Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Electronic Filing System. http://estta.uspto.gov
`ESTTA228403
`ESTTA Tracking number:
`08/05/2008
`
`Filing date:
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`Notice of Opposition
`
`Notice is hereby given that the following party opposes registration of the indicated application.
`Opposer Information
`
`Name
`Granted to Date
`of previous
`extension
`Address
`
`Novartis AG
`08/06/2008
`
`CH-4002
`Basel,
`SWITZERLAND
`
`Attorney
`information
`
`John P. Margiotta
`Fross Zelnick Lehrman & Zissu, P.C.
`866 United Nations Plaza
`New York, NY 10017
`UNITED STATES
`jmargiotta@frosszelnick.com Phone:212-813-5900
`Applicant Information
`
`Application No
`Opposition Filing
`Date
`Applicants
`
`77309403
`08/05/2008
`
`Sorci, Mario V.
`24303 Roberts Dr.
`Black Diaomond, WA 98010
`UNITED STATES
`
`Publication date
`Opposition
`Period Ends
`
`04/08/2008
`08/06/2008
`
`Novaeris L.L.C.
`Ste. A 24301 Roberts Dr.
`Black Diamond, WA 98010
`UNITED STATES
`Goods/Services Affected by Opposition
`
`Class 010.
`All goods and services in the class are opposed, namely: Anesthetic masks; Pediatric breathing
`masks for medical purposes
`
`Grounds for Opposition
`
`Priority and likelihood of confusion
`
`Trademark Act section 2(d)
`
`Marks Cited by Opposer as Basis for Opposition
`
`U.S. Registration
`No.
`Registration Date
`
`2997235
`
`09/20/2005
`
`Application Date
`
`02/10/2004
`
`Foreign Priority
`
`NONE
`
`

`
`Word Mark
`Design Mark
`Description of
`Mark
`Goods/Services
`
`U.S. Registration
`No.
`Registration Date
`
`Word Mark
`Design Mark
`Description of
`Mark
`Goods/Services
`
`Date
`
`NOVARTIS
`
`NONE
`
`Class 005. First use: First Use: 1997/09/30 First Use In Commerce: 1997/09/30
`Adjuvants for use with veterinary vaccines and veterinary vaccines for
`companion animals, farmed fish and livestock; veterinary products for
`companion animals, farmed fish and livestock, namely, cardiovascular treatment
`preparations, arthritis treatment preparations, renal treatment preparations,
`respiratory treatment preparations, reproductive treatment preparations, allergy
`treatment preparations, antibiotics, insecticides, pesticides and feed additives for
`veterinary use in the treatment of parasites, fleas, worms, renal diseases, heart
`diseases, allergic diseases, parasitic and bacterial infections, lameness,
`respiratory diseases, scours or enteritis, viral diseases, clostridial diseases,
`pinkeye, liver abscesses, influenza, pneumonia, mastitis, West Nile virus and
`erysipelas; insecticides and rodenticides for agricultural use, disinfectants for
`veterinary use
`
`2336960
`
`04/04/2000
`
`NOVARTIS
`
`NONE
`
`Application Date
`
`07/09/1996
`
`Foreign Priority
`Date
`
`02/15/1996
`
`Class 001. First use:
`[ chemicals and chemical preparations for use in industry, agriculture,
`horticulture and forestry, namely, chemicals for use in manufacturing optical
`lenses; Adjuvants for use in manufacturing agricultural preparations; Adjuvants
`for use in manufacturing pharmaceutical preparations; Chemical additives for
`use in manufacturing - pharmaceutical preparations, defoliants, wound pastes
`for trees and plants, plant growth regulators, preparations for the treatment of
`seeds, preparations for the protection of seeds and plants against plant
`pathogens, plant protection agents of a prophylactic nature; and Manures ]
`Class 005. First use:
`pharmaceutical preparations for the treatment of - dermatological,
`cardiovascular, hematological, bone, respiratory, central nervous system,
`endocrinological, circulatory, gastroenterological, hormonal and diabetic
`disorders, coughs, colds, influenza, headaches, stomach and digestive
`disorders, muscular and/or rheumatic disorders, anti-inflammatory agents,
`immune system disorders and related diseases, allergic reactions, metabolic
`disorders, anti-infectives, occular disorders, and for use in oncology; diagnostic
`preparations and/or reagents for clinical or medical laboratory use; Contact lens
`and eyecare solutions and preparations, namely, disinfectants, cleaning
`solutions, saline solutions and wetting solutions; Nicotine for medicinal purposes
`in liquid, pill, tablet, caplet, powder or transdermal patch form; [ Hormones; ]
`Dietetic substances for medical purposes, namely, nutritional, vitamin, herbal
`and mineral supplements and preparations, nutritional drink mix for use as a
`meal replacement, nutritional supplements in snack bar form for use as a meal
`replacement; Food and beverages for babies, infants and invalids, namely, baby
`food, infant formula, food for enteral administration and food for medically
`restricted diets; and Pesticides, fungicides, [ herbicides ] and insecticides, all for
`commercial, [ agricultural ] and/or domestic use
`
`

`
`Class 009. First use:
`[ contact lenses; Eyeglasses; Sunglasses; and Optical lenses not for medical
`use ]
`Class 010. First use:
`[ artificial or biological skin tissue for subsequent implantation; Intraocular lenses
`
`] C
`
`lass 029. First use:
`[ prepared entrees consisting primarily of meat, fish, poultry, game and/or
`vegetables; Meat extracts; Preserved, dried, frozen or cooked fruits and
`vegetables; Jams and fruit or vegetable preserves; Fruit-based snack foods;
`Fruit toppings; Dairy products, excluding ice cream, ice milk and frozen yogurt;
`Milk ]
`Class 030. First use:
`[ ready to eat snack bars made from combinations of cereal, fruit, grains and
`nuts; Breakfast and processed cereals; Cereal based snack foods; Bread;
`Biscuits; Chocolate; Candy; Cocoa; Sugar; Tapioca; Sago; Rusks; Desserts,
`namely, cakes and puddings; Malt for food purposes; Ice cream, frozen yogurt,
`ice milk and ice cream substitute; Chocolate syrup; Corn syrup; and Food
`additives for non-nutritional purposes for use as a flavoring, ingredient or filler ]
`Class 031. First use:
`[ bran, cereal and protein based foodstuffs for animals; Vegetable, fruit and
`flower seeds for agricultural and horticultural purposes; Fresh fruits and
`vegetables; Living plants and live flowers ]
`Class 032. First use:
`[ non-alcoholic beverages, namely, soft drinks, fruit drinks, fruit juices;
`Concentrates, syrups or powders used in the preparation of soft drinks; and Fruit
`syrups used in the preparation of soft drinks ]
`Class 042. First use:
`[ engineering services; plant, tree and seed breeding services; Horticultural
`services; Printing; and Material testing ]
`
`Attachments
`
`78365657#TMSN.jpeg ( 1 page )( bytes )
`75131409#TMSN.gif ( 1 page )( bytes )
`08 08 05 - Notice of Opposition (F0328232).PDF ( 12 pages )(419838 bytes )
`
`The undersigned hereby certifies that a copy of this paper has been served upon all parties, at their address
`record by First Class Mail on this date.
`
`Certificate of Service
`
`Signature
`Name
`Date
`
`/John P. Margiotta/
`John P. Margiotta
`08/05/2008
`
`

`
`
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`In the Matter of Application Serial No. 77/309,403
`Mark: NOVAERIS
`
`____________________________________________________-_X
`
`NOVARTIS AG,
`
`'
`
`Opposer,
`
`against-
`
`Opposition No.
`
`NOVAERIS L.L.C. AND MARIO V.
`
`SORCI,
`
`:
`Applicants.
`_____________________________________________________-X
`
`NOTICE OF OPPOSITION
`
`Opposer, Novartis AG, a Switzerland corporation located and doing business at CH-
`
`4002, Basel, Switzerland, believes that it would be damaged by registration of the mark
`
`NOVAERIS, Serial No. 77/309,403, published in the Official Gazette on April 8, 2008, and
`
`hereby opposes the same.
`
`As grounds for the opposition, Opposer alleges as follows:
`
`1.
`
`Opposer is the owner of the trademark and trade name NOVARTIS in connection
`
`with a wide variety of pharmaceutical preparations for humans and veterinary medicines.
`
`Opposer has used the mark NOVARTIS in commerce since at least as early as 1997, and the
`
`mark is now famous.
`
`2.
`
`Novartis is the owner of the following U.S. registrations:
`
`- NOVARTIS, Reg. No. 2,997,235, registered September 20, 2005, for veterinary
`
`pharmaceuticals in International Class 5.
`
`(ro32soss.1 )
`
`

`
`
`
`- NOVARTIS, Reg. No. 2,336,960, registered April 4, 2000 for pharmaceuticals in
`
`International Class 5.
`
`These registrations are valid, subsisting and in full force and effect, and constitute evidence of
`
`the validity of the marks and of Opposer’s exclusive right to use them on the goods identified in
`
`the registrations. Registration number 2,336,960 has become incontestable under Section 15 of
`
`the Trademark Act. Printouts from the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s online
`
`databases reflecting these registrations are attached as Exhibit A.
`
`3.
`
`Opposer also owns pending U.S. App. No. 75/166,964 for NOVARTIS for use in
`
`connection with education and advisory services in the health sector, the chemical-
`
`pharmaceutical sector as well as in agriculture and in the field of nutritional science in
`
`International Class 42.
`
`4.
`
`Applicants have filed an application to register the mark NOVAERIS for use in
`
`connection with “anesthetic masks; [and] pediatric breathing masks for medical purposes” in
`
`International Class 10.
`
`5.
`
`Upon information and belief, Applicants haves not yet used the NOVAERIS
`
`mark.
`
`6.
`
`The mark NOVAERIS to be registered by Applicants is strikingly similar in
`
`sound, appearance, and commercial impression to Opposer’s registered, long-used and famous
`
`trademark NOVARTIS. The goods covered in Applicants’ application are closely related to
`
`products and services offered by Opposer under its NOVARTIS mark such that consumer
`
`confusion is likely to result.
`
`(F0328055.1 )
`
`2
`
`

`
`
`
`7.
`
`Upon information and belief, Applicants applied to register the NOVAERIS mark
`
`with full knowledge of Opposer's rights to the NOVARTIS mark and with full knowledge of
`
`Opposer's then-existing federal trademark registrations for the NOVARTIS mark.
`
`8.
`
`The registration of Applicants’ mark is inconsistent with Opposer’s prior rights in
`
`the NOVARTIS mark and is inconsistent with Opposer’s statutory grant of exclusivity of use of
`
`the registered NOVARTIS mark, and would destroy Opposer’s investment and goodwill in its
`
`NOVARTIS mark.
`
`9.
`
`The mark NOVAERIS sought to be registered by Applicants is so similar to
`
`Opposer’s NOVARTIS mark as to be likely to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to
`
`deceive the purchasing public by creating the erroneous impression that Applicants’ goods are
`
`authorized, licensed or sponsored by Opposer, or in some other way connected with Opposer, all
`
`to Opposer’s great injury and harm. As such, any such use or registration of the mark
`
`NOVAERIS by Applicants would violate Section 2(d) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § l052(d).
`
`10.
`
`Because Opposer’s NOVARTIS mark is famous, Applicants’ use and registration
`
`of a highly similar mark NOVAERIS will dilute the distinctiveness of Opposer’s mark by
`
`blurring and/or tarnishing it. Accordingly, Applicants’ use and registration of NOVAERIS is in
`
`violation of Section 43(c) of the Federal Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. §l 125(0).
`
`{F0328055.l )
`
`3
`
`

`
`
`
`WHEREFORE, Opposer requests that its Notice of Opposition be granted and that
`
`Application Serial No 79/020,841 be denied.
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`FROSS ZELNICK LEHRMAN
`
`Dated: New York, New York
`
`August 5, 2008
`
`Attorneys for Opposer
`866 United Nations Plaza
`
`New York, New York 10017
`
`(212) 813-5900
`
`CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
`
`The undersigned, counsel for Opposer Novartis AG, hereby certifies that a true and
`
`correct copy of the attached NOTICE OF OPPOSITION with Exhibit A was served via first-
`
`class mail, postage prepaid, upon Applicants at their last-known addresses:
`
`Novaeris L.L.C.
`
`Mario V. Sorci
`
`24301 Roberts Drive, Suite A
`Black Diamond, WA 90810
`
`24303 Roberts Drive
`Black Diamond, WA 90810
`
`on this 5”‘ day of August 2008.
`
`C)
`
`John P. Ma iotta
`
`(F0328055.l )
`
`4
`
`

`
`
`
`Exhibit A
`
`

`
`
`
`Latest Status Info
`
`Page 1 of 3
`
`Thank you for your request. Here are the latest results from the TARR web server.
`
`This page was generated by the TARR system on 2008-08-05 14:33:50 ET
`
`Serial Number: 78365657 Assignment Information
`
`Trademark Document Retrieval
`
`Registration Number: 2997235
`
`Mark
`
`NOVARTIS
`
`(words only): NOVARTIS
`
`Standard Character claim: Yes
`
`Current Status: Registered.
`
`Date of Status: 2005-09-20
`
`Filing Date: 2004-02-10
`
`Transformed into a National Application: No
`
`Registration Date: 2005-09-20
`
`Register: Principal
`
`Law Office Assigned: LAW OFFICE 112
`
`If you are the applicant or applicant's attorney and have questions about this file, please contact the
`Trademark Assistance Center at TrademarkAssistanceCenter@uspto.gov
`
`Current Location: 650 —Publication And Issue Section
`
`Date In Location: 2005-09-20
`
`LAST APPLICANT(S)/OWNER(S) OF RECORD
`
`1. Novartis AG
`
`Address:
`
`Novartis AG
`
`CH-4002
`Basel
`Switzerland
`
`Legal Entity Type: Corporation
`
`http://tarr.uspto.gov/tarr?regser=registration&entry=2997235
`
`8/5/2008
`
`

`
`
`
`Latest Status Info
`
`State or Country of Incorporation: Switzerland
`
`Page 2 of 3
`
`GOODS AND/OR SERVICES
`
`International Class: 005
`Class Status: Active
`
`Adjuvants for use with veterinary Vaccines and veterinary vaccines for companion animals, farmed fish and
`livestock; veterinary products for companion animals, farmed fish and livestock, namely, cardiovascular
`treatment preparations, arthritis treatment preparations, renal treatment preparations, respiratory treatment
`preparations, reproductive treatment preparations, allergy treatment preparations, antibiotics, insecticides,
`pesticides and feed additives for veterinary use in the treatment of parasites, fleas, worms, renal diseases, heart
`diseases, allergic diseases, parasitic and bacterial infections, lameness, respiratory diseases, scours or enteritis,
`viral diseases, clostridial diseases, pinkeye, liver abscesses, influenza, pneumonia, mastitis, West Nile virus and
`erysipelas; insecticides and rodenticides for agricultural use, disinfectants for veterinary use
`Basis: l(a)
`First Use Date: 1997-09-30
`First Use in Commerce Date: 1997-09-30
`
`Prior Registration Number(s):
`2336960
`
`(NOT AVAILABLE)
`
`ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
`
`MADRID PROTOCOL INFORMATION
`
`PROSECUTION HISTORY
`
`NOTE: To View any document referenced below, click on the link to "Trademark Document Retrieval"
`shown near the top of this page.
`
`2005-09-20 - Registered - Principal Register
`
`2005-06-28 - Published for opposition
`
`2005-06-08 - Notice of publication
`
`2005-03-23 - Law Office Publication Review Completed
`
`2005-03-23 - Assigned To LIE
`
`2005-03-1 l - Approved for Pub - Principal Register (Initial exam)
`
`2005-03-1 1 - Amendment From Applicant Entered
`
`2005-02-18 - Communication received from applicant
`
`2005-02-18 - PAPER RECEIVED
`
`2004-09-08 - Non-final action mailed
`
`http://tarr.uspto. gov/tarr?regser=registration&entry=2997235
`
`8/5/2008
`
`

`
`
`Latest Status Info
`
`Page 3 of 3
`
`2004-09-07 - Non-Final Action Written
`
`2004-09-01 - Assigned To Examiner
`
`2004-02-23 - New Application Entered In Tram
`
`ATTORNEY/CORRESPONDENT INFORMATION
`
`Attorney of Record
`J. Allison Strickland
`
`Correspondent
`J. Allison Strickland
`
`Fross Zelnick Lehrman & Zissu, P.C.
`866 United Nations Plaza
`
`New York, NY 10017
`Phone Number: (212) 813-5900
`
`Domestic Representative
`Fross Zelnick Lehrman & Zissu, P.C.
`
`http://tarr.uspto.gov/tarr?regser=registration&entry=2997235
`
`8/5/2008
`
`

`
`
`
`Latest Status Info
`
`Page 1 of4
`
`Thank you for your request. Here are the latest results from the TARR web server.
`
`This page was generated by the TARR system on 2008-08-05 14:34:12 ET
`
`Serial Number: 75131409 Assignment lnforjmation
`
`Tr_ad_e_n1ar1<____D__o_g;_ument Retrieval
`
`Registration Number: 2336960
`
`Mark (words only): NOVARTIS
`
`Standard Character claim: No
`
`Current Status: Partial Section 8 and 15 affidavits have been accepted and acknowledged.
`
`Date of Status: 2006-06-23
`
`Filing Date: 1996-07-09
`
`Transformed into a National Application: No
`
`Registration Date: 2000-04-04
`
`Register: Principal
`
`Law Office Assigned: LAW OFFICE 105
`
`If you are the applicant or applicant's attorney and have questions about this file, please contact the
`Trademark Assistance Center at TrademarkAssistanceCenter@uspto.gov
`
`Current Location: (NOT AVAILABLE)
`
`Date In Location: 2006-06-23
`
`LAST APPLICANT(S)/OWNER(S) or RECORD
`
`1. NOVARTIS AG
`
`Address:
`
`NOVARTIS AG
`
`CH-4002 BASLE
`
`Switzerland
`
`Legal Entity Type: Corporation
`State or Country of Incorporation: Switzerland
`
`GOODS AND/OR SERVICES
`
`International Class: 001
`Class Status: Section 8 - Cancelled
`
`Basis: 44(e)
`First Use Date: (DATE NOT AVAILABLE)
`First Use in Commerce Date: (DATE NOT AVAILABLE)
`
`http://tarr.uspto.gov/tarr?regser=registration&entry=2336960&action=Request+Status
`
`8/5/2008
`
`

`
`
`Latest Status Info
`
`Page 2 of 4
`
`International Class: 005
`Class Status: Active
`
`pharmaceutical preparations for the treatment of — dermatological, cardiovascular, hematological, bone,
`respiratory, central nervous system, endocrinological, circulatory, gastroenterological, hormonal and diabetic
`disorders, coughs, colds, influenza, headaches, stomach and digestive disorders, muscular and/or rheumatic
`disorders, anti—inflammatory agents, immune system disorders and related diseases, allergic reactions, metabolic
`disorders, anti-infectives, occular disorders, and for use in oncology; diagnostic preparations and/or reagents for
`clinical or medical laboratory use; Contact lens and eyecare solutions and preparations, namely, disinfectants,
`cleaning solutions, saline solutions and wetting solutions; Nicotine for medicinal purposes in liquid, pill, tablet,
`caplet, powder or transdermal patch form; Dietetic substances for medical purposes, namely, nutritional,
`vitamin, herbal and mineral supplements and preparations, nutritional drink mix for use as a meal replacement,
`nutritional supplements in snack bar form for use as a meal replacement; Food and beverages for babies, infants
`and invalids, namely, baby food, infant formula, food for enteral administration and food for medically
`restricted diets; and Pesticides, fungicides, and insecticides, all for commercial, and/or domestic use
`Basis: 44(e)
`First Use Date: (DATE NOT AVAILABLE)
`First Use in Commerce Date: (DATE NOT AVAILABLE)
`
`International Class: 009
`Class Status: Section 8 - Cancelled
`
`Basis: 44(e)
`First Use Date: (DATE NOT AVAILABLE)
`First Use in Commerce Date: (DATE NOT AVAILABLE)
`
`International Class: 010
`Class Status: Section 8 - Cancelled
`
`Basis: 44(e)
`First Use Date: (DATE NOT AVAILABLE)
`First Use in Commerce Date: (DATE NOT AVAILABLE)
`
`International Class: 029
`Class Status: Section 8 - Cancelled
`
`Basis: 44(e)
`First Use Date: (DATE NOT AVAILABLE)
`First Use in Commerce Date: (DATE NOT AVAILABLE)
`
`International Class: 030
`Class Status: Section 8 - Cancelled
`
`Basis: 44(e)
`First Use Date: (DATE NOT AVAILABLE)
`First Use in Commerce Date: (DATE NOT AVAILABLE)
`
`International Class: 031
`Class Status: Section 8 - Cancelled
`
`Basis: 44(e)
`First Use Date: (DATE NOT AVAILABLE)
`First Use in Commerce Date: (DATE NOT AVAILABLE)
`
`International Class: 032
`
`Class Status: Section 8 — Cancelled
`
`Basis: 44(e)
`First Use Date: (DATE NOT AVAILABLE)
`First Use in Commerce Date: (DATE NOT AVAILABLE)
`
`http://tarr.uspto.gov/tarr?regser=registration&entry=2336960&action=Request+Status
`
`8/5/2008
`
`

`
`
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`Page 3 of 4
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`Latest Status Info
`
`International Class: 042
`Class Status: Section 8 - Cancelled
`
`Basis: 44(e)
`First Use Date: (DATE NOT AVAILABLE)
`First Use in Commerce Date: (DATE NOT AVAILABLE)
`
`ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
`
`Foreign Application Number: 01044/1996
`Foreign Registration Number: 427370
`Foreign Registration Date: 1996-02-15
`Country: Switzerland
`Foreign Filing Date: 1996-02-15
`Foreign Expiration Date: 2006-02-15
`
`MADRID PROTOCOL INFORMATION
`
`(NOT AVAILABLE)
`
`PROSECUTION HISTORY
`
`NOTE: To view any document referenced below, click on the link to "Trademark Document Retrieval"
`shown near the top of this page.
`
`2006-06-23 - Partial Section 8 (6-year) accepted & Section 15 acknowledged
`
`2006-O6-21 - Assigned To Paralegal
`
`2006-04-03 - Section 8 (6-year) and Section 15 Filed
`
`2006-04-12 - Case File In TICRS
`
`2006-04-03 - PAPER RECEIVED
`
`2004-08-05 - PAPER RECEIVED
`
`2000-04-04 - Registered - Principal Register
`
`2000-02-17 - Opposition terminated for Proceeding
`
`2000-02-17 - Opposition dismissed for Proceeding
`
`1998-11-02 - Opposition instituted for Proceeding
`
`1998-08-25 - Opposition papers filed
`
`1998-07-28 - Published for opposition
`
`1998-06-26 - Notice of publication
`
`1998-04-23 - Approved for Pub - Principal Register (Initial exam)
`
`http://tarr.uspto.goV/tarr?regser=registration&entry=2336960&action=Request+Status
`
`8/5/2008
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`

`
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`Latest Status Info
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`Page 4 of 4
`
`1998-03-13 - Communication received from applicant
`
`1998-03-05 - Inquiry as to suspension mailed
`
`1997-09-04 - Letter of suspension mailed
`
`1997-07-10 - Communication received from applicant
`
`1997-01-07 - Non-final action mailed
`
`1996-12-23 - Assigned To Examiner
`
`1996-12-06 - Assigned To Examiner
`
`
`
`ATTORNEY/CORRESPONDENT INFORMATION
`
`
`
`Attorney of Record
`NANCY SABARRA
`
`Correspondent
`NANCY SABARRA
`
`FROSS ZELNICK LEHRMAN ZISSU PC
`866 UNITED NATIONS PLAZA
`NEW YORK NY 10017
`
`Domestic Representative
`FROSS ZELNICK LEHRMAN ZISSU PC
`
`http://tarr.uspto.gov/tarr?regser=registration&entry=2336960&action=Request+Status
`
`8/5/2008