To:
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`Subject:
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`Sent:
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`Sent As:
`
`Attachments:
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`Central Melco Corporation (tmefs@LSLLP.com)
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`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 79122414 - ECHONETLITE - 16664
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`9/21/2013 2:00:43 PM
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`ECOM116@USPTO.GOV
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)
`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.(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: ECHONETLITE
`
`79122414
`
`*79122414*
`
`(cid:160)C
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`LICK HERE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER:
`http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp
`
`(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) Howard N. Aronson
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160) Lackenbach Siegel LLP
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Lackenbach Siegel Bldg.
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) 1 Chase Rd.
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160) Scarsdale NY 10583-4156
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`(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)
`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) 16664
`
`(cid:160) (cid:160) tmefs@LSLLP.com
`
`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.
`
`OFFICE ACTION
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`(cid:160)I
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`(cid:160)I
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`SSUE/MAILING DATE: 9/21/2013
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`NTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION NO. 1141000
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`THIS IS A FINAL ACTION
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`The applicant’s claim of ownership of U.S. Reg. No. 3783737 is accepted.(cid:160) The refusal to register is continued and made final due to a
`likelihood of confusion with U.S. Reg. No. 3318748.
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`(cid:160)L
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`ikelihood of Confusion
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`(cid:160)F
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`or the reasons set forth below, the refusal under Trademark Act Section 2(d) is now made FINAL with respect to U.S. Registration No.
`3318748.(cid:160) See 15 U.S.C. §1052(d); 37 C.F.R. §2.64(a).
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`(cid:160)I
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`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,
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`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`

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`1381 (Fed. Cir. 2002); TMEP §1207.01, (a)(vi).
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`(cid:160)I
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`n the present case, the marks are closely similar – ECHOLITE versus ECHONETLITE.(cid:160) When comparing marks, the test is not whether the
`marks can be distinguished in a side-by-side comparison, but rather whether the marks are sufficiently similar in their entireties that confusion as
`to the source of the goods and/or services offered under applicant’s and registrant’s marks is likely to result.(cid:160) Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc. v.
`Societe des Produits Nestle S.A., 685 F.3d 1046, 1053, 103 USPQ2d 1435, 1440 (Fed. Cir. 2012); Edom Labs., Inc. v. Lichter, 102 USPQ2d
`1546, 1551 (TTAB 2012); TMEP §1207.01(b).(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) L’Oreal S.A. v. Marcon, 102 USPQ2d 1434, 1438 (TTAB 2012); Sealed Air Corp. v. Scott Paper Co.,
`190 USPQ 106, 108 (TTAB 1975); TMEP §1207.01(b).
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`(cid:160)M
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`oreover, the marks cover many similar items.(cid:160) The applicant offers “fire sensors [and] cigarette smoke sensors.” (cid:160) The registrant offers
`“smoke . . . detectors.” (cid:160) The applicant offers “
`crime prevention sensors” while the registrant offers “anti-theft warning apparatus.” (cid:160) The applicant offers “electrical phase modifiers used to
`control and modify electric current and signals” while the registrant offers “electrical wires and cables.” (cid:160) Finally, both parties offer air
`conditioning apparatuses.
`
`(cid:160)W
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`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).
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`(cid:160)T
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`he impression created is of two ECHOLITE marks that come from a single source, with ECHONETLITE perhaps identifying a line of products
`that interact with the internet (“net”) in some way.
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`(cid:160)B
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`ecause the use of such similar marks on closely related goods creates a likelihood of confusion, the refusal to register the applicant’s mark must
`be continued and made final.
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`(cid:160)I
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`dentification of Goods
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`(cid:160)T
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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)(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)T
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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)
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`(cid:160)“
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`he amended identification of goods remains indefinite and must be clarified as set forth in detail below.(cid:160) See TMEP §1402.01.
`
`Class 7
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`his class is acceptable as written.
`
`Class 9
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`Mailing sensors” is unclear. (cid:160) The applicant must supply the common commercial name of this item or a brief explanation.
`
`(cid:160)T
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`he following wording does not identify goods in Class 9:(cid:160) “Electronic machines, apparatus and their parts, namely, ventilation fan, air cleaner,
`humidifier, electric heater, air conditioner, electrically operated shade, electric shutter, electric storm window, sprinkler, electric water heater,
`electric toilet seat, electric lock, household solar power generation, floor heater.” (cid:160) The applicant may amend to “electronic machines, apparatus,
`and their parts, namely, electric locks.”
`
`(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
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`(cid:160)F
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`or clarity, the applicant should delete the semi-colon after “aforesaid goods.” (cid:160) The applicant also must delete “signs and street lighting” as not
`belonging in this class, absent further clarification.
`
`(cid:160)F
`
`or assistance with identifying and classifying goods and 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)(cid:160)
`
`An 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)
`Responding to a Final Refusal
`
`(cid:160)A
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`pplicant must respond within six months of the date of issuance of this final Office action or the application will be abandoned.(cid:160) 15 U.S.C.
`§1062(b); 37 C.F.R. §2.65(a).(cid:160) Applicant may respond by providing one or both of the following:
`
`(1)(cid:160) A response that fully satisfies all outstanding requirements;
`
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`

`

`(2)(cid:160) An appeal to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, with the appeal fee of $100 per class.
`
`(cid:160)3
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`7 C.F.R. §2.64(a); TMEP §714.04; see 37 C.F.R. §2.6(a)(18); TBMP ch. 1200.
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`(cid:160)I
`
`n certain rare circumstances, an applicant may respond by filing a petition to the Director pursuant to 37 C.F.R. §2.63(b)(2) to review
`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).
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(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
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`ll informal e-mail communications relevant to this application will be placed in the official application record.
`
`(cid:160)W
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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
`
`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
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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.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`

`

`To:
`
`Subject:
`
`Sent:
`
`Sent As:
`
`Attachments:
`
`Central Melco Corporation (tmefs@LSLLP.com)
`
`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 79122414 - ECHONETLITE - 16664
`
`9/21/2013 2:00:44 PM
`
`ECOM116@USPTO.GOV
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)
`
`IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING YOUR
`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION
`
`USPTO OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) HAS ISSUED
`ON 9/21/2013 FOR U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 79122414
`
`Please follow the instructions below:
`
`(cid:160)(
`
`1)(cid:160) TO READ THE LETTER:(cid:160) Click on this link or go to http://tsdr.uspto.gov, enter the U.S. application serial number, and click on
`“Documents.”
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he Office action may not be immediately viewable, to allow for necessary system updates of the application, but will be available within 24
`hours of this e-mail notification.
`
`(cid:160)(
`
`2)(cid:160) TIMELY RESPONSE IS REQUIRED:(cid:160) Please carefully review the Office action to determine (1) how to respond, and (2) the applicable
`response time period.(cid:160) Your response deadline will be calculated from 9/21/2013 (or sooner if specified in the Office action).(cid:160) For information
`regarding response time periods, see http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/process/status/responsetime.jsp.
`
`(cid:160)D
`
`o NOT hit “Reply” to this e-mail notification, or otherwise e-mail your response because the USPTO does NOT accept e-mails as
`responses to Office actions.(cid:160)
`Instead, the USPTO recommends that you respond online using the Trademark Electronic Application System
`(TEAS) response form located at http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp.
`
`(cid:160)(
`
`3)(cid:160) QUESTIONS:(cid:160) For questions about the contents of the Office action itself, please contact the assigned trademark examining attorney.(cid:160) For
`technical assistance in accessing or viewing the Office action in the Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TSDR) system, please e-mail
`TSDR@uspto.gov.
`
`WARNING
`
`(cid:160)F
`
`ailure to file the required response by the applicable response deadline will result in the ABANDONMENT of your application.(cid:160) For
`more information regarding abandonment, see http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/basics/abandon.jsp.
`
`PRIVATE COMPANY SOLICITATIONS REGARDING YOUR APPLICATION:(cid:160) Private companies not associated with the USPTO are
`using information provided in trademark applications to mail or e-mail trademark-related solicitations.(cid:160) These companies often use names that
`closely resemble the USPTO and their solicitations may look like an official government document.(cid:160) Many solicitations require that you pay
`
`“fees.” (cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Please carefully review all correspondence you receive regarding this application to make sure that you are responding to an official document
`from the USPTO rather than a private company solicitation.(cid:160) All official USPTO correspondence will be mailed only from the “United States
`Patent and Trademark Office” in Alexandria, VA; or sent by e-mail from the domain “@uspto.gov.” (cid:160) For more information on how to handle
`private company solicitations, see http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/solicitation_warnings.jsp.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`