UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)
`OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) ABOUT APPLICANT’S TRADEMARK APPLICATION
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`79107882
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS:
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`*79107882*
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`CLICK HERE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER:
`http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp
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`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) APPLICATION SERIAL NO.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) MARK: PAPIRS(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)
`JAPAN(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)
`(cid:160) Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.(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)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`N/A(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(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)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`KUBOTA Eiichiro,; Hogan Lovells Horitsu(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)
`15th Floor Daido Seimei(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`Tokyo 100-0013(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`Kasumigaseki Building,
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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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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`OFFICE ACTION
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`(cid:160)I
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`(cid:160)I
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`SSUE/MAILING DATE:
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`NTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION NO. 1103538
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`This is a PROVISIONAL FULL REFUSAL of the trademark and/or service mark in the above-referenced U.S. application.(cid:160) See 15 U.S.C.
`§1141h(c).
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`(cid:160)W
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`HO IS PERMITTED TO RESPOND TO THIS PROVISIONAL FULL REFUSAL:
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`(cid:160)A
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`pplicant may respond directly to this provisional refusal Office action if applicant is not represented by an authorized attorney.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R.
`(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §2.193(e)(2)(i).(cid:160) However, the
`§2.193(e)(2)(ii).(cid:160) Otherwise, applicant’s authorized attorney must respond on applicant’s behalf.
`only attorneys who are authorized to sign responses and practice before the USPTO in trademark matters are as follows:
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`(1)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Attorneys in good standing with a bar of the highest court of any U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and other
`federal territories and possessions of the United States.
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`(1)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Canadian agents/attorneys who represent applicants located in Canada and (a) are registered with the USPTO and in good standing
`as patent agents or (b) have been granted reciprocal recognition by the USPTO.
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`(cid:160)S
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`ee 37 C.F.R. §§2.17(e), 2.62(b), 11.1, 11.5(b)(2), 11.14(a), (c); TMEP §§602, 712.03.
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`(cid:160)F
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`oreign attorneys, other than authorized Canadian attorneys, are not permitted to represent applicants before the USPTO.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R.
`§§2.17(e), 11.14(c), (e); TMEP §602.03-.03(b).(cid:160) That is, foreign attorneys may not file written communications, authorize an amendment to an
`application, or submit legal arguments in response to a requirement or refusal, among other things.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §11.5(b)(2); TMEP
`§§602.03(c), 608.01.(cid:160) If applicant is represented by such a foreign attorney, applicant must respond directly to this provisional refusal Office
`action.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §2.193(e)(2)(ii).
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`(cid:160)D
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`ESIGNATION OF DOMESTIC REPRESENTATIVE:
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`(cid:160)T
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`he USPTO encourages applicants who do not reside in the U.S. to designate a domestic representative upon whom notices or process may be
`served.(cid:160) 15 U.S.C. §§1051(e), 1141h(d); 37 C.F.R. §2.24(a)(1)-(2); see TMEP §610.(cid:160) Such designations may be filed online at
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`http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/index.jsp.(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PROVISIONALLY REFUSED AS FOLLOWS:
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`(cid:160)
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`(cid:160)
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`he referenced application has been reviewed by the assigned trademark examining attorney.(cid:160) Applicant must respond timely and completely to
`the issue(s) below.(cid:160) 15 U.S.C. §1062(b); 37 C.F.R. §§2.62(a), 2.65(a); TMEP §§711, 718.03.
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`(cid:160)N
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`O CONFLICTING MARKS FOUND
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`The trademark examining attorney has searched the Office’s database of registered and pending marks and has found no conflicting marks that
`would bar registration under Trademark Act Section 2(d).(cid:160) TMEP §704.02; see 15 U.S.C. §1052(d).
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`(cid:160)S
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`IGNIFICANCE
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`Applicant must explain whether “PaPIRs,” “Pa,” “PIR” or “PIRs” has any meaning or significance in the industry in which the goods and/or
`services are manufactured/provided, any meaning in a foreign language, or if such wording is a “term of art” within applicant’s industry.
`Applicant must also explain whether this wording identifies a geographic place.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §2.61(b); TMEP §814.
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`(cid:160)F
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`ailure to respond to a request for information is an additional ground for refusing registration.(cid:160) See In re Cheezwhse.com, Inc., 85 USPQ2d
`1917, 1919 (TTAB 2008); In re DTI P’ship LLP , 67 USPQ2d 1699, 1701 (TTAB 2003); TMEP §814.
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`(cid:160)I
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`DENTIFICATION
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`he wording “sensors” in the identification of goods and/or services is indefinite and must be clarified because applicant must specify the type
`of sensors.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §§1402.01, 1402.03.(cid:160) Moreover, the identification of goods is indefinite and must be clarified
`because it includes the open-ended wording “including.” (cid:160) See TMEP §§1402.01, 1402.03(a).(cid:160) The identification must be specific and all-
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`inclusive.(cid:160) Therefore, this wording should be deleted and replaced with more definite and all-inclusive wording.(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`In an application filed under Trademark Act Section 66(a), an applicant may not change the classification of goods and/or services from that
`assigned by the International Bureau in the corresponding international registration.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.85(d); TMEP §§1401.03(d), 1904.02(b).(cid:160)
`Further, in a multiple-class Section 66(a) application, an applicant may not transfer goods and/or services from one existing international class to
`another.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.85(d); see TMEP §§1402.07(a), 1904.02(c).
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`(cid:160)T
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`herefore, any modification to this wording must identify goods and/or services in International Class 9, the classification specified in the
`application for these goods and/or services.
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`(cid:160)T
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`he following substitute wording is suggested, if accurate:(cid:160)(cid:160)
`“Measuring or testing machines and instruments, namely [please specify the type of sensors, e.g. electric sensors, pressure
`sensors, proximity sensors] and [please specify the type of infrared sensors, e.g. infrared pressure sensors, infrared
`proximity sensors]” in International Class 9.
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`(cid:160)A
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`n applicant may amend an identification of goods and services only to clarify or limit the goods and services; adding to or broadening the
`scope of the goods and/or services is not permitted.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.71(a); see TMEP §§1402.06 et seq., 1402.07 et seq.
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`(cid:160)F
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`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) See TMEP §1402.04.
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`(cid:160)A
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`DVISORY
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`(cid:160)F
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`or this application to proceed toward registration, applicant must explicitly address each refusal and/or requirement raised in this Office action.(cid:160)
`If the action includes a refusal, applicant may provide arguments and/or evidence as to why the refusal should be withdrawn and the mark should
`register.(cid:160) Applicant may also have other options for responding to a refusal and should consider such options carefully.(cid:160) To respond to
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`requirements and certain refusal response options, applicant should set forth in writing the required changes or statements.(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`If applicant does not respond to this Office action within six months of the issue/mailing date, or responds by expressly abandoning the
`application, the application process will end, the trademark will fail to register, and the application fee will not be refunded.(cid:160) See 15 U.S.C.
`§1062(b); 37 C.F.R. §§2.65(a), 2.68(a), 2.209(a); TMEP §§405.04, 718.01, 718.02.(cid:160) Where the application has been abandoned for failure to
`respond to an Office action, applicant’s only option would be to file a timely petition to revive the application, which, if granted, would allow
`the application to return to live status.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §2.66; TMEP §1714.(cid:160) There is a $100 fee for such petitions.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §§2.6,
`2.66(b)(1).
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`(cid:160)B
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`ecause of the legal technicalities involved in this application, applicant may wish to hire an attorney specializing in trademark or intellectual
`property law.(cid:160) For attorney referral information, applicant may consult the American Bar Association’s Consumers’ Guide to Legal Help at
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`(cid:160)
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`http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/findlegalhelp/home.cfm.(cid:160) The USPTO cannot aid in the selection of an attorney.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.11.
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`(cid:160)I
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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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`(cid:160)I
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`f the applicant has any questions regarding this Office Action, please telephone the assigned Examining Attorney.
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`Lana H. Pham /lhp/
`Trademark Attorney
`Law Office 115
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`(571) 272-9478
`Lana.Pham@uspto.gov (informal)
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`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 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(cid:160)questions about the Office action itself, please contact the assigned trademark examining attorney.(cid:160)(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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`(cid:160)A
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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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`(cid:160)W
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`HO MUST SIGN THE RESPONSE:(cid:160) It must be personally signed by(cid:160)an individual applicant or(cid:160)someone with legal authority to bind an
`applicant (i.e., a corporate officer, a general partner, all joint applicants).(cid:160)(cid:160)If an applicant is represented by an attorney, the attorney must sign the
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`response.(cid:160)(cid:160)
`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 Trademark Applications and Registrations Retrieval (TARR) at
`http://tarr.uspto.gov/. (cid:160) Please keep a copy of the complete TARR screen. (cid:160) If TARR shows no change for more than six months, 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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`(cid:160)T
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`O UPDATE CORRESPONDENCE/E-MAIL ADDRESS:(cid:160) Use the TEAS form at http://www.uspto.gov/teas/eTEASpageE.htm.
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)