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:  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

 

Registration is refused because the applied-for mark is primarily merely a surname.  Trademark Act Section 2(e)(4), 15 U.S.C. §1052(e)(4); see TMEP §1211. 

 

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).

 

Evidence that a term has no recognized meaning or significance other than as a surname is relevant to determining whether the term would be perceived as primarily merely a surname.  See In re Weiss Watch Co., 123 USPQ2d 1200, 1203 (TTAB 2017); In re Eximius Coffee, LLC, 120 USPQ2d 1276, 1280 (TTAB 2016); TMEP §1211.02(b)(vi).  The attached evidence from the Oxford Dictionary shows that Murata does not appear in the dictionary.  Thus, this term appears to have no recognized meaning or significance other than as a surname. 

 

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

• 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.

 

 

 

Search:	Public Records : Surname
Terms:	last-name(murata) maxresults(500)

 

Total number found: 1600
No.	Name	Address	Phone
1.	MURATA, A	120 ARAGON SAN MATEO, CA 94402-2316	646-594-8839
2.	MURATA, A	669 LINCOLN SANTA CLARA, CA 95050-5318	530-574-3622
3.	MURATA, A	180 MAIN ANDOVER, MA 01810-4166	978-809-0559
4.	MURATA, A	9922 MUSTANG SAN ANTONIO, TX 78254-5996	210-601-6022
5.	MURATA, A	126 OPIHIKAO HONOLULU, HI 96825-1125	808-395-9040
6.	MURATA, A	1101E WAINIHA PEARL CITY, HI 96782	808-456-9793
7.	MURATA, A	ALAMEDA, CA 94501	510-522-3684
8.	MURATA, A	ATLANTA, GA 30301	404-374-1391
9.	MURATA, A	BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI 48302	734-548-0520
10.	MURATA, A	BOSTON, MA 02115	617-756-4600
11.	MURATA, A	BROOKLYN, NY 11201	718-510-3429
12.	MURATA, A	DALLAS, TX 75240	972-233-9957
13.	MURATA, A	DAVIS, CA 95616	530-574-0185
14.	MURATA, A	MILILANI, HI 96789	808-626-8021
15.	MURATA, A	PALATINE, IL 60067	847-585-1821
16.	MURATA, A	SACRAMENTO, CA 94203-0001	916-363-9031
17.	MURATA, A	SEATTLE, WA 98177	206-779-8808
18.	MURATA, A	WAILUKU, HI 96793	808-244-6217
19.	MURATA, AARON	SACRAMENTO, CA 95814	916-873-3300
20.	MURATA, ADAM K	915 CONWAY MADISON, NH 03849-5620	503-829-7673
21.	MURATA, AIDEN	5205 GAINSBOROUGH FAIRFAX, VA 22032-2740	210-601-6022
22.	MURATA, AIKO	736 KOALIPEHU EWA BEACH, HI 96706	808-689-8517
23.	MURATA, AKEMI	1 RIVERWAY STE 1050 HOUSTON, TX 77056-1920	281-496-9159
24.	MURATA, AKIHIKO	PO BOX 342 OVERGAARD, AZ 85933-0342	605-645-1171
25.	MURATA, AKIHIRO N	16144 SE 33RD BELLEVUE, WA 98008-5760	206-550-1022
26.	MURATA, AKIKO	1757 POMONA DAVIS, CA 95616-4011	530-304-7173
27.	MURATA, AKIKO	FRESH MEADOWS, NY 11365	917-930-4216
28.	MURATA, AKIKO	NEW YORK, NY 10010	917-674-1012
29.	MURATA, AKIMI S	10595 SW BANNOCH TUALATIN, OR 97062-8400	208-230-0371
30.	MURATA, AKIO	633 RADBURY DIAMOND BAR, CA 91765-4621	909-861-7294
31.	MURATA, AKIO	633 RADBURY DIAMOND BAR, CA 91765-4621	909-861-7294
32.	MURATA, AKIO	901 SUNSET NE APT A RENTON, WA 98056-8709	909-861-7294
33.	MURATA, AKIO	PORTLAND, OR 97205	971-255-9199
34.	MURATA, AKIRA	4277 E ILIFF APT 314 DENVER, CO 80222-6002	720-560-4876
35.	MURATA, AKIRA	98-1116 KAAMILO AIEA, HI 96701-5429	808-223-1301
36.	MURATA, AKIRA	98-1116 KAAMILO AIEA, HI 96701-5429	808-488-2925
37.	MURATA, AKIRA		310-421-6871
38.	MURATA, AKIRA	UNIT 604 LOS ANGELES, CA 90042	323-222-1610
39.	MURATA, AKITO		714-872-6302
40.	MURATA, AKIYO	120 HUI RD F LAHAINA, HI 96761-9167	808-669-0852
41.	MURATA, AKIYO	120 HUI RD F APT I13 LAHAINA, HI 96761-9103	808-669-0852
42.	MURATA, AL T	1142 113TH HORTON, KS 66439-9539	785-217-5145
43.	MURATA, ALAN H	1432 KEEAUMOKU APT 202 HONOLULU, HI 96822-4315	808-221-4755
44.	MURATA, ALAN T	34 MOOLU ST WAILUKU, HI 96793-3318	808-242-7665
45.	MURATA, ALAN S	HILO, HI 96720	808-959-7385
46.	MURATA, ALBERT T	135 KAIOLOHIA HONOLULU, HI 96825-1517	808-780-3358
47.	MURATA, ALESSANDRA K	120 ARAGON SAN MATEO, CA 94402-2316	650-219-1048
48.	MURATA, ALEX K	2121 ALA WAI APT 804 HONOLULU, HI 96815-2204	808-265-0777
49.	MURATA, ALEXANDRIA LEAH	5100 PREFERRED APT 103 HILLIARD, OH 43026-7057	614-516-1266
50.	MURATA, ALFRED T	20081 SW CYPRESS NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92660-0712	650-714-1124
51.	MURATA, ALICE K	3796 NORTHRIDGE SAN PABLO, CA 94806-5271	510-527-9495
52.	MURATA, ALISON	801 ALA NIOI PH 2 HONOLULU, HI 96818-3074	808-341-3146
53.	MURATA, ALISON M	801 ALA NIOI HONOLULU, HI 96818-3056	808-341-3146
54.	MURATA, ALISON	2421 MEADOW RUE MODESTO, CA 95355-3908	209-606-5787
55.	MURATA, ALLISON	2 27AM HONOLULU, HI 96821	808-387-8787
56.	MURATA, ALLISON K	11406 MISSOURI LOS ANGELES, CA 90025-5525	808-387-8787
57.	MURATA, ALLISON	126 OPIHIKAO HONOLULU, HI 96825-1125	808-395-9040
58.	MURATA, ALLISON E	8311 E VIA DE VENTURA APT 2147 SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85258-6623	505-459-8529
59.	MURATA, ALYSHA	1346 GOLDEN EAGLE HORTON, KS 66439-9541	785-850-1553
60.	MURATA, ALYSHA	3608 SW OAK TOPEKA, KS 66614-3230	785-969-1820
61.	MURATA, ALYSHA	GARNETT, KS 66032	785-304-4100
62.	MURATA, AMBER	LAS VEGAS, NV 89107	702-821-6461
63.	MURATA, AN C	5 FAWN CORTE MADERA, CA 94925-1713	415-927-2583
64.	MURATA, ANA	747 S EXTENSION UNIT 111 MESA, AZ 85210-2222	480-643-9782
65.	MURATA, ANDREW T	8780 AUTUMN VALLEY LAS VEGAS, NV 89129-7625	702-349-6602
66.	MURATA, ANGIE T	95-1185 LEOLANI MILILANI, HI 96789-3608	808-625-9959
67.	MURATA, ANGIE	HONOLULU, HI 96819	808-386-4421
68.	MURATA, ANITA	3830 ARREL COLUMBUS, GA 31909-3718	706-615-3242
69.	MURATA, ANITA A	8508 FRONTAGE RD MORTON GROVE, IL 60053-3112	847-581-1914
70.	MURATA, ANITA	94-1017 PUNONO MILILANI, HI 96789-2570	808-627-0909
71.	MURATA, ANN K	1647 HURST SAN JOSE, CA 95125-5514	408-264-7993
72.	MURATA, ANN S	9140 STAMPS AVE DOWNEY, CA 90240-2848	562-861-7369
73.	MURATA, ANN	COMMERCE, CA 90040	310-962-4039
74.	MURATA, ANN	HONOLULU, HI 96816	808-783-6240
75.	MURATA, ANNA	98-416 KAAMILO AIEA, HI 96701-4312	808-469-7840
76.	MURATA, ANNA M	13530 KYLE CERRITOS, CA 90703-1405	562-335-9509
77.	MURATA, ANNA	AIEA, HI 96701	808-486-9206
78.	MURATA, ANNE G	4616 CAHUENGA APT 10 TOLUCA LAKE, CA 91602-1524	808-781-4543
79.	MURATA, ANNE G	126 OPIHIKAO HONOLULU, HI 96825-1125	808-375-9577
80.	MURATA, ANNE	EL CAJON, CA 92020	858-842-7004
81.	MURATA, ANTHONY W	521 HAHAIONE APT 1F HONOLULU, HI 96825-1424	808-372-8691
82.	MURATA, ANTHONY	HONOLULU, HI 96817	808-372-8691
83.	MURATA, ARIELLE R	2502 COVENTRY FULLERTON, CA 92833-1213	209-329-4354
84.	MURATA, ARLAN	2925 COLLEGE STE A4 COSTA MESA, CA 92626-3905	714-717-1652
85.	MURATA, ARLAN	5901 WARNER HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92649-4659	714-305-8938
86.	MURATA, ARLAND	HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92647	714-717-1652
87.	MURATA, ARTHUR A	75 0000005726 MAMALAHOA HOLUALOA, HI 96725	808-322-5129
88.	MURATA, ARTHUR K	41070 LILLEY MOUNTAIN COARSEGOLD, CA 93614-8875	559-580-9783
89.	MURATA, ASHTON	784 SEAWIND PORT HUENEME, CA 93041-3535	805-758-0829
90.	MURATA, ASUKA	1234 SE LINN PORTLAND, OR 97202-7096	608-772-3214
91.	MURATA, ATSUKO	1622 SW HOLDEN SEATTLE, WA 98106-1879	206-779-8808
92.	MURATA, ATSUSHI		917-443-2502
93.	MURATA, ATSUSHI	NEW YORK, NY 10010	917-443-2502
94.	MURATA, ATSUSHI	SAN JOSE, CA 95113	408-624-0043
95.	MURATA, B		314-445-8972
96.	MURATA, B B	BUFFALO GROVE, IL 60089	224-532-0926
97.	MURATA, BARBARA	5219 N MAGNOLIA CHICAGO, IL 60640-2202	773-878-4223
98.	MURATA, BECKY A	32590 S WRIGHT RD MOLALLA, OR 97038-9681	503-829-4276
99.	MURATA, BEN A	45-043 WAIKALUALOKO KANEOHE, HI 96744-2753	808-247-1659
100.	MURATA, BERNARD	HONOLULU, HI 96818	808-258-2689

 

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

Copyright © 2020 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

 

United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

 

USPTO OFFICIAL NOTICE

 

Office Action (Official Letter) has issued

on September 03, 2020 for

U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 90037634

 

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. 

 

 

/Tejbir Singh/

Trademark Attorney

Law Office 106

571-272-5878

571-273-9106 (fax)

Tejbir.Singh@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 September 03, 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.”