To: | American National Insurance Company (trademark@boulwarevaloir.com) |
Subject: | U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 88838891 - AMERICAN NATIONAL - ANICO-ANBW |
Sent: | March 22, 2021 01:48:12 PM |
Sent As: | ecom115@uspto.gov |
Attachments: |
United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
Office Action (Official Letter) About Applicant’s Trademark Application
U.S. Application Serial No. 88838891
Mark: AMERICAN NATIONAL
|
|
Correspondence Address: |
|
Applicant: American National Insurance Company
|
|
Reference/Docket No. ANICO-ANBW
Correspondence Email Address: |
|
FINAL 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) and/or Electronic System for Trademark Trials and Appeals (ESTTA). A link to the appropriate TEAS response form and to ESTTA for an appeal appears at the end of this office action.
Issue date: March 22, 2021
This office action is in response to applicant’s communication filed on December 14, 2020.
Applicant Must Submit A New Specimen
This refusal applies to Class 37 only.
Specimen does not show use for the services. Registration was refused in the first action because the specimen does not show the applied-for mark as actually used in commerce in connection with the Class 37 services that are identified in the application. Trademark Act Sections 1 and 45, 15 U.S.C. §§1051, 1127; 37 C.F.R. §§2.34(a)(1)(iv), 2.56(a); In re Keep A Breast Found., 123 USPQ2d 1869, 1876-79 (TTAB 2017); TMEP §§904, 904.07(a), 1301.04(d), (g)(i). An application based on Trademark Act Section 1(a) must include a specimen showing the applied-for mark as actually used in commerce for each international class of goods and/or services identified in the application. 15 U.S.C. §1051(a)(1); 37 C.F.R. §§2.34(a)(1)(iv), 2.56(a); TMEP §§904, 904.07(a); see In re Gulf Coast Nutritionals, Inc., 106 USPQ2d 1243, 1247 (TTAB 2013).
Specifically, the identification reads: real estate development and construction of commercial, residential and hotel property. However, the specimen indicates that applicant conducts inspections of properties for which it has issued loans. It does not show that applicant offers real estate development or commercial construction services.
Applicant responded by arguing that the form can be used by the “Mortgage and Estate Investment Department.” Even assuming that is the case, it does not show that applicant offers real estate development or commercial construction services in connection with the applied-for mark. The refusal is therefore continued and now made final.
NOTE: applicant’s use of the word “TEA” in several places in its argument is unclear. It appears to be shorthand for “the examining attorney.” If that is not the case, applicant must clarify.
Examples of specimens. Specimens for services must show a direct association between the mark and the services and include: (1) copies of advertising and marketing material, (2) a photograph of business signage or billboards, or (3) materials showing the mark in the sale, rendering, or advertising of the services. See 37 C.F.R. §2.56(b)(2), (c); TMEP §1301.04(a), (h)(iv)(C).
Any webpage printout or screenshot submitted as a specimen must include the webpage’s URL and the date it was accessed or printed. 37 C.F.R. §2.56(c).
Response options. 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 and (b) shows the mark in actual use in commerce for the goods and/or services identified in the application. 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), as no specimen is required before publication. This option will later necessitate additional fee(s) and filing requirements, including a specimen.
For an overview of the response options referenced above and instructions on how to satisfy these options using the online Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) form, see the specimen webpage.
Partial Abandonment Advisory
Applicant must respond within six months of the date of issuance of this action, or Class 37 will be deleted from the application by Examiner’s Amendment. The application would then proceed for Class 36. 37 C.F.R. §2.65(a); TMEP §718.02(a).
Therefore, if applicant wishes to delete Class 37, a response is not required. However, a response would expedite the prosecution of this application and is therefore preferred. Applicant may simply call or email the examining attorney with a request to delete Class 37.
Applicant is invited to contact the assigned examining attorney with any questions regarding this action.
/Katherine S. Chang/
(she/her/hers)
Trademark Examining Attorney
Law Office 115
571-270-1528
katherine.chang@uspto.gov
RESPONSE GUIDANCE
· If needed, find contact information for the supervisor of the law office referenced in the signature block.