To: | OFX INC. (docket@jpglegal.com) |
Subject: | U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 88830305 - BEAST - N/A |
Sent: | June 06, 2020 05:31:15 PM |
Sent As: | ecom116@uspto.gov |
Attachments: | Attachment - 1 Attachment - 2 Attachment - 3 Attachment - 4 Attachment - 5 Attachment - 6 Attachment - 7 Attachment - 8 Attachment - 9 Attachment - 10 |
United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
Office Action (Official Letter) About Applicant’s Trademark Application
U.S. Application Serial No. 88830305
Mark: BEAST
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Correspondence Address: |
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Applicant: OFX INC.
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Reference/Docket No. N/A
Correspondence Email Address: |
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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: June 06, 2020
SECTION 2(d) REFUSAL – LIKELIHOOD OF CONFUSION
The applied-for mark is BEAST with design identified for “Chairs; Desks; Furniture”.
U.S. Registration No. 2863475 THE BEAST is identified for “Chairs and sofas with a reclining feature”.
U.S. Registration No. 4572468 THE BEAST stylized is identified for “Furniture; residential furniture; recliners”.
Although not all du Pont factors may be relevant, there are generally two key considerations in any likelihood of confusion analysis: (1) the similarities between the compared marks and (2) the relatedness of the compared goods. See In re i.am.symbolic, llc, 866 F.3d at 1322, 123 USPQ2d at 1747 (quoting Herbko Int’l, Inc. v. Kappa Books, Inc., 308 F.3d 1156, 1164-65, 64 USPQ2d 1375, 1380 (Fed. Cir. 2002)); Federated Foods, Inc. v. Fort Howard Paper Co.,544 F.2d 1098, 1103, 192 USPQ 24, 29 (C.C.P.A. 1976) (“The fundamental inquiry mandated by [Section] 2(d) goes to the cumulative effect of differences in the essential characteristics of the goods [or services] and differences in the marks.”); TMEP §1207.01.
Similarity of Marks
In a likelihood of confusion determination, the marks in their entireties are compared for similarities in appearance, sound, connotation, and commercial impression. In re i.am.symbolic, llc, 866 F.3d 1315, 1323, 123 USPQ2d 1744, 1748 (Fed. Cir. 2017); Stone Lion Capital Partners, LP v. Lion Capital LLP, 746 F.3d 1317, 1321, 110 USPQ2d 1157, 1160 (Fed. Cir. 2014) (quoting Palm Bay Imps., Inc. v. Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Maison Fondee En 1772, 396 F.3d 1369, 1371, 73 USPQ2d 1689, 1691 (Fed. Cir. 2005)); 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).
The applied-for mark is BEAST with design.
U.S. Registration No. 2863475 is THE BEAST.
U.S. Registration No. 4572468 is THE BEAST stylized.
When evaluating a composite mark consisting of words and a design, the word portion is normally accorded greater weight because it is likely to make a greater impression upon purchasers, be remembered by them, and be used by them to refer to or request the goods. In re Aquitaine Wine USA, LLC, 126 USPQ2d 1181, 1184 (TTAB 2018) (citing In re Viterra Inc., 671 F.3d 1358, 1362, 101 USPQ2d 1905, 1908 (Fed. Cir. 2012)); TMEP §1207.01(c)(ii). Thus, although marks must be compared in their entireties, the word portion is often considered the dominant feature and is accorded greater weight in determining whether marks are confusingly similar, even where the word portion has been disclaimed. In re Viterra Inc., 671 F.3d at 1366-67, 101 USPQ2d at 1911 (citing Giant Food, Inc. v. Nation’s Foodservice, Inc., 710 F.2d 1565, 1570-71, 218 USPQ2d 390, 395 (Fed. Cir. 1983)). Thus, the dominant portion of the applied-for mark is the wording BEAST.
In the present case, applicant’s mark is BEAST and registrant’s mark is THE BEAST. These marks are virtually identical in 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 virtually identical, these marks are likely to engender the same connotation and overall commercial impression of a large thing when considered in connection with applicant’s and registrant’s respective goods. Id. See also attached http://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=beast.
Therefore, the marks are confusingly similar.
Relatedness of Services
The goods are compared to determine whether they are similar, commercially related, or travel in the same trade channels. See Coach Servs., Inc. v. Triumph Learning LLC, 668 F.3d 1356, 1369-71, 101 USPQ2d 1713, 1722-23 (Fed. Cir. 2012); Herbko Int’l, Inc. v. Kappa Books, Inc., 308 F.3d 1156, 1165, 64 USPQ2d 1375, 1381 (Fed. Cir. 2002); TMEP §§1207.01, 1207.01(a)(vi).
The applied-for mark is identified for “Chairs; Desks; Furniture”.
U.S. Registration No. 2863475 is identified for “Chairs and sofas with a reclining feature”.
U.S. Registration No. 4572468 is identified for “Furniture; residential furniture; recliners”.
In this case, the application uses broad wording to describe “Chairs; Desks; Furniture”, which presumably encompasses all goods of the type described, including registrant’s more narrow “Chairs and sofas with a reclining feature” and “Furniture; residential furniture; recliners”. 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 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 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 are related.
Conclusion
For the above reasons, registration is refused under Section 2(d) of the Trademark Act.
PRIOR-FILED APPLICATION ADVISORY
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 mark in the referenced application. 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.
THE DESCRIPTION OF THE MARK MUST BE AMENDED
To clarify whether color is claimed as a feature of the mark, applicant may satisfy one of the following:
(1) If color is not a feature of the mark, applicant must submit an amended description of the mark that omits any reference of color. See TMEP §§807.07(a)(ii), 808.02. The following is suggested, if accurate:
The mark consists of the stylized capitalized wording “BEAST”, having a crown on the top of the shaded letter “B”. The color black represents background and is not a claimed feature of the mark.
(2) If color is a feature of the mark, applicant must (a) submit a new drawing showing the mark in color, (b) list all the colors that are a feature of the mark, and (c) amend the description, if appropriate, to specify where all the colors appear in the literal and design elements of the mark. 37 C.F.R. §§2.37, 2.52(b)(1); see TMEP §807.07(a)-(a)(ii). Generic color names must be used to describe the colors in the mark, e.g., red, yellow, blue. TMEP §807.07(a)(i)-(ii). 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:
Color claim: “The colors black, white, and grey are claimed as a feature of the mark.”
Description: “The mark consists of the stylized capitalized wording “BEAST”, with the “B” in grey and the wording “EAST” in white, having a grey crown on the top of the letter “B”. All of the foregoing is on a black square.
For more information about drawings and instructions on how to submit a new drawing and a color claim and/or description online using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) form, see the Drawing webpage.
INFORMATION REGARDING THIS APPLICATION
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.
Michael Larkey
/Michael Larkey/
Trademark Examining Attorney
Law Office 116
(571) 270-5492
michael.larkey@uspto.gov
RESPONSE GUIDANCE