To:
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`Subject:
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`Sent:
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`Sent As:
`
`Attachments:
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`FLOOD SEARCH LLC (rpalbrecht@atfirm.com)
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`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 86614810 - FS - 0054-00004 U
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`8/11/2015 10:38:47 AM
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`ECOM113@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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`*86614810*
`
`CLICK HERE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER:
`http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp
`
`VIEW YOUR APPLICATION FILE
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`U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. (cid:160) 86614810
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`(cid:160)M
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`ARK: FS
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`CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS:
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160) RALPH P. ALBRECHT
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160) Atfirm Pllc
`(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) 8200 Greensboro Dr
`(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160) Mc Lean, VA 22102-3892
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`APPLICANT: FLOOD SEARCH LLC
`
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(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)
`CORRESPONDENT E-MAIL ADDRESS:(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`(cid:160) 0054-00004 U
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`rpalbrecht@atfirm.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.
`
`(cid:160)I
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`SSUE/MAILING DATE: 8/11/2015
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`The referenced application has been reviewed by the assigned trademark examining attorney.(cid:160) Applicant must respond timely and completely to
`the issue(s) below.(cid:160) 15 U.S.C. §1062(b); 37 C.F.R. §§2.62(a), 2.65(a); TMEP §§711, 718.03.
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`(cid:160)T
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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)S
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`ummary of the Issues
`1.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Identification and Classification of the Goods and Services;
`2.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Description of the Mark.
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`(cid:160)I
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`dentification and Classification of the Goods and Services
`The applicant has applied for the mark FS for “providing insurance, real estate, and financial risk analysis information relating to flooding;
`making flood hazard determinations of residential and commercial properties for insurance purposes; providing real estate property flood zone
`determination services; inspecting, evaluating, assessing real estate properties to determine if the real estate properties are in a flood zone hazard
`area; providing flood zone determination services, flood information, and flood file data to mobile smart devices; providing real-time, accurate,
`onsite flood information including flood zone determination; analyzing and providing consulting services, and risk assessment, relating to flood
`zone determination regarding real estate property for investors, companies, lenders, banks, mortgage companies, financial services companies,
`homeowners, real estate agents, surveyors, appraisers, or insurance agents; all of the above-mentioned services further provided via global
`computer networks and the Internet” in International Class 36, and “inspecting properties to determine if they are in flood hazard areas;
`providing use of downloadable computer software over a global computer network that provides geographic maps and flood information and
`assists in determining flood risk; providing real estate property flood zone determination services; inspecting, evaluating, assessing real estate
`properties to determine if the real estate properties are in a flood zone hazard area; providing flood zone determination services, flood
`information, and flood file data to mobile smart devices; providing real-time, accurate, onsite flood information including flood zone
`
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`

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`determination; analyzing and providing consulting services, and risk assessment, relating to flood zone determination regarding real estate
`property for investors, companies, lenders, banks, mortgage companies, financial services companies, homeowners, real estate agents, surveyors,
`appraisers, or insurance agents; all of the above-mentioned services further provided via global computer networks and the Internet” in
`International Class 42.
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`(cid:160)T
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`he goods of “downloadable computer software over a global computer network that provides geographic maps and flood information and
`assists in determining flood risk” are classified incorrectly. (cid:160) Applicant must amend the application to classify the goods in International Class 9.(cid:160)
`See 37 C.F.R. §§2.32(a)(7), 2.85; TMEP §§1401.02(a), 1401.03(b).
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`(cid:160)T
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`he identification of services in International Class 36 is indefinite and must be clarified because it could include services properly classified in
`other International Classes.(cid:160) See TMEP §1402.01.(cid:160)(cid:160) Specifically, the applicant must clearly indicate its insurance services, and indicate that its
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`flood services for real estate are real estate assessment services.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`The identification of services International Class 42 is indefinite and must be clarified because it could include services properly classified in
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`other International Classes.(cid:160) See TMEP §1402.01.(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`In the identification of goods, applicant must use the common commercial or generic names for the goods, be as complete and specific as
`possible, and avoid the use of indefinite words and phrases.(cid:160) TMEP §1402.03(a).(cid:160) If applicant uses indefinite words such as “accessories,”
`“apparatus,” “components,” “devices,” “equipment,” “materials,” “parts,” “systems,” or “products,” such words must be followed by
`“namely,” followed by a list of the specific goods identified by their common commercial or generic names. (cid:160) See TMEP §§1401.05(d),
`1402.03(a).
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`(cid:160)I
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`n the identification of services, applicant must use the common commercial or generic names for the services, be as complete and specific as
`possible, and avoid the use of indefinite words and phrases.(cid:160) TMEP §1402.03(a).(cid:160) If applicant uses indefinite words and phrases such as
`“services in connection with,” “such as,” “including,” “and like services,”
`(cid:160) “concepts,” or “not limited to,” such wording must be followed
`by “namely,” and a list of the specific services identified by their common commercial or generic names. (cid:160) See id.
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`(cid:160)A
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`pplicant may substitute the following wording, if accurate:(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`“ Downloadable computer software over a global computer network that provides geographic maps and flood information and assists in
`determining flood risk” in International Class 9;
`
`(cid:160)“
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`Providing real estate flood insurance;(cid:160) financial risk assessment relating to flooding of real estate; real estate assessment services, namely,
`making flood hazard determinations of residential and commercial properties for insurance purposes; real estate assessment services, namely,
`providing real estate property flood zone determination services; real estate assessment services, namely, inspecting, evaluating, assessing real
`estate properties to determine if the real estate properties are in a flood zone hazard area for insurance purposes” in International Class 36;
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`(cid:160)“
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`Providing temporary use of an online non-downloadable software application that provides flood zone determination services, flood
`information, and flood file data to mobile smart devices; Providing temporary use of an online non-downloadable software application that
`provides real-time, accurate, onsite flood information including flood zone determination; Providing temporary use of an online non-
`downloadable software application that analyzes and provides consulting services, and risk assessment, relating to flood zone determination
`regarding real estate property for investors, companies, lenders, banks, mortgage companies, financial services companies, homeowners, real
`estate agents, surveyors, appraisers, or insurance agents; all of the above-mentioned services further provided via global computer networks and
`the Internet” in International Class 42.
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`(cid:160)T
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`MEP §§1402.01 and 1402.03.
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`The identification of goods or services should be clear, accurate and as concise as possible.(cid:160) See Procter & Gamble Co. v. Economics
`Laboratory, Inc., 175 USPQ 505 (TTAB 1972); In re Cardinal Laboratories, Inc., 149 USPQ 709 (TTAB 1966); California Spray-Chemical
`Corp. v. Osmose Wood Preserving Co. of America, Inc., 102 USPQ 321 (Comm'r Pats. 1954); Ex parte A.C. Gilbert Co., 99 USPQ 344
`(Comm'r Pats. 1953).(cid:160) Furthermore, the identification of goods and services must be specific and definite.(cid:160) In re Societe Generale des Eaux
`Minerales de Vittel S.A., 1 USPQ2d 1296 (TTAB 1986), rev'd on other grounds, 824 F.2d 957, 3 USPQ2d 1450 (Fed. Cir. 1987).
`The examining attorney may make any requirements necessary to ensure that the identification is clear and accurate and conforms to the
`requirements of the statute and rules.(cid:160) When an applicant has submitted an indefinite identification of goods or services, it is Office practice to
`suggest an acceptable identification.(cid:160) However, it is the applicant's duty and prerogative to identify the goods and services.(cid:160)(cid:160) TMEP Section
`1402.01(d).
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`(cid:160)A
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`n applicant may only amend an identification to clarify or limit the goods, but not to add to or broaden the scope of the goods.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R.
`
`§2.71(a); see TMEP §§1402.06 et seq., 1402.07.(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`

`

`For assistance with identifying and classifying goods and services in trademark applications, please see the USPTO’s online searchable U.S.
`Acceptable Identification of Goods and Services Manual at http://tess2.uspto.gov/netahtml/tidm.html. (cid:160) See TMEP §1402.04.
`
`Multiple-Class Application Requirements
`The application identifies goods and/or services in more than one international class; therefore, applicant must satisfy all the requirements below
`for each international class based on use in commerce under Section 1(a):
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`(1)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`(2)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`List the goods and/or services by their international class number in consecutive numerical order, starting with the lowest
`numbered class.
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`Submit a filing fee for each international class not covered by the fee(s) already paid (view the USPTO’s current fee schedule at
`http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/tm_fee_info.jsp).(cid:160) The application identifies goods and/or services that are classified in at least 3
`classes; however, applicant submitted a fee sufficient for only 2 classes.(cid:160) Applicant must either submit the filing fees for the classes
`not covered by the submitted fees or restrict the application to the number of classes covered by the fees already paid.
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`(3)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`Submit verified dates of first use of the mark anywhere and in commerce for each international class.
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`See 15 U.S.C. §§1051(a), 1112; 37 C.F.R. §§ 2.32(a)(6)-(7), 2.34(a)(1), 2.86(a); TMEP §§904, 1403.01, 1403.02(c).
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`(cid:160)F
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`or an overview of the requirements for a Section 1(a) multiple-class application and how to satisfy the requirements online using the Trademark
`Electronic Application System (TEAS) form, please go to http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/law/multiclass.jsp.
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`Description of the Mark
`The description of the mark uses broad, vague language that does not accurately describe the applied-for mark.(cid:160) Applications for marks not in
`standard characters must include an accurate and concise description that identifies all literal elements as well as any design elements in the
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`mark.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §2.37; TMEP §808.02.(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`Therefore, applicant must provide a more detailed description of the applied-for mark.(cid:160) The following is suggested:
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`The mark consists of the letters “FS” with a wavy line across the upper half of both letters.
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`If the applicant has any questions, please contact the undersigned.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`TEAS PLUS OR TEAS REDUCED FEE (TEAS RF) APPLICANTS – TO MAINTAIN LOWER FEE, ADDITIONAL
`REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET, INCLUDING SUBMITTING DOCUMENTS ONLINE:(cid:160) Applicants who filed their application
`online using the lower-fee TEAS Plus or TEAS RF application form must (1) file certain documents online using TEAS, including responses to
`Office actions (see TMEP §§819.02(b), 820.02(b) for a complete list of these documents); (2) maintain a valid e-mail correspondence address;
`and (3) agree to receive correspondence from the USPTO by e-mail throughout the prosecution of the application.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §§2.22(b),
`2.23(b); TMEP §§819, 820.(cid:160) TEAS Plus or TEAS RF applicants who do not meet these requirements must submit an additional processing fee of
`$50 per international class of goods and/or services.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §§2.6(a)(1)(v), 2.22(c), 2.23(c); TMEP §§819.04, 820.04.(cid:160) However, in certain
`situations, TEAS Plus or TEAS RF applicants may respond to an Office action by authorizing an examiner’s amendment by telephone without
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`incurring this additional fee.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`/Ty Murray/
`Attorney Advisor
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Law Office 113
`(571) 272-9438
`ty.murray@uspto.gov
`
`(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 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
`
`(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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`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)
`

`

`To:
`
`Subject:
`
`Sent:
`
`Sent As:
`
`Attachments:
`
`FLOOD SEARCH LLC (rpalbrecht@atfirm.com)
`
`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 86614810 - FS - 0054-00004 U
`
`8/11/2015 10:38:48 AM
`
`ECOM113@USPTO.GOV
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)
`
`IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING YOUR
`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION
`
`USPTO OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) HAS ISSUED
`ON 8/11/2015 FOR U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 86614810
`
`Please follow the instructions below:
`
`(cid:160)(
`
`1)(cid:160) TO READ THE LETTER:(cid:160) Click on this link or go to http://tsdr.uspto.gov, enter the U.S. application serial number, and click on
`“Documents.”
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he Office action may not be immediately viewable, to allow for necessary system updates of the application, but will be available within 24
`hours of this e-mail notification.
`
`(cid:160)(
`
`2)(cid:160) TIMELY RESPONSE IS REQUIRED:(cid:160) Please carefully review the Office action to determine (1) how to respond, and (2) the applicable
`response time period.(cid:160) Your response deadline will be calculated from 8/11/2015 (or sooner if specified in the Office action).(cid:160) For information
`regarding response time periods, see http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/process/status/responsetime.jsp.
`
`(cid:160)D
`
`o NOT hit “Reply” to this e-mail notification, or otherwise e-mail your response because the USPTO does NOT accept e-mails as
`responses to Office actions.(cid:160)
`Instead, the USPTO recommends that you respond online using the Trademark Electronic Application System
`(TEAS) response form located at http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp.
`
`(cid:160)(
`
`3)(cid:160) QUESTIONS:(cid:160) For questions about the contents of the Office action itself, please contact the assigned trademark examining attorney.(cid:160) For
`technical assistance in accessing or viewing the Office action in the Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TSDR) system, please e-mail
`TSDR@uspto.gov.
`
`WARNING
`
`(cid:160)F
`
`ailure to file the required response by the applicable response deadline will result in the ABANDONMENT of your application.(cid:160) For
`more information regarding abandonment, see http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/basics/abandon.jsp.
`
`PRIVATE COMPANY SOLICITATIONS REGARDING YOUR APPLICATION:(cid:160) Private companies not associated with the USPTO are
`using information provided in trademark applications to mail or e-mail trademark-related solicitations.(cid:160) These companies often use names that
`closely resemble the USPTO and their solicitations may look like an official government document.(cid:160) Many solicitations require that you pay
`
`“fees.” (cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Please carefully review all correspondence you receive regarding this application to make sure that you are responding to an official document
`from the USPTO rather than a private company solicitation.(cid:160) All official USPTO correspondence will be mailed only from the “United States
`Patent and Trademark Office” in Alexandria, VA; or sent by e-mail from the domain “@uspto.gov.” (cid:160) For more information on how to handle
`private company solicitations, see http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/solicitation_warnings.jsp.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
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