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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`Adams, Augustus G. (augadams1@gmail.com)
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`TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 77148019 - INTELLIGENT PARODIES - N/A
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`7/23/2007 12:10:34 PM
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`ECOM106@USPTO.GOV
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`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
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`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) 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) MARK: INTELLIGENT PARODIES(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160) (cid:160)
`ADAMS, AUGUSTUS G.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`4119 DAVIS PL NW APT 205(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(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) Adams, Augustus G.(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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`augadams1@gmail.com
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`OFFICE ACTION
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`(cid:160)T
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`O AVOID ABANDONMENT, THE OFFICE MUST RECEIVE A PROPER RESPONSE TO THIS OFFICE ACTION WITHIN 6 MONTHS
`OF THE ISSUE/MAILING DATE.
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`(cid:160)I
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`SSUE/MAILING DATE: 7/23/2007
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`TEAS PLUS APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT DOCUMENTS ELECTRONICALLY OR SUBMIT FEE:(cid:160) TEAS Plus applicants should submit
`the following documents using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) at http://www.uspto.gov/teas/index.html:(cid:160) (1) written
`responses to Office actions; (2) preliminary amendments; (3) changes of correspondence address; (4) changes of owner’s address; (5)
`appointments and revocations of attorney; (6) amendments to allege use; (7) statements of use; (8) requests for extension of time to file a
`statement of use, and (9) requests to delete a §1(b) basis.(cid:160) If any of these documents are filed on paper, they must be accompanied by a $50 per
`class fee.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §§2.6(a)(1)(iv) and 2.23(a)(i).(cid:160) Telephone responses will not incur an additional fee.(cid:160) NOTE:(cid:160) In addition to the above,
`applicant must also continue to accept correspondence from the Office via e-mail throughout the examination process in order to avoid the
`additional fee.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.23(a)(2).
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`(cid:160)T
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`he assigned examining attorney has reviewed the referenced application and determined the following.
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`(cid:160)R
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`egistration is refused because the proposed mark, as used on the specimen of record, is used only as the title of a single creative work, namely,
`the title of a specific book/DVD/videotape/CD; it does not function as a trademark to identify and distinguish applicant’s goods from those of
`others and to indicate their source.(cid:160) Trademark Act Sections 1, 2 and 45, 15 U.S.C. §§1051-1052 and 1127; In re Cooper, 254 F.2d 611, 117
`USPQ 396 (C.C.P.A. 1958); see In re Scholastic, Inc., 23 USPQ2d 1774, (TTAB 1992); TMEP §1202.08.(cid:160) Single creative works include works
`in which the content does not change, whether that work is in printed, recorded or electronic form.
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`(cid:160)A
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`pplicant may respond to this refusal by submitting evidence that the proposed mark is used to identify a series, rather than a single work.(cid:160) The
`name for a series of creative works indicates that each work in the series comes from the same source as the others.(cid:160) Scholastic, 23 USPQ2d at
`1776.(cid:160) Evidence of a series includes copies of at least two different book covers or packaging for prerecorded works (not two copies of the same
`work) showing the mark as a source identifier for the series as well as distinguishing the mark from the individual titles of the works.(cid:160) Id.
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`*77148019*
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`RESPOND TO THIS ACTION:
`http://www.uspto.gov/teas/eTEASpageD.htm
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`(cid:160)G
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`ENERAL TRADEMARK INFORMATION:
`http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm
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`77/148019
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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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`WASHINGTON, DC 20007-1254
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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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`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`

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`If applicant cannot satisfy the requirement for evidence of a series, applicant may amend the Section 1(a) filing basis (use in commerce) to
`Section 1(b) (intent to use), and the refusal will be withdrawn.(cid:160) However, should applicant amend the basis to Section 1(b), registration cannot be
`granted until applicant later amends the application back to use in commerce by filing an acceptable allegation of use along with evidence of use
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`on a series.(cid:160) 15 U.S.C. §1051(c); 37 C.F.R. §§2.76, 2.88; TMEP Chapter 1100.(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`In order to amend to Section 1(b), applicant must submit the following statement, verified with an affidavit or signed declaration under 37 C.F.R.
`§2.20:(cid:160) “ Applicant has had a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce on or in connection with the goods or services listed in
`the application as of the filing date of the application.” (cid:160) 15 U.S.C. §1051(b); 37 C.F.R. §§2.34(a)(2) and 2.35(b)(1); TMEP §806.01(b).
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`(cid:160)T
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`he Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in In re Scholastic Inc., 223 USPQ 431 (TTAB 1984) and In re Posthuma, 45 USPQ2d 2011 (TTAB
`1998) refers to In re Cooper, 254 F. 2d 611, 117 USPQ 396 (C.C.P.A. 1958), as the “seminal case” in this area of trademark law. (cid:160) In Cooper,
`the U.S. Court of Custom and Patent Appeals affirmed a refusal to register a mark for a single children’s book. (cid:160) The Court essentially held that
`the title of a single book, even an arbitrary title, is merely descriptive of the literary work itself “and is not associated in the public mind with the
`publisher, printer or bookseller” whereas “[t]he name for a series, at least while it is still being published, has a trademark function in indicating
`that each book of the series comes from the same source as the others.” (cid:160) In re Cooper, 117 USPQ at 400.
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`(cid:160)A
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`lthough the examining attorney has refused registration, the applicant may respond to the refusal to register by submitting evidence and
`arguments in support of registration.
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`(cid:160)I
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`f the applicant chooses to respond to the refusal to register, the applicant must also respond to the following informalities.
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`(cid:160)T
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`he applicant must disclaim the descriptive wording “parodies” apart from the mark as shown. Trademark Act Section 6, 15 U.S.C. §1056;
`TMEP §§1213 and 1213.03(a).(cid:160) The wording is merely descriptive because it tells us something about the subject matter of the material.
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`(cid:160)T
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`he computerized printing format for the Trademark Official Gazette requires a standard form for a disclaimer.(cid:160)(cid:160) TMEP §1213.08(a)(i).(cid:160) A
`properly worded disclaimer should read as follows:
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`No claim is made to the exclusive right to use parodies apart from the mark as shown.
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`See In re Owatonna Tool Co., 231 USPQ 493 (Comm’r Pats. 1983).
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`(cid:160)A
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` disclaimer does not physically remove the disclaimed matter from the mark, but rather is a written statement that applicant does not claim
`exclusive rights to the disclaimed wording and/or design separate and apart from the mark as shown in the drawing.
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`(cid:160)T
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`he following cases explain the disclaimer requirement more fully:(cid:160) Dena Corp. v. Belvedere Int’l Inc ., 950 F.2d 1555, 21 USPQ2d 1047 (Fed.
`Cir. 1991); In re Kraft, Inc., 218 USPQ 571 (TTAB 1983); In re EBS Data Processing, Inc., 212 USPQ 964 (TTAB 1981); In re National Presto
`Industries, Inc., 197 USPQ 188 (TTAB 1977).
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`(cid:160)T
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`he examining attorney has searched the Office records and has found no similar registered or pending mark which would bar registration under
`Trademark Act Section 2(d), 15 U.S.C. §1052(d).(cid:160) TMEP §704.02.
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`(cid:160)I
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`f the applicant has any questions or needs assistance in responding to this Office action, please telephone the assigned examining attorney.
`
`/Dominick J. Salemi/
`Trademark Attorney
`Law Office 106
`Phone:(cid:160) 571 272 9330
`Fax:(cid:160) 571 273 9106 (formal responses)
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`RESPOND TO THIS ACTION: If there are any questions about the Office action, please contact the assigned examining attorney. A response
`to this Office Action should be filed using the Office’s Response to Office action form available at
`http://www.uspto.gov/teas/eTEASpageD.htm.(cid:160) If notification of this Office action was received via e-mail, no response using this form may be
`filed for 72 hours after receipt of the notification.(cid:160) Do not attempt to respond by e-mail as the USPTO does not accept e-mailed responses.
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`(cid:160)I
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`f responding by paper mail, please include the following information: the application serial number, the mark, the filing date and the name,
`title/position, telephone number and e-mail address of the person signing the response.(cid:160) Please use the following address: Commissioner for
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`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`

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`Trademarks, P.O. Box 1451, Alexandria, VA 22313-1451.
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`(cid:160)S
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`TATUS CHECK: Check the status of the application at least once every six months from the initial filing date using the USPTO Trademark
`Applications and Registrations Retrieval (TARR) online system at http://tarr.uspto.gov.(cid:160) When conducting an online status check, print and
`maintain a copy of the complete TARR screen.(cid:160) If the status of your application has not changed for more than six months, please contact the
`assigned examining attorney.
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`

`
`To:
`
`Subject:
`
`Sent:
`
`Sent As:
`
`Attachments:
`
`Adams, Augustus G. (augadams1@gmail.com)
`
`TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 77148019 - INTELLIGENT PARODIES - N/A
`
`7/23/2007 12:10:35 PM
`
`ECOM106@USPTO.GOV
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(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)P
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`IMPORTANT NOTICE
`USPTO OFFICE ACTION HAS ISSUED ON 7/23/2007 FOR
`APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 77148019
`
`lease follow the instructions below to continue the prosecution of your application:
`
`ACTION:
`OFFICE
`VIEW
`link
`this
`on
`Click
`http://portal.uspto.gov/external/portal/tow?DDA=Y&serial_number=77148019&doc_type=OOA&mail_date=20070723 (or
`copy and
`paste this URL into the address field of your browser), or visit http://portal.uspto.gov/external/portal/tow and enter the application serial
`number to access the Office action.
`
`(cid:160)P
`
`LEASE NOTE: The(cid:160)Office action may not be(cid:160)immediately available but will be(cid:160)viewable within(cid:160)24 hours of this notification.
`
`(cid:160)R
`
`ESPONSE(cid:160)MAY BE REQUIRED: You should carefully review the Office action to determine (1) if a response is required; (2) how to
`respond; and (3) the applicable response time period. Your response deadline will be calculated from 7/23/2007.
`
`(cid:160)D
`
`o 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, the USPTO recommends that you respond online using the Trademark Electronic Application System response form
`at http://www.uspto.gov/teas/eTEASpageD.htm.
`
`(cid:160)H
`
`ELP: For technical assistance in accessing the Office action, please e-mail
`
`TDR@uspto.gov.(cid:160) Please contact the assigned examining attorney with questions about the Office action.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) WARNING
`
`1. The USPTO will NOT send a separate e-mail with the Office action attached.
`
`(cid:160)2
`
`. Failure to file any required response by the applicable deadline will result in the ABANDONMENT of your
`application.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)