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:  December 10, 2021

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The referenced application has been reviewed by the assigned trademark examining attorney.  Applicant must respond timely and completely to the issues 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.

 

SUMMARY OF ISSUES:

• Amended Identification of Services Required
• Multiple-Class Application Requirements
• Applicant Must Clarify Its Domicile Street Address

 

AMENDED IDENTIFICATION OF SERVICES REQUIRED

 

Applicant must clarify the wording “Charitable services, namely, promoting and providing a support network and virtual sanctuary for youth and young adults within the LGBTQ community for others” in the identification of services in International Class 35 because it is indefinite and too broad.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §§1402.01, 1402.03.  This wording is indefinite because the wording “providing a support network and virtual sanctuary . . . ” does not make clear what the nature of the activity is.  Further, this wording could identify services in more than one international class.  For example, “charitable services, namely, promoting support networks and virtual sanctuaries for youth and young adults within the LGBTQ community for others” are in International Class 35 and “charitable services, namely, organizing and conducting emotional support groups for youth and young adults within the LGBTQ community for others” are in International Class 45.

 

Applicant may substitute the following wording, if accurate:

 

International Class 35:  Charitable services, namely, providing a free online resource in the nature of a website for connecting people who have service needs with people who are willing to provide volunteer services; Charitable services, namely, promoting support networks and virtual sanctuaries for youth and young adults within the LGBTQ community for others; Promoting the interests of issues of concern to LGBTQ communities by means of fostering LGBTQ-inclusive networks and support groups; Organizing and developing charitable projects that aim to create and enhance a support network and virtual sanctuary for youth and young adults within the LGBTQ community; Promoting awareness of issues pertinent to youth and young adults within the create and enhance a support network and virtual sanctuary for youth, young adults, and others within the LGBTQ community; Promoting a support network and virtual sanctuary for youth and young adults within the create and enhance a support network and virtual sanctuary for youth, young adults, and others within the LGBTQ community for others.

 

International Class 45:  Charitable services, namely, organizing and conducting emotional support groups for youth and young adults within the LGBTQ community for others.

 

If applicant adopts the suggested amendment of the identification of services, then applicant must amend the classification to International Classes 35 and 45.  See 37 C.F.R. §§2.32(a)(7), 2.85; TMEP §§805, 1401.

 

Applicant may amend the identification to clarify or limit the services, but not to broaden or expand the 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 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 references services based on use in commerce in more than one international class; therefore, applicant must satisfy all the requirements below for each international class:

 

(1)        List the services by their international class number in consecutive numerical order, starting with the lowest numbered class (for example, International Class 3: perfume; International Class 18: cosmetic bags sold empty).

 

(2)        Submit a filing fee for each international class not covered by the fee already paid (view the USPTO’s current fee schedule).  Specifically, the application identifies services based on use in commerce that are classified in at least two classes; however, applicant submitted a fee sufficient for only one class.  Applicant must either (a) submit the filing fees for the classes not covered by the submitted fees or (b) restrict the application to the number of classes covered by the fees already paid.

 

(3)        Submit verified dates of first use of the mark anywhere and in commerce for each international class.  See more information about verified dates of use.

 

(4)        Submit a specimen for each international class.  The current specimen is acceptable for class 45; and applicant needs a specimen for class 35.  See more information about specimens.

 

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 on the specimen itself, within the TEAS form that submits the specimen, or in a verified statement under 37 C.F.R. §2.20 or 28 U.S.C. §1746 in a later-filed response.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.56(c); TMEP §§904.03(i), 1301.04(a).

 

(5)        Submit a verified statement that “The specimen was in use in commerce on or in connection with the services listed in the application at least as early as the filing date of the application.”  See more information about verification.

 

See 37 C.F.R. §2.86(a); TMEP §§1403.01, 1403.02(c).

 

For an overview of the requirements for a Section 1(a) multiple-class application and how to satisfy the requirements online using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) form, see the Multiple-class Application webpage.

 

APPLICANT MUST CLARIFY ITS DOMICILE STREET ADDRESS

 

Applicant must clarify its domicile street address because the domicile address of record identifies a post office box or mail forwarding service and does not appear to be applicant’s permanent legal place of residence or principal place of business.  See 37 C.F.R. §§2.11(b), 2.189; TMEP §601.01(b)(1).  A domicile address must identify either (1) the permanent legal place of residence, which is the place an individual applicant resides and intends to be the applicant’s principal home; or (2) the principal place of business, which is the juristic applicant’s headquarters where its senior executives or officers ordinarily direct and control the entity’s activities.  See37 C.F.R. §2.2(o)-(p); TMEP §803.05(a).  All applications must include the applicant’s domicile address, which is required for a complete application.  See 37 C.F.R. §§2.22(a)(1), 2.32(a)(2), 2.189. 

 

In this case, the application record lists applicant as a juristic entity and specifies applicant’s domicile as a post office box or mail forwarding service instead of a street address.  In most cases, a post office box or mail forwarding service is not acceptable as a domicile address because it does not identify the location of applicant’s headquarters where the entity’s senior executives or officers ordinarily direct and control the entity’s activities.  See37 C.F.R. §2.2(o)-(p); TMEP §601.01(b)(1). 

 

Response options.  Applicant must provide its domicile street address.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(2), 2.189; TMEP §803.05.  Alternatively, applicant may provide documentation showing that the listed address is, in fact, applicant’s domicile.  See37 C.F.R. §2.11(b); TMEP §601.01(b)-(b)(1).

 

To provide applicant’s domicile street address.  After opening the correct Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) response form and entering the serial number, (1) answer “yes” to wizard question #5 and click “Continue;” (2) on the “Owner Information” page, in the “Domicile Address” field, uncheck the box stating the domicile and mailing address are not the same; and (3) below the checkbox provide applicant’s domicile street address.  Applicant’s domicile street address will be hidden from public view if it is entered into the “Domicile Address” field.  However, any street address listed in the “Mailing Address” field will be publicly viewable.

 

To provide documentation to support applicant’s domicile address.  Applicant should provide the most recent documentation showing that the address is the applicant’s business headquarters, for example one of the following:  (1) the most recent final annual or quarterly report or other similar report; or (2) a current certificate of good standing for the corporation or other business entity issued by a federal or state government agency.  TMEP §601.01(b)-(b)(1); see 37 C.F.R. §2.11(b).  Submitted documentation must show the name, listed domicile address, and the date of the document but should redact other personal and financial information.

 

To provide this documentation, open the correct TEAS response form and enter the serial number, answer “yes” to wizard question #3, and on the “Additional Statement(s)” page, below the “Miscellaneous Statement” field, click the button below the text box to attach documentation to support the street address.

 

Response guidelines 

 

For this application to proceed, applicant must explicitly address each requirement in this Office action.  For a requirement, applicant should set forth the changes or statements.  Please see “Responding to Office Actions” and the informational video “Response to Office Action” for more information and tips on responding.

 

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 requirements 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.    

 

 

/G. Iñaki Liñero Guarda/

G. Iñaki Liñero, Esq.

Examining Attorney

Law Office 127

(571)270-1783

Gerardo.LineroGuarda@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 December 10, 2021 for

U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 90604461

 

A USPTO examining attorney has reviewed your trademark application and issued an Office action.  You must respond to this Office action in order to avoid your application abandoning.  Follow the steps below.

 

(1)  Read the Office action HERE.  This email is NOT the Office action.

 

(2)  Respond to the Office action by the deadline using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS).  Your response must be received by the USPTO on or before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time of the last day of the response period.  Otherwise, your application will be abandoned.  See the Office action itself regarding how to respond.

 

(3)  Direct general questions about using USPTO electronic forms, the USPTO website, the application process, the status of your application, and whether there are outstanding deadlines to the Trademark Assistance Center (TAC).

 

After reading the Office action, address any question(s) regarding the specific content to the USPTO examining attorney identified in the Office action.

 

 

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 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 may mail or email you trademark-related offers and notices – most of which require fees.  The USPTO will only email official USPTO correspondence from the domain “@uspto.gov.”

 

·         Hiring a U.S.-licensed attorney.  If you do not have an attorney and are not required to have one under the trademark rules, we encourage you to hire a U.S.-licensed attorney specializing in trademark law to help guide you through the registration process.  The USPTO examining attorney identified above is not your attorney and cannot give you legal advice, but rather works for and represents the USPTO in trademark matters.