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. 86105232 - FLEXZ FAST - 55210/764
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`2/24/2014 10:40:35 AM
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`ECOM101@USPTO.GOV
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`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)
`OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) ABOUT APPLICANT’S TRADEMARK APPLICATION
`
`(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) HOLLY PEKOWSKY, ESQ.
`(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
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`*86105232*
`
`CLICK HERE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER:
`http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp
`
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 86105232
`(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: FLEXZ FAST
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) APPLICANT: Panasonic Corporation of North America
`(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)
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`(cid:160) (cid:160) 55210/764
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`(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) ptodocket@arelaw.com
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`NON-FINAL 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.
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`(cid:160)I
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`SSUE/MAILING DATE: 2/24/2014
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`The 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.
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`(cid:160)S
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`ummary of Issues that Applicant Must Address:
`Identification of Goods Requirement
`Significance Requirement
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`(cid:160)1
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`.(cid:160) Advisory – 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)2
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`.(cid:160) Requirement – Identification of Goods:
`The identification of goods or services should set forth common names, using terminology that is generally understood.(cid:160) The identification of
`goods or services must be specific, definite, clear, accurate and concise. See In re Societe Generale des Eaux Minerales de Vittel S.A., 1 USPQ2d
`1296 (TTAB 1986), rev'd on other grounds, 824 F.2d 957, 3 USPQ2d 1450 (Fed. Cir. 1987); Procter & Gamble Co. v. Economics Laboratory,
`Inc., 175 USPQ 505 (TTAB 1972), modified without opinion, 498 F.2d 1406, 181 USPQ 722 (C.C.P.A. 1974); In re Cardinal Laboratories, Inc.,
`149 USPQ 709 (TTAB 1966); California Spray-Chemical Corp. v. Osmose Wood Preserving Co. of America, Inc., 102 USPQ 321 (Comm'r Pats.
`1954); Ex parte A.C. Gilbert Co., 99 USPQ 344 (Comm'r Pats. 1953).
`
`The wording “ventilating fans with a mounting bracket” in the identification of goods must be clarified because it is indefinite. (cid:160) See TMEP
`§§1402.01, 1402.03.(cid:160) Specifically, applicant must indicate the purpose of the ventilating fans.
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`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
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`Applicant may adopt the following identification, if accurate:(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`International Class 011:
`Ventilating fans with a mounting bracket for {please indicate purpose, e.g., household use, gymnasiums, etc.}.
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`(cid:160)I
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`dentifications of goods can be amended 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. (cid:160) Therefore, applicant may not amend the identification to include goods that are not
`within the scope of the goods set forth in the present identification.
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`(cid:160)F
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`or 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)3
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`.(cid:160) Requirement – Significance:
`Applicant must explain whether “FLEXZ” or “FLEX” has any meaning or significance in the industry in which the goods and/or services are
`manufactured/provided, or if such wording is a “term of art” within applicant’s industry.
`(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §2.61(b); TMEP §814.
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`(cid:160)F
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`urther, applicant must provide additional information about this wording to enable proper examination of the application.(cid:160) Specifically,
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`applicant must respond to the following questions:(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`a.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`(cid:160) Will the word FLEX in any way describe anything about the applicant’s goods?
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`(cid:160)F
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`ailure to respond to a request for information is an additional ground for refusing registration.(cid:160) 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.
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`(cid:160)4
`
`.(cid:160) Advisory – Response Guidelines:
`For this application to proceed toward registration, applicant must explicitly address each refusal and/or requirement raised in this Office action.(cid:160)
`If the action includes a refusal, applicant may provide arguments and/or evidence as to why the refusal should be withdrawn and the mark should
`register.(cid:160) Applicant may also have other options for responding to a refusal and should consider such options carefully.(cid:160) To respond to
`requirements and certain refusal response options, applicant should set forth in writing the required changes or statements.
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`(cid:160)R
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`esponses to Office actions must be properly signed. (cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §§2.62(b), 2.193(e)(2); TMEP §§712, 712.01.(cid:160) Where an applicant is
`represented by an attorney who may practice before the USPTO, the attorney must sign the response.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.193(e)(2)(i); TMEP
`§§611.03(b), 712.01.(cid:160) The only attorneys who may sign responses and otherwise practice before the USPTO in trademark matters are (1)
`attorneys in good standing with a bar of the highest court of any U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and other federal territories
`and possessions of the United States; and (2) Canadian agents/attorneys who represent applicants located in Canada and (a) are registered with
`the USPTO and in good standing as patent agents or (b) have been granted reciprocal recognition by the USPTO.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §§2.17(e),
`2.62(b), 11.1, 11.5(b)(2), 11.14(a), (c); TMEP §§602, 712.01.(cid:160) Attorneys who fail to meet these requirements, as well as non-attorneys, are
`generally not permitted to represent applicants in trademark matters before the USPTO; and thus, they may not sign responses.(cid:160) See 5 U.S.C.
`
`§500(b), (d); 37 C.F.R. §11.14(a)-(c), (e); TMEP §§602, 602.02, 608.01.(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Where an applicant is initially represented by an attorney, and then later retains a different attorney from a different firm, the newly retained
`attorney may not sign responses until the applicant files a new power and/or revocation of attorney.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §2.18(a)(7); TMEP §604.03.
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`(cid:160)W
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`here an applicant is not represented by an attorney, the response must be signed by the individual applicant or someone with legal authority to
`bind a juristic applicant (e.g., a corporate officer or general partner).(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §2.193(e)(2)(ii); TMEP §§611.03(b), 611.06(b)-(h), 712.01.(cid:160)
`In the case of joint applicants, all must sign.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.193(e)(2)(ii); TMEP §611.06(a).
`
`(cid:160)5
`
`.(cid:160) Advisory – Assistance:
`If applicant has questions regarding this Office action, please telephone or e-mail the assigned trademark examining attorney.(cid:160) 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.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §2.191; TMEP §§304.01-.02, 709.04-.05.(cid:160) 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. (cid:160) See TMEP §§705.02, 709.06.
`
`/Colleen Dombrow/
`Trademark Attorney
`Law Office 101
`Direct Dial: 571-272-8262
`Facsimile: 571-273-9101
`colleen.dombrow@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
`
`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/.
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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)
`

`

`To:
`
`Subject:
`
`Sent:
`
`Sent As:
`
`Attachments:
`
`Panasonic Corporation of North America (ptodocket@arelaw.com)
`
`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 86105232 - FLEXZ FAST - 55210/764
`
`2/24/2014 10:40:36 AM
`
`ECOM101@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 2/24/2014 FOR U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 86105232
`
`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 2/24/2014 (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.
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
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