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:  February 11, 2020

 

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.

 

DATABASE SEARCH:  The trademark examining attorney has searched the USPTO’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:

• Requirement – Amend Identification of Goods
• Multiple Class Application

REQUIREMENT – AMEND IDENTIFICATION OF GOODS

The wording “linear shafting” in the identification of goods is indefinite and must be clarified because the wording does not specify the purpose of the goods.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01.  Applicant may substitute the following wording, if accurate: “linear shafting for ball bearings.”

 

Applicant has classified “bearing heaters” in International Class 7; however, the proper classification is International Class 11.  Therefore, applicant may respond by (1) adding International Class 11 to the application and reclassifying these goods in the proper international class, (2) deleting “bearing heaters” 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.

 

The wording “bearing pullers” in the identification of goods is indefinite and must be clarified because it does not specify the nature of the goods.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01.  Additionally, this wording is misclassified. Applicant has classified “bearing pullers” in International Class 7; however, the proper classification is International Class 8.  Therefore, applicant may respond by (1) adding International Class 8 to the application and reclassifying these goods in the proper international class, (2) deleting “bearing pullers” 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.

 

Applicant may substitute the following wording, if accurate: “hand tools, namely, bearing pullers.”

 

Applicant has classified “steel balls” in International Class 7; however, the proper classification is International Class 6.  Therefore, applicant may respond by (1) adding International Class 6 to the application and reclassifying these goods in the proper international class, (2) deleting “steel balls” 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.

 

The wording “and rod ends for use in industrial machines, namely, mining, sawmills, and pulp and paper machinery” in the identification of goods is indefinite and must be clarified because the wording does not specify the nature of the goods.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01.  Applicant may substitute the following wording, if accurate: “machines parts, namely, bearing rod ends for use in industrial machines, namely, mining, sawmills, and pulp and paper machinery.”

 

The wording “machine parts” and “parts for machines” in the identification of goods is indefinite and must be clarified because the wording does not specify the type of goods.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01.  Applicant may substitute the following wording, if accurate:  “machine parts, namely, {specify type of parts, e.g., millstones, etc.}” and “parts for machines, namely, {specify type of parts, e.g., millstones, etc.}.”

 

The wording “power transmission parts for machines” in the identification of goods is indefinite and must be clarified because the wording does not specify the type of parts.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01.  Applicant may substitute the following wording, if accurate:  “power transmission parts for machines, namely, {specify parts}.”

 

The wording “bearing adapter mounting sleeves, bearing removal sleeves” in the identification of goods is indefinite and must be clarified because the wording does not specify the nature of the goods.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01.  Applicant may substitute the following wording, if accurate:  “machine parts, namely, bearing adapter mounting sleeves, bearing removal sleeves.”

 

The wording “plummer blocks, stabilizing rings, seal rings” in the identification of goods is indefinite and must be clarified because the wording does not specify the nature of the goods, type, and purpose of the goods, i.e., seal rings.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01.  Applicant may substitute the following wording, if accurate:  “machines parts, namely, plummer blocks for bearings, bearing stabilizing rings, metal seal rings for use with {indicate general types of machines, e.g., sorting machines, etc.}.”

 

The wording “keyless bushings, QD bushings, taper lock bushings” in the identification of goods is indefinite and must be clarified because the wording does not specify the nature of the goods.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01.  Applicant may substitute the following wording, if accurate:  “keyless bushings, QD bushings, taper lock bushings for use as parts of machines.”

 

The wording “roller chain” in the identification of goods is indefinite and must be clarified because the wording does not specify the nature of the goods.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01.  Applicant may substitute the following wording, if accurate:  “roller chains being parts of machines.”

 

The wording “chain couplings, coupling elements, geared couplings, coupling hubs, jaw couplings, rigid couplings” in the identification of goods is indefinite and must be clarified because the wording does not specify the nature of the goods.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01.  Applicant may substitute the following wording, if accurate:  “chain couplings, coupling elements in the nature of {specify parts}, geared couplings, coupling hubs, jaw couplings, rigid couplings, all for machines.”

 

The wording “lip seals” in the identification of goods is indefinite and must be clarified because the wording does not specify the nature of the goods.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01.  Applicant may substitute the following wording, if accurate:  “lip seals as machine components.”

 

The wording “plain bore sheaves, QD sheaves, taper lock sheaves, variable pitch sheaves; plain bore sprockets, QD sprockets, taper lock sprockets” in the identification of goods is indefinite and must be clarified because the wording does not specify the nature of goods.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01.  Applicant may substitute the following wording, if accurate: “machine parts, namely, plain bore sheaves, QD sheaves, taper lock sheaves, variable pitch sheaves; Engine timing components, namely, plain bore sprockets, QD sprockets, taper lock sprockets.”

 

Applicant may substitute the following wording, if accurate:

 

Class 6: steel balls

 

Class 7: Machine parts, namely, ball bearings, double row ball bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, spherical thrust bearings, roller bearings, ball bearing inserts, spherical bearings, needle bearings, plain spherical bearings, ball bearing adapters, self-aligning ball bearings, thrust ball bearings, angular contact ball bearings, needle bearings, thrust needle bearings, thrust roller bearings, tapered roller bearings, journal bearings, linear bearings, linear shafting for ball bearings, magneto ball bearings, mounted ball bearings, mounted roller bearings, bearing heaters, bearing pullers, and all other types of anti-friction bearings, namely, stud type cam follower bearings, yoke type cam follower bearings, single row ball bearings, cartridge ball bearings, deep groove ball bearings, insert ball bearings, mast guide ball bearings, steel balls, unground ball bearings, ball and needle combination bearings, ball and roller combination bearings, needle and roller combination bearings, flange ball bearings, plain flange bearings, roller flange bearings, hanger ball bearings, plain hanger bearings, roller hanger bearings, linear ball bearings, plain linear bearings, rail linear bearings, roller linear bearings, shafting linear bearings, rod end plain bearings, insert roller bearings, needle roller bearings, spherical roller bearings, slewing ring ball bearings, slewing ring roller bearings, take-up ball bearings, take-up frame bearings, plain take-up bearings, take-up roller bearings, pillow blocks ball bearings, plain pillow blocks bearings, pillow blocks roller bearings; machine parts, namely, bearing rod ends for use in industrial machines, namely, mining, sawmills, and pulp and paper machinery; machine parts, namely, pillow blocks and flange blocks; machine parts, namely, {specify type of parts, e.g., millstones, etc.}; parts for machines, namely, {specify type of parts, e.g., millstones, etc.}; power transmission parts for machines, namely, {specify parts}; machine parts, namely, bearing adapter mounting sleeves, bearing removal sleeves; machines parts, namely, plummer blocks for bearings, bearing stabilizing rings, metal seal rings for use with {indicate general types of machines, e.g., sorting machines, etc.}; keyless bushings, QD bushings, taper lock bushings for use as parts of machines; roller chains being parts of machines; chain couplings, coupling elements in the nature of {specify parts}, geared couplings, coupling hubs, jaw couplings, rigid couplings, all for machines; lip seals as machine components; machine parts, namely, plain bore sheaves, QD sheaves, taper lock sheaves, variable pitch sheaves; Engine timing components, namely, plain bore sprockets, QD sprockets, taper lock sprockets

 

Class 8: hand tools, namely, bearing pullers

 

Class 11: bearing heaters

 

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

 

MULTIPLE CLASS APPLICATION

The application identifies goods 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/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 that are classified in at least four (4) classes; however, applicant submitted a fee(s) sufficient for only one (1) class.  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.

 

ASSISTANCE

 

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. 

 

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.    

 

 

Calloway, Christina

/Christina Calloway/

Examining Attorney

Law Office 122

571-272-7342

christina.calloway@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 February 11, 2020 for

U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 88680755

 

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. 

 

 

Calloway, Christina

/Christina Calloway/

Examining Attorney

Law Office 122

571-272-7342

christina.calloway@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 February 11, 2020, 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.”