`OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) ABOUT APPLICANT’S TRADEMARK APPLICATION
`
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) U.S. APPLICATION 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) MARK: ECHONETREADY
`
`79122413
`
`(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) HAMADA Yuriko; Eikoh Patent Firm
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160) Toranomon East Bldg. 10F,
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) 7-13, Nishi-Shimbashi 1-chome,
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Tokyo 105-0003
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160) JAPAN
`
`*79122413*
`
`(cid:160)C
`
`LICK HERE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER:
`http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) APPLICANT: Central Melco Corporation
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) CORRESPONDENT’S REFERENCE/DOCKET
`(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`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) CORRESPONDENT E-MAIL ADDRESS:(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`(cid:160) (cid:160) N/A
`
`OFFICE ACTION
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`INTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION NO. 1140999
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`STRICT DEADLINE TO RESPOND TO THIS NOTIFICATION:(cid:160) TO AVOID ABANDONMENT OF THE REQUEST FOR EXTENSION
`OF PROTECTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION, THE USPTO MUST RECEIVE A COMPLETE RESPONSE TO THIS
`PROVISIONAL FULL REFUSAL NOTIFICATION WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF THE “DATE ON WHICH THE NOTIFICATION WAS SENT
`TO WIPO (MAILING DATE)” LOCATED ON THE WIPO COVER LETTER ACCOMPANYING THIS NOTIFICATION.
`
`(cid:160)I
`
`n addition to the Mailing Date appearing on the WIPO cover letter, a holder (hereafter “applicant”) may confirm this Mailing Date using the
`USPTO’s Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TSDR) system at http://tsdr.uspto.gov/.(cid:160) To do so, enter the U.S. application serial
`number for this application and then select “Documents.” (cid:160) The Mailing Date used to calculate the response deadline for this provisional full
`refusal is the “Create/Mail Date” of the “IB-1rst Refusal Note.”
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`his is a PROVISIONAL FULL REFUSAL of the request for extension of protection of the mark in the above-referenced U.S. application.(cid:160)
`See 15 U.S.C. §1141h(c).(cid:160) See below in this notification (hereafter “Office action”) for details regarding the provisional full refusal.
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`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.
`
`(cid:160)R
`
`egistration Refused – Likelihood of Confusion
`
`(cid:160)R
`
`egistration of the applied-for mark is refused because of a likelihood of confusion with the marks in U.S. Registration No. 3783737.(cid:160) Trademark
`Act Section 2(d), 15 U.S.C. §1052(d); see TMEP §§1207.01 et seq.(cid:160) See the enclosed registration.
`
`(cid:160)I
`
`n any likelihood of confusion determination, two key considerations are similarity of the marks and similarity or relatedness of the goods and/or
`services.(cid:160) See Federated Foods, Inc. v. Fort Howard Paper Co., 544 F.2d 1098, 1103, 192 USPQ 24, 29 (C.C.P.A. 1976); In re Iolo Techs., LLC,
`95 USPQ2d 1498, 1499 (TTAB 2010); TMEP §1207.01; see also In re Dixie Rests. Inc., 105 F.3d 1405, 1406-07, 41 USPQ2d 1531, 1533 (Fed.
`Cir. 1997).(cid:160) That is, the marks are compared in their entireties for similarities in appearance, sound, connotation, and commercial impression.(cid:160) In
`re Viterra Inc., 671 F.3d 1358, 1362, 101 USPQ2d 1905, 1908 (Fed. Cir. 2012) (quoting In re E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d 1357,
`1361, 177 USPQ 563, 567 (C.C.P.A. 1973)); TMEP §1207.01(b)-(b)(v).(cid:160) Additionally, the goods and/or services are compared to determine
`whether they are similar or commercially related or travel in the same trade channels.(cid:160) See Coach Servs., Inc. v. Triumph Learning LLC, 668 F.3d
`1356, 1369-71, 101 USPQ2d 1713, 1722-23 (Fed. Cir. 2012); Herbko Int’l, Inc. v. Kappa Books, Inc. , 308 F.3d 1156, 1165, 64 USPQ2d 1375,
`1381 (Fed. Cir. 2002); TMEP §1207.01, (a)(vi).
`
`(cid:160)I
`
`n the present case, both marks begin with the distinctive phrase ECHONET.(cid:160) Although marks are compared in their entireties, one feature of a
`mark may be more significant or dominant in creating a commercial impression.(cid:160) See In re Viterra Inc., 671 F.3d 1358, 1362, 101 USPQ2d 1905,
`
`
`
`1908 (Fed. Cir. 2012); In re Nat’l Data Corp. , 753 F.2d 1056, 1058, 224 USPQ 749, 751 (Fed. Cir. 1985); TMEP §1207.01(b)(viii), (c)(ii).(cid:160)
`Greater weight is often given to this dominant feature when determining whether marks are confusingly similar.(cid:160) See In re Nat’l Data Corp. , 753
`F.2d at 1058, 224 USPQ at 751.
`
`(cid:160)C
`
`onsumers are generally more inclined to focus on the first word, prefix or syllable in any trademark or service mark.(cid:160) See Palm Bay Imps., Inc.
`v. Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Maison Fondee En 1772, 396 F. 3d 1369, 1372, 73 USPQ2d 1689, 1692 (Fed. Cir. 2005); see also Mattel Inc. v.
`Funline Merch. Co., 81 USPQ2d 1372, 1374-75 (TTAB 2006); Presto Prods., Inc. v. Nice-Pak Prods., Inc., 9 USPQ2d 1895, 1897 (TTAB 1988)
`(“it is often the first part of a mark which is most likely to be impressed upon the mind of a purchaser and remembered” when making
`purchasing decisions).
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he applicant simply has added READY to the existing mark.(cid:160) The mere addition of a term to a registered mark generally does not obviate the
`similarity between the marks nor does it overcome a likelihood of confusion under Trademark Act Section 2(d).(cid:160) See In re Chatam Int’l Inc. , 380
`F.3d 1340, 71 USPQ2d 1944 (Fed. Cir. 2004) (GASPAR’S ALE and JOSE GASPAR GOLD); Coca-Cola Bottling Co. v. Jos. E. Seagram &
`Sons, Inc., 526 F.2d 556, 188 USPQ 105 (C.C.P.A. 1975) (BENGAL and BENGAL LANCER); Lilly Pulitzer, Inc. v. Lilli Ann Corp., 376 F.2d
`324, 153 USPQ 406 (C.C.P.A. 1967) (THE LILLY and LILLI ANN); In re Toshiba Med. Sys. Corp., 91 USPQ2d 1266 (TTAB 2009) (TITAN
`and VANTAGE TITAN); In re El Torito Rests., Inc., 9 USPQ2d 2002 (TTAB 1988) (MACHO and MACHO COMBOS); In re Corning Glass
`Works, 229 USPQ 65 (TTAB 1985) (CONFIRM and CONFIRMCELLS); In re U.S. Shoe Corp., 229 USPQ 707 (TTAB 1985) (CAREER
`IMAGE and CREST CAREER IMAGES); In re Riddle, 225 USPQ 630 (TTAB 1985) (ACCUTUNE and RICHARD PETTY’S ACCU TUNE);
`TMEP §1207.01(b)(iii).
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`his is particular true because the parties’ goods are closely related. (cid:160) In Class 7, both parties offer vacuum cleaners and dishwashers.(cid:160) In Class 9,
`both parties offer measuring instruments; although the registrant identifies specific types of measuring instruments, the applicant has not limited
`its claim of measuring instruments in any way.(cid:160) In Class 11, both parties offer toilets and toilet stools.
`
`(cid:160)W
`
`here the goods of an applicant and registrant are “similar in kind and/or closely related,” the degree of similarity between the marks required
`to support a finding of likelihood of confusion is not as great as in the case of diverse goods.(cid:160) In re J.M. Originals Inc., 6 USPQ2d 1393, 1394
`(TTAB 1987); see Shen Mfg. Co. v. Ritz Hotel Ltd., 393 F.3d 1238, 1242, 73 USPQ2d 1350, 1354 (Fed. Cir. 2004); TMEP §1207.01(b).
`
`(cid:160)B
`
`ecause the use of such similar marks on closely related, even identical, goods creates a likelihood of confusion, registration of the applicant’s
`mark must be refused.
`
`(cid:160)A
`
`lthough applicant’s mark has been refused registration, applicant may respond to the refusal(s) by submitting evidence and arguments in
`support of registration.
`
`(cid:160)I
`
`dentification of Goods
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`he wording used to describe the goods is indefinite and must be clarified as set forth in detail.(cid:160) See TMEP §1402.01.
`
`Class 7
`
`(cid:160)“
`
`Pneumatic or hydraulic machines and instruments” is vague. (cid:160) The applicant must supply the common commercial name of each such item, as in
`“pneumatic hammers and hydraulic jacks.”
`
`(cid:160)“
`
`Washing machines” is vague. (cid:160) If accurate, the applicant may adopt, “washing machines for clothes.”
`
`(cid:160)“
`
`Machines and apparatus for wax-polishing, electric” is vague. (cid:160) If accurate, the applicant may adopt, “electric wax polishing machines for
`_____ [household/industrial] purposes.”
`
`(cid:160)“
`
`AC motors and DC motors [not including those for land vehicles but including parts for any AC motors and DC motors]” is vague and
`improperly uses parentheses, which are not permitted in an identification.(cid:160) If accurate, the applicant may adopt, “electric motors for machines
`and structural parts therefor.”
`
`(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)
`
`AC generators [alternators]” improperly uses parentheses. (cid:160) The applicant may amend to simply “AC generators.”
`
`Electric food blenders [for household purposes]” improperly uses parentheses. (cid:160) The applicant may amend to simply “electric food blenders.”
`
`Class 9
`
`(cid:160)“
`
`Measuring or testing machines and instruments” is vague. (cid:160) The purpose of the instruments must be stated.(cid:160) If accurate, the applicant may adopt,
`“Technical measuring, testing and checking apparatus and instruments for measuring, testing and checking the temperature, pressure, quantity
`and concentration of gas and liquids.”
`
`
`
`(cid:160)“
`
`(cid:160)“
`
`Power distribution or control machines and apparatus” is vague. (cid:160) If accurate, the applicant may adopt, “power distributing boxes.”
`
`Phase modifiers” is vague. (cid:160) If accurate, the applicant may adopt, “optical phase shifters.”
`
`(cid:160)“
`
`Electric or magnetic meters and testers” is vague. (cid:160) The applicant must identify each such item specifically, as in “electrical outlet testers and
`electromagnetic apparatus used to generate or measure magnetic fields.”
`
`(cid:160)“
`
`Telecommunications machines and apparatus” is vague. (cid:160) The applicant must identify each such item by its common commercial name as in
`“microphones.”
`
`(cid:160)“
`
`Electronic machines, apparatus and their parts” is vague. (cid:160) The applicant must identify each such item by its common commercial name as in
`“electric switches.”
`
`(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)“
`
`Class 11
`
`Toilets [water closets]” improperly uses parentheses. (cid:160) The applicant may amend to simply “toilets.”
`
`Set units of bathroom” is vague. (cid:160) The applicant must list each such item by its common commercial name, as in “sinks and toilets.”
`
`Air conditioning apparatus [for industrial purposes]” improperly uses parentheses. (cid:160) The applicant may amend to remove the parentheses.
`
`(cid:160)“
`
`Freezing machines and apparatus” is vague. (cid:160) The applicant must identify each such item by its common commercial name, as in “freezing
`showcases.”
`
`(cid:160)“
`
`Cooking equipment for industrial purposes” is vague. (cid:160) The applicant must identify each such item by its common commercial name, as in
`“industrial cooktops.”
`
`(cid:160)“
`
`Other lighting apparatus” is vague. (cid:160) The applicant must identify each such item by its common commercial name, as in “light apparatus for
`sports arenas.”
`
`(cid:160)“
`
`Household electro thermic appliances” is vague. (cid:160) If accurate, the applicant may adopt, “thermoelectric cooler/heater for food and beverages.”
`
`(cid:160)F
`
`or assistance with identifying and classifying goods and/or services in trademark applications, please see the USPTO’s online searchable U.S.
`Acceptable Identification of Goods and Services Manual at http://tess2.uspto.gov/netahtml/tidm.html. (cid:160) See TMEP §1402.04.
`
`(cid:160)A
`
`n applicant may amend an identification of goods only to clarify or limit the goods; adding to or broadening the scope of the goods is not
`
`permitted.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.71(a); see TMEP §§1402.06 et seq., 1402.07 et seq.(cid:160)(cid:160)
`Color/Color Location
`
`(cid:160)A
`
`pplicant has submitted a color drawing and provided a mark description referencing color, but has not provided the required color claim.(cid:160)
`Applications for marks depicted in color must include a complete list of all the colors claimed as a feature of the mark.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.52(b)(1);
`
`see TMEP §§807.07(a) et seq.(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`If black, white and/or gray are not being claimed as a color feature of the mark, applicant must state that the colors black, white and/or gray
`represent background, outlining, shading and/or transparent areas and are not part of the mark.(cid:160) TMEP §807.07(d).(cid:160) Generic color names must be
`used to identify the colors in the mark, e.g., magenta, yellow, turquoise.(cid:160) TMEP §807.07(a)(i)-(a)(ii).
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`herefore, applicant must provide the required color claim.(cid:160) The following is suggested, if accurate:(cid:160) “The color blue claimed as a feature of
`the mark.”(cid:160) TMEP §807.07(a)(i).
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he applicant must also submit the following mark description:
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he mark consists of the wording ECHONETLITE with ECHONET appearing in capital letters and LITE appearing in lowercase letters.(cid:160) All of
`the wording appears in blue.
`
`WHO IS PERMITTED TO RESPOND TO THIS PROVISIONAL FULL REFUSAL:(cid:160) Any response to this provisional refusal must be
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`
`personally signed by an individual applicant, all joint applicants, or someone with legal authority to bind a juristic applicant (e.g., a corporate
`officer or general partner).(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §§2.62(b), 2.193(e)(2)(ii); TMEP §712.01.(cid:160) If applicant hires a qualified U.S. attorney to respond on his or
`her behalf, then the attorney must sign the response.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §§2.193(e)(2)(i), 11.18(a); TMEP §§611.03(b), 712.01.(cid:160) Qualified U.S. attorneys
`include those 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.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §§2.17(a), 2.62(b), 11.1, 11.14(a); TMEP §§602, 712.01.(cid:160) Additionally, for all
`responses, the proper signatory must personally sign the document or personally enter his or her electronic signature on the electronic filing.(cid:160) See
`37 C.F.R. §2.193(a); TMEP §§611.01(b), 611.02.(cid:160) The name of the signatory must also be printed or typed immediately below or adjacent to the
`signature, or identified elsewhere in the filing.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.193(d); TMEP §611.01(b).
`
`(cid:160)I
`
`n general, foreign attorneys are not permitted to represent applicants before the USPTO (e.g., file written communications, authorize an
`amendment to an application, or submit legal arguments in response to a requirement or refusal).(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §11.14(c), (e); TMEP §§602.03-
`
`.03(b), 608.01.(cid:160)(cid:160)
`DESIGNATION OF DOMESTIC REPRESENTATIVE:(cid:160) The USPTO encourages applicants who do not reside in the United States to
`designate a domestic representative upon whom any notice or process may be served.(cid:160) TMEP §610; see 15 U.S.C. §§1051(e), 1141h(d); 37
`
`C.F.R. §2.24(a)(1)-(2).(cid:160) Such designations may be filed online at http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/correspondence.jsp.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`/Doritt Carroll/
`Trademark Examining Attorney
`Law Office 116
`571-272-9138
`Doritt.Carroll@uspto.gov
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`O 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.
`
`(cid:160)A
`
`ll informal e-mail communications relevant to this application will be placed in the official application record.
`
`(cid:160)W
`
`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
`
`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 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/.
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`O UPDATE CORRESPONDENCE/E-MAIL ADDRESS:(cid:160) Use the TEAS form at http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/correspondence.jsp.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`
`Pfini:Feh15,2fl13
`
`TT?9351fl
`
`DESIGN MARK
`
`Serial Number
`11133510
`
`Status
`REGISTERED
`
`Word Mark
`ECHONET
`
`Standard Character Mark
`Yes
`
`Registration Number
`3133131
`
`Date Registered
`2010105104
`
`Type ef Marl:
`TRADEMARK
`
`Register
`PRINCIPAL
`
`Mark Drawing Code
`[4]
`STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
`
`Dvmer
`Central Melco Corporation CORPORATION JAPAN 3-26-33 Takanawa,
`Minato-Ku Tokyo JAPAN 108-UUT4
`
`Goodsfserviees
`Class Status -- ACTIVE.
`
`IC 00?.
`
`US
`
`U13 Ul9 U21 U23 U31 U34 035.
`
`G
`
`& 5: Electric washing machines for washing Clothes, dishes,
`foodstuffs; electrically operated curtain drawers; vacuum cleaners.
`
`Goodsiservices
`Class Status —— ACTIVE.
`
`IC 009.
`
`US
`
`O21 O23 O26 O36 038.
`
`G & 3:
`
`Measuring apparatus and instruments for measuring temperature,
`humidity, air current,
`illumination intensity,
`luminance intensity,
`pressure, effluvium, and detectors for sensing the presence of human
`bodies; electrical distribution consoles; electric wires and cables;
`electronic communication apparatus and instruments, namely, data
`communication apparatus, namely, computer network hubs, switches and
`routers, and adapters for network—compliant apparatus; electric flat
`irons; electric buzzers for use as doorbells, alarm calls and warning
`devices, namely, fire alarms and anti—theft alarms; electronic sensors
`and controllers to monitor home appliances for remote diagnosis,
`maintenance and repair: vending machines; chronographs for use as
`
`.1.
`
`
`
`Pfint:Feh15,2fl13
`
`TT?9351fl
`
`specialized time recording apparatuses; electric calculators; portable
`and hand—held unit for playing video games: electric automatic door
`openers .
`
`Goodsiservices
`Class Status -- ACTIVE.
`
`Ic 011.
`
`US
`
`013 021 023 031 034.
`
`G a 8:
`
`furnace boilers; gas hot
`Electric lamps, electric lighting fixtures;
`water heaters: portable electric heaters; freezers and refrigerators:
`drying apparatus, namely clothes dryers, dryers for dishes, dryers for
`fruits and vegetables, hot air hand dryers, hand—held electric hair
`dryers for use by humans and for animals; gas heaters, air
`conditioners,
`industrial dryers for heating and dehumidifying; bath
`tubs, enclosed sauna and washing capsules for personal hygiene, pet
`washing booths containing nozzles dispensing water and soap for
`bathing domestic pets: water purifying units for domestic use, water
`filters for domestic use; toilet stools with washing water sguirter
`for personal hygiene treatment, toilet bowls.
`
`IC 020.
`
`US
`
`U02 U13 O22 O25 O32 059.
`
`G & 8:
`
`Goodsiservices
`Class Status -- ACTIVE.
`Kitchen tables.
`
`Foreign Country Iilarne
`JAPAN
`
`Foreign Registration Number
`4606518
`
`Foreign Registration Date
`2002f09f20
`
`Foreign Expiration Date
`20l2fO9f20
`
`Prior Registration(s)
`2160814
`
`Filing Date
`2009f07H30
`
`Examining Attorney
`NEVILLE , BRIAN
`
`Attorney of Record
`Howard N. Aronson
`
`
`
`ECHONET
`
`