UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)
`OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) ABOUT APPLICANT’S TRADEMARK APPLICATION
`
`U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO.   79207625
`
`           
`
`MARK: LINKRAY
`
`*79207625*
`
`CLICK HERE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER:
`http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp
`
`CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS:
`  
`       SAMEJIMA Mutsumi,; AOYAMA & PARTNERS
`  
`       Umeda Hankyu Bldg. Office Tower,
`         8-1, Kakuda-cho, Kita-ku,
`           Osaka 530-0017
`    
`    JAPAN
`APPLICANT: Panasonic Corporation
`
`   
`   
`
`    
`CORRESPONDENT’S REFERENCE/DOCKET NO:        
`CORRESPONDENT E-MAIL ADDRESS:       
`
`  N/A
`
`OFFICE ACTION
`
`INTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION NO. 1344786
`
`STRICT DEADLINE TO RESPOND TO THIS NOTIFICATION:  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.
`
`In 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/.  To do so, enter the U.S. application serial
`number for this application and then select “Documents.”   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.”
`
`This is a PROVISIONAL FULL REFUSAL of the request for extension of protection of the mark in the above-referenced U.S. application. 
`See 15 U.S.C. §1141h(c).  See below in this notification (hereafter “Office action”) for details regarding the provisional full refusal.
`
`The referenced application has been reviewed by the assigned trademark examining attorney.  Applicant must respond timely and completely to
`the issue(s) below.  15 U.S.C. §1062(b); 37 C.F.R. §§2.62(a), 2.65(a); TMEP §§711, 718.03.
`
`SEARCH OF OFFICE RECORDS: NO CONFLICTING MARKS
`
`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).  TMEP §704.02; see 15 U.S.C. §1052(d).
`
`SUMMARY OF ISSUES:
`·        MARK SIGNFICANCE INQUIRY
`IDENTIFICATION OF GOODS
`·       
`
`MARK INFORMATION
`
`Applicant has applied to register the mark “LinkRay” for “Audio-video receivers; bar code readers; blinkers signalling lights; calculating
`machines; camcorders; cameras photography; cell phones; cinematographic cameras; computer game software; computer hardware; computer
`operating software; computer peripheral devices; computer software; computer software applications; computers; cordless telephones; data
`processing apparatus; digital photo frames; digital signs; downloadable image files; downloadable music files; electronic agendas; electronic
`book readers; electronic notice boards; electronic pocket translators; facsimile machines; intercommunication apparatus; laptop computers; light
`regulators dimmers, electric; light-emitting diodes LED; lighting ballasts; loudspeakers; microphones; mobile telephones; modems; monitors
`computer hardware; navigation apparatus for vehicles on-board computers; electronic navigational and positioning instruments and apparatus;
`
` 
` 
` 
`  
` 
` 
` 
` 
` 
` 
` 
` 
` 
` 
`

`

`notebook computers; portable media players; projection apparatus; projection screens; radiotelegraphy sets; radiotelephony sets; road signs,
`luminous or mechanical; screens photography; signalling panels, luminous or mechanical; signals, luminous or mechanical; signs, luminous;
`smartglasses in the nature of wearable computers; smartphones; tablet computers; television sets; LCDs liquid crystal displays; digital signage
`display panels; digital signage monitors; computer software to enable the transmission of photographs to mobile telephones; computer software
`and telecommunications apparatus, including modems, to enable connection to databases, computer networks and the Internet; digital cameras;
`digital projectors; lighting control apparatus; video surveillance cameras; point-of-sale POS terminals; computer software for controlling self-
`service terminals; optical sensors; wireless POS (point of service) devices; electronic equipment for point-of-sales (POS) systems, namely, point-
`of-sale terminals, bar code readers, optical readers, advertisement display monitors, keyboards, printers, scanners, radio transmitters, radio
`receivers, computer hardware, and computer operating software; interactive computer kiosks comprising computers, computer hardware,
`computer peripherals, and computer operating software; customer self service electronic checkout stations for point of sale; electronic cash
`registers; computer software for use in the field of VLC (visible light communications) for the transmission of electronic data, namely, video,
`music, image, text and sound; railway signal apparatus, luminous or mechanical; vehicle breakdown warning triangles; luminous or mechanical
`road signs; cash registers; coin counting or sorting machines; electric sign boards for displaying target figures, current outputs or the like;
`photographic machines and apparatus; cinematographic machines and apparatus; optical machines and apparatus; measuring or testing machines
`and instruments; telecommunication machines and apparatus; electronic machines, apparatus and their parts; computer programs; phonograph
`records; downloadable music files; downloadable image files; recorded video discs and video tapes; power distribution or control machines and
`apparatus; rotary converters; phase modifiers; electronic publications” in International Class 009; “Automobile lights; bicycle lights; ceiling
`lights; Chinese lanterns; electric lanterns; electric lamps; light bulbs; LED light bulbs; flares; lighting fixtures; flashlights torches; headlights for
`automobiles;
`lamps;
`lamps for directional signals of automobiles;
`light-emitting diodes LED lighting apparatus; lighting apparatus and
`installations; lighting apparatus for vehicles; lighting installations for air vehicles; street lamps; light-emitting diode LED luminaires; lighting
`apparatus for showcases; lighting apparatus for refrigerating or freezing showcases; light panels; lighting installations for air vehicles; electric
`lamps and other lighting apparatus,” in International Class 011; “Communications by computer terminals; communications by cellular phones;
`computer aided transmission of messages and images; electronic bulletin board services telecommunications services; information about
`telecommunication; message sending; providing telecommunications connections to a global computer network; providing user access to global
`computer networks; radio communications; rental of modems; rental of telecommunication equipment; transmission of digital files; data
`transmission and telecommunication services; electronic and digital transmission of voice, data, images, signals and messages; electronic
`transmission and streaming of digital media content for others via global and local computer networks; electronic transmission of audio, video
`and other data and documents among computers; electronic transmission of encrypted data; electronic transmission of sound, images and other
`data and information of all kinds via the Internet; consultancy, information and advisory services in the field of telecommunications;
`telecommunication services using visible light communication (VLC) technologies; consultancy relating to telecommunication services using
`visible light communication (VLC) technologies;
`technical consultation in the field of data communications and telecommunications;
`telecommunication other than broadcasting; broadcasting; rental of telecommunication equipment including telephones and facsimile apparatus,”
`in International Class038; and “Cloud computing; computer programming; computer software consultancy; computer software design; creating
`and maintaining web sites for others; hosting computer sites web sites; maintenance of computer software; monitoring of computer systems by
`remote access; rental of computer software; rental of web servers; consultancy in connection with hardware and software for connection to,
`management of, operating and using computer networks; technical consultancy relating to the design of computer hardware, software and
`computer peripherals; computer technology consultancy; software as a service SaaS; hosting platforms on the Internet; platform as a service
`(PAAS) featuring computer software platforms for industrial or commercial purposes in the field of VLC (visible light communications) for the
`transmission of electronic data, namely, video, music, images, text and sound; technical support services relating to computer software,
`telecommunications and the Internet; computer software design, computer programming, or maintenance of computer software; designing of
`machines, apparatus,
`instruments including their parts or systems composed of such machines, apparatus and instruments; design and
`development of computer hardware; research on building construction or city planning; testing or research on prevention of pollution; testing or
`research on electricity; testing or research on civil engineering; testing or research on machines, apparatus and instruments; rental of computers;
`providing computer programs on data networks,” in International Class 042.
`
`EXPLANATION OF MARK’S SIGNIFICANCE REQUIRED
`
`Applicant must specify whether the wording “LinkRay” has any significance in the electrical and scientific apparatus industry, the
`environmental control apparatus industry, the telecommunication industry, or the computer and scientific trade or industry, or as applied to the
`goods and/or services described in the application, or if such wording is a “term of art” within applicant’s industry.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.61(b);
`TMEP §814.
`
`Failure to respond to a request for information is an additional ground for refusing registration.  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.
`
`IDENTIFICATION OF GOODS AND SERVICES
`
`The identification of goods and/or services is indefinite and must be clarified to further specify the nature, use, or subject matter of certain
`items, as set out in bold below.    See  37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §§1402.01, 1402.03.
`
`Much of the wording in the identification of goods and/or services in International Classes 009, 011, 038, and 042 is indefinite and too broad and
`
` 
` 
` 
` 
` 
` 
`

`

`must be clarified because it does not make clear the nature of the goods and/or services and could identify goods and/or services in more than
`one international class.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §§1402.01, 1402.03, 1904.02(c), (c)(ii).  For example, in Class 009, “computer
`software” and “Computer software applications” should specify the function of the software.  In Class 011, “lighting apparatus” should either
`provide greater specificity as to the goods or indicate “lighting apparatus installations.”
`
`In a Trademark Act Section 66(a) application, classification of goods and/or services may not be changed from that assigned by the International
`Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization.  37 C.F.R. §2.85(d); TMEP §§1401.03(d), 1904.02(b).  Additionally, classes may not be
`added or goods and/or services transferred from one class to another in a multiple-class Section 66(a) application.  37 C.F.R. §2.85(d); TMEP
`
`§1401.03(d).  
`
`The following substitute wording is suggested, if accurate:
`
`Class 009:  Audio-video receivers; bar code readers; blinkers signalling lights; calculating machines; camcorders; cameras photography; cell
`phones; cinematographic cameras; computer game software; computer hardware; computer operating software; computer peripheral devices;
`computer software for {specify the function of the software, e.g., use as a spreadsheet, word processing, etc. and, if software is content or
`field-specific}; computer software applications for {specify items e.g., mobile phones, portable media players, handheld computers},
`namely, software for {specify the function of the programs, e.g., use in database management, use in electronic storage of data, etc.};
`computers; cordless telephones; data processing apparatus; digital photo frames; digital signs; downloadable image files containing {indicate
`content or subject matter}; downloadable music files; electronic agendas; electronic book readers; electronic notice boards; electronic pocket
`translators; facsimile machines; intercommunication apparatus, namely, {specify in International Class 009, e.g., telephones incorporating
`intercommunication systems}; laptop computers; light regulators dimmers, electric; light-emitting diodes LED; lighting ballasts; loudspeakers;
`microphones; mobile telephones; modems; monitors computer hardware; navigation apparatus for vehicles on-board computers; electronic
`navigational and positioning instruments and apparatus; notebook computers; portable media players; projection apparatus, namely, {specify in
`International Class 009, e.g., transparency projection apparatus, etc.}; projection screens; radiotelegraphy sets; radiotelephony sets; road
`signs,
`luminous or mechanical; screens photography; signalling panels, luminous or mechanical; signals, luminous or mechanical; signs,
`luminous; smartglasses in the nature of wearable computers; smartphones; tablet computers; television sets; LCDs liquid crystal displays; digital
`signage display panels; digital signage monitors; computer software to enable the transmission of photographs to mobile telephones; computer
`software and telecommunications apparatus, including modems, to enable connection to databases, computer networks and the Internet; digital
`cameras; digital projectors; lighting control apparatus; video surveillance cameras; point-of-sale POS terminals; computer software for
`controlling self-service terminals; optical sensors; wireless POS (point of service) devices; electronic equipment for point-of-sales (POS)
`systems, namely, point-of-sale terminals, bar code readers, optical readers, advertisement display monitors, keyboards, printers, scanners, radio
`transmitters, radio receivers, computer hardware, and computer operating software; interactive computer kiosks comprising computers, computer
`hardware, computer peripherals, and computer operating software; customer self service electronic checkout stations for point of sale; electronic
`cash registers; computer software for use in the field of VLC (visible light communications) for the transmission of electronic data, namely,
`video, music, image, text and sound; railway signal apparatus, luminous or mechanical; vehicle breakdown warning triangles; luminous or
`mechanical road signs; cash registers; coin counting or sorting machines; electric sign boards for displaying target figures, current outputs or the
`like; photographic machines and apparatus, namely, {specify in International Class 009, e.g., photo printers, photographic cameras,
`photographic projectors, etc.}; cinematographic machines and apparatus; optical machines and apparatus, namely, {specify in International
`Class 009, e.g., magnifying lenses, optical readers, optical disk drives, etc.}; measuring or testing machines and instruments, namely,
`{specify in International Class 009, e.g., ultrasonic instrumentation for testing machines, screw-thread measuring machines, etc.};
`telecommunication machines and apparatus, namely, {specify in International Class 009, e.g., fax machine, telephone sets, cellular phone,
`etc.}; electronic machines, apparatus and their parts, namely, {specify in International Class 009, e.g., stand alone displays for medical
`images, taximeters, etc.}; computer programs; phonograph records; downloadable music files; downloadable image files; recorded video discs
`and video tapes; power distribution or control machines and apparatus; rotary converters; phase modifiers; electronic publications;
`
`Class 011: Automobile lights; bicycle lights; ceiling lights; Chinese lanterns; electric lanterns; electric lamps; light bulbs; LED light bulbs; flares;
`lighting fixtures; flashlights torches; headlights for automobiles; lamps; lamps for directional signals of automobiles; light-emitting diodes LED
`lighting apparatus being lighting installations; lighting apparatus and installations; lighting apparatus for vehicles; lighting installations for air
`vehicles; street lamps; light-emitting diode LED luminaires; lighting apparatus for showcases; lighting apparatus for refrigerating or freezing
`showcases; light panels; lighting installations for air vehicles; electric lamps and other lighting apparatus installations
`
`Class 038: Communications by computer terminals; communications by cellular phones; computer aided transmission of messages and images;
`electronic bulletin board services being telecommunications services; information about telecommunication; electronic message sending;
`providing telecommunications connections to a global computer network; providing user access to global computer networks; radio
`communications;
`rental of modems;
`rental of
`telecommunication equipment;
`transmission of digital
`files; data transmission and
`telecommunication access services; electronic and digital transmission of voice, data, images, signals and messages; electronic transmission and
`streaming of digital media content for others via global and local computer networks; electronic transmission of audio, video and other data and
`documents among computers; electronic transmission of encrypted data; electronic transmission of sound, images and other data and information
`of all kinds via the Internet; consultancy, information and advisory services in the field of telecommunications; telecommunication services
`using visible light communication (VLC) technologies; consultancy relating to telecommunication services using visible light communication
`(VLC) technologies; technical consultation in the field of data communications and telecommunications; telecommunication other than
`
` 
` 
` 
` 
`

`

`broadcasting, namely, {specify in International Class 038, e.g., electronic transmission of data, images and multimedia contents by
`computer terminals, etc.}; broadcasting, namely, {specify in International Class 038, e.g., radio broadcasting, television broadcasting,
`wireless broadcasting, etc.}; rental of telecommunication equipment including telephones and facsimile apparatus
`
`Class 042: Cloud computer services, namely, cloud hosting provider services; computer programming; computer software   consultancy;
`computer software design; creating and maintaining web sites for others; hosting computer web sites; maintenance of computer software;
`monitoring of computer systems by remote access to ensure proper functioning; rental of computer software; rental of web servers; consultancy
`in connection with hardware and software for connection to, management of, operating and using computer networks; technical consultancy
`relating to the design of computer hardware, software and computer peripherals; computer technology consultancy; software as a service (SaaS)
`services, namely, hosting software for use by others for use {specify the function of the programs, e.g., for use in database management,
`for use as a spreadsheet, for word processing, etc. and, if software is content- or field-specific, the field of use}; hosting platforms on the
`Internet, namely, {specify in International Class 042, e.g., providing a web hosting platform for {indicate purpose or intended user};
`platform as a service (PAAS) featuring computer software platforms for industrial or commercial purposes in the field of VLC (visible light
`communications) for the transmission of electronic data, namely, video, music, images, text and sound; technical support services relating to
`telecommunications and the Internet, namely {specify in International Class 042, e.g., monitoring technological
`computer software,
`functions of computer network systems, etc.}; computer software design, computer programming, or maintenance of computer software;
`designing of machines, apparatus, instruments including the parts to instruments and systems composed of such machines, apparatus and
`instruments; design and development of computer hardware; research on building construction or city planning; testing or research on prevention
`of pollution; testing or research on electricity; testing or research on civil engineering; testing or research on machines, apparatus and
`instruments; rental of computers; providing online non-downloadable software for {indicate the function of the software, e.g., monitoring
`energy consumption, calculating energy costs, etc.}
`
`Applicant may amend the identification to clarify or limit the goods and/or services, but not to broaden or expand the goods and/or services
`beyond those in the original application or as acceptably amended.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.71(a); TMEP §1402.06.  Generally, any deleted goods
`
`and/or services may not later be reinserted.  See TMEP §1402.07(e).  
`
`Additionally, for applications filed under Trademark Act Section 66(a), the scope of the identification for purposes of permissible amendments is
`limited by the international class assigned by the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization (International Bureau);
`and the classification of goods and/or services may not be changed from that assigned by the International Bureau.  37 C.F.R. §2.85(d); TMEP
`
`§§1401.03(d), 1904.02(b).  
`
`Further, in a multiple-class Section 66(a) application, classes may not be added or goods and/or services transferred from one existing class to
`another.  37 C.F.R. §2.85(d); TMEP §1401.03(d).
`
`For 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.  See TMEP §1402.04.
`
`RESPONSE
`
`To expedite prosecution of the application, applicant is encouraged to file its response to this Office action online via the Trademark Electronic
`Application System (TEAS), which is available at http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/index.jsp.  If applicant has technical questions about the
`TEAS
`response
`to Office
`action
`form,
`applicant
`can
`review the
`electronic
`filing
`tips
`available
`online
`at
`http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/e_filing_tips.jsp and e-mail technical questions to TEAS@uspto.gov.
`
`If applicant has questions regarding this Office action, please telephone or e-mail the assigned trademark examining attorney.  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.  See 37 C.F.R. §§2.62(c), 2.191; TMEP §§304.01-.02, 709.04-
`.05.  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.  See TMEP §§705.02,
`709.06.
`
`WHO IS PERMITTED TO RESPOND TO THIS PROVISIONAL FULL REFUSAL:  Any response to this provisional refusal must be
`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).  37 C.F.R. §§2.62(b), 2.193(e)(2)(ii); TMEP §712.01.  If applicant hires a qualified U.S. attorney to respond on his or
`her behalf, then the attorney must sign the response.  37 C.F.R. §§2.193(e)(2)(i), 11.18(a); TMEP §§611.03(b), 712.01.  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 U.S.
`commonwealths or U.S. territories.  See 37 C.F.R. §§2.17(a), 2.62(b), 11.1, 11.14(a); TMEP §§602, 712.01.  Additionally, for all responses, the
`proper signatory must personally sign the document or personally enter his or her electronic signature on the electronic filing.  See 37 C.F.R.
`
` 
` 
` 
`  
` 
` 
`   
`

`

`§2.193(a); TMEP §§611.01(b), 611.02.  The name of the signatory must also be printed or typed immediately below or adjacent to the signature,
`or identified elsewhere in the filing.  37 C.F.R. §2.193(d); TMEP §611.01(b).
`
`In 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).  See 37 C.F.R. §11.14(c), (e); TMEP §§602.03-
`
`.03(b), 608.01.  
`DESIGNATION OF DOMESTIC REPRESENTATIVE:  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.  TMEP §610; see 15 U.S.C. §§1051(e), 1141h(d); 37
`
`C.F.R. §2.24(a)(1)-(2).   Such designations may be filed online at http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/correspondence.jsp.     
`
`/Bridget A. Sarpu/
`Bridget A. Sarpu
`Trademark Examining Attorney
`Law Office 125
`(571)272-3223
`bridget.sarpu@uspto.gov
`
`TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER:
`  Please wait 48-72 hours from the
`  Go to http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp.
`issue/mailing date before using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS), to allow for necessary system updates of the application. 
`For technical assistance with online forms, e-mail TEAS@uspto.gov.  For questions about the Office action itself, please contact the assigned
`trademark examining attorney.  E-mail communications will not be accepted as responses to Office actions; therefore, do not respond to
`this Office action by e-mail.
`
`All informal e-mail communications relevant to this application will be placed in the official application record.
`
`WHO MUST SIGN THE RESPONSE:  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).  If an applicant is represented by an attorney, the attorney must sign the
`
`response.  
`PERIODICALLY CHECK THE STATUS OF THE APPLICATION:   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/.   Please keep a copy of the TSDR status screen.   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.   For more information on checking
`status, see http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/process/status/.
`
`TO UPDATE CORRESPONDENCE/E-MAIL ADDRESS:  Use the TEAS form at http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/correspondence.jsp.
`
` 
` 
` 
` 
` 
` 
`  
`