UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)
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`OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) ABOUT APPLICANT’S TRADEMARK APPLICATION
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`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 77435372
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) MARK: HD-PLC
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS:
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`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160) STEPHEN J. JEFFRIES
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`*77435372*
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`CLICK HERE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER:
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`http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) APPLICANT: PANASONIC CORPORATION
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) CORRESPONDENT’S REFERENCE/DOCKET 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)
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`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160) HOLLAND & KNIGHT LLP
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`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`800 17TH STREET NW, SUITE 1100
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`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) WASHINGTON, DC 20006
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`(cid:160) (cid:160) 093514.00044
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) CORRESPONDENT E-MAIL ADDRESS:(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`OFFICE ACTION
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`STRICT DEADLINE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER
`TO AVOID ABANDONMENT OF APPLICANT’S TRADEMARK APPLICATION, THE USPTO MUST RECEIVE APPLICANT’S
`COMPLETE RESPONSE TO THIS LETTER WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF THE ISSUE/MAILING DATE BELOW.
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`SSUE/MAILING DATE:
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`HIS IS A FINAL ACTION.
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`his letter is in response to the applicant’s communication received on January 28, 2013. In its response the applicant argued that the specimen
`submitted on June 28, 2012 is an acceptable product catalog. The applicant’s arguments were considered and found unpersuasive for the reasons
`discussed below.
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`he refusal of registration based on the failure to provide a specimen that shows the applied-for mark in use in commerce as a trademark is now
`made FINAL.(cid:160) Trademark Act Sections 1 and 45, 15 U.S.C. §§1051, 1127; 37 C.F.R. §§2.34(a)(1)(iv), 2.56(a), 2.64(a); TMEP §§904, 904.07(a).
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`PECIMEN
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`he specimen is not acceptable because, although identified as a point-of-sale display associated with the goods, it appears to be mere
`advertising material; it is not accompanied by evidence of point-of-sale presentation.(cid:160) See In re Ancha Elecs., Inc., 1 USPQ2d 1318, 1319-20
`(TTAB 1986); TMEP §904.03(g).(cid:160) Material that functions merely to tell prospective purchasers about the goods, or to promote the sale of the
`goods, is not acceptable to show trademark use.(cid:160) TMEP §904.04(b).(cid:160) Leaflets, handbills, brochures, advertising circulars and other printed
`advertising material, while normally acceptable for showing use in connection with services, generally are not acceptable specimens for showing
`trademark use in connection with goods.(cid:160) See In re MediaShare Corp., 43 USPQ2d 1304, 1307 (TTAB 1997); In re Schiapparelli Searle, 26
`USPQ2d 1520, 1522 (TTAB 1993); TMEP §§904.04(b), (c), 1301.04.
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`owever, a printed catalog or similar specimen, which is otherwise a form of advertising, is acceptable to show trademark use as a display
`associated with the goods if it includes (1) a picture of the relevant goods or a textual description that identifies the actual features or inherent
`characteristics of the goods such that the goods are recognizable, (2) the mark appearing sufficiently near the picture or textual description of the
`goods so as to associate the mark with the goods, and (3) information necessary to order the goods (e.g., an order form or offer to accept orders
`via phone or e-mail).(cid:160) See In re Sones, 590 F.3d 1282, 1286-89, 93 USPQ2d 1118, 1122-24 (Fed. Cir. 2009); In re Dell Inc., 71 USPQ2d 1725,
`1727-29 (TTAB 2004); In re MediaShare, 43 USPQ2d at 1305-07; Lands’ End, Inc. v. Manbeck , 797 F. Supp. 511, 513-14, 24 USPQ2d 1314,
`1316 (E.D. Va. 1992); TMEP §904.03(h).(cid:160) Displays associated with the goods that comprise point-of-sale material in actual brick-and-mortar
`stores such as banners, posters, shelf-talkers, window displays, menus, or similar devices are also acceptable specimens to show trademark use.(cid:160)
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`See In re Bright of Am., Inc., 205 USPQ 63, 71 (TTAB 1979); TMEP §904.03(g).(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`In its response the applicant argues that the specimen falls within the lands’ end exception. However, this argument is not persuasive because the
`specimen does not include an order form or offer to accept orders. The fine wording “ask for the latest Product Standards to guarantee the
`satisfaction of your product requirements” would not be viewed by consumers as an offer to accept orders. In re MediaShare Corp., 43 USPQ2d
`1304 (TTAB 1997) (fact sheet brochures held not to qualify as a catalog under Lands’ End, where the specimen included no information as to
`how to order the goods); TMEP §904.03(h). (cid:160) In this case, there is nothing in the specimen that shows how one could order the applicants’
`product nor does it explain how to order it. The title of the specimen indicates it is PRODUCT NEWS and consumers would view it as such and
`not as an invitation to order.
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`n application based on Trademark Act Section 1(a) must include a specimen showing the applied-for mark in use in commerce for each class
`of goods.(cid:160) Trademark Act Sections 1 and 45, 15 U.S.C. §§1051, 1127; 37 C.F.R. §§2.34(a)(1)(iv), 2.56(a); TMEP §§904, 904.07(a).(cid:160) Section 45
`requires use of the mark “on the goods or their containers or the displays associated therewith or on the tags or labels affixed thereto.” (cid:160) 15 U.S.C.
`§1127; see 37 C.F.R. §2.56(b)(1); TMEP §§904.03, 904.04(b), (c).
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`herefore, applicant must satisfy one of the following:
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`Submit evidence of point-of-sale presentation, such as (a) a photograph, with the mark clearly discernible, showing the specimen
`(1)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`used in association with the goods as a point-of-sale display; or (b) a statement, verified with an affidavit or signed declaration under 37
`C.F.R. §2.20, providing sufficient detail to show how the specimen is actually used at the point of sale to link or associate applicant’s
`mark with the goods.(cid:160) A mere statement that the specimen is used in connection with the sale of the goods, such as distributed at sales
`presentations, is not sufficient to meet this requirement.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §§2.61(b), 2.193(e)(1); In re Osterberg, 83 USPQ2d 1220, 1224
`(TTAB 2007); In re Drilco Indus., Inc., 15 USPQ2d 1671, 1672 (TTAB 1990); In re Ancha Elecs., 1 USPQ2d at 1319-20; TMEP
`§904.03(g).; or
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`Submit a substitute specimen showing proper trademark use of the mark for each class of goods specified in the application, and
`(2)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`the following statement, verified with an affidavit or signed declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20:(cid:160) “ The substitute specimen was in use
`in commerce at least as early as the filing date of the application.” (cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.59(a); TMEP §904.05; see 37 C.F.R. §2.193(e)(1).(cid:160)
`If submitting a substitute specimen requires an amendment to the dates of use, applicant must also verify the amended dates.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R.
`§2.71(c); TMEP §904.05.
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`xamples of specimens for goods are tags, labels, instruction manuals, containers, or photographs that show the mark on the actual goods or
`packaging.(cid:160) See TMEP §§904.03 et seq.
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`If applicant cannot satisfy one of the above requirements, applicant may amend the application from a use in commerce basis under Section 1(a)
`to an intent to use basis under Section 1(b), for which no specimen is required.(cid:160) See TMEP §806.03(c).(cid:160) However, if applicant amends the basis
`to Section 1(b), registration will not be granted until applicant later amends the application back to use in commerce by filing an acceptable
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`allegation of use with a proper specimen.(cid:160) See 15 U.S.C. §1051(c), (d); 37 C.F.R. §§2.76, 2.88; TMEP §1103.(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`To amend to Section 1(b), applicant must submit the following statement, verified with an affidavit or signed declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20:(cid:160)
`“ Applicant has had a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce on or in connection with the goods listed in the application as of
`the filing date of the application.” (cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.34(a)(2); TMEP §806.01(b); see 15 U.S.C. §1051(b); 37 C.F.R. §§2.35(b)(1), 2.193(e)(1).
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`ending receipt of a proper response, registration is refused because the specimen does not show the applied-for mark in use in commerce as a
`trademark.(cid:160) Trademark Act Sections 1 and 45, 15 U.S.C. §§1051, 1127; 37 C.F.R. §§2.34(a)(1)(iv), 2.56(a); TMEP §§904, 904.07(a).
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`or the forgoing reason the refusal to register is made FINAL.
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`PROPER RESPONSE TO FINAL OFFICE ACTION
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`f applicant does not respond within six months of the mailing date of this final Office action, the application will be abandoned.(cid:160) 15 U.S.C.
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`§1062(b); 37 C.F.R. §2.65(a).(cid:160) Applicant may respond to this final Office action by:(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`(1)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Submitting a response that fully satisfies all outstanding requirements, if feasible; and/or
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`(2)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Filing an appeal to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, with an appeal fee of $100 per class.
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`37 C.F.R. §§2.6(a)(18), 2.64(a); TBMP ch. 1200; TMEP §714.04.
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`n certain rare circumstances, a petition to the Director may be filed pursuant to 37 C.F.R. §2.63(b)(2) to review a final Office action that is
`limited to procedural issues.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.64(a); TMEP §714.04; see 37 C.F.R. §2.146(b); TBMP §1201.05; TMEP §1704 (explaining
`petitionable matters).(cid:160) The petition fee is $100.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.6(a)(15).
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`f applicant has questions regarding this Office action, please telephone or e-mail the assigned trademark examining attorney.(cid:160) All relevant e-
`mail communications will be placed in the official application record; however, an e-mail communication will not be accepted as a response to
`this Office action and will not extend the deadline for filing a proper response.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §2.191; TMEP §§304.01-.02, 709.04-.05.(cid:160) Further,
`although the trademark examining attorney may provide additional explanation pertaining to the refusal(s) and/or requirement(s) in this Office
`action, the trademark examining attorney may not provide legal advice or statements about applicant’s rights. (cid:160) See TMEP §§705.02, 709.06.
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`/enkajubi/
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`Elizabeth N. Kajubi
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`Examining Attorney
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`Law Office 107
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`(571) 272-2727
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`elizabeth.kajubi@uspto.gov
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`TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER: (cid:160) Go to http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp. (cid:160) Please wait 48-72 hours from the
`issue/mailing date before using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS), to allow for necessary system updates of the application.(cid:160)
`For technical assistance with online forms, e-mail TEAS@uspto.gov.(cid:160) For questions about the Office action itself, please contact the assigned
`trademark examining attorney.(cid:160) E-mail communications will not be accepted as responses to Office actions; therefore, do not respond to
`this Office action by e-mail.
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`ll informal e-mail communications relevant to this application will be placed in the official application record.
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`HO MUST SIGN THE RESPONSE:(cid:160) It must be personally signed by an individual applicant or someone with legal authority to bind an
`applicant (i.e., a corporate officer, a general partner, all joint applicants).(cid:160) If an applicant is represented by an attorney, the attorney must sign the
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`response.(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`PERIODICALLY CHECK THE STATUS OF THE APPLICATION: (cid:160) To ensure that applicant does not miss crucial deadlines or official
`notices, check the status of the application every three to four months using the Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TSDR) system at
`http://tsdr.uspto.gov/. (cid:160) Please keep a copy of the TSDR status screen. (cid:160) If the status shows no change for more than six months, contact the
`Trademark Assistance Center by e-mail at TrademarkAssistanceCenter@uspto.gov or call 1-800-786-9199. (cid:160) For more information on checking
`status, see http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/process/status/.
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`O UPDATE CORRESPONDENCE/E-MAIL ADDRESS:(cid:160) Use the TEAS form at http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/correspondence.jsp.
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