UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) SERIAL NO: 76/511707
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) APPLICANT:(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS:
`
`Panasonic Disc Manufacturing Corporation ETC.
`
`RETURN ADDRESS:(cid:160)
`Commissioner for Trademarks
`2900 Crystal Drive
`Arlington, VA 22202-3514
`ecom115@uspto.gov
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) GEORGE L. FOUNTAIN
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) BLAKELY SOKOLOFF TAYLOR & ZAFMAN LLP
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) 12400 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD, SEVENTH FLOOR
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) LOS ANGELES, CA 90025
`
`PDMC
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) MARK:(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) CORRESPONDENT’S REFERENCE/DOCKET NO :(cid:160)(cid:160) 005266T008US
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) CORRESPONDENT EMAIL ADDRESS:(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Please provide in all correspondence:
`
`(cid:160)1
`
`.(cid:160) Filing date, serial number, mark and
`applicant's name.
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`2.(cid:160) Date of this Office Action.
`3.(cid:160) Examining Attorney's name and
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Law Office number.
`4. Your telephone number and e-mail
`address.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`O AVOID ABANDONMENT, WE MUST RECEIVE A PROPER RESPONSE TO THIS OFFICE ACTION WITHIN 6 MONTHS
`
`OFFICE ACTION
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`OF OUR MAILING OR E-MAILING DATE.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Serial Number(cid:160) 76/511707
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he assigned examining attorney has reviewed the referenced application and determined the following.(cid:160)
`LIKELIHOOD OF CONFUSION
`(cid:160)The examining attorney refuses registration under Trademark Act Section 2(d), 15 U.S.C. §1052(d), because the applicant’s mark, when used
`on or in connection with the identified services, so resembles the mark in U.S. Registration No. 2,354,558 as to be likely to cause confusion, or
`to cause mistake, or to deceive.(cid:160) TMEP §§1207.01 et seq.(cid:160) See the enclosed registration.
`Section 2(d) of the Trademark Act bars registration where a mark so resembles a registered mark, that it is likely, when applied to the services, to
`cause confusion, or to cause mistake or to deceive. TMEP §1207.01.(cid:160) The Court in(cid:160) In re E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d 1357, 177
`USPQ 563 (C.C.P.A. 1973), listed the principal factors to consider in determining whether there is a likelihood of confusion.(cid:160) Among these
`factors are the similarity of the marks as to appearance, sound, meaning and commercial impression and the similarity of the services.(cid:160) The
`overriding concern is to prevent buyer confusion as to the source of the services.(cid:160) Miss Universe, Inc. v. Miss Teen U.S.A., Inc., 209(cid:160)USPQ 698
`(N.D. Ga. 1980).(cid:160) Therefore, any doubt as to the existence of a likelihood of confusion must be resolved in favor of the registrant.(cid:160) Lone Star Mfg.
`Co. v. Bill Beasley, Inc., 498 F.2d 906, 182 USPQ 368 (C.C.P.A. 1974).(cid:160)
`The applicant’s mark “PDMC” and design is practically identical to the registered mark “PDSC” and design.(cid:160) The designs featured in the
`marks are highly similar, both suggesting the shape of a DVD or compact disc.(cid:160)(cid:160) The letters in each mark are depicted in the identical block letter
`font in all capital letters.(cid:160) The sole distinction in the acronyms featured in the marks is the substitution of the letters “M” and “S.” (cid:160) It has been
`held that marks comprising arbitrary arrangements of letters are more likely to create confusion than other types of marks.(cid:160) See Edison Bros.
`Stores, Inc. v. Brutting(cid:160) E.B. Sport-International GmbH, 230 USPQ 530 (TTAB 1986) and Hilson Research, Inc. V. Society for Human Resources
`Management, 27 USPQ2d 1423 (TTAB 1993).(cid:160) When the applicant’s mark is compared to a registered mark, “the points of similarity are of
`greater importance than the points of difference.” (cid:160) Esso Standard Oil Co. v. Sun Oil Co., 229 F.2d 37, 108 USPQ 161 (D.C. Cir.), cert. denied,
`351 U.S. 973, 109 USPQ 517 (1956).(cid:160) TMEP §1207.01(b).(cid:160)
`Turning to the respective services of the parties, the applicant indicates a bona fide intent to use the mark in connection with “video transfer,
`namely, providing conversion of motion-picture film to DVD; custom manufacture and replication of prerecorded DVDs for others.” (cid:160)(cid:160) The
`registrant’s services include “video transfer, namely, providing conversion of motion-picture film to DVD; custom manufacture and replication
`of prerecorded DVDs for others” (cid:160) The services are essentially identical.(cid:160) If the goods or services of the respective parties are closely related, the
`degree of similarity between marks required to support a finding of likelihood of confusion is not as great as would apply with diverse goods or
`services.(cid:160) ECI Division of E Systems, Inc. v. Environmental Communications Inc., 207 USPQ 443 (TTAB 1980).(cid:160) TMEP §1207.01(b).(cid:160)
`As the marks of the parties are highly similar, and the services of the parties are closely related if not identical, there exists a likelihood of
`confusion as to the source of the services, and registration is refused.
`Although the examining attorney has refused registration, the applicant may respond to the refusal to register by submitting evidence and
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`

`
`arguments in support of registration.
`If the registered mark cited has been assigned to the applicant, the applicant is responsible for proving its ownership of that mark.(cid:160) TMEP
`§812.01.(cid:160) The applicant may record the assignment with the Assignment Branch of the Patent and Trademark Office.(cid:160) Trademark Act Section
`10, 15 U.S.C. §1060; 37 C.F.R. §3.25.(cid:160) The applicant should then provide the examining attorney with the reel and frame numbers at which the
`assignment is recorded.(cid:160) In the alternative, the applicant may submit evidence of the assignment of the mark to the applicant.(cid:160) This evidence
`may consist of (1)(cid:160)documents evidencing the chain of title, or (2)(cid:160)an explanation, in an affidavit or supported by a declaration under 37 C.F.R.
`§2.20, of the chain of title (specifying each party in the chain, the nature of each conveyance and the relevant dates).(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §3.73.(cid:160)
`If the applicant chooses to respond to the refusal to register, the applicant must also respond to the following informalities.
`PRIOR PENDING APPLICATIONS
`The examining attorney also encloses information regarding pending Application Serial Nos. 76-426293, 76-426294, and 76-426295.(cid:160) The filing
`date of the referenced applications precedes the applicant's filing date.(cid:160) There may be a likelihood of confusion between the marks under
`Trademark Act Section 2(d), 15 U.S.C. Section 1052(d).(cid:160) If any of the referenced applications matures into a registration, the examining attorney
`may refuse registration in this case under Section 2(d).(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. Section 2.83; TMEP section 1208.01.
`If the applicant believes that there is no potential conflict between this application and the earlier-filed applications, the applicant may present
`arguments relevant to the issue.(cid:160) The election to respond or not to respond at this time in no way limits the applicant's right to address this issue at
`a later point.
`If the applicant elects to respond to the refusal to register, action on this application will be suspended pending the disposition of Application
`Serial Nos. 76-426293, 76-426294, and 76-426295, upon receipt of the applicant's response resolving the following informality.
`
`(cid:160) D
`
`RAWING UNACCEPTABLE
`The drawing is not acceptable because it combines typed words with a design element.(cid:160) Both the words and the design must appear in special
`form.(cid:160) The applicant must submit a new drawing which shows the entire mark depicted in the same technique.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.52; TMEP
`§807.07(c).
`The drawing is also not acceptable because it will not reproduce satisfactorily.(cid:160) Specifically, the lines of the left side of the design element in
`which the black half of the ellipse overlaps the black outline of the lower portion of the design are too close together.(cid:160) The applicant must submit
`a new drawing showing the mark clearly and conforming to 37 C.F.R. §2.52.(cid:160) TMEP §807.07(a).
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he requirements for a special‑form drawing are as follows:
`
`(cid:160)(
`
`(cid:160)(
`
`(cid:160)(
`
`(cid:160)(
`
`1) The drawing must appear in black and white; no color is permitted.
`
`2)(cid:160) Every line and letter must be black and clear.
`
`3)(cid:160) The use of gray to indicate shading is unacceptable.
`
`4)(cid:160) The lining must not be too fine or too close together.
`
`(cid:160)(
`
`5)(cid:160) The preferred size of the area in which the mark is displayed is 2½ inches (6.1 cm.) high and 2½ inches (6.1 cm.) wide.(cid:160) It should not be
`larger than 4(cid:160)inches (10.3 cm.) high or 4 inches (10.3 cm.) wide.
`
`(cid:160)(
`
`6)(cid:160) If the reduction of the mark to the required size renders any details illegible, the applicant may insert a statement in the application to
`describe the mark and these details.
`
`(cid:160)3
`
`7 C.F.R. §2.52; TMEP §§807.01(b) and 807.07(a).(cid:160) The Office will enforce these drawing requirements strictly.(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`The Office prefers that the drawing be depicted on a separate sheet of smooth, nonshiny, white paper 8 to 8½ inches (20.3 to 21.6 cm.) wide and
`11 inches (27.9 cm.) long, and that the sheet contain a heading listing, on separate lines, the applicant’s complete name; the applicant’s address;
`the goods or services recited in the application; and, if the application is filed under Section 1(a) of the Act, the dates of first use of the mark and
`of first use of the mark in commerce; or, if the application is filed under Section 44(d), the priority filing date of the foreign application.(cid:160) 37
`C.F.R. §2.52(b); TMEP §§807.01(a), 807.01(b), 807.01(c) and 807.07(a).
`If the applicant has any questions or needs assistance in responding to this Office action, please telephone the assigned examining attorney.
`
`/Marc J. Leipzig/
`Trademark Examining Attorney
`Law Office 115
`(703) 308-9115 x428 (phone)
`(703) 746-3036 (fax)
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`

`
`How to respond to this Office Action:
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`o respond formally using the Office’s Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS), visit http://www.uspto.gov/teas/index.html and
`follow the instructions.
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`o respond formally via E-mail, visit http://www.uspto.gov/web/trademarks/tmelecresp.htm and follow the instructions.
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`o respond formally via regular mail, your response should be sent to the mailing Return Address listed above and include the serial number, law
`office and examining attorney’s name on the upper right corner of each page of your response.
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`o check the status of your application at any time, visit the Office’s Trademark Applications and Registrations Retrieval (TARR) system at
`http://tarr.uspto.gov/
`
`about
`
`trademarks,
`
`you
`
`are
`
`encouraged
`
`to
`
`visit
`
`the Office’s web
`
`site
`
`at
`
`(cid:160)F
`
`information
`useful
`other
`and
`general
`or
`http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm
`
`(cid:160)F
`
`OR INQUIRIES OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS OFFICE ACTION, PLEASE CONTACT THE ASSIGNED EXAMINING
`ATTORNEY.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`

`
`Print: Oct 15, 21103
`
`75516234
`
`
`
`Serial Number
`15516234
`
`Status
`REGISTERED
`
`Word Mark
`PDSC
`
`Registration Number
`2354558
`
`Date Registered
`zoooxoefoe
`
`Type of Mark
`SERVICE MARK
`
`Register
`PRINCIPAL
`
`MEIR Df3'N'i Hg COHB
`DESIGN PLUS WORDS,
`[3
`
`LETTERS ANDKOR NUMBERS
`
`Owner
`Panasonic Disc Services Corporation CORPORATION DELAWARE 20608 Madrona
`Avenue Torrance GAL
`FORN
`A 90503
`
`GDDHSISEIVICES
`Class Status
`
`-- ACTIVE.
`
`IC 041.
`
`US
`
`lOO lOl
`
`lOT.
`
`production services,
`including pre—mastering services.
`First Use In Commerce:
`l99THO9/10.
`l99?fO9flO.
`
`DVD master
`G & S:
`First Use:
`
`Goodsfservices
`Class Status
`transfer, namely,
`custom manufacture
`First Use:
`
`—— ACT
`
`100 lO3 lO6.
`C 040.
`Video
`providing conversion of motion—picture film to DVD:
`and replication of prerecorded DVDs for others.
`First Use In Commerce:
`199?fO9{10.
`l997fO9flO.
`
`Vh.
`
`US
`
`G & S:
`
`-1-
`
`

`
`Print: Oct 15, 2003
`
`?551G23-l-
`
`Gnndsfservines
`Class Status -- ACTIVE.
`
`IC 035.
`
`US
`
`100 101 102.
`
`G & S:
`
`Distributorship services featuring prerecorded DVDS. First Use:
`l997HO9HlO. First Use In Commerce:
`l997HO9flO.
`
`Filing Date
`l998!OTfO9
`
`Examlnlng Attorney
`MARSH,
`JR.
`JOHN
`
`Attorney of Record
`JONATHAN L HANDEL
`
`

`
`Print: Oct 15, 2003
`
`76426293
`
`QMDMC
`
`Serial Number
`76426293
`
`Status
`NOTIcE OF ALLOWANCE — :SSUEO
`
`Word Mark
`MDMC
`
`Type of Mark
`SERVICE MARK
`
`Register
`PRINCIPAL
`
`Mark Drawing Code
`[3
`DESIGN PLUS WORDS, LETTERS ANDIOR NUMBERS
`
`Owner
`Mateuehita Diec Manufacturing Corporation CORPORATION DELAWARE 20608
`Madrona Avenue Torrance CALIFORNIA 90503
`
`Goodsfservices
`class Statue —— ACTIVE.
`
`IC 041.
`
`US
`
`100 101 10?.
`
`G s S: DVD master
`
`production eervicee for Others, namely, pre—maetering eervicee.
`
`Filing Date
`zoozxoexza
`
`Examining Attorney
`CARTY , GEORGIA
`
`Attorney of Record
`George L. Fountain
`
`

`
`Print: Oct 15, 2003
`
`?fiIl-26294
`
`5MDMC
`
`Serial Number
`7‘ 6 4 2 6 2 9 :1
`
`Status
`NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE - ISSUED
`
`Word Mark
`MDMC
`
`Type of Mark
`SERVICE I~1ARK
`
`Register
`PRINCIPAL
`
`Mark Drawing Code
`[3] DESIGN PLUS WORDS, LETTERS ANDJOR NUMBERS
`
`Owner
`Matsushita Disc Manufacturing Corporatien CORPORATION DELAWHRE 20608
`Madrona Avenue Torrance CALIFORNIA 90503
`
`Goodsfservices
`Class Statue —— ACTIVE.
`
`IC 040.
`
`Us
`
`100 103 106.
`
`G & 3: video
`
`transfer, namely, providing conversion of motion—picture film to DVD;
`custom manufacture and replication of prerecorded DVDS for others.
`
`Flllng Date
`2002fO6f28
`
`Examining Attorney
`CARTY , GEORGIA
`
`Attorney of Record
`George L. Fountain
`
`

`
`Print: Oct 15, 2003
`
`76426295
`
`En/IDMC
`
`Serial Number
`Tfi426295
`
`Status
`NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE — ISSUED
`
`Word Mark
`MDMC
`
`Type of Mark
`SERVICE I‘-CLARE-C
`
`Register
`PRINCIPAL
`
`Mark Drawing Code
`[3] DESIGN PLUS WORDS, LETTERS ANDXOR NUMBERS
`
`Owner
`Matsuehita Dieo Manufacturing Corporation CORPORATION DELAWARE 20608
`Madrona Avenue Torrance CALIFORNIA 90503
`
`Goodsfserviees
`100 I01 102.
`US
`IC 035.
`Class Status —— ACTIVE.
`dietributorehip services featuring prerecorded DVDS.
`
`G & S:
`
`Filing Date
`ZOOEHOEHZS
`
`Examining Attorney
`CARTY , GEORGIA
`
`Attomay of Record
`George L. Fountain