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. 86356508 - SITE CENTRAL MANAGER - 9432-200561
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`11/13/2014 4:37:49 PM
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`ECOM110@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)(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)(cid:160)
`CORRESPONDENT’S REFERENCE/DOCKET NO :(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`CORRESPONDENT E-MAIL ADDRESS:(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`(cid:160) 9432-200561
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) docketingtm@hdp.com
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`*86356508*
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`CLICK HERE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER:
`http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp
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`VIEW YOUR APPLICATION FILE
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`U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. (cid:160) 86356508
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`(cid:160)M
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`ARK: SITE CENTRAL MANAGER
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`CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS:
`(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) HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
`(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) 5445 CORPORATE DR STE 200
`(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160) TROY, MI 48098-2683
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`APPLICANT: Panasonic Corporation
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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.
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`(cid:160)I
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`SSUE/MAILING DATE: 11/13/2014
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`(cid:160) (cid:160)
`TEAS PLUS APPLICANTS – TO MAINTAIN REDUCED FEE, ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET, INCLUDING
`SUBMITTING DOCUMENTS ONLINE:(cid:160) Applicants who filed their application online using the lower-fee TEAS Plus application form must
`(1) continue to submit certain documents online using TEAS, including responses to Office actions (see TMEP §819.02(b) for a complete list of
`these documents); (2) accept correspondence from the USPTO via e-mail throughout the examination process; and (3) maintain a valid e-mail
`address.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §2.23(a)(1), (a)(2); TMEP §§819, 819.02(a).(cid:160) TEAS Plus applicants who do not meet these three 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) However, in certain
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`situations, authorizing an examiner’s amendment by telephone will not incur this additional fee. (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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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(a), 2.65(a); TMEP §§711, 718.03.
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`SUMMARY OF ISSUES
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`• (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) MARK IS MERELY DESCRIPTIVE
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`MARK IS MERELY DESCRIPTIVE
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`(cid:160)A
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`mark is merely descriptive if it describes an ingredient, quality, characteristic, function, feature, purpose, or use of an applicant’s goods
`and/or services.(cid:160) TMEP §1209.01(b); see, e.g., DuoProSS Meditech Corp. v. Inviro Med. Devices, Ltd., 695 F.3d 1247, 1251, 103 USPQ2d 1753,
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`(cid:160)
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`1755 (Fed. Cir. 2012) (quoting In re Oppedahl & Larson LLP, 373 F.3d 1171, 1173, 71 USPQ2d 1370, 1371 (Fed. Cir. 2004)); In re
`Steelbuilding.com, 415 F.3d 1293, 1297, 75 USPQ2d 1420, 1421 (Fed. Cir. 2005) (citing Estate of P.D. Beckwith, Inc. v. Comm’r of Patents,
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`252 U.S. 538, 543 (1920)).(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`The determination of whether a mark is merely descriptive is made in relation to an applicant’s goods and/or services, not in the abstract.(cid:160)
`DuoProSS Meditech Corp. v. Inviro Med. Devices, Ltd., 695 F.3d 1247, 1254, 103 USPQ2d 1753, 1757 (Fed. Cir. 2012); In re The Chamber of
`Commerce of the U.S., 675 F.3d 1297, 1300, 102 USPQ2d 1217, 1219 (Fed. Cir. 2012); TMEP §1209.01(b); see, e.g., In re Polo Int’l Inc., 51
`USPQ2d 1061, 1062-63 (TTAB 1999) (finding DOC in DOC-CONTROL would refer to the “documents” managed by applicant’s software
`rather than the term “doctor” shown in a dictionary definition); In re Digital Research Inc., 4 USPQ2d 1242, 1243-44 (TTAB 1987) (finding
`CONCURRENT PC-DOS and CONCURRENT DOS merely descriptive of “computer programs recorded on disk” where the relevant trade
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`used the denomination “concurrent” as a descriptor of a particular type of operating system). (cid:160)(cid:160)
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`“Whether consumers could guess what the product [or service] is from consideration of the mark alone is not the test.” (cid:160) In re Am. Greetings
`Corp., 226 USPQ 365, 366 (TTAB 1985).
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`(cid:160)D
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`etermining the descriptiveness of a mark is done in relation to an applicant’s goods and/or services, the context in which the mark is being
`used, and the possible significance the mark would have to the average purchaser because of the manner of its use or intended use.(cid:160) See In re The
`Chamber of Commerce of the U.S., 675 F.3d 1297, 1300, 102 USPQ2d 1217, 1219 (Fed. Cir. 2012) (citing In re Bayer Aktiengesellschaft, 488 F.3d
`960, 963-64, 82 USPQ2d 1828, 1831 (Fed. Cir. 2007)); TMEP §1209.01(b).(cid:160) Descriptiveness of a mark is not considered in the abstract.(cid:160) In re
`Bayer Aktiengesellschaft, 488 F.3d at 963-64, 82 USPQ2d at 1831.
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`Applicant has listed as their goods, Computer software for processing digital images; Printers; Scanners. The wording SITE CENTRAL
`MANAGER is merely descriptive of a feature, characteristic and function of the goods services, namely, that the applicant’s goods and services
`enable users to presumably have all of their software in a central site, that is controlled by the software. Accordingly, the wording is merely
`descriptive and is refused under Section 2(e)(1) of the Trademark Act.
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`(cid:160)T
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`he applicant may respond with arguments against the refusal.
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`(cid:160)S
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`UPPLEMENTAL REGISTER
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`(cid:160)A
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`mark in an application under Trademark Act Section 1(b) is not eligible for registration on the Supplemental Register until an acceptable
`amendment to allege use under 37 C.F.R. §2.76 has been filed.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §§2.47(d), 2.75(b); TMEP §§815.02, 1102.03.(cid:160) When a Section 1(b)
`application is successfully amended to the Supplemental Register, the effective filing date of the application will be the date on which applicant
`met the minimum filing requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.76(e) for the amendment to allege use.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.75(b); TMEP §§816.02, 1102.03.
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`SEARCH FOR CONFLICTING MARKS
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`(cid:160)T
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`he 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).
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`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.
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`/Dezmona J. Mizelle-Howard/
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`

`Dezmona J. Mizelle-Howard
`Trademark Examining Attorney
`Law Office 110
`571.272.9368
`Dezmona.Mizelle@Uspto.Gov
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`(cid:160)T
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`O 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 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)
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`

`To:
`
`Subject:
`
`Sent:
`
`Sent As:
`
`Attachments:
`
`Panasonic Corporation (docketingtm@hdp.com)
`
`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 86356508 - SITE CENTRAL MANAGER - 9432-200561
`
`11/13/2014 4:37:52 PM
`
`ECOM110@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 11/13/2014 FOR U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 86356508
`
`Please follow the instructions below:
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`(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.
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`(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 11/13/2014 (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.
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`(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.
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`(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.
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`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.
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`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
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`“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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