Offc Action Outgoing

BELOVED BOARDS

Beloved boards

U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 88729074 - BELOVED BOARDS - N/A

To: Beloved boards (harijs.abele@belovedboards.com)
Subject: U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 88729074 - BELOVED BOARDS - N/A
Sent: March 19, 2020 12:36:14 PM
Sent As: ecom110@uspto.gov
Attachments: Attachment - 1
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United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

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

 

U.S. Application Serial No. 88729074

 

Mark:  BELOVED BOARDS

 

 

 

 

Correspondence Address: 

BELOVED BOARDS; BELOVED BOARDS

PAVILA IELA 20-2, L; CESIS, PAVILA IELA

CESIS

LV-4101

LATVIA

 

 

Applicant:  Beloved boards

 

 

 

Reference/Docket No. N/A

 

Correspondence Email Address: 

 harijs.abele@belovedboards.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:  March 19, 2020

 

 

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.”

 

The USPTO applies the following legal authority to a trademark application:

  The Trademark Act of 1946 (15 U.S.C. §§1051 et seq.)

  The Trademark Rules of Practice (37 C.F.R. pts. 2, 3, 6, 7, 11)

  Precedential court and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) decisions

  The Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure (TMEP)

  The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Manual of Procedure (TBMP)

 

The term “TMEP” refers to the USPTO’s Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure, a manual written by USPTO trademark attorneys that explains the laws and procedures applicable to the trademark application, registration, and post-registration processes.  The USPTO updates the TMEP periodically to reflect changes in law, policy, and procedure. 

 

An applicant may check the status of or view documents filed in an application or registration using the Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TSDR) system.  Enter the application serial number or registration number and click on “Status” or “Documents.”

 

 

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:

 

  • FILING BASIS REQUIRED
  • DISCLAIMER
  • COLOR CLAIM AND MARK DESCRIPTION – INACCURATE
  • APPOINTMENT OF U.S. COUNSEL REQUIRED

 

 

FILING BASIS REQUIRED

 

Applicant has not specified a filing basis in the application.  An application must specify and meet the requirements of at least one filing basis.  37 C.F.R. §§2.32(a)(5), 2.34(a); TMEP §806.  Accordingly, applicant must (1) amend the application to specify clearly at least one filing basis, and (2) satisfy all the requirements for the basis or bases asserted.  Although an applicant may assert more than one basis, an applicant may not assert both Section 1(a) for use and Section 1(b) for intent to use for identical goods and/or services.  37 C.F.R. §2.34(b); TMEP §806.02(b).

 

An applicant may add one or more of the following four bases to an application after filing:

 

(1)        Use of the mark in commerce under Trademark Act Section 1(a);

 

To amend an application to one based on use of the mark in commerce under Trademark Act Section 1(a), an applicant must provide the following:  (1) a statement that “the mark is in use in commerce and was in use in commerce as of the application filing date;” (2) dates of first use of the mark; (3) a specimen for each class and a statement that “the specimen(s) was in use in commerce at least as early as the application filing date;” and (4) verification, in an affidavit or signed declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20, of these two statements and the dates of first use.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.34(a)(1); TMEP §§903, 904.

 

For more information about Section 1(a) basis requirements, and instructions on how to satisfy them online using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) form, please go to the Basis webpage.

 

(2)        A bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce under Section 1(b);

 

To amend an application to one based on a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce under Trademark Act Section 1(b), an applicant must provide the following statement, verified with an affidavit or signed declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20: Applicant has a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce and had a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce as of the application filing date.”  See 37 C.F.R. §2.34(a)(2).

 

For more information about Section 1(b) basis requirements, and instructions on how to satisfy them online using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) form, please go to the Basis webpage.

 

(3)        A foreign registration of the same mark for the same goods and/or services in an applicant’s country of origin, under Section 44(e); and/or

 

To amend an application to one based on a valid foreign registration of the same mark for the same goods and/or services under Trademark Act Section 44(e), an applicant must provide the following:  (1) a true copy of the foreign registration or a proof of renewal from applicant’s country of origin, and, if the foreign registration or proof of renewal is not written in English, an English translation of it; (2) a list of goods and/or services that does not exceed the scope of the goods and/or services in the foreign registration; (3) the following statement, verified in an affidavit or signed declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20: Applicant has a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce and had a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce as of the application filing date.”  See TMEP §§1004, 1004.01(a)-(b).

 

Further, applicant’s country of origin must be a party to an international treaty or agreement with the United States that provides registration based on ownership of a foreign registration, or extends reciprocal registration rights to U.S. nationals.  TMEP §1004.

 

For more information about Section 44(e) basis requirements, and instructions on how to satisfy them online using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) form, please go to the Basis webpage.

 

(4)        A claim of priority based on an earlier-filed foreign application of the same mark for the same goods and/or services, which is filed within six months after the filing date of the foreign application, under Section 44(d).

 

To amend an application to one based on an earlier-filed foreign application of the same mark for the same goods and/or services under Trademark Act Section 44(d), an applicant must  provide the following:  (1) a “claim of priority” filed within six months of the foreign application filing date (2) the filing date, serial number, and country of the first regularly-filed foreign application, or a statement that “the application is based upon a subsequently regularly-filed application in the same foreign country, and any prior-filed application has been withdrawn, abandoned, or otherwise disposed of, without having been laid open to public inspection and without having any rights outstanding, and has not served as a basis for claiming a right of priority;” (3) a list of goods and/or services that does not exceed the scope of the goods and/or services in the foreign application; and (4) the following statement, verified with an affidavit or signed declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20: Applicant has a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce and had a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce as of the application filing date.”  See TMEP §1003.

 

Further, applicant’s country of origin and the country where the foreign application is filed must be a party to an international treaty or agreement with the United States that provides a right of priority, or extends reciprocal rights to priority to U.S. nationals.  TMEP §1003.

 

For more information about Section 44(d) basis requirements, and instructions on how to satisfy them online using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) form, please go to the Basis webpage.

 

 

DISCLAIMER

 

Applicant must disclaim the wording “BOARDS” because it merely describes an ingredient, quality, characteristic, function, feature, purpose, or use of applicant’s goods and/or services, and thus is an unregistrable component of the mark.  See 15 U.S.C. §§1052(e)(1), 1056(a); DuoProSS Meditech Corp. v. Inviro Med. Devices, Ltd., 695 F.3d 1247, 1251, 103 USPQ2d 1753, 1755 (Fed. Cir. 2012) (quoting In re Oppedahl & Larson LLP, 373 F.3d 1171, 1173, 71 USPQ2d 1370, 1371 (Fed. Cir. 2004)); TMEP §§1213, 1213.03(a). 

 

“BOARD” is defined as “A flat, rigid piece of material on which a game is played, such as a checkerboard or chessboard.”  The American Heritage (R) dictionary of the English language (6th ed.), http://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/hmdictenglang/board/0.  The attached evidence from the applicant’s website shows this wording describes the form in which the goods are provided, i.e., “BOARDS”, or more specifically, busy boards.  See http://www.belovedboards.com/product/busy-board-mini-bear/.  Therefore, the wording merely describes the applicant’s goods, or the form in which they take.

 

A “disclaimer” is a statement in the application record that an applicant does not claim exclusive rights to an unregistrable component of the mark; a disclaimer of unregistrable matter does not affect the appearance of the mark or physically remove disclaimed matter from the mark.  See Schwarzkopf v. John H. Breck, Inc., 340 F.2d 978, 978, 144 USPQ 433, 433 (C.C.P.A. 1965); TMEP §1213.  An unregistrable component of a mark includes wording and designs that are merely descriptive of an applicant’s goods and/or services.  15 U.S.C. §1052(e); see TMEP §§1209.03(f), 1213.03 et seq.  Such words or designs need to be freely available for other businesses to market comparable goods or services and should not become the proprietary domain of any one party.  See Dena Corp. v. Belvedere Int’l, Inc., 950 F.2d 1555, 1560, 21 USPQ2d 1047, 1051 (Fed. Cir. 1991); In re Aug. Storck KG, 218 USPQ 823, 825 (TTAB 1983).

 

If applicant does not provide the required disclaimer, the USPTO may refuse to register the entire mark.  See In re Stereotaxis Inc., 429 F.3d 1039, 1040-41, 77 USPQ2d 1087, 1088-89 (Fed. Cir. 2005); TMEP §1213.01(b).

 

Applicant should submit a disclaimer in the following standardized format:

 

No claim is made to the exclusive right to use “BOARDS” apart from the mark as shown.

 

For an overview of disclaimers and instructions on how to satisfy this disclaimer requirement online using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) form, please go to http://www.gov.uspto.report/trademarks/law/disclaimer.jsp.

 

If applicant does not provide the required disclaimer, the USPTO may refuse to register the entire mark.  See In re Stereotaxis Inc., 429 F.3d 1039, 1041, 77 USPQ2d 1087, 1089 (Fed. Cir. 2005); TMEP §1213.01(b).

 

The following cases further explain the disclaimer requirement:  Dena Corp. v. Belvedere Int’l Inc., 950 F.2d 1555, 21 USPQ2d 1047 (Fed. Cir. 1991); In re Brown-Forman Corp., 81 USPQ2d 1284 (TTAB 2006); In re Kraft, Inc., 218 USPQ 571 (TTAB 1983).

 

 

COLOR CLAIM AND MARK DESCRIPTION – INACCURATE

 

Applicant must amend the color claim and description to identify all the colors in the drawing of the mark.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.52(b)(1); TMEP §807.07(a)-(a)(ii).  The following colors have been omitted from the color claim:  WHITE.  In addition, the following colors have been omitted from the description:  BLUE, GREY and WHITE.

 

A complete color claim must reference all the colors appearing in the drawing of the mark.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.52(b)(1); TMEP §§807.07(a) et seq.  Similarly, a complete description of a mark depicted in color must specify where the colors appear in the literal and design elements of the mark.  See 37 C.F.R. §§2.37, 2.52(b)(1); TMEP §§807.07(a) et seq.  If black, white, and/or gray represent background, outlining, shading, and/or transparent areas and are not part of the mark, applicant must so specify in the description.  See TMEP §807.07(d).

 

The following color claim and description are suggested, if accurate:

 

White Claimed As A Feature Of The Mark

Color claim:  The colors light blue, gray and white are claimed as a feature of the mark.

 

Description:  The mark consists of a light blue teddy bear with white eyes and nose and a white heart in the center of the body. Below the bear design is the stacked stylized wording “BE” over “LOVED” over “BOARDS”, all shown in grey. All other white areas represent transparent background and are not claimed as a feature of the mark.

 

White NOT Claimed As A Feature Of The Mark

Color claim:  The colors light blue and gray are claimed as a feature of the mark.

 

Description:  The mark consists of a light blue teddy bear with eyes and nose and a heart in the center of the body. Below the bear design is the stacked stylized wording “BE” over “LOVED” over “BOARDS”, all shown in grey. All white areas represent transparent background and are not claimed as a feature of the mark.

 

 

APPOINTMENT OF U.S. COUNSEL REQUIRED

 

Applicant must be represented by a U.S.-licensed attorney.  An applicant whose domicile is located outside of the United States or its territories is foreign-domiciled and must be represented at the USPTO by an attorney who is an active member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a U.S. state or territory.  37 C.F.R. §§2.11(a), 11.14; Requirement of U.S.-Licensed Attorney for Foreign-Domiciled Trademark Applicants & Registrants, Examination Guide 4-19, at I.A. (Rev. Sept. 2019).  An individual applicant’s domicile is the place a person resides and intends to be the person’s principal home.  37 C.F.R. §2.2(o); Examination Guide 4-19, at I.A.  A juristic entity’s domicile is the principal place of business; i.e., headquarters, where a juristic entity applicant’s senior executives or officers ordinarily direct and control the entity’s activities.  37 C.F.R. §2.2(o); Examination Guide 4-19, at I.A.  Because applicant is foreign-domiciled, applicant must appoint such a U.S.-licensed attorney qualified to practice under 37 C.F.R. §11.14 as its representative before the application may proceed to registration.  37 C.F.R. §2.11(a).  See Hiring a U.S.-licensed trademark attorney for more information.  

 

To appoint a U.S.-licensed attorney.  To appoint an attorney, applicant should submit a completed Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) Change Address or Representation form.  The newly-appointed attorney must submit a TEAS Response to Examining Attorney Office Action form indicating that an appointment of attorney has been made and address all other refusals or requirements in this action, if any.  Alternatively, if applicant retains an attorney before filing the response, the attorney can respond to this Office action by using the appropriate TEAS response form and provide his or her attorney information in the form and sign it as applicant’s attorney.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.17(b)(1)(ii).

 

 

INFORMATION AND INQUIRIES REGARDING THIS ACTION

 

Response guidelines.  For this application to proceed, applicant must explicitly address each refusal and/or requirement in this Office action.  For a refusal, applicant may provide written arguments and evidence against the refusal, and may have other response options if specified above.  For a requirement, applicant should set forth the changes or statements.  Please see “Responding to Office Actions” and the informational video “Response to Office Action” for more information and tips on responding.

 

Please call or email the assigned trademark examining attorney with questions about this Office action.  Although an examining attorney cannot provide legal advice, the examining attorney can provide additional explanation about the refusal(s) and/or requirement(s) in this Office action.  See TMEP §§705.02, 709.06. 

 

The USPTO does not accept emails as responses to Office actions; however, emails can be used for informal communications and are 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.    

 

 

/Jennifer H. Dixon/

Trademark Examining Attorney

Law Office 110

571-272-9359

jennifer.dixon@uspto.gov (informal inquiries only)

 

 

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. 88729074 - BELOVED BOARDS - N/A

To: Beloved boards (harijs.abele@belovedboards.com)
Subject: U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 88729074 - BELOVED BOARDS - N/A
Sent: March 19, 2020 12:36:17 PM
Sent As: ecom110@uspto.gov
Attachments:

United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

 

USPTO OFFICIAL NOTICE

 

Office Action (Official Letter) has issued

on March 19, 2020 for

U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 88729074

 

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. 

 

 

/Jennifer H. Dixon/

Trademark Examining Attorney

Law Office 110

571-272-9359

jennifer.dixon@uspto.gov (informal inquiries only)

 

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 March 19, 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.”

 

 

 


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