Offc Action Outgoing

AKIN

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 97436259 - AKIN - 490008.0028

To:	Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP (kkepchar@akingump.com)
Subject:	U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 97436259 - AKIN - 490008.0028
Sent:	August 17, 2022 01:27:11 PM
Sent As:	ecom106@uspto.gov
Attachments:	Attachment - 1 Attachment - 2

United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

Office Action (Official Letter) About Applicant’s Trademark Application

U.S. Application Serial No. 97436259

Mark: AKIN

Correspondence Address:

KAROL A. KEPCHAR

AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD LLP

2001 K STREET NW

WASHINGTON, DC 20006

Applicant: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

Reference/Docket No. 490008.0028

Correspondence Email Address:

kkepchar@akingump.com

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 17, 2022

The referenced application has been reviewed by the assigned trademark examining attorney.

Search Results – No Confusingly Similar Marks Found

The trademark examining attorney has searched the USPTO database of registered and pending marks and has found no conflicting marks that would bar registration under Trademark Act Section 2(d). 15 U.S.C. §1052(d); TMEP §704.02.

However, 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.

Trademark Act Section 2(e)(4) Refusal to Register - Primarily Merely Surname

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 Colors in Optics, Ltd., 2020 USPQ2d 53784, at *1-2 (TTAB 2020) (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 or factors 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 tapio GmbH, 2020 USPQ2d 11387, at *9 (TTAB 2020) (citing In re Eximius Coffee, LLC, 120 USPQ2d 1276, 1277-78 (TTAB 2016)); 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.

See the attached evidence from LEXISNEXIS®, establishing the surname significance of AKIN. This evidence shows the applied-for mark appearing 21,704 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. In this case, the return of 21,704 surname results demonstrates that the surname is not rare. Moreover, as the attached from www.akingump.com shows that Henry Gump was a name partner in applicant’s law firm. Therefore, someone connected with applicant uses the term as a surname. Finally, the term has the structure and pronunciation of a surname and there is no stylization to remove the surname significance of the term.

Although applicant’s mark has been refused registration, applicant may respond to the refusal(s) by submitting evidence and arguments in support of registration.

Supplemental Register Not Currently Available

A mark in an application under Trademark Act Section 1(b) is not eligible for registration on the Supplemental Register until an acceptable amendment to allege use under 37 C.F.R. §2.76 has been filed. 37 C.F.R. §§2.47(d), 2.75(b); TMEP §§815.02, 1102.03. When a Section 1(b) application is successfully amended to the Supplemental Register, the application effective filing date will be the date applicant met the minimum filing requirements under 37 C.F.R. §2.76(c) for the amendment to allege use. TMEP §§816.02, 1102.03; see 37 C.F.R. §2.75(b).

However, if applicant responds to the refusal(s), applicant must also respond to the requirement(s) set forth below.

Entity Information

Applicant has stated that it is a limited liability partnership of the United States. Applicant must specify the U.S. state under which the limited liability partnership is organized. 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(3)(ii); TMEP §803.03(k).

Response Guidelines

Please call or email the assigned trademark examining attorney with questions about this Office action.

How to respond. Click to file a response to this nonfinal Office action.

/Leslie L. Richards/

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Trademark Examining Attorney, Law Office 106

571-272-1256

leslie.richards@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(Akin) maxresults(500)

Total number found: 21704
No.	Name	Address	Phone

1.	AKIN, A	605 CASELTON FRANKLIN, TN 37069-4309	615-627-7203

2.	AKIN, A	1360 COVINGTON SAINT CHARLES, IL 60174-3562	815-995-5303

3.	AKIN, A	224 FCR 911 MEXIA, TX 76667-4578	254-739-2270

4.	AKIN, A	5943 FISHER TEMPLE HILLS, MD 20748-5940	240-508-7827

5.	AKIN, A	1111 MANOR RD COLUMBIA, TN 38401-5139	931-388-4379

6.	AKIN, A E	8360 ROSWELL ATLANTA, GA 30350-7805	404-992-3404

7.	AKIN, A J	320 N SHERIDAN ST WICHITA, KS 67203-5262	316-943-1733

8.	AKIN, A	1111 S WABASH APT 802 CHICAGO, IL 60605-2554	312-461-1168

9.	AKIN, A	ARLINGTON, TX 76001	682-227-1641

10.	AKIN, A	ARLINGTON, TX 76001	817-323-8592

11.	AKIN, A	BALTIMORE, MD 21201	443-750-4041

12.	AKIN, A	BRIARCLIFF MANOR, NY 10510	914-800-4440

13.	AKIN, A	BROOKLYN, NY 11211	718-522-0133

14.	AKIN, A	CHRISTIANA, TN 37037	615-971-7940

15.	AKIN, A	FINKSBURG, MD 21048	443-590-6066

16.	AKIN, A	FORT COLLINS, CO 80524	970-488-9324

17.	AKIN, A	GRAND PRAIRIE, TX 75050	469-569-5225

18.	AKIN, A	HOUSTON, TX 77040	832-955-5793

19.	AKIN, A	INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46268	317-529-9547

20.	AKIN, A	LAGUNA BEACH, CA 92651	949-315-6606

21.	AKIN, A	LAUREL, MD 20724	410-693-2346

22.	AKIN, A	MIAMI, FL 33176	305-586-2922

23.	AKIN, A	MILWAUKEE, WI 53223	414-354-8914

24.	AKIN, A	NASHVILLE, TN 37207	615-972-4417

25.	AKIN, A	NORCROSS, GA 30092	678-687-4532

26.	AKIN, A	OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73106	405-962-9264

27.	AKIN, A	PEORIA, IL 61602	309-550-0343

28.	AKIN, A	PHILADELPHIA, PA 19108	267-338-5018

29.	AKIN, A	RALEIGH, NC 27609	919-389-3848

30.	AKIN, A	RIVERHEAD, NY 11901	631-965-1844

31.	AKIN, A	SUNNYVALE, CA 94089	408-752-6055

32.	AKIN, A	TOWSON, MD 21204	410-805-2327

33.	AKIN, A	TOWSON, MD 21204	410-805-9939

34.	AKIN, AARON	201 CORKYS FAIRBANKS, AK 99712-1814	907-347-9550

35.	AKIN, AARON A	4712 GROVE SHAWNEE, KS 66226-7812	913-991-0146

36.	AKIN, AARON E	2660 KEYLAND CLARKSVILLE, TN 37040-5961	931-206-7851

37.	AKIN, AARON	PO BOX 31944 SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131-0944	214-704-7389

38.	AKIN, AARON D	PO BOX 505 OAKRIDGE, OR 97463-0505	541-603-6031

39.	AKIN, AARON J	2921 S PONDSIDE MEMPHIS, TN 38119-8629	901-309-5832

40.	AKIN, AARON J	2921 S PONDSIDE MEMPHIS, TN 38119-8629	901-309-5832

41.	AKIN, AARON	93 SEQUOIA SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94127-1826	916-768-8753

42.	AKIN, AARON	CORDOVA, TN 38016	901-734-0491

43.	AKIN, ABBEY E	1425 W 11TH WATERLOO, IA 50702-2527	319-233-4680

44.	AKIN, ABBEY LAURA	105 MUIRFIELD CARROLLTON, GA 30116-7561	404-725-2275

45.	AKIN, ABBIE D	103 N BROADWAY COWETA, OK 74429-2601	918-764-5597

46.	AKIN, ABBIE	TULSA, OK 74145	918-619-2708

47.	AKIN, ABBY	1150 S KENTWOOD SPRINGFIELD, MO 65804-0217	417-838-1737

48.	AKIN, ABBY	MARTIN, GA 30557	706-491-3456

49.	AKIN, ABIGAIL	1055 N 16TH APT LINCOLN, NE 68508-1257	503-640-9584

50.	AKIN, ABIMBOLA		317-833-7415

51.	AKIN, ABOYADECOLE B	91 FURNACE DOCK CROTON ON HUDSON, NY 10520-1400	347-351-4039

52.	AKIN, ACEY	6909 W 1ST TULSA, OK 74127-6606	918-630-7823

53.	AKIN, ADAM	2044 E 13TH BROOKLYN, NY 11229-3353	718-373-5629

54.	AKIN, ADAM P	224 DIX MANHATTAN, KS 66502-4864	432-580-5705

55.	AKIN, ADAM P	262 WIND CHIME SOMERSET, KY 42503-3821	859-948-7537

56.	AKIN, ADAM	BUDA, TX 78610	512-201-5548

57.	AKIN, ADAM	COLLIERVILLE, TN 38017	901-651-3683

58.	AKIN, ADAM	SAN DIEGO, CA 92128	858-774-0104

59.	AKIN, ADAMS	ANN ARBOR, MI 48104	734-945-5686

60.	AKIN, ADE		412-456-7381

61.	AKIN, ADEDUNYE	1212 GRAND PLAZA APT 2108 HOUSTON, TX 77067-4171	832-754-4652

62.	AKIN, ADELE		512-939-0780

63.	AKIN, ADEMUWAGUN	1932 MISTY MESA GRAND PRAIRIE, TX 75052-7489	469-432-5111

64.	AKIN, ADENIYI	307 COTTAGE W APT 206 SAINT PAUL, MN 55117-4309	651-488-0661

65.	AKIN, ADEOSUN O	7104 CARRIAGE HILL LAUREL, MD 20707-5364	301-641-8752

66.	AKIN, ADEWOLE	19 COUNTRY CLUB APT 206 NEWARK, DE 19711-1702	302-453-0780

67.	AKIN, ADEYEMI	59 DELANEY SEABROOK, SC 29940-3621	843-263-2622

68.	AKIN, ADIPO	7702 LEXINGTON LAUREL, MD 20707-5835	301-641-9143

69.	AKIN, ADRIAN	MCKINNEY, TX 75069	972-369-2811

70.	AKIN, AGBE O		410-565-2627

71.	AKIN, AHMET	601 W BACON RICHMOND, VA 23222-5216	201-281-6766

72.	AKIN, AHMET C	506 QUAILBURN MATTHEWS, NC 28104-0057	978-846-1854

73.	AKIN, AHMET I	4919 SUNDANCE HOLLOW KATY, TX 77494-2328	713-398-8534

74.	AKIN, AIMEE C	1317 DALE LONGVIEW, TX 75601-5609	903-757-5185

75.	AKIN, AINA	9221 AMBERTON DALLAS, TX 75243-3276	214-437-1666

76.	AKIN, AISHA	LAKELAND, FL 33801	863-808-7654

77.	AKIN, AJILORE		810-228-2456

78.	AKIN, AJIWE	12001 QUARUM BOWIE, MD 20720-4382	202-413-3534

79.	AKIN, AKGUN	HUNTINGTON STATION, NY 11746	631-424-4627

80.	AKIN, AKINBOBOLA C	3817 TOWNSEND MEMPHIS, TN 38127-4553	901-270-1548

81.	AKIN, AKINBULUMO	15422 EMPRESS BOWIE, MD 20716-3231	240-605-0473

82.	AKIN, AKINFEMIWA	BEDFORD HILLS, NY 10507	914-299-4734

83.	AKIN, AKINGBEHIN	BALTIMORE, MD 21201	443-750-4041

84.	AKIN, AKINKOYE	409 PHELPS GAITHERSBURG, MD 20878-3214	301-253-3169

85.	AKIN, AKINLOSOTU	4625 LYNNFIELD APT 1017 INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46254-1868	317-702-2420

86.	AKIN, AKINMUTIMI	13108 6TH BOWIE, MD 20720-3615	443-760-7674

87.	AKIN, AKINNIYI	3621 FIELD STONE CARROLLTON, TX 75007-2789	469-556-4712

88.	AKIN, AKINNIYI	3621 FIELD STONE CARROLLTON, TX 75007-2789	469-556-4712

89.	AKIN, AKINNIYI	GLENDALE, AZ 85305	623-877-4331

90.	AKIN, AKINNIYI	PHOENIX, AZ 85034	623-217-2077

91.	AKIN, AKINRELERE	HOUSTON, TX 77036	281-857-0047

92.	AKIN, AKINREMI	410 CIMARRON DUNWOODY, GA 30350-6846	706-572-8505

93.	AKIN, AKINRINADE	WASHINGTON, DC 20001	202-751-7726

94.	AKIN, AKINSANI F	2600 NW FILLMORE APT 2 CORVALLIS, OR 97330-5465	541-752-6013

95.	AKIN, AKINTIMEHIN	2472 EMERALD APT 212 WOODRIDGE, IL 60517-3911	630-310-0429

96.	AKIN, AKINTOYE	8087 MUSTANG RIVERDALE, GA 30274-6750	404-934-8363

97.	AKIN, AKIOYE	14837 STRAWBERRY BURTONSVILLE, MD 20866-3102	240-481-6774

98.	AKIN, ALAN	1970 BRENTNELL COLUMBUS, OH 43219-1216	614-779-2348

99.	AKIN, ALAN T	3751 CAUSEYVILLE MERIDIAN, MS 39301-9383	601-485-7718

100.	AKIN, ALAN C	514 EVERGREEN DR CLARKSVILLE, IN 47129-1912	812-282-9980

101.	AKIN, ALAN CALES	151 JASMAINE LIZELLA, GA 31052-7552	478-293-3447

102.	AKIN, ALAN	1445 KELLER PARADISE, CA 95969-6429	530-774-3278

103.	AKIN, ALAN	4024 SWALLOWTAIL DR CANAL WINCHESTER, OH 43110-7523	614-834-5453

104.	AKIN, ALAN W	81 E WESLEY NE APT 4 ATLANTA, GA 30305-3747	404-403-8253

105.	AKIN, ALAN		618-843-3292

106.	AKIN, ALAN	MERIDIAN, MS 39305	601-616-4224

107.	AKIN, ALAN	TOWNSEND, GA 31331	912-248-2852

108.	AKIN, ALAWODE	9396 RICHMOND HOUSTON, TX 77063-3950	713-319-7673

109.	AKIN, ALBERT	1300 N JONES APT K3 TAHLEQUAH, OK 74464-6459	918-760-3799

110.	AKIN, ALBERT J	19391 MISSION RANCH RIVERSIDE, CA 92508-6832	714-994-0278

111.	AKIN, ALBERT	91 S QUAKER HILL PAWLING, NY 12564-3310	845-702-6667

112.	AKIN, ALCITEPE	1140 23RD NW APT 1001 WASHINGTON, DC 20037-1440	202-374-4377

113.	AKIN, ALESHIA	4298 PARKER GROVE RD MAGNOLIA, KY 42757-6819	270-324-2933

114.	AKIN, ALEX	AMARILLO, TX 79111	806-341-6115

115.	AKIN, ALEX	DALHART, TX 79022	806-333-0935

116.	AKIN, ALEX	KILGORE, TX 75662	903-812-7695

117.	AKIN, ALEXANDER LEE	1416 N 7TH GRAND JUNCTION, CO 81501-3088	480-703-9440

118.	AKIN, ALEXANDER J	68 N ERIE ST MAYVILLE, NY 14757-1018	716-269-2033

119.	AKIN, ALEXANDER	SCHURZ 831BUNIVERSITY OF MIS COLUMBIA, MO 65201	901-603-1200

120.	AKIN, ALEXANDRIA M	4645 REBEKAH PARK DR OLIVE BRANCH, MS 38654-8243	662-895-2970

121.	AKIN, ALI	8169 PRESTWICK CIR HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92646-2020	714-962-8020

Offc Action Outgoing [image/jpeg]

U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 97436259 - AKIN - 490008.0028

To:	Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP (kkepchar@akingump.com)
Subject:	U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 97436259 - AKIN - 490008.0028
Sent:	August 17, 2022 01:27:13 PM
Sent As:	ecom106@uspto.gov
Attachments:

United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

USPTO OFFICIAL NOTICE

Office Action (Official Letter) has issued

on August 17, 2022 for

U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 97436259

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. 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 trademark-related scams. Protect yourself from people and companies that may try to take financial advantage of you. Private companies may call you and pretend to be the USPTO or may send you communications that resemble official USPTO documents to trick you. We will never request your credit card number or social security number over the phone. And all official USPTO correspondence will only be emailed from the domain “@uspto.gov.” Verify the correspondence originated from us by using your Serial Number in our database, TSDR, to confirm that it appears under the “Documents” tab, or contact the Trademark Assistance Center.

· 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 is not your attorney and cannot give you legal advice, but rather works for and represents the USPTO in trademark matters.