To:
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`Subject:
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`Sent:
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`Sent As:
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`Attachments:
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`Panasonic Corporation (docketingtm@hdp.com)
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`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 85231366 - VIERA NEOPLASMA - 9432-200484
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`3/21/2011 9:14:32 PM
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`ECOM114@USPTO.GOV
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`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) APPLICATION SERIAL NO.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) MARK: VIERA NEOPLASMA(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)
`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)(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 48098-2683(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)
`9432-200484(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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`(cid:160) Panasonic Corporation
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`docketingtm@hdp.com
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`OFFICE ACTION
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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.
`
`(cid:160)I
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`SSUE/MAILING DATE: 3/21/2011
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`The referenced application has been reviewed by the assigned trademark examining attorney.(cid:160)(cid:160)
`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).
`
`(cid:160)A
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`pplicant 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)I
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`dentification of Goods
`The wording “digital video disc players or digital video disc recorders, all equipped with a flat display” in the identification of goods is
`unacceptable as indefinite and requires clarification.(cid:160) An application must specify, in an explicit manner, the particular goods or services on or in
`connection with which the applicant uses, or has a bona fide intention to use, the mark in commerce.(cid:160) See 15 U.S.C. §1051(a)(2), (b)(2); 37
`C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.01.(cid:160) Generally, the terminology “and/or” and “or” is not sufficiently explicit language in identifications
`because it is not clear whether applicant is using the mark, or intends to use the mark, on all the identified goods or services.(cid:160) See TMEP
`§1402.03(a).(cid:160) For example, “modems and/or monitors” could be read to mean “modems or monitors” and thus it is unclear which goods
`applicant intends to identify.(cid:160) Applicant could amend the identification to “modems” alone, or “monitors” alone, or “modems and monitors” if
`applicable.(cid:160) Therefore, applicant should replace “or” with “and” in the identification of goods or services, if appropriate, or rewrite the
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`identification with the “or” deleted and the goods or services specified using definite and unambiguous language. (cid:160)(cid:160)
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`The applicant may adopt the following identification, if accurate:(cid:160) Plasma televisions; LCD televisions; Video apparatus, namely slim television
`sets, digital video disc players, and digital video disc recorders, all equipped with a flat display.
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`85231366
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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)
`
`5445 CORPORATE DR STE 200
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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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`*85231366*
`
`CLICK HERE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER:
`http://www.uspto.gov/teas/eTEASpageD.htm
`
`(cid:160)
`(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
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`permitted.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.71(a); see TMEP §§1402.06 et seq., 1402.07 et seq.(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`For 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)M
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`ark Description
`The description of the mark uses broad language that does not clearly describe the applied-for mark.(cid:160) Applications for marks not in standard
`characters must include an accurate and concise description that identifies all literal elements as well as any design elements in the mark.(cid:160) See 37
`C.F.R. §2.37; TMEP §808.02.(cid:160) Therefore, applicant must provide a more detailed description of the applied-for mark.(cid:160) The following is
`suggested:
`
`The mark consists of the stylized wording VIERA NEOPLASMA and a partial rectangular frame of a television.
`
`(cid:160)I
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`nformation For Those Affected By Japanese Earthquake(cid:160)
`Please note that the Office has outlined special accommodations available to trademark owners and applicants affected by the March 2011
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`earthquake in Japan. Information about the accommodations can be found at http://www.uspto.gov/news/pr/2011/11-21.jsp.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`If applicant has questions about the application or this Office action, please telephone the assigned trademark examining attorney at the telephone
`number below.
`
`/Mary Boagni/
`Examining Attorney
`Law Office 114
`571-272-9130
`Law Office 114 fax: 571-273-9114
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER: (cid:160) Go to http://www.uspto.gov/teas/eTEASpageD.htm.(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 examining attorney.(cid:160)(cid:160) Do not respond to this Office
`action by e-mail;(cid:160)the USPTO does not accept e-mailed responses .
`
`(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
`
`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
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`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)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`

`

`To:
`
`Subject:
`
`Sent:
`
`Sent As:
`
`Attachments:
`
`Panasonic Corporation (docketingtm@hdp.com)
`
`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 85231366 - VIERA NEOPLASMA - 9432-200484
`
`3/21/2011 9:14:36 PM
`
`ECOM114@USPTO.GOV
`
`IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING YOUR
`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION
`
`USPTO OFFICE ACTION HAS ISSUED ON 3/21/2011 FOR
`SERIAL NO. 85231366
`
`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 3/21/2011 (or sooner if specified in the office action).
`
`(cid:160)D
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`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
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`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
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`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)
`