To:
`
`Subject:
`
`Sent:
`
`Sent As:
`
`Attachments:
`
`Panasonic Corporation (docketingtm@hdp.com)
`
`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 85123790 - ERGO FIT - 9432-200475
`
`11/15/10 3:22:17 PM
`
`ECOM108@USPTO.GOV
`
`Attachment - 1
`Attachment - 2
`Attachment - 3
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)
`OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) ABOUT APPLICANT’S TRADEMARK APPLICATION
`
`(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: ERGO FIT(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)
`GREGORY A. STOBBS/GEOFFREY D. AURINI(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)
`HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.(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)(cid:160) APPLICANT:(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`TROY, MI 48098(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)(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)
`9432-200475(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)
`
`(cid:160) Panasonic Corporation
`
`docketingtm@hdp.com
`
`OFFICE ACTION
`
`STRICT DEADLINE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER(cid:160)
`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.
`
`(cid:160)I
`
`SSUE/MAILING DATE: 11/15/2010
`
`(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, 2.65(a); TMEP §§711, 718.03.
`
`SEARCH RESULTS
`
`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).
`
`INFORMALITY
`
`DISCLAIMER
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he Office can require an applicant to disclaim an unregistrable part of a mark consisting of particular wording, symbols, numbers, design
`elements or combinations thereof.(cid:160) 15 U.S.C. §1056(a).(cid:160) Under Trademark Act Section 2(e), the Office can refuse registration of an entire mark
`if the entire mark is merely descriptive, deceptively misdescriptive, or primarily geographically descriptive of the goods.(cid:160) 15 U.S.C. §1052(e).(cid:160)
`Thus, the Office may require an applicant to disclaim a portion of a mark that, when used in connection with the goods or services, is merely
`descriptive, deceptively misdescriptive, primarily geographically descriptive, or otherwise unregistrable (e.g., generic).(cid:160) See TMEP §§1213,
`
`1213.03.(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Failure to comply with a disclaimer requirement can result in a refusal to register the entire mark.(cid:160) TMEP §1213.01(b).
`
`85123790
`
`(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)
`
`545 CORPORATE DR STE 200
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`*85123790*
`
`CLICK HERE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER:
`http://www.uspto.gov/teas/eTEASpageD.htm
`
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`

`

`(cid:160)A
`
` “disclaimer” is a statement that applicant does not claim exclusive rights to an unregistrable component of a mark. (cid:160) TMEP §1213.(cid:160) A
`
`disclaimer does not affect the appearance of the applied-for mark.(cid:160) See TMEP §1213.10.(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Applicant must disclaim the descriptive wording “FIT” apart from the mark as shown because it merely describes a feature of the goods. (cid:160) See 15
`U.S.C. §1056(a); TMEP §§1213, 1213.03(a).
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`(cid:160) See attached
`he wording “FIT” is defined as “the way in which something conforms to standards of proper length, tightness, and shape”.
`evidence.(cid:160) The wording “FIT” is merely descriptive because applicant’s goods presumably are of proper tightness and shape for users of the
`goods.
`
`(cid:160)S
`
`uggested Form
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he computerized printing format for the Office’s Trademark Official Gazette requires a standardized format for a disclaimer.(cid:160) TMEP
`§1213.08(a)(i).(cid:160) The following is the standard format used by the Office:
`
`No claim is made to the exclusive right to use “FIT” apart from the mark as shown.
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`MEP §1213.08(a)(i); see In re Owatonna Tool Co., 231 USPQ 493 (Comm’r Pats. 1983).
`
`EXAMINER’S AMENDMENT TO RESOLVE ISSUE(S) SUGGESTED
`
`(cid:160)A
`
`pplicant is encouraged to telephone the assigned trademark examining attorney to resolve the issue(s) raised in this Office action.
`
`(cid:160)U
`
`nder TMEP §707.01, only the applicant or a practitioner authorized to practice before the Office pursuant to 37 C.F.R. §10.14 can authorize an
`examiner’s amendment. If the applicant has an attorney, the examining attorney must speak directly with the attorney of record. If the applicant
`is pro se, the examining attorney must speak directly with the individual applicant or to someone who has legal authority to bind a juristic
`applicant (e.g., a corporate officer or general partner of a partnership). 37 C.F.R. §10.14(e). For joint applicants who are not represented by an
`attorney, each joint applicant must authorize the examiner’s amendment. Paralegals and legal assistants cannot authorize examiner’s
`amendments, even if only conveying the appointed attorney’s approval by indicating that the appointed attorney has approved the amendment.
`
`(cid:160)A
`
` non-attorney who is authorized to verify facts on behalf of an applicant under 37 C.F.R. §2.33(a)(2) is not entitled to authorize an examiner’s
`amendment, unless he or she has legal authority to bind the applicant. See TMEP §§712.01 et seq. for guidelines on persons who have legal
`authority to bind various types of applicants. The broad definition of “persons properly authorized to sign on behalf of an applicant” in 37 C.F.R.
`§2.33(a) (see TMEP §804.04) does not apply to examiner’s amendments.
`
`(cid:160)I
`
`f applicant has questions about its application or needs assistance in responding to this Office action, please telephone the assigned trademark
`examining attorney.
`
`TEAS PLUS RESPONSE GUIDELINES
`
`TEAS PLUS APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT DOCUMENTS ELECTRONICALLY OR SUBMIT FEE:(cid:160) Applicants who filed their
`application online using the reduced-fee TEAS Plus application must continue to submit certain documents online using TEAS, including
`responses to Office actions.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §2.23(a)(1).(cid:160) For a complete list of these documents, see TMEP §819.02(b).(cid:160) In addition, such
`applicants must accept correspondence from the Office via e-mail throughout the examination process and must maintain a valid e-mail address.(cid:160)
`37 C.F.R. §2.23(a)(2); TMEP §§819, 819.02(a).(cid:160) TEAS Plus applicants who do not meet these requirements must submit an additional fee of
`$50 per international class of goods and/or services.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.6(a)(1)(iv); TMEP §819.04.(cid:160) In appropriate situations and where all issues can
`be resolved by amendment, responding by telephone to authorize an examiner’s amendment will not incur this additional fee.
`
`/Jay C. Besch/
`Trademark Examining Attorney
`Law Office 108
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`(571)272-8606
`jay.besch@uspto.gov
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`

`

`TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER: (cid:160) Use the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) response form at
`http://teasroa.uspto.gov/roa/.(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)W
`
`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
`
`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/.
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`O UPDATE CORRESPONDENCE/E-MAIL ADDRESS:(cid:160) Use the TEAS form at http://www.uspto.gov/teas/eTEASpageE.htm.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`

`

`httpzttencarta.man.comi'I:|ictionar5[_18E1?'3321r1tfit.htm|
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`Find
`in
`Lawrence Of Arabia
`ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
`
`
`
`'
`
`| Dictionary
`
`Thesaurus
`
`Translations
`
`
`
`fit (1)
`
`+
`fissiped
`fissure
`Fist
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`fist jam
`_
`
`fistfight
`fit [fit ]
`
`Fisticuffs
`
`verb (past anti‘ past partitiote fit-ted or fitJ
`present partiticrie fit-ting,
`3'i'.:i‘ person
`present singiuiar fits)
`
`Definition:
`
`transi'ti'Lie ana‘ intransi'ti'Lie verb be the
`1 .
`right size or shape: to be of a
`suitable size or shape for something or
`somebody
`0 See ii" tnisjaeket tits,
`_
`_
`_
`_
`_
`transitive ana‘ intransitive verb be
`
`2.
`
`appropriate: to be appropriate or
`suitable for something
`0 make the punishment tit tne enme
`
`
`
`fi5t'-"5'
`FIT
`p fit (1)
`fit (2)
`
`fit (3)
`
`fit In
`fit °”t
`fit UI3
`fit-up
`FITC
`Fitch
`
`‘r
`
`_
`Also available:
`
`

`

`httpzflencarta.msn.comi'I:|ictionary_18E1?'332'lr1i'fil.hlml
`
`1’li"l2i’2D1D D8:r1t1:1E| AM
`
`World English Dictionary
`Dictionnaire Francais
`
`i‘rar?si'u've arm‘ Jr? i‘rar?si'u've verb be
`3.
`compatible: to agree or be in
`accordance with something
`0 no one flrtirvg that .5".-:-v_v:.':rJ,r:r2‘.".':Ir:~
`
`i‘rar?sr'i‘r'Lre verb try clothing on
`4.
`somebody: to try clothing on
`somebody to determine if changes are
`necessary
`
`e‘rara-sfmre verb equip somebody or
`5.
`something: to provide somebody or
`something with equipment of a particular
`kind
`0
`fitted mm extra security features
`
`a‘rar?_I.'."2‘J've verb make somebody or
`6.
`something ready: to make somebody
`or something ready or suitable for a
`task, function, or purpose
`0 an e.:i'ucau'or3- mar writ’ fit‘ her for a career
`in business
`
`i‘rar:-sfuiee verb install Something: to
`7.
`install something, or put something in
`place
`
`a dje Ctl we
`fit -te st)
`
`(compara ui/e fit-te r, superfa Fri/e
`
`Definition:
`
`1. appropriate: suitable, acceptable, or
`appropriate for a purpose
`0 dishes fit‘ for everyday use
`
`2. WOFEHVI WOVEN)’ Oi’ deserving Or
`something
`0 not fit‘ to serve as an officer
`
`3. well in health: in good health
`
`4. strong and healthy: physically
`strong and healthy, especially because of
`taking regular exercise
`
`

`

`httpzflencarta.msn.coml'dictionary_18E1?'332'lr1ffil.hlm|
`
`1’ll"l2l’2D1D D8:r1r1:1D All-'1
`
`Ll':lK|l lg I Gguldl GXCI Llltit‘.
`
`5. appearing likely to do
`something: appearing likely to do
`something because of being in an
`extreme condition ( infbnnaf)
`0
`iookeo‘ fit‘ to drop
`
`HOLJFI
`
`Definition:
`
` _ ::.l I-:l [_.n.::
`
`0
`hese shoes are a better 3572‘ than the
`:3 mar pair,
`
`2. relationship for best function: a
`relationship between corresponding
`parts or related things that enables
`proper functioning
`0 check the repiacemem‘ chassis for fit‘
`
`[l4th century. Origin ?]
`
`fit to be tied very angry and
`exasperated (rnlltvnnalfi
`
`fit to kill to an extreme degree that
`captures attention
`
`3!. (P)2DD9
`Encarta® World English Dictionary [North American Edition]
`Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by
`Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.
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`|
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`

`

`To:
`
`Subject:
`
`Sent:
`
`Sent As:
`
`Attachments:
`
`Panasonic Corporation (docketingtm@hdp.com)
`
`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 85123790 - ERGO FIT - 9432-200475
`
`11/15/10 3:22:26 PM
`
`ECOM108@USPTO.GOV
`
`IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING YOUR
`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION
`
`USPTO OFFICE ACTION HAS ISSUED ON 11/15/2010 FOR
`SERIAL NO. 85123790
`
`lease follow the instructions below to continue the prosecution of your application:
`
`(cid:160)P
`
`TO READ OFFICE ACTION: Click on this link or go to http://portal.uspto.gov/external/portal/tow and enter the application serial
`number to access the Office action.
`
`(cid:160)P
`
`LEASE NOTE: The Office action may not be immediately available but will be viewable within 24 hours of this e-mail notification.
`
`(cid:160)R
`
`ESPONSE(cid:160)IS REQUIRED: You should carefully review the Office action to determine (1) how to respond; and (2) the applicable response
`time period. Your response deadline will be calculated from 11/15/2010 (or sooner if specified in the office action).
`
`(cid:160)D
`
`o NOT hit “Reply” to this e-mail notification, or otherwise attempt to e-mail your response, as the USPTO does NOT accept e-mailed
`responses.(cid:160) Instead, the USPTO recommends that you respond online using the Trademark Electronic Application System Response
`Form.
`
`(cid:160)H
`
`ELP: For technical assistance in accessing the Office action, please e-mail
`
`TDR@uspto.gov.(cid:160) Please contact the assigned examining attorney with questions about the Office action.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) WARNING
`
`(cid:160)F
`
`ailure to file the required response by the applicable deadline will result in the ABANDONMENT of your
`application.
`
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`