To:
`
`Subject:
`
`Sent:
`
`Sent As:
`
`Puppy Herman Media (russ@puppyherman.com)
`
`TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 78404923 - THE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO... - N/A
`
`2/3/05 6:20:36 PM
`
`ECOM103@USPTO.GOV
`
`Attachments:
`
`Attachment - 1
`Attachment - 2
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) SERIAL NO: 78/404923
`(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)(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)
`
`Puppy Herman Media
`
`*78404923*
`
`RETURN ADDRESS:(cid:160)
`Commissioner for Trademarks
`P.O. Box 1451
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1451
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS:
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Puppy Herman Media
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) 760 South Main St #144
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Sharon MA 02067
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`THE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO...
`
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) MARK:(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) N/A
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) CORRESPONDENT EMAIL ADDRESS:(cid:160)(cid:160) russ@puppyherman.com
`
`Please provide in all correspondence:
`
`(cid:160)1
`
`.(cid:160) Filing date, serial number, mark and
`applicant's name.
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`2.(cid:160) Date of this Office Action.
`3.(cid:160) Examining Attorney's name and
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Law Office number.
`4. Your
`telephone number and e-mail
`address.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`O AVOID ABANDONMENT, WE MUST RECEIVE A PROPER RESPONSE TO THIS OFFICE ACTION WITHIN 6 MONTHS
`
`OFFICE ACTION
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`OF OUR MAILING OR E-MAILING DATE.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Serial Number(cid:160) 78/404923
`
`The examiner has reviewed the applicant’s response dated January 31, 2005 and determined the following.(cid:160) The identification change has been
`accepted and made of record.(cid:160) However, the Section 2(d) likelihood of confusion refusal is maintained and made FINAL.
`
`(cid:160)P
`
`arody
`In regards to the change of identification indicating the applicant’s books are for humor and parody.(cid:160) Parody is not a defense to a likelihood of
`confusion refusal. There are confusing parodies and non-confusing parodies. See 3 J. McCarthy, McCarthy on Trademarks and Unfair
`Competition, §31.153 (4th ed. 2000). A true parody actually decreases the likelihood of confusion because the effect of the parody is to create a
`distinction in the viewer’s mind between the actual product and the joke. While a parody must call to mind the actual product to be successful,
`the same success also necessarily distinguishes the parody from the actual product. Mutual of Omaha Insurance Co. v. Novak, 648 F. Supp. 905,
`231 USPQ 963 (D. Neb. 1986).(cid:160) While the applicant’s books may be a parody the mark itself is not.(cid:160) For example, the evidence submitted in the
`applicant’s response of a book titled “IDIOT’S GUIDE TO BEING AN IDIOT” more closely resembles a parody than just “IDIOTS GUIDE
`TO…”.(cid:160) Another example of parody can be found in Columbia Pictures Industries Inc., v. Miller, 211 USPQ 816 (TTAB 1981) (CLOTHES
`ENCOUNTERS held likely to be confused with CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND, for men’s and women’s clothing); Cf.,
`Jordache Enterprises, Inc. v. Hogg Wyld, Inc., 828 F.2d 1482, 4 USPQ2d 1216 (10th Cir. 1987) (LARDASHE for pants was not an infringement
`of the JORDACHE mark).
`
`(cid:160)F
`
`inal Refusal – Likelihood of Confusion
`
`(cid:160)
`

`
`The examining attorney refuses registration under Trademark Act Section 2(d), 15 U.S.C. §1052(d), because the applicant’s mark, when used
`on or in connection with the identified goods/services, so resembles the mark in U.S. Registration Nos. 2240844, 2431283, 2129136 and
`
`2842338 as to be likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake, or to deceive.(cid:160) TMEP §§1207.01 et seq.(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Section 2(d) of the Trademark Act bars registration where a mark so resembles a registered mark, that it is likely, when applied to the
`goods/services, to cause confusion, or to cause mistake or to deceive. TMEP §1207.01.(cid:160) The Court in(cid:160) In re E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., 476
`F.2d 1357, 177 USPQ 563 (C.C.P.A. 1973), listed the principal factors to consider in determining whether there is a likelihood of confusion.(cid:160)
`Among these factors are the similarity of the marks as to appearance, sound, meaning and commercial impression and the similarity of the
`goods/services.(cid:160) The overriding concern is to prevent buyer confusion as to the source of the goods/services.(cid:160) Miss Universe, Inc. v. Miss Teen
`U.S.A., Inc., 209(cid:160)USPQ 698 (N.D. Ga. 1980).(cid:160) Therefore, any doubt as to the existence of a likelihood of confusion must be resolved in favor of
`
`the registrant.(cid:160) Lone Star Mfg. Co. v. Bill Beasley, Inc., 498 F.2d 906, 182 USPQ 368 (C.C.P.A. 1974).(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`The examining attorney must compare the marks for similarities in sound, appearance, meaning or connotation.(cid:160) In re E. I. DuPont de Nemours
`& Co., 476 F.2d 1357, 177(cid:160)USPQ 563 (C.C.P.A. 1973).(cid:160) Similarity in any one of these elements is sufficient to find a likelihood of confusion. In
`
`re Mack, 197 USPQ 755 (TTAB 1977).(cid:160) TMEP §§1207.01(b) et seq.(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`The applicant has applied to register the mark “IDIOT’S GUIDE TO…”,for a “series of non-fiction books in the fields of [[current affairs,]]
`business, namely, marketing, computers, environment, [[film,]] gardening, health and fitness, history, home decorating,[ humor,] medicine,[[
`politics, psychology,]] self-help, science, sports [[and theater]]” in international class 16.
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he applicant’s mark is nearly identical to those of the registrant.(cid:160) The applicant merely deleted portions of the registrant’s mark.(cid:160) The mere
`deletion of wording from a registered mark is not sufficient to overcome a likelihood of confusion under Section 2(d).(cid:160) See In re Optical Int’l ,
`196 USPQ 775 (TTAB 1977) (where applicant filed to register the mark OPTIQUE for optical wear, deletion of the term BOUTIQUE is
`insufficient to distinguish the mark, per se, from the registered mark OPTIQUE BOUTIQUE when used in connection with competing optical
`wear).(cid:160) In the present case, applicant’s mark does not create a distinct commercial impression because it contains the same common wording as
`registrant’s mark, and there is no other wording to distinguish it from registrant’s mark.
`
`(cid:160)D
`
`espite the deletions, the marks still sound and look similar making confusion likely.
`
`(cid:160)I
`
`f the marks of the respective parties are identical or highly similar, the examining attorney must consider the commercial relationship between
`the goods or services of the respective parties carefully to determine whether there is a likelihood of confusion.(cid:160) In re Concordia International
`
`Forwarding Corp., 222 USPQ 355 (TTAB 1983).(cid:160) TMEP §1207.01(a).(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`The goods/services of the parties need not be identical or directly competitive to find a likelihood of confusion.(cid:160) They need only be related in
`some manner, or the conditions surrounding their marketing be such, that they could be encountered by the same purchasers under circumstances
`that could give rise to the mistaken belief that the goods/services come from a common source.(cid:160) In re Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc., 748
`F.2d 1565, 223 USPQ 1289 (Fed. Cir. 1984); In re Corning Glass Works, 229 USPQ 65 (TTAB 1985); In re Rexel Inc., 223 USPQ 830 (TTAB
`1984); Guardian Products Co., Inc. v. Scott Paper Co., 200 USPQ 738 (TTAB 1978); In re International Telephone & Telegraph Corp., 197
`
`USPQ 910 (TTAB 1978).(cid:160) TMEP §1207.01(a)(i).(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`The applicant’s goods and those of the registrant are highly similar.(cid:160) Both the applicant and the registrant’s books feature humor, as a result, the
`books are sold in the same channels of trade making confusion likely.
`
`(cid:160)D
`
`ue to the similarity of the marks and the close relationship between the goods the examiner has determined that consumer confusion is likely.(cid:160)
`The application therefore is refused due to a likelihood of confusion under Trademark Act Section 2(d).
`
`(cid:160)A
`
`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.
`
`(cid:160)I
`
`f the applicant has any questions or needs assistance in responding to this Office action, please telephone the assigned examining attorney.
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`o reach the undersigned attorney by telephone after October 15, 2004, please call (571) 272 - 9273.(cid:160) Thank you.
`
`NOTICE:(cid:160) FEE CHANGE(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)
`
`Effective January 31, 2005 and pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005, Pub. L. 108-447, the following are the fees that will be
`charged for filing a trademark application:
`
`(1) $325 per international class if filed electronically using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS); or(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`

`
`(2)(cid:160)(cid:160) $375 per international class if filed on paper
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`hese fees will be charged not only when a new application is filed, but also when payments are made to add classes to an existing application.
`If such payments are submitted with a TEAS response, the fee will be(cid:160) $325 per class, and if such payments are made with a paper response, the
`fee will be $375 per class.
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he new fee requirements will apply to any fees filed on or after January 31, 2005.
`
`(cid:160)N
`
`OTICE:(cid:160) TRADEMARK OPERATION RELOCATION
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he Trademark Operation has relocated to Alexandria, Virginia.(cid:160) Effective October 4, 2004, all Trademark-related paper mail (except documents
`sent to the Assignment Services Division for recordation, certain documents filed under the Madrid Protocol, and requests for copies of
`trademark documents) must be sent to:
`
`Commissioner for Trademarks
`P.O. Box 1451
`Alexandria, VA(cid:160) 22313-1451
`
`(cid:160)A
`
`pplicants, attorneys and other Trademark customers are strongly encouraged to correspond with the USPTO online via the Trademark
`Electronic Application System (TEAS), at http://www.uspto.gov/teas/index.html.
`
`Thank you,
`/sean w. dwyer/
`
`(cid:160)S
`
`ean W. Dwyer
`United States Patent Trademark Office
`Trademark Examiner
`Law Office 103
`571-272-9273
`
`How to respond to this Office Action:
`
`(cid:160)Y
`
`ou may respond formally using the Office's Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) Response to Office Action form (visit
`http://eteas.uspto.gov/V2.0/oa242/WIZARD.htm and follow the instructions therein, but you must wait until at least 72 hours after receipt if the
`office action issued via e-mail).(cid:160) PLEASE NOTE: Responses to Office Actions on applications filed under the Madrid Protocol (Section 66(a))
`CANNOT currently be filed via TEAS.
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`o respond formally via regular mail, your response should be sent to the mailing Return Address listed above and include the serial number, law
`office and examining attorney’s name on the upper right corner of each page of your response.
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`o check the status of your application at any time, visit the Office’s Trademark Applications and Registrations Retrieval (TARR) system at
`http://tarr.uspto.gov/
`
`about
`
`trademarks,
`
`you
`
`are
`
`encouraged
`
`to
`
`visit
`
`the Office’s web
`
`site
`
`at
`
`(cid:160)F
`
`information
`useful
`other
`and
`general
`or
`http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm
`
`(cid:160)F
`
`OR INQUIRIES OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS OFFICE ACTION, PLEASE CONTACT THE ASSIGNED EXAMINING
`ATTORNEY.
`
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`

`
`WI
`
`I:".I"I.I'I.I'LI'LI'LI‘LI'. DD le.comIsearch?‘hl=en& =2CDi'I'T |ElIE+iCliDiI—."S+ LJiCiE2&iZIiIl’TG=GDD |B+SEEll'Ci"l
`
`D2i‘D3i‘2DD5 06219228 PM
`
`Web
`
`Images Groups News
`
`"Complete idiot's guide"
`
`Froogle
`
`Local“°"‘” more»
`
`Seam‘ i};:'::::e:ear°h
`
`Web
`
`Results 1-1|] of about 3}-'B,fll]|] for " idiot's gm". (I119 seconds)
`
`Tip: Save time by hitting the return key instead ofclicking on "search"
`
`Com lete lcliot's Guides
`
`An updated Complete Idiot's Guide site is coming soon! For publicity information and reyiew
`copy requests, please contact Vicki
`www.idiotsguides_comI — 3k — Feb 2, 20% — Cached — Similar pages
`
`Amazon.com: Books: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Genealogy
`2'-\mazon_com: Books: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Genealogy (Complete Idiot's Guide
`to) by Christine Rose,l<ay Germain lngalls.
`www.amazon.comfexecfobidosfa-'kSlNfDD2Sl319tlF"1a’ — Ell3k — Cached — Similar pages
`
`Amazoncom: Books: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Fly Fishing
`The Complete Idiot's Guide to Fly Fishing is the ultimate guide for anyone who wants to
`get knee—deep in this popular sport. In
`www.amazon.comfekecfobidosfASlNfDD2SE29531I— Eh‘-1k— Cached— Similar pagg
`[More results. from www.amazon.co.rr:]
`
`Redirect
`www.mcfedries.comfbooksfcightmlf — 1k — Feb 2, 20% — Cached — Similar pages
`
`The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creating a Web Page
`Thanks for making it so simple". —Rafae|. Welcome to the home page of my book The
`Complete Idiot's Guide to Creating a Web Page
`www.mcfedries.coma’CreatingAWebF'agefinde}<.asp — 11k — Feb 3, 20% —
`
`[More results from www_mcfedries_com ]
`
`Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing SF
`You can also respond to other people's postings. You can buy The Complete Idiot's
`Guide to Publishing Science Fiction at your local bookstore, or online.
`www.kschroeder.comi’guidei’inde:<_html — 32k — Feb 3, 20% — CpTchi3_rj — Similar pagfi
`
`Sponsored Links
`
`Complete Idiot's Guide
`Buy books at Amazon.com and save.
`Qualified orders over $25 ship free
`Amazoncomfbooks
`
`Complete Idiot's Guide To
`Technology Books — Web Deyelopment
`Computers & Networking at eBay
`www.eBay.com
`
`Complete Idiot's Guide
`Books — Family 8; Relationships
`Oyerstockcom
`\-\-'ww.Oyerstock.com
`
`Amazon.com Books
`Buy Complete idiot's guide
`Books at Amazon.com Now!
`clickhere.F"h.comfAmazon
`
`

`
`htt
`
`If:"u'u'u'u'u1f. DD Ie.comIsearch?hI=en& =2com lEtE+iEliDt?S+ uide2&btnG=Goo Ie+Search
`
`DEIDSIEDDS D6I19I2El PM
`
`Complete Idiot's Guide To Handling Difficult Employees — Contents
`Preyiew our newest book by Robert Bacal, The Complete Idiot's Guide To Handling Difiicult
`Employees.
`www.work911.com:'guidef- 5Dk - Cache’-Q - Similar pagg
`
`The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books
`Information about The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books by Harold
`Underdown. Information about The Complete
`w'ww.underdown.orgr‘cig.htm — 13k — Cached — Similar_;fig
`
`The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cool Jobs forTeens by Susan Ireland
`The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cool Jobs forTeens by Susan Ireland alpha books, ISBN:
`EID285:'-lD322 Price: $12.95 US. Table of Contents.
`susanireland.comfteenjobbookhtm — 13k — Feb 2, 20% — Cached — Similar pagfi
`
`Carediyind — Adina — Eldercare — Adina Parents — Dr. Linda Rhodes
`Caregiying, Caregiying and aging, Eldercare, Aging parents - advice from Dr. Linda Rhodes.
`hr-i'ir\r'\-\r.lindarhodes.comi" - 2k - Feb 3, 20% - fiat"-id - Similar rags
`
`Result Page:
`
`Gooooo--o-0-Lm-03 I E‘ Ir
`1 2 3 i 5 E E E SE
`Next
`
`Free! Get the Google Toolbar. Download Now - About Toolbar
`
`Google
`
`
`
`13;; &Search webv @ ':9fl‘”'§@3blod<ed anumrrrr
`
`Eflptions
`
`|"complete idiot's guide"
`
`Searfih l
`
`Search within results | Langua e Tools | Search Tips | Dissatisfied? Help us improve
`
`Goodle Home - Adyertisin Programs - Business Solutions - About Goodle
`
`DDS Google