805 |
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41. |
STRYKER, ALEXAND |
3503 LANGDALE |
336-688-5879 |
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42. |
STRYKER, ALEXANDRA T |
2480 16TH NW APT 729 |
414-243-2018 |
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43. |
STRYKER, ALEXANDRA G |
7531 35TH NE |
206-390-6343 |
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44. |
STRYKER, ALEXIS |
3410 GREEN BRIAR APT 4 |
850-390-0826 |
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45. |
STRYKER, ALEXIS |
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63105 |
314-255-3863 |
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46. |
STRYKER, ALFRED E |
155 PASTORS |
203-261-3195 |
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47. |
STRYKER, ALICE O |
520 S 4TH |
609-287-2366 |
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48. |
STRYKER, ALICE JEAN |
1295 E WALDEN |
801-623-8000 |
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49. |
STRYKER, ALICE |
1277 S WALNUT |
847-274-0972 |
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50. |
STRYKER, ALICE |
WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33401 |
561-601-6848 |
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Search: |
Public Records: Surname |
Terms: |
last-name(stryker) maxresults(500) |
Date/Time: |
Friday, January 10, 2020 12:44 PM |
Permissible Use: |
Your DPPA Permissible Use: I have no permissible use Your GLBA Permissible Use: I have no permissible use |
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