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:  August 29, 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.

 

SUMMARY OF ISSUES:

• SECTION 2(d) REFUSAL – LIKELIHOOD OF CONFUSION
• PRIOR PENDING ADVISORY
• IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF GOODS AND SERVICES
• MULTIPLE CLASS APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

 

SECTION 2(d) REFUSAL – LIKELIHOOD OF CONFUSION

 

Registration of the applied-for mark is refused because of a likelihood of confusion with the marks in U.S. Registration Nos. 5005492; 6115441; 2926617.  Trademark Act Section 2(d), 15 U.S.C. §1052(d); see TMEP §§1207.01 et seq.  See the attached registrations.

 

Here, the applicant’s mark is FABLE.

 

Registrant’s mark in registration number 5005492 is FABLE.

 

Registrant’s mark in registration number 6115441 is FABLE.

 

Registrant’s mark in registration number 2926617 is FABLE.

 

Trademark Act Section 2(d) bars registration of an applied-for mark that is so similar to a registered mark that it is likely consumers would be confused, mistaken, or deceived as to the commercial source of the goods and/or services of the parties.  See 15 U.S.C. §1052(d).  Likelihood of confusion is determined on a case-by-case basis by applying the factors set forth in In re E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d 1357, 1361, 177 USPQ 563, 567 (C.C.P.A. 1973) (called the “du Pont factors”).  In re i.am.symbolic, llc, 866 F.3d 1315, 1322, 123 USPQ2d 1744, 1747 (Fed. Cir. 2017).  Any evidence of record related to those factors need be considered; however, “not all of the DuPont factors are relevant or of similar weight in every case.”  In re Guild Mortg. Co., 912 F.3d 1376, 1379, 129 USPQ2d 1160, 1162 (Fed. Cir. 2019) (quoting In re Dixie Rests., Inc., 105 F.3d 1405, 1406, 41 USPQ2d 1531, 1533 (Fed. Cir. 1997)).

 

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 and/or services.  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. 

 

Comparison of the 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). 

 

In the present case, applicant’s mark is FABLE and registrants’ marks are FABLE (Reg. No. 5005492), FABLE (Reg. No. 6115441) and FABLE (Reg. No. 2926617).  These marks are identical in appearance, 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 identical, these marks are likely to engender the same connotation and overall commercial impression when considered in connection with Applicant’s and registrant’s respective goods and/or services.  Id.

 

Therefore, the marks are confusingly similar. 

 

 

Comparison of the Goods/Services

 

The compared goods and/or services need not be identical or even competitive to find a likelihood of confusion.  See On-line Careline Inc. v. Am. Online Inc., 229 F.3d 1080, 1086, 56 USPQ2d 1471, 1475 (Fed. Cir. 2000); Recot, Inc. v. Becton, 214 F.3d 1322, 1329, 54 USPQ2d 1894, 1898 (Fed. Cir. 2000); TMEP §1207.01(a)(i).  They need only be “related in some manner and/or if the circumstances surrounding their marketing are such that they could give rise to the mistaken belief that [the goods and/or services] emanate from the same source.”  Coach Servs., Inc. v. Triumph Learning LLC, 668 F.3d 1356, 1369, 101 USPQ2d 1713, 1722 (Fed. Cir. 2012) (quoting 7-Eleven Inc. v. Wechsler, 83 USPQ2d 1715, 1724 (TTAB 2007)); TMEP §1207.01(a)(i).

 

Applicant’s goods and services are the following:

 

International Class 009:  USB drives; cell-phone charging solutions; cellphone chargers; portable speakers; earbuds; headphones; cables

 

International Class 014:  Jewelry; pins; pin sets; buttons; magnets

 

International Class 016:  Stationery items; posters; stickers; sticker sheets; signage; award cards; code cards; note papers; note cubes; mousepads; cell phone holder; screen cleaner; office supply kits; swag bags; tissue paper; ribbons; lanyards; badges; journals; notebooks; pens, banners

 

International Class 018:  Bags; travel bags; duffel bags; luggage; laptop cases; console bags; backpacks; cinch packs; tote bags; accessory pouches; cell-phone cases; controller skin

 

International Class 020:  Furniture; mirrors

 

International Class 021:  Drinkware; coasters; insulated bags; coolers; tins

 

International Class 025:  Clothing; headwear; footwear; clothing, namely, t-shirts, polo shirts, button-down shirts, hoodies, jackets, caps, beanies, socks, shoes, shoe laces

 

International Class 028:  Toys; board games; action figures; game controllers for computer games; gaming headsets for use in playing video games

 

International Class 041:  Providing information on-line relating to computer games and computer enhancements for games; entertainment services, namely, providing an on-line computer game; providing on-line electronic publications, not downloadable; publication of electronic books and journals on-line; entertainment information

 

International Class 042:  Non-downloadable computer game software; providing a web site featuring technology that enables users to create, upload, and share user-generated videos based on computer game play

 

 

 

 

Registrant’s goods in registration number 5005492 are the following:

 

International Class 021:  Household or kitchen utensils, namely, dishers, serving scoops, kitchen tongs, splatter screens, pouring and straining spouts, jar openers, egg poachers, spatulas, sieves, strainers, turners, skimmers, funnels, graters, non-electric juicers, reamers for juice, vegetable mashers, potato ricers, Hand-operated coffee grinders and pepper mills, hand-operated food grinders, cooking spoons, mixing spoons, serving spoons, slotted spoons, spoon rests, basting spoons, whisks; tableware, namely, coffee and tea services, cookware, namely, pots and pans, roasting pans, frying pans, steamers, woks, bakeware, tin roasting pans, non-electric pressure cookers, non-electric griddles and grills; cookware for use in microwave ovens; containers for household or kitchen use; crockery, namely, pots, dishes, drinking cups and saucers, bowls, serving bowls and trays, plates, mugs, non-electric tea pots, cake stands, egg cups, sugar bowls, creamer pitchers, jugs, gravy boats, butter dishes, salt and pepper shakers, drinking vessels; beverage glassware; porcelain and earthenware goods, namely, ornaments, figurines, sculptures, statues, statuettes, wall plaques, decorative centerpieces, porcelain cake decorations, flower pots, vases, candlesticks, bowls; napkin rings

 

International Class 024:  Table linen, table cloths of textile, napkins of textile, towels, bath sheets, face cloths, tea towels; bed clothes, namely, bed linen, bed covers, bed spreads, coverlets, comforters, quilts, pillow cases; bed sheets; baby bedding, namely, bundle bags, swaddling blankets, crib bumpers, fitted crib sheets, crib skirts, crib blankets and diaper changing pad covers not of paper; the aforementioned goods exclude textile fabrics for use in making clothing or household furnishings

 

International Class 035:  Retail store and on-line retail store services featuring household or kitchen utensils, tableware, cookware, containers, crockery, drinking vessels, glassware, porcelain and earthenware, cutlery, bed clothes, bed covers, bed linen, bed spreads, coverlets, pillow cases, quilts, bed sheets, bedding for cots; the aforementioned retail stores services exclude textile fabrics for use in making clothing or household furnishings

 

Registrant’s goods in registration number 6115441 are the following:

 

International Class 014:  Jewellery

 

International Class 018:  Imitation leather and real leather handbags

 

International Class 025:  Scarves, headwear

 

Registrant’s goods in registration number 2926617 are the following:

 

International Class 009:  Interactive video game programs; [ video game cartridges;] video game discs; video game software; [ video game tape cassettes; computer game cartridges; computer game cassettes;] computer game discs; computer game programs; computer game software; [computer game tapes;] electronic game programs; interactive multimedia computer game program; virtual reality game software

 

Applicant’s and registrant’s goods and services are related for the following reasons.

 

The attached Internet evidence from Ralph Lauren and Disney, consists of third party websites which establishes that the same entity commonly manufactures, produces, or provides the relevant goods and/or services and markets the goods and/or services under the same mark.  Additionally, the attached evidence from Sharper Image shows the relevant goods and/or services are sold or provided through the same trade channels and used by the same classes of consumers in the same fields of use.  Thus, applicant’s and registrant’s goods and/or services are considered related for likelihood of confusion purposes.  See, e.g., In re Davey Prods. Pty Ltd., 92 USPQ2d 1198, 1202-04 (TTAB 2009); In re Toshiba Med. Sys. Corp., 91 USPQ2d 1266, 1268-69, 1271-72 (TTAB 2009).

 

Thus, upon encountering FABLE and FABLE used on the identified goods and/or services, consumers are likely to be confused and mistakenly believe that the respective goods and/or services emanate from a common source. Accordingly, registration of the applied-for mark is refused because of a likelihood of confusion with the mark in U.S. Registration Nos. 5005492; 6115441; 2926617. Trademark Act Section 2(d), 15 U.S.C. §1052(d); see TMEP §§1207.01 et seq.

 

Although applicant’s mark has been refused registration, applicant may respond to the refusal(s) by submitting evidence and arguments in support of registration.  However, if applicant responds to the refusal(s), applicant must also respond to the requirement(s) set forth below.

 

ADVISORY:  PRIOR-PENDING APPLICATION

 

The filing dates of pending U.S. Application Serial Nos. 88856518; 88726546 precede applicant’s filing date.  See attached referenced applications.  If one or more of the marks in the referenced applications register, applicant’s mark may be refused registration under Trademark Act Section 2(d) because of a likelihood of confusion with the registered mark(s).  See 15 U.S.C. §1052(d); 37 C.F.R. §2.83; TMEP §§1208 et seq.  Therefore, upon receipt of applicant’s response to this Office action, action on this application may be suspended pending final disposition of the earlier-filed referenced applications.

 

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 marks in the referenced applications.  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.

 

IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF GOODS AND SERVICES

 

Applicant has misclassified the following goods and/or services:  mousepads, cell-phone cases, lanyards, banners, screen cleaners and buttons.  The goods were reclassified into the proper International Class in the description of goods below.  If accurate, additional classes may be added by Applicant (with the appropriate fees).

 

In addition, the identification of goods and services is indefinite and must be clarified because many goods and services are described without sufficient clarity.  Therefore, more particularity is needed to properly describe and classify those goods and services.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01.  Applicant must amend the identification to specify the common commercial or generic name of the goods.  See TMEP §1402.01.  If the goods have no common commercial or generic name, applicant must describe the product, its main purpose, and its intended uses.  See id.

 

Applicant may substitute the following wording, if accurate: 

 

International Class 003 [NEW CLASS]:  Screen cleaner in the nature of {specify common commercial or generic name of goods, e.g., glass cleaner}

 

International Class 009:  Blank USB flash drives; cell-phone charging solutions in the nature of {specify common commercial or generic name of goods, e.g., battery chargers}; cellphone chargers in the nature of {specify common commercial or generic name of goods, e.g., chargers for smartphones}; portable {specify type of speaker, e.g., audio} speakers; earbuds; headphones; cables in the nature of {specify common commercial or generic name of goods, e.g., electronic cables}; mousepads {reclassified from Class 016};  cell phone holder in the nature of {specify common commercial or generic name of goods, e.g., carrying cases for cell phones}; laptop cases in the nature of {specify common commercial or generic name of goods, e.g., laptop carrying cases}; cell-phone cases {reclassified from Class 018}

 

International Class 014:  Jewelry; pins in the nature of {specify common commercial or generic name of goods, e.g., pins being jewelry}; pin sets comprised of {specify common commercial or generic name of goods, e.g., tie pins, lapel pins}; buttons in the nature of {specify common commercial or generic name of goods, e.g., watch winding buttons}; magnets in the nature of {specify common commercial or generic name of goods, e.g., jewelry, namely, magnetic necklaces}

 

International Class 016:  Stationery items in the nature of {specify common commercial or generic name of goods, e.g., notebook paper, letterhead paper}; posters; stickers; sticker sheets; signage in the nature of {specify common commercial or generic name of goods, e.g., posters}; award cards in the nature of {specify common commercial or generic name of goods, e.g., printed awards}; code cards in the nature of {specify common commercial or generic name of goods, e.g., flash cards}; note papers; note cubes cards; mousepads{misclassified}; cell phone holder{misclassified}; screen cleaner{misclassified}; office supply kits comprised of {specify common commercial name of goods which make up the kit, e.g., clipboards, writing board erasers}; swag bags in the nature of {specify common commercial or generic name of goods, e.g., permanent markers}; tissue paper; ribbons in the nature of {specify common commercial or generic name of goods, e.g., ink ribbons}; lanyards; badges in the nature of {specify common commercial or generic name of goods, e.g., name badges}; blank journals; notebooks; pens, banners of paper

 

International Class 018:  Bags in the nature of {specify common commercial or generic name of goods, e.g., duffel bags}; travel bags; duffel bags; luggage; laptop cases {misclassified}; console bags{misclassified}; backpacks; cinch packs in the nature of {specify common commercial or generic name of goods, e.g., drawstring bags}; tote bags; accessory pouches in the nature of {specify common commercial or generic name of goods, e.g., waist pouches}; cell-phone cases {misclassified}; controller skin in the nature of {specify common commercial or generic name of goods, e.g., animal skins}

 

International Class 020 [NO CHANGES]:  Furniture; mirrors

 

International Class 021:  Drinkware; coasters in the nature of {specify type of coasters, e.g., cloth coasters, plastic coasters}; insulated bags for food or beverages; coolers in the nature of {specify common commercial or generic name of goods, e.g., non-electric portable coolers}; tins in the nature of {specify common commercial or generic name of goods, e.g., pie tins}

 

International Class 022 [NEW CLASS]:  Lanyards for holding {indicate use, e.g., keys}

 

International Class 024 [NEW CLASS]:  Banners in the nature of {specify common commercial or generic name of goods, e.g., banners of textile, cloth banners}; coasters in the nature of {specify type of coasters, e.g., coasters of textile}

 

International Class 025:  Clothing in the nature of {specify common commercial name of definite goods, e.g., shirts}; headwear; footwear; clothing, namely, t-shirts, polo shirts, button-down shirts, hoodies, jackets, caps, beanies, socks, shoes, shoe laces

 

International Class 026 [NEW CLASS]:  Buttons

 

International Class 028:  Toys in the nature of {specify common commercial or generic name of goods, e.g., inflatable toys}; board games; action figures; game controllers for computer games; gaming headsets adapted for use in playing video games; console bags, in the nature of {specify common commercial name of goods, e.g., bags specially adapted for video game consoles}

 

International Class 041:  Providing information on-line relating to computer games and computer enhancements for games; entertainment services, namely, providing an on-line computer game; providing on-line electronic publications, not downloadable in the nature of {indicate specific nature of publications, e.g., books, magazines} in the field of {indicate subject matter of the publications, computer games}; providing online publication of electronic books and journals on-line in the field of {indicate subject matter, e.g., computer games}; entertainment information

 

International Class 042:  Entertainment services, namely providing temporary use of Non-downloadable computer game software; providing a web site featuring technology that enables users to create, upload, and share user-generated videos based on computer game play

 

Applicant may amend the identification to clarify or limit the goods and/or services, but not to broaden or expand the goods and/or services 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 and/or services 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 REQUIREMENTS

 

The application identifies goods and/or services 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 and/or services that are classified in at least fourteen classes; however, applicant submitted a fee(s) sufficient for only ten classes.  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 37 C.F.R. §2.86(a); TMEP §§1403.01, 1403.02(c).

 

For 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, see the Multiple-class Application webpage.

 

The USPTO changed the federal trademark rules to eliminate the TEAS Regular application, which is now considered a “TEAS Standard” application.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.6(a)(iii).  The fee for adding classes to a TEAS Standard application is $275 per class.  See id.  For more information about these changes, see the Mandatory Electronic Filing webpage.

 

RESPONSE GUIDELINES

 

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.    

 

 

Radcliff, Brent

/Brent M. Radcliff/

Examining Attorney

Trademark Law Office 123

(571) 270-0855

brent.radcliff@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 August 29, 2020 for

U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 90023489

 

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. 

 

 

Radcliff, Brent

/Brent M. Radcliff/

Examining Attorney

Trademark Law Office 123

(571) 270-0855

brent.radcliff@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 August 29, 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.”