`
`OMB No. 0651-0050 (Exp. 05/31/2014)
`
`Request for Reconsideration after Final Action
`
`The table below presents the data as entered.
`
`Input Field
`
`Entered
`
`SERIAL NUMBER
`
`85943027
`
`LAW OFFICE
`ASSIGNED
`
`LAW OFFICE 104
`
`MARK SECTION (no change)
`
`ARGUMENT(S)
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`Applicant:(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)
`
`Nikos Alexakis AG
`
`Serial 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)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`85943027
`
`Trademark:(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)
`
`OMEGA SOUL
`
`Classes:(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)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`05 and 28
`
`05/27/2013
`
`Commissioner for Trademarks
`
`P.O. Box 1451
`
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1451
`
`Filed:(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)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`To:(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)(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)(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)(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)(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)(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)
`
`(cid:160) A
`
`(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)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`ttn:(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)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Donald O. Johnson, Esquire
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Trademark Examining Attorney
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Law Office 104
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`(cid:160)
`
`
`REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION AFTER PARTIAL FINAL OFFICE ACTION
`
`In an Office Action dated July, 17 2013, the Examining Attorney refuses registration on the
`ground that there is a prior pending trademark which is confusingly similar and also on the
`ground that the mark is deceptive in regard to the goods covered in Class 5. The Examining
`Attorney has also requested the applicant to disclaim the wording “OMEGA”,
`to clarify the
`identification of goods and to provide further information regarding the trademark’s goods.
`
`(cid:160) O
`
`n February, 2 2014 the Examining Attorney made the refusal of the registration on the
`ground that the mark is deceptive (section 2 (a) Trademark Act) partially final in regard to
`Class 5.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)
`
`1.
`
`The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit[1], has articulated the following test
`to determine whether a mark is deceptive (as also found in the Trademark Manual
`of Examining Procedure at § 1203.02 (b) and the Examination Guide 1-11):
`
`Is the term misdescriptive of the character, quality, function, composition or
`(1)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`use of the goods?
`
`(cid:160)(
`
`If so, are prospective purchasers likely to believe that the misdescription
`2)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`actually describes the goods?
`
`(3) If so, is the misdescription likely to affect a significant portion of the relevant
`consumers’ decision to purchase? [2]
`
`2.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) The applicant respectfully submits that the examining attorney has failed to
`prove that
`the term OMEGA by itself
`is understood by a substantial part of
`consumers to mean OMEGA FATTY-ACIDS.
`
`(cid:160)3
`
`It is essential to the first prong of the Budge test for section 2(a) deceptiveness,
`.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`that the term is misdescriptive. The term is not a generic term for omega fatty
`acids, as is for example CAFTERIA for services of a restaurant (In re Alp of South
`Beach,
`Inc. 79 USPQ 2d 1009 (TTAB 2006)) or TITANIUM as material
`for
`recreational vehicles (Glendale International Corp. v. U.S. Patent & Trademark
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`
`
`Office, 75 USPQ2d 1139 (DC EVa 2005)) or silk for clothing articles (In re Phillips-
`Van Heusen Corp., 63 USPQ2d 1047 (TTAB 2002)).
`
`4.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) The evidence submitted by the applicant with its first response to the July
`Office Action shows that the majority of products which contain omega fatty acids
`contain the numbers 3, 6, 7 or 9. This is done to reference the group of fats.
`
`A consumer thus might come to understand that a product called OMEGA 3, would
`contain omega three fatty acids. Or that a product named OMEGA 6, would
`contain Omega 6 fatty acids.
`
`5.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) The evidence, however, does not suggest that the competitors on the market
`simply use OMEGA to reference the ingredient “omega three fatty acid” as the
`Examining Attorney suggests. Nor does the evidence suggest that OMEGA is
`generally used to reference omega fatty acids in general. Attached we forward
`evidence from Wikipedia.org concerning the term fatty acids.
`
`(cid:160)6
`
`.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) The evidence submitted by the Examining Attorney with the July Office Action
`concerning products containing the name OMEGA usually references the numbers
`3, 6, 7, or 9. Only rarely this has not been the case.
`
`7.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Moreover, the evidence suggests that the term OMEGA is freely used to name
`products that contain a variety of ingredients but omega fatty acids. The applicant
`has submitted a screenshot omeganutrition.com as an example.
`
`8.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) The applicant relies on the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board decision In re
`Omega Alpha Pharmaceuticals Inc.
`that
`the trademark applications OMEGA
`ALPHA with application numbers 77486429 and 77486441 is NOT deceptive when
`used in connection with the identified goods of Class 5.
`
`9.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) A substantial part of the consumers will understand the term OEMGA as a
`Greek letter and in combination with SOUL as a trademark, namely OMEGA
`SOUL. Enclosed we attach evidence from Wikipedia.org concerning the term
`OMEGA and OMEGA disambiguation.
`
`10.(cid:160) As part of the three prongs Budge test the misdescription must be likely to
`affect a significant portion of the relevant consumers’ decision to purchase the
`product.
`
`The Examining Attorney indicated in the July Office Action that “[I] n this case,
`applicant’s mark includes the wording “OMEGA”, which indicates the goods
`
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`
`
`contain omega fatty acids, a group of fats that are thought by a substantial number
`of consumers to have health benefits”.
`
`It is submitted that not all omega fatty acids are known to have health benefits.
`There is evidence that suggest that Omega-6 fatty acids have negative health
`effects. Enclosed we attach evidence from Wikipedia.org for a detailed discussion
`of the negative health effects of omega-6 fatty acids.
`
`For the forgoing reasons, it is respectfully submitted that the present application is in condition
`for publication and registration, and such action is requested.
`
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Respectfully submitted on behalf of
`
`Nikos Alexakis AG
`
`Marijan Stephan Hucke
`
`Attorney for Applicant
`
`Attorney of record New York Bar Member
`
`HUCKE HUCKE Law Office
`
`An der Fuchskaul 14
`
`50259 Pulheim
`
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`
`Germany
`
`[1] In re Budge Mfg. Co. Inc., 857 F.2d 773, 775, 8 USPQ2d 1259, 1260 (Fed. Cir. 1988), aff’g 8
`USPQ2d 1790 (TTAB 1987).(cid:160)
`
`[2] In re Spirits Int’l, N.V., 563 F.3d 1347, 90 USPQ2d 1589 (Fed. Cir. 2009); In re Budge Mfg.
`Co. Inc., 857 F.2d 773, 775, 8 USPQ2d 1259, 1260 (Fed. Cir. 1988), aff’g 8 USPQ2d 1790
`(TTAB 1987).
`
`(cid:160) E
`
`VIDENCE SECTION
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)EVIDENCE FILE NAME(S)
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)ORIGINAL PDF FILE
`
`evi_801287248-101811222_._Fatty_acid.pdf
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)CONVERTED PDF
`FILE(S)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(9 pages)
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\859\430\85943027\xml8\RFR0002.JPG
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\859\430\85943027\xml8\RFR0003.JPG
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\859\430\85943027\xml8\RFR0004.JPG
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\859\430\85943027\xml8\RFR0005.JPG
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\859\430\85943027\xml8\RFR0006.JPG
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\859\430\85943027\xml8\RFR0007.JPG
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\859\430\85943027\xml8\RFR0008.JPG
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\859\430\85943027\xml8\RFR0009.JPG
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\859\430\85943027\xml8\RFR0010.JPG
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)ORIGINAL PDF FILE
`
`evi_801287248-101811222_._Omega__disambiguation_.pdf
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)CONVERTED PDF
`FILE(S)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(5 pages)
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\859\430\85943027\xml8\RFR0011.JPG
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\859\430\85943027\xml8\RFR0012.JPG
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\859\430\85943027\xml8\RFR0013.JPG
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\859\430\85943027\xml8\RFR0014.JPG
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\859\430\85943027\xml8\RFR0015.JPG
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)ORIGINAL PDF FILE
`
`evi_801287248-101811222_._Omega.pdf
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)CONVERTED PDF
`FILE(S)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(7 pages)
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\859\430\85943027\xml8\RFR0016.JPG
`
`(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)(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)(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)(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)(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)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\859\430\85943027\xml8\RFR0017.JPG
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\859\430\85943027\xml8\RFR0018.JPG
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\859\430\85943027\xml8\RFR0019.JPG
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\859\430\85943027\xml8\RFR0020.JPG
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\859\430\85943027\xml8\RFR0021.JPG
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\859\430\85943027\xml8\RFR0022.JPG
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)ORIGINAL PDF FILE
`
`evi_801287248-101811222_._Omega-6_fatty_acid.pdf
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)CONVERTED PDF
`FILE(S)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(5 pages)
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\859\430\85943027\xml8\RFR0023.JPG
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\859\430\85943027\xml8\RFR0024.JPG
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\859\430\85943027\xml8\RFR0025.JPG
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\859\430\85943027\xml8\RFR0026.JPG
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\859\430\85943027\xml8\RFR0027.JPG
`
`DESCRIPTION OF
`EVIDENCE FILE
`
`The evidence consists of Wikipedia printouts for the terms, OMEGA, fatty
`acids, omega-6 fatty acid and OMEGA (disambiguation).
`
`SIGNATURE SECTION
`
`RESPONSE SIGNATURE
`
`/MHUCKE/
`
`SIGNATORY'S NAME
`
`Marijan Hucke
`
`SIGNATORY'S
`POSITION
`
`Attorney of record [NY] bar member
`
`SIGNATORY'S PHONE
`NUMBER
`
`646-396-0410
`
`DATE SIGNED
`
`AUTHORIZED
`SIGNATORY
`
`08/05/2014
`
`YES
`
`CONCURRENT APPEAL
`NOTICE FILED
`
`NO
`
`FILING INFORMATION SECTION
`
`SUBMIT DATE
`
`Tue Aug 05 10:32:38 EDT 2014
`
`TEAS STAMP
`
`USPTO/RFR-82.232.180.231-
`20140805103238275989-8594
`3027-5009ae9cec975bec281e
`6856b7f793717613369d05323
`e536f738a5fa5df7252-N/A-N
`/A-20140805101811222481
`
`(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)(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)(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)(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)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`
`PTO Form 1930 (Rev 9/2007)
`
`OMB No. 0651-0050 (Exp. 05/31/2014)
`
`Request for Reconsideration after Final Action
`To the Commissioner for Trademarks:
`
`Application serial no. 85943027 has been amended as follows:
`
`ARGUMENT(S)
`In response to the substantive refusal(s), please note the following:
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`Applicant:(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)
`
`Nikos Alexakis AG
`
`Serial 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)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`85943027
`
`Trademark:(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)
`
`OMEGA SOUL
`
`Classes:(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)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`05 and 28
`
`05/27/2013
`
`Commissioner for Trademarks
`
`P.O. Box 1451
`
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1451
`
`Filed:(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)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`To:(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)(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)(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)(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)(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)(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)
`
`(cid:160) A
`
`(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)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`ttn:(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)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Donald O. Johnson, Esquire
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Trademark Examining Attorney
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Law Office 104
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`(cid:160)
`
`
`REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION AFTER PARTIAL FINAL OFFICE ACTION
`
`In an Office Action dated July, 17 2013, the Examining Attorney refuses registration on the
`ground that there is a prior pending trademark which is confusingly similar and also on the
`ground that the mark is deceptive in regard to the goods covered in Class 5. The Examining
`Attorney has also requested the applicant to disclaim the wording “OMEGA”,
`to clarify the
`identification of goods and to provide further information regarding the trademark’s goods.
`
`(cid:160) O
`
`n February, 2 2014 the Examining Attorney made the refusal of the registration on the ground
`that the mark is deceptive (section 2 (a) Trademark Act) partially final in regard to Class 5.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)
`
`1.
`
`The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit[1], has articulated the following test
`to determine whether a mark is deceptive (as also found in the Trademark Manual of
`Examining Procedure at § 1203.02 (b) and the Examination Guide 1-11):
`
`Is the term misdescriptive of the character, quality, function, composition or
`(1)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`use of the goods?
`
`(cid:160)(
`
`If so, are prospective purchasers likely to believe that the misdescription
`2)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`actually describes the goods?
`
`(3) If so, is the misdescription likely to affect a significant portion of the relevant
`consumers’ decision to purchase? [2]
`
`2.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) The applicant respectfully submits that the examining attorney has failed to prove
`that the term OMEGA by itself is understood by a substantial part of consumers to
`mean OMEGA FATTY-ACIDS.
`
`(cid:160)3
`
`It is essential to the first prong of the Budge test for section 2(a) deceptiveness,
`.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`that the term is misdescriptive. The term is not a generic term for omega fatty acids,
`as is for example CAFTERIA for services of a restaurant (In re Alp of South Beach,
`Inc. 79 USPQ 2d 1009 (TTAB 2006)) or TITANIUM as material for recreational
`vehicles (Glendale International Corp. v. U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, 75
`USPQ2d 1139 (DC EVa 2005)) or silk for clothing articles (In re Phillips-Van Heusen
`Corp., 63 USPQ2d 1047 (TTAB 2002)).
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`
`
`4.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) The evidence submitted by the applicant with its first response to the July Office
`Action shows that the majority of products which contain omega fatty acids contain
`the numbers 3, 6, 7 or 9. This is done to reference the group of fats.
`
`A consumer thus might come to understand that a product called OMEGA 3, would
`contain omega three fatty acids. Or that a product named OMEGA 6, would contain
`Omega 6 fatty acids.
`
`5.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) The evidence, however, does not suggest that the competitors on the market
`simply use OMEGA to reference the ingredient “omega three fatty acid” as the
`Examining Attorney suggests. Nor does the evidence suggest
`that OMEGA is
`generally used to reference omega fatty acids in general. Attached we forward
`evidence from Wikipedia.org concerning the term fatty acids.
`
`(cid:160)6
`
`.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) The evidence submitted by the Examining Attorney with the July Office Action
`concerning products containing the name OMEGA usually references the numbers
`3, 6, 7, or 9. Only rarely this has not been the case.
`
`7.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Moreover, the evidence suggests that the term OMEGA is freely used to name
`products that contain a variety of ingredients but omega fatty acids. The applicant
`has submitted a screenshot omeganutrition.com as an example.
`
`8.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) The applicant relies on the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board decision In re
`Omega Alpha Pharmaceuticals Inc. that the trademark applications OMEGA ALPHA
`with application numbers 77486429 and 77486441 is NOT deceptive when used in
`connection with the identified goods of Class 5.
`
`9.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) A substantial part of the consumers will understand the term OEMGA as a Greek
`letter and in combination with SOUL as a trademark, namely OMEGA SOUL.
`Enclosed we attach evidence from Wikipedia.org concerning the term OMEGA and
`OMEGA disambiguation.
`
`10.(cid:160) As part of the three prongs Budge test the misdescription must be likely to affect a
`significant portion of the relevant consumers’ decision to purchase the product.
`
`The Examining Attorney indicated in the July Office Action that “[I] n this case,
`applicant’s mark includes the wording “OMEGA”, which indicates the goods
`contain omega fatty acids, a group of fats that are thought by a substantial number
`of consumers to have health benefits”.
`
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`
`
`It is submitted that not all omega fatty acids are known to have health benefits. There
`is evidence that suggest
`that Omega-6 fatty acids have negative health effects.
`Enclosed we attach evidence from Wikipedia.org for a detailed discussion of the
`negative health effects of omega-6 fatty acids.
`
`For the forgoing reasons, it is respectfully submitted that the present application is in condition
`for publication and registration, and such action is requested.
`
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Respectfully submitted on behalf of
`
`Nikos Alexakis AG
`
`Marijan Stephan Hucke
`
`Attorney for Applicant
`
`Attorney of record New York Bar Member
`
`HUCKE HUCKE Law Office
`
`An der Fuchskaul 14
`
`50259 Pulheim
`
`Germany
`
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`
`[1] In re Budge Mfg. Co. Inc., 857 F.2d 773, 775, 8 USPQ2d 1259, 1260 (Fed. Cir. 1988), aff’g 8
`USPQ2d 1790 (TTAB 1987).(cid:160)
`
`[2] In re Spirits Int’l, N.V., 563 F.3d 1347, 90 USPQ2d 1589 (Fed. Cir. 2009); In re Budge Mfg.
`Co. Inc., 857 F.2d 773, 775, 8 USPQ2d 1259, 1260 (Fed. Cir. 1988), aff’g 8 USPQ2d 1790
`(TTAB 1987).
`
`EVIDENCE
`Evidence in the nature of The evidence consists of Wikipedia printouts for the terms, OMEGA, fatty
`acids, omega-6 fatty acid and OMEGA (disambiguation). has been attached.
`Original PDF file:
`evi_801287248-101811222_._Fatty_acid.pdf
`Converted PDF file(s) (9 pages)
`Evidence-1
`Evidence-2
`Evidence-3
`Evidence-4
`Evidence-5
`Evidence-6
`Evidence-7
`Evidence-8
`Evidence-9
`Original PDF file:
`evi_801287248-101811222_._Omega__disambiguation_.pdf
`Converted PDF file(s) (5 pages)
`Evidence-1
`Evidence-2
`Evidence-3
`Evidence-4
`Evidence-5
`Original PDF file:
`evi_801287248-101811222_._Omega.pdf
`Converted PDF file(s) (7 pages)
`Evidence-1
`Evidence-2
`Evidence-3
`Evidence-4
`Evidence-5
`Evidence-6
`Evidence-7
`Original PDF file:
`evi_801287248-101811222_._Omega-6_fatty_acid.pdf
`Converted PDF file(s) (5 pages)
`Evidence-1
`
`(cid:160)
`
`
`Evidence-2
`Evidence-3
`Evidence-4
`Evidence-5
`
`SIGNATURE(S)
`Request for Reconsideration Signature
`Signature: /MHUCKE/(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)Date: 08/05/2014
`Signatory's Name: Marijan Hucke
`Signatory's Position: Attorney of record [NY] bar member
`
`Signatory's Phone Number: 646-396-0410
`
`The signatory has confirmed that he/she is an attorney who is a member in good standing of the bar of the
`highest court of a U.S. state, which includes the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and other federal
`territories and possessions; and he/she is currently the applicant's attorney or an associate thereof; and to
`the best of his/her knowledge, if prior to his/her appointment another U.S. attorney or a Canadian
`attorney/agent not currently associated with his/her company/firm previously represented the applicant in
`this matter: (1) the applicant has filed or is concurrently filing a signed revocation of or substitute power
`of attorney with the USPTO; (2) the USPTO has granted the request of the prior representative to
`withdraw; (3) the applicant has filed a power of attorney appointing him/her in this matter; or (4) the
`applicant's appointed U.S. attorney or Canadian attorney/agent has filed a power of attorney appointing
`him/her as an associate attorney in this matter.
`
`The applicant is not filing a Notice of Appeal in conjunction with this Request for Reconsideration.
`
`Serial Number: 85943027
`Internet Transmission Date: Tue Aug 05 10:32:38 EDT 2014
`TEAS Stamp: USPTO/RFR-82.232.180.231-201408051032382
`75989-85943027-5009ae9cec975bec281e6856b
`7f793717613369d05323e536f738a5fa5df7252-
`N/A-N/A-20140805101811222481
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`
`Fatty acid
`
`Fatty acid
`
`Not to be confused with fat.
`
`Types of fats in
`food
`- Unsaturated fat
`- Monounsaturated fat
`
`Polyunsaturated fat
`-
`- Trans fat
`
`- Omega numbering:
`-
`(i)—3
`-
`(a—6
`-
`03-7
`v
`(ii—9
`Saturated fat
`
`-
`
`Interesterified fat
`
`See also
`
`Fatty acid
`Essential fatty acid
`
`In chemistry, particularly in biochemistry, a
`fatty acid is a carboxylic acid with a long
`aliphatic
`tail
`(chain), which
`is
`either
`saturated or unsaturated. Most naturally
`,
`.
`_
`_
`occurring fatty acids have a chain of an even
`number of carbon atoms, from 4 to 28. Fatty
`acids are usually derived from triglycerides
`or phospholipids. When they
`are not
`attached to other molecules, they are known
`as
`"free"
`fatty
`acids. Fatty acids
`are
`important sources of fuel because, when
`_
`_
`_.
`_
`metabolized,
`they yield large quantities of
`ATP. Many cell types can use either glucose
`or fatty acids for this purpose. In particular,
`heart and skeletal muscle prefer fatty acids.
`Despite
`long-standing assertions
`to
`the
`contrary, fatty acids can be used as a source
`of fuel for brain cells, at least in some rodents, in addition to glucose and ketone bodies.
`
`Comparison of the trans isomer (top) Elaidic acid and the ci'.r—isomer oleic acid.
`
`.
`.
`trans-Olenc acid
`
`.
`.
`.
`c:s—O|e:c acid
`
`
`
`Fatty acid
`
`Types of fatty acids
`
`Fatty acids that have carbon—carbon double
`bonds are known as unsaturated. Fatty acids
`without
`double
`bonds
`are
`known
`as
`
`saturated. They differ in length as well.
`
`Length of free fatty acid chains
`
`Fatty acid chains differ by length. often
`categorized as short to very long.
`
`-
`
`Short—chain fatty acids (SCFA) are fatty
`acids with aliphatic tails of fewer than six
`carbons (Le. butyric acid).
`
`Medium—chain fatty acids (MCFA) are
`fatty acids with aliphatic tails of 6-129‘
`carbons: which can form mediUm'Chaln
`triglycerides.
`
`1l”°]°“i°
`li“°lei°
`““‘°hid°“i°
`Th1'cc—ditncnsional rcpmsciitations of several fatty acids
`
`Long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) are fatty acids with aliphatic tails 13 to 21 carbons.
`Very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAJ are fatty acids with aliphatic tails longer than 22 carbons
`
`Unsaturated fatty acids
`
`Unsaturated fatty acids have one or more double bonds between carbon atoms. (Pairs of carbon atoms connected by
`double bonds can be saturated by adding hydrogen atoms to them. converting the double bonds to single bonds.
`Therefore, the double bonds are called unsaturated.)
`The two carbon atoms in the chain that are bound next to either side of the double bond can occur in a (‘f.\' or frrms
`
`configuration.
`cis
`
`A cis configuration means that adjacent hydrogen atoms are on the same side of the double bond. The rigidity
`of the double bond freezes its conformation and, in the case of the cis isomer. causes the chain to bend and
`
`restricts the conformational freedom of the fatty acid. The more double bonds the chain has in the cis
`configuration, the less flexibility it has. When a chain has many (is bonds, it becomes quite curved in its most
`accessible conformations. For example, oleic acid, with one double bond, has a "kink" in it. whereas linoleic
`acid. with two double bonds. has a more pronounced bend. Alpha-linolenic acid, with three double bonds.
`favors a hooked shape. The effect of this is that, in restricted environments. such as when fatty acids are part of
`a phosphofipid in a lipid bilayer. or triglycerides in lipid droplets, cis bonds limit the ability of fatty acids to be
`closely packed, and therefore could affect the melting temperature of the membrane or of the fat.
`
`A trams configuration. by contrast. means that the next two hydrogen atoms are bound to apposirte sides of the
`double bond. As a result. they do not cause the chain to bend much. and their shape is similar to straight
`saturated fatty acids.
`
`In most naturally occurring unsaturated fatty acids. each double bond has three n carbon atoms after it, for some n.
`and all are cis bonds. Most fatty acids in the t‘rrm.s' configuration (trans fats) are not found in nature and are the result
`of human processing (e.g.. hydrogenation).
`
`The differences in geometry between the various types of unsaturated fatty acids. as well as between saturated and
`unsaturated fatty acids, play an important role in biological processes, and in the construction of biological structures
`
`
`
`Examples of Unsaturated Fatty Acids
`
`Chemical structure
`
`Fatty acid
`
`(such as cell membranes).
`
`Common
`name
`
`Myristoleic
`acid
`
`Palmitoleic
`acid
`
`CH3(CH2)3CH=CH(CH2)7COOH
`
`CH3(CH2)5CH=CH(CH2)7COOH
`
`Sapienic acid
`
`CH3(CH2)3CH=CH(CH2)4COOH
`
`Oleic acid
`
`CH3(CH2)7CH=CH(CH2)7COOH
`
`Elaidic acid
`
`CH3(CH2)7CH=CH(CH2)7COOl-l
`
`Vaccenic acid
`
`CH3(CH2)5CH=CH(CH2)9COOH
`
`Linoieic acid
`
`CH3(Cl-l2)4CH=CHCH2CH=CH(CH2)7COOH
`
`CH3(Cl-l2)4CH=CHCH2CH=CH(CH2)7COOH
`
`CH3CH2CH=CHCH2CH=CHCH2CH= CH(CH2)7COOH
`
`Linoelaidic
`acid
`
`(1-Linoienic
`acid
`
`Arachidonic
`acid
`
`cis-A9
`
`cis-A9
`
`m.5_As
`
`Cl.s_A9
`
`WWA9
`
`tmm_A1I
`
`u.S’£_ix_A9’A12
`
`tran.r,trans-A9.A 12
`
`12
`9
`.
`.
`.
`ClS,ClS,L‘l.S-A ,A ,A
`
`15
`
`CH3(CH2)4CH=CHCI-{2CH=CHCH2CH=CHCH2CH=CH(CH2)3COOH “I” [3]
`
`cis,cis,cis,cis-A5Ag,A1l,A14
`
`EicosapentaenoicCH3CH2CH=CHCH2CH=CHCH2CH=CHCH2CH=CHCH2CH=CH(CH2)3COOH
`acid
`
`“.5,Cix,Ci‘LciS,CiX_AS,AB,A1 1,A14,A17
`
`Emcic acid
`
`CH3(CH2)7CH=CH(CH2)1 1cooH
`
`Docosahexaenoi(CH3CH2CH=CHCH2CH=CHCH2CH= CHCH2CH= CHCH2CH=CHCH2CH= CH(CH2)2COOH
`acid
`
`m.S_A1a
`7
`4
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`C15,ClS,L‘lS,ClS,ClS,Cl5-A .A .A
`
`I0
`
`13
`‘A ,A16!A19
`
`Essential fatty acids
`
`Main article: Essential fatty acid
`
`Fatty acids that are required by the human body but cannot be made in sufficient quantity from other substrates, and
`therefore must be obtained from food, are called essential fatty acids. There are two series of essential fatty acids:
`one has a double bond three carbon atoms removed from the methyl end; the other has a double bond six carbon
`atoms removed from the methyl end. Humans lack the ability to introduce double bonds in fatty acids beyond
`carbons 9 and 10, as counted from the carboxylic acid side. Two essential fatty acids are linoleic acid (LA) and
`alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). They are widely distributed in plant oils. The human body has a limited ability to
`convert ALA into the longer—chain n—3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA),
`which can also be obtained from fish.
`
`
`
`Fatty acid
`
`Saturated fatty acids
`Main article: Saturated fat
`
`For a more comprehensive list, see List of saturated fatty acids.
`
`Saturated fatty acids are long—chain carboxylic acids that usually have between 12 and 24 carbon atoms and have no
`double bonds. Thus, saturated fatty acids are saturated with hydrogen (since double bonds reduce the number 01'
`hydrogens on each carbon). Because saturated fatty acids have only single bonds, each carbon atom within the chain
`has 2 hydrogen atoms (except for the omega carbon at the end that has 3 hydrogens).
`
`arachidic
`
`Arachidic acid, a saturated fatty acid.
`
`Examples of Saturated Fatty Acids
`
`Common name Chemical structure CID
`
`Caprylic acid
`
`CIl§(CiI2)6COOIl
`
`8:0
`
`10:0
`
`12:0
`
`14:0
`
`16:0
`
`18:0
`
`Capric acid
`
`CIl‘(CIl2)8COOIl
`
`Lauric acid
`
`CI l‘(CI I2) mCOOll
`
`Myristic acid
`
`CII1(CII1)|2COOIl
`
`Palmitic acid
`
`Cll§(CIl2)HC0OIl
`
`Stcaric acid
`
`CII‘(CIIZ)|6COOII
`
`Arac hidic acid
`
`CI l§(Cl I2) IXCOOII
`
`Bch