To:
`
`Subject:
`
`Panasonic Corporation of North America (ptodocket@arelaw.com)
`
`TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 77046906 - WHISPERGREEN -
`55210/570
`
`Sent:
`
`3/21/2007 11:48:22 AM
`
`Sent As:
`
`ECOM116@USPTO.GOV
`
`Attachments: Attachment - 1
`Attachment - 2
`Attachment - 3
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) SERIAL NO:(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) APPLICANT:(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`77/046906
`
`Panasonic Corporation of North America
`
`*77046906*
`
`RETURN ADDRESS:(cid:160)
`Commissioner for Trademarks
`P.O. Box 1451
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1451
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS:
`(cid:160) MORTON AMSTER
`(cid:160) AMSTER ROTHSTEIN & EBENSTEIN LLP
`(cid:160) 90 PARK AVE
`(cid:160) NEW YORK, NY 10016-1301
`(cid:160)
`
`(cid:160) (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) WHISPERGREEN
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) CORRESPONDENT’S REFERENCE/DOCKET NO :(cid:160)(cid:160) 55210/570
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) CORRESPONDENT EMAIL ADDRESS:(cid:160)(cid:160) ptodocket@arelaw.com
`
`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)
`
`OFFICE ACTION
`
`(cid:160)R
`
`ESPONSE TIME LIMIT:(cid:160) TO AVOID ABANDONMENT, THE OFFICE MUST RECEIVE A
`PROPER RESPONSE TO THIS OFFICE ACTION WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF THE MAILING OR E-
`
`MAILING DATE.(cid:160)(cid:160)
`MAILING/E-MAILING DATE INFORMATION:(cid:160) If the mailing or e-mailing date of this Office
`action does not appear above, this information can be obtained by visiting the USPTO website at
`http://tarr.uspto.gov/, inserting the application serial number, and viewing the prosecution history for the
`mailing date of the most recently issued Office communication.
`
`(cid:160)
`

`
`Serial Number(cid:160) 77/046906
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he assigned examining attorney has reviewed the referenced application and determined the
`following.
`
`(cid:160)L
`
`IKELIHOOD OF CONFUSION
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he examining attorney refuses registration under Trademark Act Section 2(d), 15 U.S.C. Section
`1052(d), because the applicant's mark, when used on the identified goods, is likely to be confused with
`the registered mark in U.S. Registration No. 0751288.(cid:160) TMEP section 1207.(cid:160) See the enclosed
`registration.
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he examining attorney must analyze each case in two steps to determine whether there is a likelihood
`of confusion.(cid:160) First, the examining attorney must look at the marks themselves for similarities in
`appearance, sound, connotation and commercial impression.(cid:160) In re E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co.,
`476 F.2d 1357, 177 USPQ 563 (CCPA 1973).(cid:160) Similarity in any one of these elements is sufficient to
`find a likelihood of confusion.(cid:160) In re Mack, 197 USPQ 755 (TTAB 1977).(cid:160) Second, the examining
`attorney must compare the goods or services to determine if they are related or if the activities
`surrounding their marketing are such that confusion as to origin is likely.(cid:160) In re August Storck KG, 218
`USPQ 823 (TTAB 1983); In re International Telephone and Telegraph Corp., 197 USPQ 910 (TTAB
`1978); Guardian Products Co., v. Scott Paper Co., 200 USPQ 738 (TTAB 1978).
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he test of likelihood of confusion is not whether the marks can be distinguished when subjected to a
`side‑by‑side comparison.(cid:160) The issue is whether the marks create the same overall impression. Visual
`Information Institute, Inc. v. Vicon Industries Inc., 209 USPQ 179 (TTAB 1980).(cid:160) The focus is on the
`recollection of the average purchaser who normally retains a general rather than specific impression of
`trademarks.(cid:160) Chemetron Corp. v. Morris Coupling & Clamp Co., 203 USPQ 537 (TTAB 1979);
`Sealed Air Corp. v. Scott Paper Co., 190 USPQ 106 (TTAB 1975); TMEP section 1207.01(b).
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he examining attorney must look at the marks in their entireties under Section 2(d).(cid:160) Nevertheless,
`one feature of a mark may be recognized as more significant in creating a commercial impression.(cid:160)
`Greater weight is given to that dominant feature in determining whether there is a likelihood of
`confusion.(cid:160) In re National Data Corp., 224 USPQ 749 (Fed. Cir. 1985);(cid:160) Tektronix, Inc. v. Daktronics,
`Inc., 534 F.2d 915, 189 USPQ 693 (CCPA 1976). In re J.M. Originals Inc., 6 USPQ2d 1393 (TTAB
`1988).
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he applicant’s mark in this case is WHISPERGREEN, and the registrant’s mark in U.S. Registration
`No. 0751288 is WHISPER.(cid:160) The marks are similar in appearance, sound, connotation and overall
`common commercial impression in that they each contain the wording “whisper”. (cid:160) Both marks connote
`that the relevant goods are quiet as a “whisper”. (cid:160) Furthermore, the additional wording in the applicant’s
`mark is merely descriptive of a feature of the goods, namely, the goods are intended to be “[b]eneficial to
`the environment.” (cid:160) The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition.(cid:160) A
`copy of the definition is attached.(cid:160) Descriptive matter is typically less significant or less dominant when
`comparing marks.(cid:160) Although a descriptive portion of a mark certainly cannot be ignored, and the marks
`must be compared in their entireties, one feature of a mark may be more significant in creating a
`commercial impression.(cid:160) In re Dixie Restaurants Inc., 105 F.3d 1405, 41 USPQ2d 1531 (Fed. Cir. 1997);
`In re National Data Corporation, 753 F.2d 1056, 224 USPQ 749 (Fed. Cir. 1985); and In re Appetito
`Provisions Co. Inc., 3 USPQ2d 1553 (TTAB 1987).(cid:160) See also Hewlett-Packard Co. v. Packard Press Inc.,
`281 F.3d 1261, 62 USPQ 2d 1001 (Fed. Cir. 2002); Tektronix, Inc. v. Daktronics, Inc., 534 F.2d 915, 189
`
`

`
`USPQ 693 (C.C.P.A. 1976); In re El Torito Rests. Inc., 9 USPQ2d 2002 (TTAB 1988); In re Equitable
`Bancorporation, 229 USPQ 709 (TTAB 1986).
`
`(cid:160)I
`
`f the marks of the respective parties are identical or highly similar, the examining attorney must
`consider the commercial relationship between the goods or services of the respective parties carefully
`to determine whether there is a likelihood of confusion.(cid:160) In re Concordia International Forwarding
`Corp., 222 USPQ 355 (TTAB 1983).
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he goods of the parties need not be identical or directly competitive to find a likelihood of confusion.(cid:160)
`They need only be related in some manner, or the conditions surrounding their marketing be such, that
`they could be encountered by the same purchasers under circumstances that could give rise to the
`mistaken belief that the goods come from a common source.(cid:160) In re Martin's Famous Pastry Shoppe,
`Inc., 748 F.2d 1565, 223 USPQ 1289 (Fed. Cir. 1984); In re Corning Glass Works, 229 USPQ 65
`(TTAB 1985); In re Rexel Inc., 223 USPQ 830 (TTAB 1984); Guardian Products Co., Inc. v. Scott
`Paper Co., 200 USPQ 738 (TTAB 1978); In re International Telephone & Telegraph Corp., 197
`USPQ 910 (TTAB 1978).
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he applicant is using its mark on “ventilating fans.” (cid:160) The registrant is using its mark on “electrical
`ventilating fans.” (cid:160) The goods are related in that they are ventilating fans.(cid:160) Given the strong similarity of
`the marks and the relatedness of the parties’ goods, the examining attorney finds that there is a
`substantial likelihood that the same purchasers could mistakenly believe that the goods come from a
`common source.
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he examining attorney must resolve any doubt regarding a likelihood of confusion in favor of the
`prior registrant.(cid:160) In re Hyper Shoppes (Ohio), Inc., 837 F.2d 463, 6 USPQ2d 1025 (Fed. Cir., 1988).
`
`(cid:160)A
`
`lthough the examining attorney has refused registration, the applicant may respond to the refusal to
`register by submitting evidence and arguments in support of registration.
`
`(cid:160)I
`
`f the applicant chooses to respond to the refusal to register, the applicant must also respond to the
`following requirement.
`
`(cid:160)A
`
`MENDED IDENTIFICATION OF GOODS REQUIRED
`
`(cid:160)A
`
`pplicant must clarify the identification of goods by indicating that the ventilating fans are for exhaust
`purposes.(cid:160) TMEP §1402.01.
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he applicant may adopt the following amended identification of goods, if accurate:
`
`(cid:160)I
`
`nternational Class 11:(cid:160) Ventilating exhaust fans.
`
`(cid:160)F
`
`or assistance with identifying and classifying goods and/or services in trademark applications, please see
`the online searchable Manual of Acceptable Identifications of Goods and Services at
`http://tess2.uspto.gov/netahtml/tidm.html.
`
`(cid:160)P
`
`lease note that, while the identification of goods may be amended to clarify or limit the goods, adding to
`the goods or broadening the scope of the goods is not permitted.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.71(a); TMEP §1402.06.(cid:160)
`Therefore, applicant may not amend the identification to include goods that are not within the scope of the
`goods set forth in the present identification.
`
`

`
`(cid:160)R
`
`ESPONSE
`
`(cid:160)A
`
`pplicant may respond to this Office action using the Office’s Trademark Electronic Application System
`(TEAS) at <http://www.uspto.gov/teas/index.html>.(cid:160) When using TEAS the data the applicant submits
`is directly uploaded into the Office’s database, which reduces processing time and eliminates the
`possibility of data entry errors by the Office.(cid:160) Applicants are strongly encouraged to use TEAS to respond
`to Office actions.(cid:160) Applicants using TEAS should not submit a duplicate paper copy of the response.
`
`(cid:160)S
`
`TATUS OF APPLICATION
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he Trademark Applications and Registrations Retrieval (TARR) database on the USPTO website at
`http://tarr.uspto.gov provides detailed, up to the minute information about the status and prosecution
`history of trademark applications and registrations.(cid:160) The TARR database is available 24 hours a day, 7
`days a week.(cid:160) Status and status date information is also available via push-button telephone at (703)
`
`305‑8747 from 6:30 a.m. until midnight, Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.(cid:160)(cid:160)
`Tina L. Snapp
`
`(cid:160)/
`
`Tina L. Snapp/
`Examining Attorney
`Law Office 116
`(571) 272-9224
`Rightfax (571) 273-9116
`
`HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS OFFICE ACTION:
`ONLINE RESPONSE:(cid:160) You may respond using the Office’s Trademark Electronic Application
`System (TEAS) Response to Office action form available on our website at
`http://www.uspto.gov/teas/index.html.(cid:160) If the Office action issued via e-mail, you must wait 72
`hours after receipt of the Office action to respond via TEAS.(cid:160) NOTE:(cid:160) Do not respond by e-mail.(cid:160)
`THE USPTO WILL NOT ACCEPT AN E-MAILED RESPONSE.
`REGULAR MAIL RESPONSE:(cid:160) To respond by regular mail, your response should be sent to the
`mailing return address above, and include the serial number, law office number, and examining
`attorney’s name. (cid:160) NOTE:(cid:160) The filing date of the response will be the date of receipt in the
`Office, not the postmarked date.(cid:160) To ensure your response is timely, use a certificate of mailing.(cid:160) 37
`C.F.R. §2.197.
`
`(cid:160)S
`
`TATUS OF APPLICATION: To check the status of your application, visit the Office’s Trademark
`Applications and Registrations Retrieval (TARR) system at http://tarr.uspto.gov.
`
`(cid:160)V
`
`IEW APPLICATION DOCUMENTS ONLINE: Documents in the electronic file for pending
`applications can be viewed and downloaded online at http://portal.uspto.gov/external/portal/tow.
`
`(cid:160)G
`
`ENERAL TRADEMARK INFORMATION: For general information about trademarks, please visit
`the Office’s website at http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm
`
`(cid:160)F
`
`OR INQUIRIES OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS OFFICE ACTION, PLEASE CONTACT THE
`ASSIGNED EXAMINING ATTORNEY SPECIFIED ABOVE.
`
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`

`
`Print: Mar 21, 200?
`
`72153821!
`
`TYPED DRAWING
`
`Serial Number
`12153820
`
`Status
`REGISTERED AND RENEWED
`
`Word Marl:
`WHISPER
`
`Standard Character Mark
`No
`
`Registration NI.II"I'IhBf
`0751288
`
`Date Registered
`l963fO6fl8
`
`Type of Mark
`TRADEMARK
`
`Register
`PRINCIPAL
`
`Mark Drawing Code
`[1] TYPED DRAWING
`
`D"NI1Bf
`INC. CORPORATION DELAWARE 8929 Terman Court San Diego
`COMAIR ROTRON,
`CALIFORNIA 92121
`
`Goodslse-wines
`Class Status —— ACTIVE.
`
`IC 011.
`
`US
`
`034.
`
`G & 3: Electrical
`
`Ventilating Fans. First Use:
`l962fO2f21.
`
`l9fi2HO2f2l. First Use In Commerce:
`
`Filing Date
`l962HO9H24
`
`Examining Attorney
`UNKNOWN
`
`A'i.'tOfl"IBy' Of R.Bt‘.'l'.'II"d
`JOHN F. WARD
`
`

`
`httpzffiiiniui-it. bartlohy. com.u’El I51 i"GD2551DD. html
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`D3.F21i'2DDF" 1l:t1s'—1:’l3 All-'1
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`Green William
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`You proposed
`the new RFID
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`infrastructure
`to track
`assets in
`real time
`
`CONTENTS - INDEX - ILLUSTRATIONS - BIBLIOGRAPHIC REDORD
`
`The American Heritage“ Dictionary ofthe English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.
`
`_ _
`3‘ ‘"3"
`
` ' *1 gen
`NOUN3 1. The hue ofthat portion ofthe visible spectrum lying between yellow and
`glue, evoked in the human observer by radiant energy with wavelengths of
`approximately 490 to 570 nanometers; any ofa group of colors that may vary
`in lightness and saturation and whose hue is that ofthe emerald or somewhat
`ess yellow than that ofgrowing grass; one ofthe additive or light primaries;
`one ofthe psychological primary hues. 2. Something green in color. 3. groons
`Green growth or foliage, especially: a. The branches and leaves ofplants used
`for decoration. b. Leafy plants or pla.nt: parts eaten as vegetables. 4. A grassy
`.awn or plot, especially: a. A grassy area located usually at the center ofa city
`or town and set aside for common use; a common. 13. fioris A putting green.
`5. groons A green uniform: “a young. .
`. sergeant in dress grams” (Nelson
`Del-Jlille). 6. Slang Money. 7. Green A supporter ofa social and political
`movement that espouses global environmental protection, bioregionalism,
`social responsibility, and nonviolence.
`
`AD-TECTIVE3 __nflected forms: groon-or, groon-ost
`1. Ofthe color green. 2. Abounding in or covered with green growth or
`.l.".1I.... ‘L. _............i‘_ '5
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`an'iazonr:crn
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`IVc'TTl'|
`t1..-r
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`No Maintenance
`Lawns
`Looks, Feels, 8. Plays
`Like Grass. Realistic.
`Synthetic Turf
`Solutions
`i-\.I.ru.ru.M'.-'Turf.con'i
`Grass & Lawn Care
`HEM
`l
`.
`’
`Groatfiooksflnlino Semh ctiDnan,,I 5} ‘
`_
`_
`_
`_
`_
`_
`_
`Neighborhood Lawn
`Home Sutiietts
`Iitles Authors
`Encyclopedia Dictionary
`Ihesaurus Quotations Englisrillsago
`Ca,,e-l-eamisreadyto
`help. Get a quote!
`Spring-Gre-en.cc-m
`Reference > American Horitagog > Dictionary
`Greeley Horace
`
`

`
`httpzffw-rum-\r.bartleh3r.comIl51r‘5’lr"GD2551DD.html
`
`D3.F21f2DDF"11:r1s'—1:’l3 AM
`
`foliage: she green woods. 3. Made with green or leafy vegetables: at green
`safari’. 4. Characterized by mild or temperate weather: a green cfiinaze. 5.
`Youthflfl; vigorous: ac: zne green age offd’. 6. Not mature or ripe; young:
`green fomaroes. 7. Branr.l—nevv', flesh. 3. Not yet fully processed, especially:
`a. Not aged: green wood. I). Not cured or tanned: green peffis. 9. Lacl-ring
`training or experience. See synonyms at young. 10a. Laclvrjng sophistication or
`worldly experience; r1a.ive. h. Easily duped or deceived; gullible. 11. Having a
`sickly 01 Lurlitzallliy puller uialiuulive ofriausea or jealousy, for e2<.a.uiplt:. 12:1.
`‘re er1*..r'
`
`"
`'
`en : green recyciingpoficies. IJ. Favoring or
`supporting environmentalism: green Iegisiczzors who szrengznenedpoflnzion
`conzrois.
`
`nu any Run an luau J':u.uu-r
`
`EH08"
`
`TRANS1T1VE& Inflected forms: greened, green-ing, greens
`INTRANSITIVE
`VERB: To make or become green.
`
`IDIOM3 green around (or about) the gills Pale or sickly in appearance.
`
`ETYMOLOGY3 Iviiddle English grene, from Old English gr§ne. See g}1_rE; in Appendix I. N,
`sense 7'
`, translation of German (die) Grzlnen, (the) Greens, fiom grz'.'rn, green.
`
`OTHER FORNIS:
`
`gre en'ly —nI>vER_e
`gl"E Bl'l'l'lB SS TNEIUN
`
`The Am.uicanHe1.11age® Dir.‘Li.Olt’iaI}'0lf‘l1’|£ Ek1gJJ511Lat1gUag\e,Faurr1iEd.it.iom. C0P}'11'§1T.® 2000b}-'Haugl*a.olnM.ifl2|.in Counpatry.Pub].ishedb3-'1}ne
`Hougl11.omM.i'flI|.in Cocnzipargr. Mlrights reserved.
`
`CONTENTS "INDEX ' ILLUSTRATIONS 'BIBLIC.|GR.APHIC RECORD
`
`( Greeley Horace
`
`
`Green William D
`
`Google l
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`Click hereto shop the Eiarrlehy Bookstore.
`Welcome -Press - Ad\rerlising_- Linking_- Terms of Use -©2005 Elarllebycorn
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