To:
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`Subject:
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`Sent:
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`Sent As:
`
`Attachments:
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`Panasonic Corporation (trademark@hsml.com)
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`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 86715312 - POST FOCUS - 20651.0006US
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`12/21/2016 5:56:55 PM
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`ECOM105@USPTO.GOV
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)
`OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) ABOUT APPLICANT’S TRADEMARK APPLICATION
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`*86715312*
`
`CLICK HERE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER:
`http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp
`
`VIEW YOUR APPLICATION FILE
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`U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. (cid:160) 86715312
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`(cid:160)M
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`ARK: POST FOCUS
`
`CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS:
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160) SARAH G. VOELLER
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160) HAMRE, SCHUMANN, MUELLER & LARSON, P.C.
`(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) 45 South Seventh Street, Suite 2700
`(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160) MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`APPLICANT: Panasonic Corporation
`
`(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) 20651.0006US
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`trademark@hsml.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: 12/21/2016
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`The statement of use has been reviewed by the assigned trademark examining attorney.(cid:160) Applicant must respond timely and completely to the
`issues 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)S
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`(cid:160)S
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`UMMARY OF ISSUES:
`Specimen Unacceptable
`Identification of Goods Amendment Required
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`PECIMEN UNACCEPTABLE
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`Registration is refused because the specimen does not show the applied-for mark in use in commerce in International Class 009.(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); TMEP §§904, 904.07(a).(cid:160) Specifically, the specimen indicates
`that POST FOCUS is a component part or feature of the digital cameras. The mark POST FOCUS is not used in connection to the goods of
`digital cameras themselves.
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`(cid:160)A
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`n application based on Trademark Act Section 1(a) must include a specimen showing the applied-for mark in use in commerce for each
`international class of goods identified in the application or amendment to allege use.(cid:160) 15 U.S.C. §1051(a)(1); 37 C.F.R. §§2.34(a)(1)(iv), 2.56(a);
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`TMEP §§904, 904.07(a).(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`Examples of specimens for goods include tags, labels, instruction manuals, containers, photographs that show the mark on the actual goods or
`packaging, and displays associated with the actual goods at their point of sale.(cid:160) See TMEP §§904.03 et seq.(cid:160) Webpages may also be specimens
`for goods when they include a picture or textual description of the goods associated with the mark and the means to order the goods.(cid:160) TMEP
`§904.03(i).(cid:160) However, leaflets, handbills, advertising circulars, and other advertising materials generally are not acceptable specimens for goods.(cid:160)
`See TMEP §§904.03 et seq.
`
`(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)A
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`pplicant may respond to this refusal by satisfying one of the following for each applicable international class:
`
`Submit a different specimen (a verified “substitute” specimen) that (a) was in actual use in commerce at least as early as the
`filing date of the application or prior to the filing of an amendment to allege use and (b) shows the mark in actual use in
`commerce for the goods identified in the application or amendment to allege use.(cid:160) A “verified substitute specimen” is a specimen
`that is accompanied by the following statement made in a signed affidavit or supported by a declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20:(cid:160)
`“The substitute (or new, or originally submitted, if appropriate) specimen(s) was/were in use in commerce at least as early as the
`filing date of the application or prior to the filing of the amendment to allege use.” (cid:160) The substitute specimen cannot be accepted
`without this statement.
`
`Amend the filing basis to intent to use under Section 1(b), for which no specimen is required.(cid:160) This option will later necessitate
`additional fee(s) and filing requirements such as providing a specimen.
`
`(1)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`(cid:160)(
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`2)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`(cid:160)F
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`or an overview of both response options referenced above and instructions on how to satisfy either option online using the Trademark Electronic
`Application System (TEAS) form, please go to http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/law/specimen.jsp.
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`(cid:160)A
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`lthough applicant’s mark has been refused registration, applicant may respond to the refusal by submitting evidence and arguments in support
`of registration.
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`(cid:160)I
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`(cid:160)I
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`f applicant responds to the refusal, applicant must also respond to the requirement set forth below.
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`DENTIFICATION OF GOODS AMENDMENT REQUIRED
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`(cid:160)T
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`he identification of goods specifies a finished product; however, the record indicates that the mark identifies a component or ingredient of the
`finished product rather than the finished product itself.(cid:160) See TMEP §1402.05(a).(cid:160) The application must accurately identify the specific goods
`and/or services with which applicant is using or intends to use the mark; thus, applicant must clarify the goods because of this inconsistency in
`
`the record.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §§1402.01, 1402.05(a).(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Accordingly, applicant must amend the identification to (1) identify the component or ingredient by its purpose or function and (2) describe the
`component or ingredient as “sold as a component of digital cameras, digital still cameras, camcorders.” (cid:160) TMEP §1402.05(a).(cid:160) The proper
`international class for such component or ingredient goods is that of the final product; therefore, the classification remains unchanged.(cid:160) See id.
`
`(cid:160)W
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`hen classifying components or ingredients of a finished product, a distinction should be made between whether the components or ingredients
`are sold as:(cid:160) (1) separate components or ingredients for use in the manufacture of the finished product, which are classified in the class of the
`component or ingredient as it has not yet been transformed into the finished product; or (2) part of the finished product, which are classified in
`the class of the finished product.(cid:160) See TMEP §1402.05(a).
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`(cid:160)A
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`pplicant may adopt the following identification, if accurate:(cid:160)(cid:160)
`International Class 009: auto focus technology sold as an integral component part of digital cameras, digital still cameras, and
`camcorders
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`(cid:160)A
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`pplicant may amend the identification to clarify or limit the goods and/or services, but not to broaden or expand the goods and/or services
`beyond those in the original application or as acceptably amended.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §2.71(a); TMEP §1402.06.(cid:160) Generally, any deleted goods
`and/or services may not later be reinserted.(cid:160) See TMEP §1402.07(e).
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`(cid:160)F
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`or assistance with identifying and classifying goods and services in trademark applications, please see the USPTO’s online searchable U.S.
`Acceptable Identification of Goods and Services Manual.(cid:160) See TMEP §1402.04.
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`(cid:160)I
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`NFORMATION ABOUT GOODS/SERVICES REQUIRED
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`(cid:160)T
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`o permit proper examination of the application, applicant must submit additional product information about applicant’s goods.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R.
`§2.61(b); In re AOP LLC, 107 USPQ2d 1644, 1650-51 (TTAB 2013); In re Cheezwhse.com, Inc., 85 USPQ2d 1917, 1919 (TTAB 2008); TMEP
`§814.(cid:160) The requested product
`information should include fact sheets, instruction manuals, and/or advertisements.(cid:160)
`If these materials are
`unavailable, applicant should submit similar documentation for goods of the same type, explaining how its own product will differ.(cid:160) If the goods
`feature new technology and no competing goods are available, applicant must provide a detailed description of the goods.
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`(cid:160)F
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`actual information about the goods must clearly indicate how they operate, their salient features, and their prospective customers and channels
`of trade.(cid:160) Conclusory statements regarding the goods will not satisfy this requirement.
`
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`

`

`In re AOP LLC, 107 USPQ2d at 1651 (citing In re
`Failure to comply with a request for information is grounds for refusing registration.(cid:160)
`Cheezwhse.com, Inc., 85 USPQ2d at 1919; In re DTI P’ship LLP, 67 USPQ2d 1699, 1701-02 (TTAB 2003); TMEP §814).(cid:160) Merely stating that
`information about the goods is available on applicant’s website is an insufficient response and will not make the relevant information of record. (cid:160)
`See In re Planalytics, Inc., 70 USPQ2d 1453, 1457-58 (TTAB 2004).
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`(cid:160)A
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`SSISTANCE
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`(cid:160)I
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`f 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. §§2.62(c), 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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`TEAS PLUS OR TEAS REDUCED FEE (TEAS RF) APPLICANTS – TO MAINTAIN LOWER FEE, ADDITIONAL
`REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET, INCLUDING SUBMITTING DOCUMENTS ONLINE:(cid:160) Applicants who filed their application
`online using the lower-fee TEAS Plus or TEAS RF application form must (1) file certain documents online using TEAS, including responses to
`Office actions (see TMEP §§819.02(b), 820.02(b) for a complete list of these documents); (2) maintain a valid e-mail correspondence address;
`and (3) agree to receive correspondence from the USPTO by e-mail throughout the prosecution of the application.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §§2.22(b),
`2.23(b); TMEP §§819, 820.(cid:160) TEAS Plus or TEAS RF applicants who do not meet these requirements must submit an additional processing fee of
`$50 per international class of goods and/or services.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §§2.6(a)(1)(v), 2.22(c), 2.23(c); TMEP §§819.04, 820.04.(cid:160) However, in certain
`situations, TEAS Plus or TEAS RF applicants may respond to an Office action by authorizing an examiner’s amendment by telephone or e-
`
`mail without incurring this additional fee.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`/Kristin Williams/
`Kristin Williams
`Examining Attorney
`Law Office 105
`(571) 270-1942
`kristin.williams@uspto.gov
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`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.
`
`(cid:160)A
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`ll informal e-mail communications relevant to this application will be placed in the official application record.
`
`(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.
`
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`

`

`To:
`
`Subject:
`
`Sent:
`
`Sent As:
`
`Attachments:
`
`Panasonic Corporation (trademark@hsml.com)
`
`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 86715312 - POST FOCUS - 20651.0006US
`
`12/21/2016 5:56:56 PM
`
`ECOM105@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 12/21/2016 FOR U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 86715312
`
`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 12/21/2016 (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.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
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