To:
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`Subject:
`
`Sent:
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`Sent As:
`
`Attachments:
`
`Panasonic Corporation (DCPTOTrademarkMail@hoganlovells.com)
`
`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 87827084 - HOMEX - 1P3518.TBA
`
`5/4/2018 9:13:28 PM
`
`ECOM116@USPTO.GOV
`
`Attachment - 1
`Attachment - 2
`Attachment - 3
`Attachment - 4
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)
`OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) ABOUT APPLICANT’S TRADEMARK APPLICATION
`
`U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO.  
`87827084
`
`           
`
`MARK: HOMEX
`
`CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS:
`  
`       ANNA KURIAN SHAW
`  
`       HOGAN LOVELLS US LLP
`         555 13TH STREET NW
`           WASHINGTON, DC 20004
`    
`   
`
`APPLICANT: Panasonic Corporation
`
`    
`
`*87827084*
`
`CLICK HERE TO RESPOND TO THIS
`LETTER:
`http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp
`
`VIEW YOUR APPLICATION FILE
`
`CORRESPONDENT’S
`
`   
`
`  1P3518.TBA
`CORRESPONDENT E-MAIL
`
`REFERENCE/DOCKET NO:       
`ADDRESS:       
`
`DCPTOTrademarkMail@hoganlovells.com
`
`OFFICE ACTION
`
`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.   A RESPONSE
`TRANSMITTED THROUGH THE TRADEMARK ELECTRONIC APPLICATION SYSTEM (TEAS) MUST BE RECEIVED BEFORE
`MIDNIGHT EASTERN TIME OF THE LAST DAY OF THE RESPONSE PERIOD.
`
`ISSUE/MAILING DATE: 5/4/2018
`
`TEAS PLUS OR TEAS REDUCED FEE (TEAS RF) APPLICANTS – TO MAINTAIN LOWER FEE, ADDITIONAL
`REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET, INCLUDING SUBMITTING DOCUMENTS ONLINE:  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.  See 37 C.F.R. §§2.22(b), 2.23(b);
`TMEP §§819, 820.  TEAS Plus or TEAS RF applicants who do not meet these requirements must submit an additional processing fee of $125
`per class of goods and/or services.  37 C.F.R. §§2.6(a)(1)(v), 2.22(c), 2.23(c); TMEP §§819.04, 820.04.  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.   
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`The referenced application has been reviewed by the assigned trademark examining attorney.  Applicant must respond timely and completely to
`the issues below.  15 U.S.C. §1062(b); 37 C.F.R. §§2.62(a), 2.65(a); TMEP §§711, 718.03.
`
`SUMMARY OF ISSUES:
`Requirement for clarification of the identification of goods and services
`Requirement for a foreign registration
`
`PRIOR PENDING APPLICATIONS
`
`The trademark examining attorney has searched the USPTO’s database of registered and pending marks and has found no similar registered
`marks that would bar registration under Trademark Act Section 2(d).  TMEP §704.02; see 15 U.S.C. §1052(d).  However, marks in prior-filed
`pending applications may present a bar to registration of applicant’s mark.
`
`The filing dates of pending U.S. Application Serial Nos. 87542806 and 87542768 precede applicant’s filing date.  See attached referenced
`applications.  If one or more of the marks in the referenced applications register, applicant’s mark may be refused registration under Trademark
`Act Section 2(d) because of a likelihood of confusion with the registered mark(s).  See 15 U.S.C. §1052(d); 37 C.F.R. §2.83; TMEP §§1208 et
`seq.  Therefore, upon receipt of applicant’s response to this Office action, action on this application may be suspended pending final disposition
`of the earlier-filed referenced applications.
`
`In response to this Office action, applicant may present arguments in support of registration by addressing the issue of the potential conflict
`between applicant’s mark and the marks in the referenced applications.  Applicant’s election not to submit arguments at this time in no way
`limits applicant’s right to address this issue later if a refusal under Section 2(d) issues.
`
`However, applicant must address the following issues.
`
`IDENTIFICATION OF GOODS AND SERVICES
`
`The wording in the identification of goods and services must be clarified because it is indefinite.  See TMEP §§1402.01, 1402.03.  
`
`In Class 9, applicant must list particular types of electrical communication machines and instruments, electronic machines, apparatus and their
`parts, and power distribution or control machines and apparatus.
`
`The identification for computer programs in International Class 9 is indefinite and must be clarified by amending to specify the purpose or
`function of the software.   See 37 C.F.R. §2.32(a)(6); TMEP §1402.03(d).   If the software is content- or field-specific, applicant must also specify
`its content or field of use.  See TMEP §1402.03(d).  The USPTO requires such specificity in identifying computer software in order for a
`trademark examining attorney to examine the application properly and make appropriate decisions concerning possible conflicts between the
`applicant’s mark and other marks.   See In re N.A.D. Inc., 57 USPQ2d 1872, 1874 (TTAB 2000); TMEP §1402.03(d). The following are
`examples of acceptable identifications for software in International Class 9:   “downloadable mobile applications for managing bank accounts,”
`“desktop publishing software,” “tax preparation software.”
`
`Applicant must also clarify the wording “computer software for remotely monitor or control electronic machines and electronic locks” because it
`appears that the wording “monitor or control” should read “monitoring or controlling.”
`
`In Class 11, applicant must clarify the components of its prefabricated bathrooms and list particular types of other lighting apparatus, household
`electrothermic appliances, and apparatus for lighting, heating, steam generating, cooking, refrigerating, drying, ventilating, water supply and
`sanitary purposes.
`
`In Class 42, applicant must clarify the nature of its providing computer programs on data networks and cloud computing services. Applicant must
`specify the purpose or function of any online non-downloadable software offered.   If the software is content- or field-specific, applicant must also
`specify its content or field of use.
`
`The following substitute wording is suggested, if accurate:
`
`“Electrical communication machines and instruments, namely, [ applicant must specify, e.g., telephones]; electronic machines, apparatus and
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`their parts, namely, [applicant must specify, e.g., computers]; computer programs for [applicant must specify the function of the programs, e.g.,
`use in database management, use as a spread sheet, word processing, etc. and, if program is content- or field-specific, the content or field of
`use]; power distribution or control machines and apparatus, namely, [applicant must specify, e.g., electrical power distribution units, power
`controllers, etc.]; computer software for remotely monitoring or controlling electronic machines and electronic locks; electronic lock
`assemblies” in International Class 9
`
`“Toilet bowls and seats sold as a unit; prefabricated bathrooms comprising [ applicant must specify, e.g., toilets, bathtubs, sinks, etc.] sold as a
`unit; electric lamps and other lighting apparatus, namely, [applicant must specify, e.g., lighting fixtures]; household electrothermic appliances,
`namely, [applicant must specify, e.g., electric space heaters]; toilet stool units with a washing water squirter; air conditioners; apparatus for
`lighting, heating, steam generating, cooking, refrigerating, drying, ventilating, water supply and sanitary purposes, namely, [applicant must
`specify, e.g., refrigerators, clothes dryers, cooking ranges, etc.]” in International Class 11
`
`“Computer software design; computer programming or maintenance of computer software; providing computer programs on data networks,
`namely, providing temporary use of online non-downloadable software for [applicant must specify the function of the software, e.g., use in
`database management, use as a spread sheet, word processing, etc. and, if program is content- or field-specific, the content or field of use]; rental
`of computers; cloud computing, namely, [applicant must specify, e.g., providing virtual computer systems and virtual computer environments
`through cloud computing]; rental of web servers” in International Class 42
`
`Applicant’s goods and/or services may be clarified or limited, but may not be expanded beyond those originally itemized in the application or as
`acceptably amended.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.71(a); TMEP §1402.06.  Applicant may clarify or limit the identification by inserting qualifying language
`or deleting items to result in a more specific identification; however, applicant may not substitute different goods and/or services or add goods
`and/or services not found or encompassed by those in the original application or as acceptably amended.  See TMEP §1402.06(a)-(b).  The scope
`of the goods and/or services sets the outer limit for any changes to the identification and is generally determined by the ordinary meaning of the
`wording in the identification.  TMEP §§1402.06(b), 1402.07(a)-(b).  Any acceptable changes to the goods and/or services will further limitscope,
`and once goods and/or services are deleted, they are not permitted to be reinserted.  TMEP §1402.07(e).
`
`For 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.  See TMEP §1402.04.
`
`FOREIGN REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE REQUIRED
`
`The application specifies both an intent to use basis under Trademark Act Section 1(b) and a claim of priority under Section 44(d) based on a
`foreign application.  See 15 U.S.C. §§1051(b), 1126(d); 37 C.F.R. §2.34(a)(2), (a)(4).  However, no copy of a foreign registration has been
`provided even though the application indicates applicant’s intent to rely on Section 44(e) as an additional basis for registration.  See 15 U.S.C.
`§1126(e).
`
`An application with a Section 44(e) basis must include a true copy, photocopy, certification, or certified copy of a foreign registration from an
`applicant’s country of origin.  15 U.S.C. §1126(e); 37 C.F.R. §2.34(a)(3)(ii); TMEP §§1004, 1004.01, 1016.  In addition, an applicant’s country
`of origin must be a party to a convention or treaty relating to trademarks to which the United States is also a party, or must extend reciprocal
`registration rights to nationals of the United States by law.  15 U.S.C. §1126(b); TMEP §§1002.01, 1004.
`
`Therefore, applicant must provide a copy of the foreign registration from applicant’s country of origin when it becomes available.  TMEP
`§1003.04(a).  A copy of a foreign registration must consist of a document issued to an applicant by, or certified by, the intellectual property office
`in applicant’s country of origin.  TMEP §1004.01.  If applicant’s country of origin does not issue registrations or Madrid Protocol certificates of
`extension of protection, applicant may submit a copy of the Madrid Protocol international registration that shows that protection of the
`international registration has been extended to applicant’s country of origin.  TMEP §1016.  In addition, applicant must also provide an English
`translation if the foreign registration is not written in English.   37 C.F.R. §2.34(a)(3)(ii); TMEP §1004.01(a)-(b).  The translation should be
`signed by the translator.  TMEP §1004.01(b).
`
`If the foreign registration has not yet issued, or applicant requires additional time to procure a copy of the foreign registration (and English
`translation, as appropriate), applicant should so inform the trademark examining attorney and request that the U.S. application be suspended until
`a copy of the foreign registration is available.  TMEP §§716.02(b), 1003.04(b).
`
`If applicant cannot satisfy the requirements of a Section 44(e) basis, applicant may request that the mark be approved for publication based solely
`on the Section 1(b) basis.  See 15 U.S.C. §§1051(b), 1126(e); 37 C.F.R. §2.35(b)(1); TMEP §§806.02(f), 806.04(b), 1003.04(b).  Although the
`mark may be approved for publication on the Section 1(b) basis, it will not register until an acceptable allegation of use has been filed.  See 15
`U.S.C. §1051(c)-(d); 37 C.F.R. §§2.76, 2.88; TMEP §1103.  Please note that, if the U.S. application satisfied the requirements of Section 44(d) as
`of the U.S. application filing date, applicant may retain the priority filing date under Section 44(d) without perfecting the Section 44(e) basis,
`provided there is a continuing valid basis for registration.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.35(b)(3)-(4); TMEP §§806.02(f), 806.04(b). 
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`Alternatively, applicant has the option to amend the application to rely solely on the Section 44(e) basis and request deletion of the Section 1(b)
`basis.  See 37 C.F.R. §2.35(b)(1); TMEP §806.04.  The foreign registration alone may serve as the basis for obtaining a U.S. registration.  See 37
`C.F.R. §2.34(a)(3); TMEP §806.01(d).
`
`/Kristina Morris/
`Examining Attorney
`Law Office 116
`571-272-5895
`kristina.morris@uspto.gov (informal queries only)
`
`TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER:   Go to http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp.   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. 
`For technical assistance with online forms, e-mail TEAS@uspto.gov.  For questions about the Office action itself, please contact the assigned
`trademark examining attorney.  E-mail communications will not be accepted as responses to Office actions; therefore, do not respond to
`this Office action by e-mail.
`
`All informal e-mail communications relevant to this application will be placed in the official application record.
`
`WHO MUST SIGN THE RESPONSE:  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).  If an applicant is represented by an attorney, the attorney must sign the
`
`response.  
`
`PERIODICALLY CHECK THE STATUS OF THE APPLICATION:   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/.   Please keep a copy of the TSDR status screen.   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.   For more information on checking
`status, see http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/process/status/.
`
`TO UPDATE CORRESPONDENCE/E-MAIL ADDRESS:  Use the TEAS form at http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/correspondence.jsp.
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`Print: May 4-, 2018
`
`87542768
`
`DESIGN MARK
`
`Serial Number
`ST542TSS
`
`Status
`NCTICE CE ALLOWANCE — ISSUED
`
`Word Mark
`HoMEx
`
`Standard Character Mark
`Yes
`
`Type of Mark
`SERVICE MARK
`
`Register
`PRINCIPAL
`
`Mark Drawing Code
`[4]
`STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
`
`Owner
`Home Experience LLC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY DELAWARE eje FVLD 55 W.
`Monroe St., Suite 2300 Chicago ILLINOIS 60603
`
`Goodsmervices
`
`G & S: Plumbing
`100 103 106.
`US
`IC 037.
`Class Status -- ACTIVE.
`services: Repair, maintenance,
`replacement and installation of
`heatingIr ventilation, and air conditioning [HVAC] Systems; Electrical
`repairs. maintenance, and installation of electrical wiring, outlets,
`light fixtures, and electrical panels.
`
`Filing Date
`2011H01f25
`
`Examining attorneyr
`EVANHC, PATRICIA
`
`Attorney of Record
`Glenn A. Rice
`
`

`

`HomeX
`
`

`

`Print: May 4-, 2018
`
`87542306
`
`DESIGN MARK
`
`Serial Number
`8T542806
`
`Status
`NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE — ISSUED
`
`Word Mark
`HOMEX
`
`Standard Character Mark
`No
`
`Type of Mark
`SERVICE MARK
`
`Register
`PRINCIPAL
`
`Mark Drawing Code
`[3] DESIGN PLUS WORDS, LETTERS ANDXCR NUMBERS
`
`Owner
`Home Experience LLC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY DELAWARE eje FVLD 55 W.
`Monroe St., Suite 2300 Chicago ILLINOIS 60603
`
`GoodSIServices
`
`G & S: Plumbing
`100 103 106.
`US
`IC 037.
`Class Status -- ACTIVE.
`services: Repair, maintenance,
`replacement and installation of
`heating, ventilation, and air conditioning [HVAC] Systems; Electrical
`repairs. maintenance, and installation of electrical wiring, outlets,
`light fixtures, and electrical panels.
`
`Description of Mark
`The mark consists of a two-dimensional design of a home positioned
`above and to the left of the letter "H"
`in the word "HomeX".
`
`Colors Claimed
`Color is not claimed as a feature of the mark.
`
`Filing Date
`2017/01/26
`
`Examining Attorney
`EVANKO, PATRICIA
`
`Attflmey of Record
`Glenn A. Rice
`
`

`

`
`
`

`

`To:
`
`Subject:
`
`Sent:
`
`Sent As:
`
`Attachments:
`
`Panasonic Corporation (DCPTOTrademarkMail@hoganlovells.com)
`
`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 87827084 - HOMEX - 1P3518.TBA
`
`5/4/2018 9:13:30 PM
`
`ECOM116@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 5/4/2018 FOR U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 87827084
`
`Please follow the instructions below:
`
`(1)  TO READ THE LETTER:  Click on this link or go to http://tsdr.uspto.gov, enter the U.S. application serial number, and click on
`“Documents.”
`
`The 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.
`
`(2)  TIMELY RESPONSE IS REQUIRED:  Please 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 5/4/2018 (or sooner if specified in the Office action).  A response
`transmitted through the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) must be received before midnight Eastern Time of the last day of the
`response period.   For information regarding response time periods, see http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/process/status/responsetime.jsp.
`
`Do 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. 
`Instead,
`the USPTO recommends that you respond online using the TEAS response form located at
`http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp.
`
`(3)  QUESTIONS:  For questions about the contents of the Office action itself, please contact the assigned trademark examining attorney.  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
`
`Failure to file the required response by the applicable response deadline will result in the ABANDONMENT of your application.  For
`more information regarding abandonment, see http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/basics/abandon.jsp.
`
`PRIVATE COMPANY SOLICITATIONS REGARDING YOUR APPLICATION:  Private companies not associated with the USPTO are
`using information provided in trademark applications to mail or e-mail trademark-related solicitations.  These companies often use names that
`closely resemble the USPTO and their solicitations may look like an official government document.  Many solicitations require that you pay
`
`“fees.”   
`
`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.  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.”   For more information on how to handle
`private company solicitations, see http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/solicitation_warnings.jsp.
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