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 of North America (ptodocket@arelaw.com)
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`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 85347292 - STINGRAY ENVO - 55210/691
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`1/23/2013 3:29:32 PM
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`ECOM115@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) U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 85347292
`(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: (cid:160) STINGRAY ENVO
`(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) Panasonic Corporation of North America
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) CORRESPONDENT’S DOCKET NO :(cid:160) 55210/691
`(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)
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`*85347292*
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`CLICK HERE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER:
`http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp
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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) MORTON AMSTER
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160) AMSTER ROTHSTEIN & EBENSTEIN LLP
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`90 PARK AVE
`(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) NEW YORK, NY 10016-1301
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`(cid:160) (cid:160) ptodocket@arelaw.com
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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.
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`OFFICE ACTION
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`(cid:160)I
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`SSUE/MAILING DATE: 1/23/2013
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`(cid:160)T
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`HIS IS A FINAL ACTION.
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`This Office action is in response to applicant’s communication filed on January 8, 2013.
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`(cid:160)A
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`pplicant Must Submit A New Specimen
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`(cid:160)T
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`he specimen is not acceptable because it consists of informational material for goods.(cid:160) Trademark Act Section 45 requires use of the mark “on
`the goods or their containers or the displays associated therewith or on the tags or labels affixed thereto.” (cid:160) 15 U.S.C. §1127; see 37 C.F.R.
`§2.56(b)(1); TMEP §§904.03, 904.04(b), (c).
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`(cid:160)M
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`aterial that functions merely to tell prospective purchasers about the goods is not acceptable to show trademark use.(cid:160) TMEP §904.04(b).(cid:160)
`Leaflets, handbills, brochures, advertising circulars and other printed advertising material, while normally acceptable for showing use in
`connection with services, generally are not acceptable specimens for showing trademark use in connection with goods. (cid:160) See In re MediaShare
`Corp., 43 USPQ2d 1304, 1307 (TTAB 1997); In re Schiapparelli Searle, 26 USPQ2d 1520, 1522 (TTAB 1993); TMEP §§904.04(b), (c),
`1301.04.
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`(cid:160)A
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` statement of use must include a specimen showing the applied-for mark in use in commerce for each class of goods specified in the statement
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`of use.(cid:160) Trademark Act Sections 1 and 45, 15 U.S.C. §§1051, 1127; 37 C.F.R. §§2.56(a), 2.88(b)(2); TMEP §§904, 1109.09(b).(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`Applicant argues that the warranty information “should be equivalent to a user manual, which is an acceptable specimen of use.” (cid:160) This is not
`persuasive.(cid:160) User manuals are acceptable specimens for goods when they function as a part of the goods, such as instructions for assembling (cid:160) a
`product.(cid:160) TMEP §904.03(j).(cid:160) Applicant’s warranty information is not “equivalent” because it does not function as part of the goods.
`(cid:160) A
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`(cid:160)
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`consumer does not need it to be able to use the goods.
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`(cid:160)T
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`(cid:160)E
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`herefore, applicant must submit the following:
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`(1)(cid:160) A substitute specimen showing the mark in use in commerce for each class of goods specified in the statement of use; and
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`(2)(cid:160) The following statement, verified with an affidavit or signed declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20:(cid:160) “ The substitute specimen was
`in use in commerce prior to the expiration of the deadline for filing the statement of use.” (cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.59(b)(2); TMEP §904.05;
`see 37 C.F.R. §2.193(e)(1).(cid:160) If submitting a substitute specimen requires an amendment to the dates of use, applicant must also verify the
`amended dates.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.71(c); TMEP §904.05.
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`xamples of specimens for goods are tags, labels, instruction manuals, containers, photographs that show the mark on the actual goods or
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`packaging, or displays associated with the actual goods at their point of sale.(cid:160) See TMEP §§904.03 et seq.(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`The refusal of registration based on the failure to provide a specimen that shows the applied-for mark in use in commerce as a trademark and/or
`service mark is now made final.(cid:160) Trademark Act Sections 1 and 45, 15 U.S.C. §§1051, 1127; 37 C.F.R. §§2.34(a)(1)(iv), 2.56(a), 2.64(a); TMEP
`§§904, 904.07(a).
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`(cid:160)A
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`(cid:160)A
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`pplicant may not withdraw the statement of use.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.88(g); TMEP §1109.17.
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`pplicant may respond to the stated specimen refusal by submitting a verified substitute specimen by following the suggested directions below
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`for responding either online or by mail.(cid:160)(cid:160)
`If applicant responds to this Office action online via the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS), applicant should provide a
`substitute specimen as follows:(cid:160) (1) answer “yes” to the TEAS response form wizard question to “submit a new or substitute specimen;” (2)
`attach a jpg or pdf file of the substitute specimen; (3) select the statement that “The substitute specimen(s) was in use in commerce prior to the
`expiration of the deadline for filing the statement of use.”; and (4) sign personally or enter personally his/her electronic signature, name in
`printed or typed form, and date after the declaration at the end of the TEAS response form.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §§2.59(b)(2), 2.193(a), (c)-(d), (e)(1);
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`TMEP §§611.01(c), 804.01(b).(cid:160) Please note that these steps appear on different pages of the TEAS response form.(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`If applicant experiences difficulty in submitting the required substitute specimen, supporting statement and/or declaration, please e-mail
`TEAS@uspto.gov for technical assistance regarding the TEAS response form.
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`(cid:160)I
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`f applicant responds to this Office action on paper, via regular mail, applicant may provide a verified substitute specimen by (1) personally
`signing, dating, and printing or typing the name of the signatory in the declaration below; and (2) submitting a substitute specimen showing the
`applied-for mark in use in commerce.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §§2.20, 2.59(b)(2), 2.193(a)(1), (d), (e)(1); TMEP §§611.01(b), 804.01(b), 904.05.
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`The undersigned being warned that willful false statements and the like are punishable by fine or imprisonment, or both, under 18 U.S.C.
`§1001, and that such willful false statements and the like may jeopardize the validity of the application or document or any registration
`resulting therefrom, declares that the substitute specimen was in use in commerce prior to the expiration of the deadline for filing the
`statement of use; all statements made of his/her own knowledge are true; and all statements made on information and belief are believed
`to be true.
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`_____________________________
`(Signature)
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`_____________________________
`(Print or Type Name and Position)
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`_____________________________
`(Date)
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`(cid:160)R
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`esponse Guidelines
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`(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:
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`(1)(cid:160) A response that fully satisfies all outstanding requirements;
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`(2)(cid:160) An appeal to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, with the appeal fee of $100 per class.
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`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
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`37 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
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`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).
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`(cid:160)A
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`pplicant is invited to contact the assigned examining attorney with any specific questions regarding the substance of this action.
`
`/Katherine S. Chang/
`Trademark Examining Attorney
`Law Office 115
`571-270-1528
`katherine.chang@uspto.gov
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`TO 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.
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`(cid:160)A
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`ll informal e-mail communications relevant to this application will be placed in the official application record.
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`(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
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`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 800-786-9199. (cid:160) For more information on checking
`status, see http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/process/status/.
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`(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.
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`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`

`

`To:
`
`Subject:
`
`Sent:
`
`Sent As:
`
`Attachments:
`
`Panasonic Corporation of North America (ptodocket@arelaw.com)
`
`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 85347292 - STINGRAY ENVO - 55210/691
`
`1/23/2013 3:29:32 PM
`
`ECOM115@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 1/23/2013 FOR U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 85347292
`
`Please follow the instructions below:
`
`(cid:160)(
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`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.”
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`(cid:160)T
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`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)(
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`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 1/23/2013 (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
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`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)(
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`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
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`(cid:160)F
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`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.
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)
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