To:
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`Subject:
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`Sent:
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`Sent As:
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`Attachments:
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`Juan Rodriguez (cocaleafcompany@gmail.com)
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`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 85391682 - COCALEAF - N/A
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`4/9/2012 9:02:42 AM
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`ECOM110@USPTO.GOV
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`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)
`OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) ABOUT APPLICANT’S TRADEMARK APPLICATION
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`85391682
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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)
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`*85391682*
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`CLICK 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)(cid:160) APPLICATION SERIAL NO.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) MARK: COCALEAF(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160) (cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) APPLICANT:(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160) Juan Rodriguez(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(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)
`N/A(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(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)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`JUAN RODRIGUEZ(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`12000 NW 15TH CT(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(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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`Pembroke Pines FL 33026-2598
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`cocaleafcompany@gmail.com
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`OFFICE ACTION
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`STRICT DEADLINE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER
`TO AVOID ABANDONMENT OF APPLICANT’S TRADEMARK APPLICATION, THE USPTO MUST RECEIVE APPLICANT’S COMPLETE
`RESPONSE TO THIS LETTER WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF THE ISSUE/MAILING DATE BELOW.
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`(cid:160)I
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`SSUE/MAILING DATE: 4/9/2012
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`(cid:160)T
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`he applicant’s response has been received. The consent agreement is acceptable and the refusal under section 2(d) and potential refusals have
`been withdrawn. However, the following new issues are raised.
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`(cid:160)M
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`ARK IS DECEPTIVELY MISDESCRIPTIVE
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`(cid:160)R
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`egistration is refused because the applied-for mark is deceptively misdescriptive of applicant’s goods and/or services. (cid:160) Trademark Act Section
`2(e)(1), 15 U.S.C. §1052(e)(1); see TMEP §1209.04.
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`(cid:160)A
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` mark is deceptively misdescriptive if it describes an ingredient, quality, characteristic, function or feature of the relevant goods and/or
`services, and the description conveyed by the mark is both false and plausible.(cid:160) In re Woodward & Lothrop Inc., 4 USPQ2d 1412 (TTAB 1987)
`(holding CAMEO deceptively misdescriptive of jewelry); In re Ox-Yoke Originals, Inc., 222 USPQ 352 (TTAB 1983) (holding G.I. deceptively
`misdescriptive of gun cleaning patches, rods, brushes, solvents and oils); TMEP §1209.04.
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`(cid:160)T
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`he Trademark Act does not prohibit the registration of misdescriptive terms unless consumers who encounter the mark are likely to believe the
`misrepresentation.(cid:160) Binney & Smith Inc. v. Magic Marker Indus., Inc., 222 USPQ 1003 (TTAB 1984); TMEP §1209.04.
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`(cid:160)T
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`he test for deceptive misdescriptiveness has two parts:(cid:160) (1) whether the mark misdescribes an ingredient, characteristic, quality, function,
`feature, composition or use of the goods and/or services; and if so, (2) would consumers be likely to believe the misrepresentation.(cid:160) See In re
`Berman Bros. Harlem Furniture Inc., 26 USPQ2d 1514 (TTAB 1993); In re Woodward & Lothrop Inc., 4 USPQ2d 1412 (TTAB 1987); In re
`Quady Winery, Inc., 221 USPQ 1213 (TTAB 1984); TMEP §1209.04.
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`(cid:160)T
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`he applicant has indicated that the goods do not contain COCA or any COCA extracts, etc. Consumers are likely to believe the goods contain
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`(cid:160)
`

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`this ingredient and would believe the misrepresentation. If the applicant has any questions or needs assistance in responding to this Office action,
`please telephone the assigned examining attorney.
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`Marks that have been refused registration pursuant to Trademark Act Section 2(e)(1) on the ground of deceptive misdescriptiveness may be
`registrable on the Principal Register under Section 2(f) upon a showing of acquired distinctiveness, or on the Supplemental Register.(cid:160) Trademark
`Act Sections 2(f) and 23, 15 U.S.C. §§1052(f), 1091; TMEP §1209.04.(cid:160) Marks that are deceptive under Section 2(a) are not registrable on either
`the Principal Register or the Supplemental Register under any circumstances.(cid:160) TMEP §1209.04.
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`MARK IS DECEPTIVE
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`(cid:160)R
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`egistration is refused because the applied-for mark consists of or includes deceptive matter in relation to the identified goods and/or services.(cid:160)
`Trademark Act Section 2(a), 15 U.S.C. §1052(a); see In re Budge Mfg. Co., 857 F.2d 773, 8 USPQ2d 1259 (Fed. Cir. 1988); In re ALP of S.
`Beach Inc., 79 USPQ2d 1009 (TTAB 2006); TMEP §1203.02.
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`(cid:160)A
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` mark is deceptive if the following criteria are met:
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`(1)(cid:160) The applied-for mark consists of or contains a term that misdescribes the character, quality, function, composition, or use of the
`goods and/or services.
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`(2)(cid:160) Prospective purchasers are likely to believe that the misdescription actually describes the goods and/or services.
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`(3)(cid:160) The misdescription is likely to affect a significant portion of the relevant consumers’ decision to purchase the goods and/or services.
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`(cid:160)S
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`ee In re Budge, 857 F.2d at 775, 8 USPQ2d at 1260; In re ALP of S. Beach Inc., 79 USPQ2d at 1010; TMEP §1203.02(b); see also In re Spirits
`Int’l, N.V. , 563 F.3d 1347, 1353, 1356, 90 USPQ2d 1489, 1492-93, 1495 (Fed. Cir. 2009) (holding that the test for materiality incorporates a
`requirement that a “significant portion of the relevant consumers be deceived”).
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`(cid:160)I
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`n this case, the applied-for mark contains the wording “COCA”; this misdescribes applicant’s goods and/or services because the applicant has
`indicated the goods do not contain any coca or coca extracts.(cid:160) Consumers are likely to believe this misdescription, and it will likely affect a
`significant portion of the relevant consumers’ decision to purchase the goods and/or services because consumers would assume the goods
`contain coca extracts since they are commonly sought after as stimulants in beverages. See attached evidence from the previous Office Action
`indicating that COCA is used in beverages as a stimulant.
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`(cid:160)I
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`f this wording does not actually describe a feature or characteristic of the goods and/or services, the applied-for mark will deceive the public as
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`to a material factor in its purchasing decision.(cid:160) See TMEP §1203.02(c).(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`If the applicant has any questions or needs assistance in responding to this Office action, please telephone the assigned examining attorney.
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`TEAS PLUS APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT DOCUMENTS ELECTRONICALLY OR SUBMIT FEE:(cid:160) Applicants who filed their
`application online using the reduced-fee TEAS Plus application must continue to submit certain documents online using TEAS, including
`responses to Office actions.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §2.23(a)(1).(cid:160) For a complete list of these documents, see TMEP §819.02(b).(cid:160) In addition, such
`applicants must accept correspondence from the Office via e-mail throughout the examination process and must maintain a valid e-mail address.(cid:160)
`37 C.F.R. §2.23(a)(2); TMEP §§819, 819.02(a).(cid:160) TEAS Plus applicants who do not meet these requirements must submit an additional fee of
`$50 per international class of goods and/or services.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.6(a)(1)(iv); TMEP §819.04.(cid:160) In appropriate situations and where all issues can
`be resolved by amendment, responding by telephone to authorize an examiner’s amendment will not incur this additional fee.
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`/rebecca smith/
`Rebecca Smith
`U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`

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`Law Office 110
`(571) 272-9223
`rebecca.smith6@uspto.gov
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`(cid:160)T
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`O RESPOND TO THIS LETTER: (cid:160) Go to http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp. (cid:160) Please wait 48-72 hours from the
`issue/mailing date before using 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(cid:160)questions about the Office action itself, please contact the assigned trademark examining attorney.(cid:160)(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(cid:160)an individual applicant or(cid:160)someone with legal authority to bind an
`applicant (i.e., a corporate officer, a general partner, all joint applicants).(cid:160)(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 Trademark Applications and Registrations Retrieval (TARR) at
`http://tarr.uspto.gov/. (cid:160) Please keep a copy of the complete TARR screen. (cid:160) If TARR shows no change for more than six months, 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/teas/eTEASpageE.htm.
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`

`
`To:
`
`Subject:
`
`Sent:
`
`Sent As:
`
`Attachments:
`
`Juan Rodriguez (cocaleafcompany@gmail.com)
`
`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 85391682 - COCALEAF - N/A
`
`4/9/2012 9:02:44 AM
`
`ECOM110@USPTO.GOV
`
`IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING YOUR TRADEMARK APPLICATION
`Your trademark application (Serial No. 85391682) has been reviewed.(cid:160)(cid:160) The examining attorney assigned by the
`United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) has written a letter (an “Office Action”) on 4/9/2012 to
`which you must respond.(cid:160) Please follow these steps:
`
`(cid:160)1
`
`. Read the Office letter by clicking on this link OR go to http://tmportal.uspto.gov/external/portal/tow and enter your serial number to
`
`access the Office letter.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) PLEASE NOTE: The(cid:160)Office letter may not be(cid:160)immediately available but will be(cid:160)viewable within(cid:160)24 hours of this e-mail notification.
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`2. Respond within 6 months, calculated from 4/9/2012 (or sooner if specified in the Office letter), using the Trademark Electronic Application
`System Response to Office Action form. If you have difficulty using the USPTO website, contact TDR@uspto.gov.(cid:160)(cid:160)
`3. Contact the examining attorney who reviewed your application with any questions about the content of the office letter:
`
`(cid:160)/
`
`rebecca smith/
`Rebecca Smith
`U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
`Law Office 110
`(571) 272-9223
`rebecca.smith6@uspto.gov
`
`WARNING
`Failure to file any required response by the applicable deadline will result in the ABANDONMENT of your application.
`Do NOT hit “Reply” to this e-mail notification, or otherwise attempt to e-mail your response, as the USPTO does NOT accept e-mailed
`responses.(cid:160) Instead, please use the Trademark Electronic Application System Response to Office Action form.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)