UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)
`OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) ABOUT APPLICANT’S TRADEMARK APPLICATION
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`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 79146505
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) MARK: DOOMDADA
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`*79146505*
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`(cid:160)C
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`LICK HERE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER:
`http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS:
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160) SU INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160) 2Fl., Nonhyeon-ro 101-gil,
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Gangnam-gu
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Seoul 135-907
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160) REPUBLIC OF KOREA
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) APPLICANT: YG ENTERTAINMENT INC.
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(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)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`(cid:160) (cid:160) N/A
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) CORRESPONDENT E-MAIL ADDRESS:(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`OFFICE ACTION
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`STRICT DEADLINE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER
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`NTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION NO. 1201827
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`(cid:160)I
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`STRICT DEADLINE TO RESPOND TO THIS NOTIFICATION:(cid:160) TO AVOID ABANDONMENT
`OF THE REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF PROTECTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL
`REGISTRATION, THE USPTO MUST RECEIVE A COMPLETE RESPONSE TO THIS
`PROVISIONAL FULL REFUSAL NOTIFICATION WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF THE “DATE ON
`WHICH THE NOTIFICATION WAS SENT TO WIPO (MAILING DATE)” LOCATED ON THE
`WIPO COVER LETTER ACCOMPANYING THIS NOTIFICATION.
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`(cid:160)I
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`n addition to the Mailing Date appearing on the WIPO cover letter, a holder (hereafter “applicant”) may
`confirm this Mailing Date using the USPTO’s Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TSDR) system
`at http://tsdr.uspto.gov/.(cid:160) To do so, enter the U.S. application serial number for this application and then
`select “Documents.” (cid:160) The Mailing Date used to calculate the response deadline for this provisional full
`refusal is the “Create/Mail Date” of the “IB-1rst Refusal Note.”
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`(cid:160)T
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`his is a PROVISIONAL FULL REFUSAL of the request for extension of protection of the mark in the
`above-referenced U.S. application.(cid:160) See 15 U.S.C. §1141h(c).(cid:160) See below in this notification (hereafter
`“Office action”) for details regarding the provisional full refusal.
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`(cid:160)D
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`ATABASE SEARCH
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`he trademark examining attorney has searched the Office’s database of registered and pending marks
`and has found no conflicting marks that would bar registration under Trademark Act Section 2(d).(cid:160) TMEP
`§704.02; see 15 U.S.C. §1052(d).
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`(cid:160)
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`IDENTIFICATION OF GOODS AND SERVICES MUST BE CLARIFIED
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`he following wording in the identification of goods and/or services is indefinite and must be clarified:
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`(cid:160)C
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`lass 9
`Sound recording carriers (medium must be indicated)
`Computer software (purpose/function/subject matter must be indicated)
`Optical data media (must indicate if blank or pre-recorded; if pre-recorded, subject matter must be
`indicated)
`Magnetic data media (must indicate if blank or pre-recorded; if pre-recorded, subject matter must be
`indicated)
`Pre-recorded music electronic media (nature of media must be indicated)
`Pre-recorded non-musical electronic media (excluding computer software) (nature of media must be
`indicated)
`Downloadable electronic publications (nature and subject matter of publications and must be indicated)
`Phonograph records; CDs; DVDs (subject matter must be indicated)
`Discs; audio tapes (must indicate if blank or pre-recorded; if pre-recorded, subject matter must be
`indicated)
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`(cid:160)C
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`lass 41
`Organization of competitions (education or entertainment) (nature of competitions must be listed)
`Amusement information (nature of amusement must be indicated)
`Entertainment services performed by singers (nature of services must be indicated)
`Performance planning (nature of service must be clarified)
`Film production (other than advertising films) (clarify as film production excluding advertising films)
`Presentation of live performances (type of performances must be indicated)
`Production of live performances (type of performances must be indicated)
`Entertainer performance services (nature of services must be indicated)
`Distribution (other than transportation) of audio recordings (must be clarified; however, appears to be
`properly classified in Class 35; applicant may not amend international class of goods/services in §66(a)
`application)
`Music performances (must indicate that performances are live)
`Production of music performances (must be clarified as music production services)
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`(cid:160)S
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`ee TMEP §§1402.01, 1402.03.
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`(cid:160)T
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`he international classification of goods and/or services in applications filed under Trademark Act
`Section 66(a) cannot be changed from the classification the International Bureau assigned to the goods
`and/or services in the corresponding international registration.(cid:160) TMEP §§1401.03(d), 1904.02(b).
`Therefore, any modification to this wording must identify goods and/or services in International Classes 9
`and 41, the classifications specified in the application for these goods and/or services.
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`(cid:160)A
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`lso, an applicant may only amend an identification to clarify or limit the goods and/or services, but not
`to add to or broaden the scope of the goods and/or services.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.71(a); see TMEP §§1402.06 et
`seq., 1402.07.
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`(cid:160)A
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`lso, note that parentheses and brackets should not be used in identifications.(cid:160) Parenthetical information
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`is permitted in identifications only if it serves to explain or translate the matter immediately preceding the
`parenthetical phrase in such a way that it does not affect the clarity of the identification, e.g., “obi
`(Japanese sash).” (cid:160) TMEP §1402.12.(cid:160) Therefore, applicant must remove the parentheses from the
`identification of goods and/or services and incorporate the parenthetical information into the description.
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`The following substitute wording is suggested, if appropriate:(cid:160)(cid:160)
`Sound recording carriers, namely, ___(list type of medium and if blank or pre-recorded; if
`pre-recorded, list subject matter, e.g., blank DVDs, pre-recorded CDs featuring music, etc.);
`earphones; headphones; computer software featuring ____(list purpose or subject matter, e.g., for use
`in accounting, etc.); optical data media, namely, ___(list type of medium and if blank or pre-
`recorded; if pre-recorded, list subject matter, e.g., blank optical discs, pre-recorded CDs featuring
`music, etc.); magnetic data media, namely, ___(list type of medium and if blank or pre-recorded; if
`pre-recorded, list subject matter, e.g., blank optical discs, pre-recorded CDs featuring music, etc.);
`downloadable music files; pre-recorded music electronic media, namely, ___(clarify, e.g., pre-recorded
`CDs, etc., featuring music, etc.); pre-recorded non-musical electronic media, excluding computer
`software, namely, ___(clarify, e.g., pre-recorded CDs, etc., featuring children’s stories, etc.);
`downloadable electronic publications; phonograph records,(cid:160) CDs, and DVDs, featuring ____(list, e.g.,.
`music, etc.); discs, namely, ___ (list, e.g., DVDs, etc., featuring ___ (list, e.g., music, etc.); audio tapes,
`namely,(cid:160) ______ (list, blank, or pre-recorded; if pre-recorded, list subject matter, e.g., featuring
`music, etc.); in Class 9
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`(cid:160)O
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`rganization of competitions for education or entertainment, namely, ____ (list, e.g., sports, golf,
`tennis, etc.) competitions; entertainment information; information about amusements, namely, _____
`(list, e.g., about television programs, concerts, etc.); organization of exhibitions for cultural or
`educational purposes; entertainment services performed by singers, namely, live music performances,
`personal appearances by singers, etc.; performance planning, namely, ____ (list, e.g., direction of
`plays, etc.); film production excluding advertising films; organisation of pop music concerts; presentation
`of live ____ (indicate type, e.g., musical, theatrical, circus, etc.) performances; production of live ____
`(indicate type, e.g., musical, theatrical, circus, etc.) performances; production of music videos;
`entertainer performance services, namely, ___(list, e.g., personal appearances by a _____ (indicate
`type of individual, e.g., movie star, sports celebrity, etc., live musical performances, etc.); production
`of audio recordings; music performances, namely, ____(list, e.g., live musical performance, live
`performances by a musical band, theatrical and musical floor shows provided at performance
`venues, etc.); production of music performances; music composition services; production of music;
`arranging and conducting of concerts; presentation of concerts; rental of audio recordings; in Class 41
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`(cid:160)T
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`he wording “distribution (other than transportation) of audio recordings” is unacceptable as indefinite. (cid:160)
`The proper wording is “distributorship services in the field of audio recordings,” in International Class
`35. (cid:160) However, the international classification of goods and/or services in applications filed under
`Trademark Act Section 66(a) cannot be changed from the classification the International Bureau assigned
`to the goods and/or services in the corresponding international registration.(cid:160) TMEP §§1401.03(d),
`1904.02(b). (cid:160) Therefore, the applicant must either amend the wording “distribution” to other wording that
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`is acceptable in Class 41, or delete the phrase.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`EXPLANATION OF MARK’S SIGNIFICANCE
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`(cid:160)A
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`pplicant must explain whether “DOOMDADA” has any meaning or significance in the industry in
`which the goods and/or services are manufactured/provided, or if such wording is a “term of art” within
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`applicant’s industry. (cid:160) Applicant must also explain whether this wording identifies a geographic place.(cid:160) See
`37 C.F.R. §2.61(b); TMEP §814.
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`(cid:160)F
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`urther, applicant must provide additional information about this wording to enable proper examination
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`of the application.(cid:160) Specifically, applicant must respond to the following questions:(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`Indicate any translation of DOOMDADA into English.
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`(cid:160)F
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`ailure to respond to this request for information can be grounds for refusing registration.(cid:160) See In re DTI
`P’ship LLP , 67 USPQ2d 1699, 1701 (TTAB 2003); TMEP §814.
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`WHO IS PERMITTED TO RESPOND TO THIS PROVISIONAL FULL REFUSAL:(cid:160) Any
`response to this provisional refusal must be personally signed by an individual applicant, all joint
`applicants, or someone with legal authority to bind a juristic applicant (e.g., a corporate officer or general
`partner).(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §§2.62(b), 2.193(e)(2)(ii); TMEP §712.01.(cid:160) If applicant hires a qualified U.S. attorney
`to respond on his or her behalf, then the attorney must sign the response.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §§2.193(e)(2)(i),
`11.18(a); TMEP §§611.03(b), 712.01.(cid:160) Qualified U.S. attorneys include those in good standing with a bar
`of the highest court of any U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and other federal territories
`and possessions of the United States.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §§2.17(a), 2.62(b), 11.1, 11.14(a); TMEP §§602,
`712.01.(cid:160) Additionally, for all responses, the proper signatory must personally sign the document or
`personally enter his or her electronic signature on the electronic filing.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §2.193(a); TMEP
`§§611.01(b), 611.02.(cid:160) The name of the signatory must also be printed or typed immediately below or
`adjacent to the signature, or identified elsewhere in the filing.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.193(d); TMEP §611.01(b).
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`(cid:160)I
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`n general, foreign attorneys are not permitted to represent applicants before the USPTO (e.g., file written
`communications, authorize an amendment to an application, or submit legal arguments in response to a
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`requirement or refusal).(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §11.14(c), (e); TMEP §§602.03-.03(b), 608.01.(cid:160)(cid:160)
`DESIGNATION OF DOMESTIC REPRESENTATIVE:(cid:160) The USPTO encourages applicants who do
`not reside in the United States to designate a domestic representative upon whom any notice or process
`may be served.(cid:160) TMEP §610; see 15 U.S.C. §§1051(e), 1141h(d); 37 C.F.R. §2.24(a)(1)-(2).(cid:160) Such
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`designations may be filed online at http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/correspondence.jsp.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`HOW APPLICANT MUST RESPOND
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`(cid:160)F
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`or this application to proceed toward registration, applicant must explicitly address each refusal and/or
`requirement raised in this Office action.(cid:160) If the action includes a refusal, applicant may provide arguments
`and/or evidence as to why the refusal should be withdrawn and the mark should register.(cid:160) Applicant may
`also have other options for responding to a refusal and should consider such options carefully.(cid:160) To
`respond to requirements and certain refusal response options, applicant should set forth in writing the
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`required changes or statements.(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`If applicant does not respond to this Office action within six months of the issue/mailing date, or responds
`by expressly abandoning the application, the application process will end, the trademark will fail to
`register, and the application fee will not be refunded.(cid:160) See 15 U.S.C. §1062(b); 37 C.F.R. §§2.65(a),
`2.68(a), 2.209(a); TMEP §§405.04, 718.01, 718.02.(cid:160) Where the application has been abandoned for
`failure to respond to an Office action, applicant’s only option would be to file a timely petition to revive
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`the application, which, if granted, would allow the application to return to live status.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R.
`§2.66; TMEP §1714.(cid:160) There is a $100 fee for such petitions.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §§2.6, 2.66(b)(1).
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`APPLICANT MAY WISH TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY
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`(cid:160)B
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`ecause of the legal technicalities and strict deadlines involved in the USPTO application process,
`applicant may wish to hire a private attorney specializing in trademark matters to represent applicant in
`this process and provide legal advice.(cid:160) Although the undersigned trademark examining attorney is
`permitted to help an applicant understand the contents of an Office action as well as the application
`process in general, no USPTO attorney or staff is permitted to give an applicant legal advice or statements
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`about an applicant’s legal rights. (cid:160) TMEP §§705.02, 709.06.(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`For attorney referral information, applicant may consult the American Bar Association’s Consumers’
`Guide to Legal Help at http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/findlegalhelp/home.cfm, an attorney referral
`service of a state or local bar association, or a local telephone directory.(cid:160) The USPTO may not assist an
`applicant in the selection of a private attorney.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.11.
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`(cid:160)I
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`n addition, foreign attorneys, other than authorized Canadian attorneys, are not permitted to represent
`applicants before the USPTO (e.g., file written communications, authorize an amendment to an
`application, or submit legal arguments in response to a requirement or refusal).(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §§2.17(e),
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`11.14(c), (e); TMEP §602.03-.03(c).(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`The only attorneys who may practice before the USPTO in trademark matters are as follows:
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`(cid:160)(
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`1)(cid:160) Attorneys in good standing with a bar of the highest court of any U.S. state, the District of Columbia,
`Puerto Rico, and other federal territories and possessions of the United States
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`(cid:160)(
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`2)(cid:160) Canadian agents/attorneys who represent applicants located in Canada and (a) are registered with the
`USPTO and in good standing as patent agents or (b) have been granted reciprocal recognition by the
`USPTO
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`(cid:160)S
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`ee 37 C.F.R. §§2.17(a), (e), 11.1, 11.14(a), (c); TMEP §602.
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`ANY QUESTIONS?
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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. §2.191; 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.
`
`/Esther A. Belenker/
`Trademark Examining Attorney
`Law Office 111
`(571) 272-9125
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`Fax:(cid:160) (571) 273-9125
`esther.belenker@uspto.gov
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`TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER: (cid:160) Go to http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp. (cid:160) Please
`wait 48-72 hours from the issue/mailing date before using the Trademark Electronic Application System
`(TEAS), to allow for necessary system updates of the application.(cid:160) For technical assistance with online
`forms, e-mail TEAS@uspto.gov.(cid:160) For questions about the Office action itself, please contact the assigned
`trademark examining attorney.(cid:160) E-mail communications will not be accepted as responses to Office
`actions; therefore, do not respond to this Office action by e-mail.
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`(cid:160)A
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`ll informal e-mail communications relevant to this application will be placed in the official
`application record.
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`(cid:160)W
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`HO MUST SIGN THE RESPONSE:(cid:160) It must be personally signed by an individual applicant or
`someone with legal authority to bind an applicant (i.e., a corporate officer, a general partner, all joint
`
`applicants).(cid:160) If an applicant is represented by an attorney, the attorney must sign the 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)