To: | Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (dawn.rudenko@hklaw.com) |
Subject: | U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 90037634 - MURATA - 151226.00025 |
Sent: | September 03, 2020 06:57:28 AM |
Sent As: | ecom106@uspto.gov |
Attachments: | Attachment - 1 Attachment - 2 Attachment - 3 Attachment - 4 Attachment - 5 Attachment - 6 Attachment - 7 |
United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
Office Action (Official Letter) About Applicant’s Trademark Application
U.S. Application Serial No. 90037634
Mark: MURATA
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Correspondence Address: |
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Applicant: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
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Reference/Docket No. 151226.00025
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: September 03, 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.
Search of USPTO Database of Marks
The trademark examining attorney searched the USPTO database of registered and pending marks and found no conflicting marks that would bar registration under Trademark Act Section 2(d). 15 U.S.C. §1052(d); TMEP §704.02.
Section 2(e)(4) Refusal
An applicant’s mark is primarily merely a surname if the surname, when viewed in connection with the applicant’s recited goods and/or services, “‘is the primary significance of the mark as a whole to the purchasing public.’” Earnhardt v. Kerry Earnhardt, Inc., 864 F.3d 1374, 1377, 123 USPQ2d 1411, 1413 (Fed. Cir. 2017) (quoting In re Hutchinson Tech. Inc., 852 F.2d 552, 554, 7 USPQ2d 1490, 1492 (Fed. Cir. 1988)); TMEP §1211.01.
The following five inquiries are often used to determine the public’s perception of a term’s primary significance:
(1) Whether the surname is rare;
(2) Whether anyone connected with applicant uses the term as a surname;
(3) Whether the term has any recognized meaning other than as a surname;
(4) Whether the term has the structure and pronunciation of a surname; and
(5) Whether the term is sufficiently stylized to remove its primary significance from that of a surname.
In re Eximius Coffee, LLC, 120 USPQ2d 1276, 1278 & n.2, 1282-83 (TTAB 2016) (citing In re Benthin Mgmt. GmbH, 37 USPQ2d 1332, 1333-34 (TTAB 1995) for the Benthin inquiries/factors); TMEP §1211.01; see also In re Etablissements Darty et Fils, 759 F.2d 15, 16-18, 225 USPQ 652, 653 (Fed. Cir. 1985).
These inquiries are not exclusive, and any of these circumstances – singly or in combination – and any other relevant circumstances may be considered when making this determination. In re Eximius Coffee, LLC, 120 USPQ2d at 1277-78; TMEP §1211.01. For example, when the applied-for mark is not stylized, it is unnecessary to consider the fifth inquiry. In re Yeley, 85 USPQ2d 1150, 1151 (TTAB 2007); TMEP §1211.01.
Please see the attached evidence from Lexis Nexis, establishing the surname significance of Murata. This evidence shows the applied-for mark appearing 1600 times as a surname in the LEXISNEXIS® surname database, which is a weekly updated directory of cell phone and other phone numbers (such as voice over IP) from various data providers. Although Murata appears to be a relatively rare surname, the statute makes no distinction between rare and commonplace surnames and even a rare surname may be unregistrable under Trademark Act Section 2(e)(4) if its primary significance to purchasers is that of a surname. See In re Etablissements Darty et Fils, 759 F.2d 15, 16-18, 225 USPQ 652, 653 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Beds & Bars Ltd., 122 USPQ2d 1546, 1551 (TTAB 2017); In re Eximius Coffee, LLC, 120 USPQ2d 1276, 1281 (TTAB 2016) (citing In re E. Martinoni Co., 189 USPQ 589, 590-91 (TTAB 1975)); TMEP §1211.01(a)(v). There is no minimum amount of evidence needed to establish that a mark is primarily merely a surname. See In re Etablissements Darty et Fils, 759 F.2d at 17, 225 USPQ at 653; In re Beds & Bars Ltd., 122 USPQ2d at 1548; TMEP §1211.02(b)(i).
Based on the attached Wikipedia evidence, the founder of applicant’s mark was Akira Murata. A term that is the surname of an individual applicant or that of an officer, founder, owner, or principal of applicant’s business is probative evidence of the term’s surname significance. TMEP §1211.02(b)(iv); see, e.g., In re Etablissements Darty et Fils, 759 F.2d 15, 16, 225 USPQ 652, 653 (Fed. Cir. 1985) (holding DARTY primarily merely a surname where “Darty” was the surname of applicant’s corporate president); In re Eximius Coffee, LLC, 120 USPQ2d 1276, 1278-80 (TTAB 2016) (holding ALDECOA primarily merely a surname where ALDECOA was the surname of the founder and individuals continuously involved in the business); In re Integrated Embedded, 120 USPQ2d 1504, 1507 (TTAB 2016) (holding BARR GROUP primarily merely a surname where BARR was the surname of the co-founder and applicant’s corporate officer and GROUP was found “incapable of lending source-identifying significance to the mark”); Miller v. Miller, 105 USPQ2d 1615, 1620, 1622-23 (TTAB 2013) (holding MILLER LAW GROUP primarily merely a surname where “Miller” was the surname of the applicant and the term “law group” was found generic).
For the reasons set forth above, registration is refused based on the Trademark Act Section 2(e)(4).
How to respond. Click to file a response to this nonfinal Office action.
/Tejbir Singh/
Trademark Attorney
Law Office 106
571-272-5878
571-273-9106 (fax)
Tejbir.Singh@uspto.gov
RESPONSE GUIDANCE
Search: |
Public Records : Surname |
Terms: |
last-name(murata) maxresults(500) |
Total number found: 1600 |
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No. |
Name |
Address |
Phone |
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1. |
MURATA, A |
120 ARAGON
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646-594-8839 |
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2. |
MURATA, A |
669 LINCOLN
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530-574-3622 |
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3. |
MURATA, A |
180 MAIN
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978-809-0559 |
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4. |
MURATA, A |
9922 MUSTANG
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210-601-6022 |
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5. |
MURATA, A |
126 OPIHIKAO
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808-395-9040 |
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6. |
MURATA, A |
1101E WAINIHA
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808-456-9793 |
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7. |
MURATA, A |
ALAMEDA, CA 94501 |
510-522-3684 |
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8. |
MURATA, A |
ATLANTA, GA 30301 |
404-374-1391 |
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9. |
MURATA, A |
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI 48302 |
734-548-0520 |
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10. |
MURATA, A |
BOSTON, MA 02115 |
617-756-4600 |
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11. |
MURATA, A |
BROOKLYN, NY 11201 |
718-510-3429 |
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12. |
MURATA, A |
DALLAS, TX 75240 |
972-233-9957 |
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13. |
MURATA, A |
DAVIS, CA 95616 |
530-574-0185 |
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14. |
MURATA, A |
MILILANI, HI 96789 |
808-626-8021 |
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15. |
MURATA, A |
PALATINE, IL 60067 |
847-585-1821 |
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16. |
MURATA, A |
SACRAMENTO, CA 94203-0001 |
916-363-9031 |
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17. |
MURATA, A |
SEATTLE, WA 98177 |
206-779-8808 |
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18. |
MURATA, A |
WAILUKU, HI 96793 |
808-244-6217 |
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19. |
MURATA, AARON |
SACRAMENTO, CA 95814 |
916-873-3300 |
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20. |
MURATA, ADAM K |
915 CONWAY
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503-829-7673 |
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21. |
MURATA, AIDEN |
5205 GAINSBOROUGH
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210-601-6022 |
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22. |
MURATA, AIKO |
736 KOALIPEHU
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808-689-8517 |
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23. |
MURATA, AKEMI |
1 RIVERWAY STE 1050
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281-496-9159 |
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24. |
MURATA, AKIHIKO |
PO BOX 342
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605-645-1171 |
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25. |
MURATA, AKIHIRO N |
16144 SE 33RD
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206-550-1022 |
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26. |
MURATA, AKIKO |
1757 POMONA
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530-304-7173 |
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27. |
MURATA, AKIKO |
FRESH MEADOWS, NY 11365 |
917-930-4216 |
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28. |
MURATA, AKIKO |
NEW YORK, NY 10010 |
917-674-1012 |
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29. |
MURATA, AKIMI S |
10595 SW BANNOCH
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208-230-0371 |
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30. |
MURATA, AKIO |
633 RADBURY
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909-861-7294 |
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31. |
MURATA, AKIO |
633 RADBURY
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909-861-7294 |
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32. |
MURATA, AKIO |
901 SUNSET NE APT A
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909-861-7294 |
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33. |
MURATA, AKIO |
PORTLAND, OR 97205 |
971-255-9199 |
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34. |
MURATA, AKIRA |
4277 E ILIFF APT 314
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720-560-4876 |
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35. |
MURATA, AKIRA |
98-1116 KAAMILO
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808-223-1301 |
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36. |
MURATA, AKIRA |
98-1116 KAAMILO
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808-488-2925 |
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37. |
MURATA, AKIRA |
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310-421-6871 |
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38. |
MURATA, AKIRA |
UNIT 604
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323-222-1610 |
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39. |
MURATA, AKITO |
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714-872-6302 |
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40. |
MURATA, AKIYO |
120 HUI RD F
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808-669-0852 |
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41. |
MURATA, AKIYO |
120 HUI RD F APT I13
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808-669-0852 |
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42. |
MURATA, AL T |
1142 113TH
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785-217-5145 |
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43. |
MURATA, ALAN H |
1432 KEEAUMOKU APT 202
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808-221-4755 |
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44. |
MURATA, ALAN T |
34 MOOLU ST
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808-242-7665 |
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45. |
MURATA, ALAN S |
HILO, HI 96720 |
808-959-7385 |
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46. |
MURATA, ALBERT T |
135 KAIOLOHIA
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808-780-3358 |
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47. |
MURATA, ALESSANDRA K |
120 ARAGON
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650-219-1048 |
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48. |
MURATA, ALEX K |
2121 ALA WAI APT 804
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808-265-0777 |
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49. |
MURATA, ALEXANDRIA LEAH |
5100 PREFERRED APT 103
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614-516-1266 |
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50. |
MURATA, ALFRED T |
20081 SW CYPRESS
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650-714-1124 |
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51. |
MURATA, ALICE K |
3796 NORTHRIDGE
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510-527-9495 |
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52. |
MURATA, ALISON |
801 ALA NIOI PH 2
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808-341-3146 |
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53. |
MURATA, ALISON M |
801 ALA NIOI
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808-341-3146 |
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54. |
MURATA, ALISON |
2421 MEADOW RUE
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209-606-5787 |
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55. |
MURATA, ALLISON |
2 27AM
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808-387-8787 |
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56. |
MURATA, ALLISON K |
11406 MISSOURI
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808-387-8787 |
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57. |
MURATA, ALLISON |
126 OPIHIKAO
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808-395-9040 |
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58. |
MURATA, ALLISON E |
8311 E VIA DE VENTURA APT 2147
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505-459-8529 |
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59. |
MURATA, ALYSHA |
1346 GOLDEN EAGLE
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785-850-1553 |
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60. |
MURATA, ALYSHA |
3608 SW OAK
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785-969-1820 |
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61. |
MURATA, ALYSHA |
GARNETT, KS 66032 |
785-304-4100 |
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62. |
MURATA, AMBER |
LAS VEGAS, NV 89107 |
702-821-6461 |
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63. |
MURATA, AN C |
5 FAWN
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415-927-2583 |
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64. |
MURATA, ANA |
747 S EXTENSION UNIT 111
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480-643-9782 |
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65. |
MURATA, ANDREW T |
8780 AUTUMN VALLEY
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702-349-6602 |
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66. |
MURATA, ANGIE T |
95-1185 LEOLANI
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808-625-9959 |
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67. |
MURATA, ANGIE |
HONOLULU, HI 96819 |
808-386-4421 |
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68. |
MURATA, ANITA |
3830 ARREL
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706-615-3242 |
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69. |
MURATA, ANITA A |
8508 FRONTAGE RD
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847-581-1914 |
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70. |
MURATA, ANITA |
94-1017 PUNONO
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808-627-0909 |
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71. |
MURATA, ANN K |
1647 HURST
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408-264-7993 |
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72. |
MURATA, ANN S |
9140 STAMPS AVE
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562-861-7369 |
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73. |
MURATA, ANN |
COMMERCE, CA 90040 |
310-962-4039 |
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74. |
MURATA, ANN |
HONOLULU, HI 96816 |
808-783-6240 |
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75. |
MURATA, ANNA |
98-416 KAAMILO
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808-469-7840 |
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76. |
MURATA, ANNA M |
13530 KYLE
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562-335-9509 |
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77. |
MURATA, ANNA |
AIEA, HI 96701 |
808-486-9206 |
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78. |
MURATA, ANNE G |
4616 CAHUENGA APT 10
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808-781-4543 |
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79. |
MURATA, ANNE G |
126 OPIHIKAO
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808-375-9577 |
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80. |
MURATA, ANNE |
EL CAJON, CA 92020 |
858-842-7004 |
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81. |
MURATA, ANTHONY W |
521 HAHAIONE APT 1F
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808-372-8691 |
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82. |
MURATA, ANTHONY |
HONOLULU, HI 96817 |
808-372-8691 |
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83. |
MURATA, ARIELLE R |
2502 COVENTRY
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209-329-4354 |
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84. |
MURATA, ARLAN |
2925 COLLEGE STE A4
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714-717-1652 |
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85. |
MURATA, ARLAN |
5901 WARNER
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714-305-8938 |
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86. |
MURATA, ARLAND |
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92647 |
714-717-1652 |
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87. |
MURATA, ARTHUR A |
75 0000005726 MAMALAHOA
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808-322-5129 |
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88. |
MURATA, ARTHUR K |
41070 LILLEY MOUNTAIN
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559-580-9783 |
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89. |
MURATA, ASHTON |
784 SEAWIND
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805-758-0829 |
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90. |
MURATA, ASUKA |
1234 SE LINN
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608-772-3214 |
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91. |
MURATA, ATSUKO |
1622 SW HOLDEN
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206-779-8808 |
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92. |
MURATA, ATSUSHI |
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917-443-2502 |
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93. |
MURATA, ATSUSHI |
NEW YORK, NY 10010 |
917-443-2502 |
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94. |
MURATA, ATSUSHI |
SAN JOSE, CA 95113 |
408-624-0043 |
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95. |
MURATA, B |
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314-445-8972 |
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96. |
MURATA, B B |
BUFFALO GROVE, IL 60089 |
224-532-0926 |
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97. |
MURATA, BARBARA |
5219 N MAGNOLIA
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773-878-4223 |
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98. |
MURATA, BECKY A |
32590 S WRIGHT RD
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503-829-4276 |
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99. |
MURATA, BEN A |
45-043 WAIKALUALOKO
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808-247-1659 |
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100. |
MURATA, BERNARD |
HONOLULU, HI 96818 |
808-258-2689 |
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Search: |
Public Records: Surname |
Terms: |
last-name(murata) maxresults(500) |
Date/Time: |
Thursday, September 3, 2020 6:34 AM |
Permissible Use: |
Your DPPA Permissible Use: I have no permissible use Your GLBA Permissible Use: I have no permissible use |
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