`
`Subject:
`
`Sent:
`
`Sent As:
`
`Attachments:
`
`Parody Productions LLC (eb@parodycards.com)
`
`TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 78953471 - DIAMOND DECKS - N/A
`
`1/17/2007 1:44:31 PM
`
`ECOM114@USPTO.GOV
`
`Attachment - 1
`Attachment - 2
`Attachment - 3
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`(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)(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)
`
`Parody Productions LLC
`
`78/953471
`
`*78953471*
`
`RETURN ADDRESS:(cid:160)
`Commissioner for Trademarks
`P.O. Box 1451
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1451
`
`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) CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS:
`(cid:160) PARODY PRODUCTIONS LLC
`(cid:160) PO BOX 43408
`(cid:160) CINCINNATI, OH 45243-0408
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`
`DIAMOND DECKS
`
`(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) 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) eb@parodycards.com
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`OFFICE ACTION
`
`(cid:160)R
`
`ESPONSE TIME LIMIT:(cid:160) TO AVOID ABANDONMENT, THE OFFICE MUST RECEIVE A PROPER RESPONSE TO THIS OFFICE
`ACTION WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF THE MAILING OR E-MAILING DATE.(cid:160)(cid:160)
`MAILING/E-MAILING DATE INFORMATION:(cid:160) If the mailing or e-mailing date of this Office action does not appear above, this
`information can be obtained by visiting the USPTO website at http://tarr.uspto.gov/, inserting the application serial number, and viewing the
`prosecution history for the mailing date of the most recently issued Office communication.
`
`(cid:160)S
`
`erial Number(cid:160) 78/953471
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`EAS 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).
`
`The assigned trademark examining attorney has reviewed the referenced application and has determined the following.
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`rademark Act Section 2(d) Refusal to Register
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`
`(cid:160) R
`
`egistration of the proposed mark is refused because of a likelihood of confusion with the mark in U.S. Registration No. 0899141.(cid:160) Trademark
`Act Section 2(d), 15 U.S.C. §1052(d); TMEP §§1207.01 et seq.(cid:160) See the enclosed registration.
`
`(cid:160)A
`
` likelihood of confusion determination requires a two-part analysis.(cid:160) First the marks are compared for similarities in appearance, sound,
`connotation and commercial impression.(cid:160) In re E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d 1357, 177 USPQ 563 (C.C.P.A. 1973).(cid:160) Second, the
`goods or services are compared to determine whether they are similar or related or whether the activities surrounding their marketing are such
`that confusion as to origin is likely.(cid:160) In re August Storck KG, 218 USPQ 823 (TTAB 1983); In re Int’l Tel. and Tel. Corp. , 197 USPQ 910
`(TTAB 1978); Guardian Prods. Co., v. Scott Paper Co., 200 USPQ 738 (TTAB 1978); TMEP §§1207.01 et seq.
`
`(cid:160)A
`
`. The Marks
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he applicant seeks to register “DIAMOND DECKS,” and the registered mark is “DIAMOND.” (cid:160) The marks are virtually identical.(cid:160) The only
`difference between the marks is the addition of the word “DECKS” to applicant’s mark.
`(cid:160) The word “DECKS” means “a pack of cards” (see
`attached dictionary definition).(cid:160) Therefore, the word “DECKS” is descriptive of the goods, and the dominant (non-descriptive) word in the mark
`is “DIAMOND.”
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he mere addition of a term to a registered mark does not obviate the similarity between the marks nor does it overcome a likelihood of
`confusion under Section 2(d).(cid:160) In re Chatam International Inc., 380 F.3d 1340, 71 USPQ2d 1944 (Fed. Cir. 2004) (“GASPAR’S ALE and
`“JOSE GASPAR GOLD”); Coca-Cola Bottling Co. v. Joseph E. Seagram & Sons, Inc., 526 F.2d 556, 188 USPQ 105 (C.C.P.A. 1975)
`(“BENGAL” and “BENGAL LANCER”); Lilly Pulitzer, Inc. v. Lilli Ann Corp., 376 F.2d 324, 153 USPQ 406 (C.C.P.A. 1967) (“THE
`LILLY” and “LILLI ANN”); In re El Torito Rests. Inc., 9 USPQ2d 2002 (TTAB 1988) (“MACHO” and “MACHO COMBOS”); In re United
`States Shoe Corp., 229 USPQ 707 (TTAB 1985) (“CAREER IMAGE” and “CREST CAREER IMAGES”); In re Corning Glass Works, 229
`USPQ 65 (TTAB 1985) (“CONFIRM” and “CONFIRMCELLS”); In re Riddle, 225 USPQ 630 (TTAB 1985) (“ACCUTUNE” and
`“RICHARD PETTY’S ACCU TUNE”); In re Cosvetic Laboratories, Inc., 202 USPQ 842 (TTAB 1979) (“HEAD START” and “HEAD
`START COSVETIC”); TMEP §1207.01(b)(iii).
`
`(cid:160)B
`
`. The Goods/Services
`
`(cid:160) T
`
`he applicant intends its mark on “playing cards,” and the registered mark is used on “playing cards.” (cid:160) The goods/services of the parties are
`identical.
`
`(cid:160)I
`
`f the goods or services of the respective parties are closely related, the degree of similarity between marks required to support a finding of
`likelihood of confusion is not as great as would apply with diverse goods or services.(cid:160) Century 21 Real Estate Corp. v. Century Life of America,
`970 F.2d 874, 877, 23 USPQ2d 1698, 1701 (Fed. Cir. 1992), cert. denied 506 U.S. 1034 (1992); In re J.M. Originals Inc., 6 USPQ2d 1393
`(TTAB 1987); ECI Division of E-Systems, Inc. v. Environmental Communications Inc., 207 USPQ 443 (TTAB 1980); TMEP §1207.01(b).
`
`(cid:160)B
`
`ased on the similarity of the marks and relatedness of the goods, consumers are likely to be confused into believing that the goods of the parties
`share a common source.
`
`(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)D
`
`isclaimer
`
`(cid:160) I
`
`f applicant chooses to respond to the refusal(s) to register, then applicant must also respond to the following requirement(s).
`
`(cid:160)A
`
`pplicant must disclaim the descriptive wording “DECKS” apart from the mark as shown because it merely describes the nature of the goods. (cid:160)
`Trademark Act Section 6, 15 U.S.C. §1056; TMEP §§1213 and 1213.03(a).
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he Office can require an applicant to disclaim an unregistrable part of a mark consisting of particular wording, symbols, numbers, design
`elements or combinations thereof.(cid:160) 15 U.S.C. §1056(a).(cid:160) Under Section 2(e) of the Trademark Act, the Office can refuse registration of an entire
`mark if the entire mark is merely descriptive, deceptively misdescriptive, or primarily geographically descriptive of the goods.(cid:160) 15 U.S.C.
`§1052(e).(cid:160) Thus, the Office may require an applicant to disclaim a portion of a mark that, when used in connection with the goods or services, is
`merely descriptive, deceptively misdescriptive, primarily geographically descriptive, or otherwise unregistrable (e.g., generic).(cid:160) TMEP
`
`§1213.03(a).(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Failure to comply with a disclaimer requirement can result in a refusal to register the entire mark.(cid:160) TMEP §1213.01(b).
`
`(cid:160)A
`
` “disclaimer” is a statement that applicant does not claim exclusive rights to an unregistrable component of a mark. (cid:160) A disclaimer does not
`affect the appearance of the applied-for mark.
`
`
`
`(cid:160)A
`
` 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.
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he computerized printing format for the Office’s Trademark Official Gazette requires a standardized format for a disclaimer.(cid:160) TMEP
`§1213.08(a)(i).(cid:160) The following is the standard format used by the Office:
`
`No claim is made to the exclusive right to use “DECKS” apart from the mark as shown.
`
`(cid:160)S
`
`ee In re Owatonna Tool Co., 231 USPQ 493 (Comm’r Pats. 1983).
`
`/Vivian Micznik First/
`Vivian Micznik First
`Trademark Attorney, Law Office 114
`571-272-9159
`
`HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS OFFICE ACTION:
`ONLINE RESPONSE:(cid:160) You may respond using the Office’s Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) Response to Office action
`form available on our website at http://www.uspto.gov/teas/index.html.(cid:160) If the Office action issued via e-mail, you must wait 72 hours
`after receipt of the Office action to respond via TEAS.(cid:160) NOTE:(cid:160) Do not respond by e-mail.(cid:160) THE USPTO WILL NOT ACCEPT AN
`E-MAILED RESPONSE.
`REGULAR MAIL RESPONSE:(cid:160) To respond by regular mail, your response should be sent to the mailing return address above, and
`include the serial number, law office number, and examining attorney’s name. (cid:160) NOTE:(cid:160) The filing date of the response will be the date
`of receipt in the Office, not the postmarked date.(cid:160) To ensure your response is timely, use a certificate of mailing.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.197.
`
`(cid:160)S
`
`TATUS OF APPLICATION: To check the status of your application, visit the Office’s Trademark Applications and Registrations Retrieval
`(TARR) system at http://tarr.uspto.gov.
`
`(cid:160)V
`
`IEW APPLICATION DOCUMENTS ONLINE: Documents in the electronic file for pending applications can be viewed and downloaded
`online at http://portal.uspto.gov/external/portal/tow.
`
`(cid:160)G
`
`ENERAL TRADEMARK INFORMATION: For general information about trademarks, please visit the Office’s website at
`http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm
`
`(cid:160)F
`
`OR INQUIRIES OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS OFFICE ACTION, PLEASE CONTACT THE ASSIGNED EXAMINING
`ATTORNEY SPECIFIED ABOVE.
`
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`
`
`Print: Jan 1?, 200?
`
`72355906
`
`TYPED DRAWING
`
`Serial Number
`12355006
`
`Status
`REGISTERED AND RENEWED
`
`Word Marl:
`DIAMOND
`
`Standard Character Mark
`No
`
`Registration NI.II"I'IhBf
`0899141
`
`Date Registered
`l970fO9f22
`
`Type of Mark
`TRADEMARK
`
`Register
`PRINCIPAL
`
`Mark Drawing Code
`[1
`TYPED DRAWING
`
`U"NI1Bf
`UNITED STATES PLAYING CARD COMPANY, THE CORPORATION DELAWARE 4590
`BEECH STREET CINCINNATI OHIO 452123497‘
`
`Goodslse-wines
`G & S: PLAXING CARDS.
`022.
`US
`IC 016.
`Class Status —— ACTIVE.
`First Use:
`l97UHO3fO5. First Use In Commerce:
`IQTUHOBHUS.
`
`Filing Date
`IBTOHOBHZE
`
`Examlnlng Attomay
`UNKNOWN
`
`Attorney of Record
`J MICHAEL HURST
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`:i'i'\-\-'w-i-i.asl<o)<ford.comi'concise oecli‘deck?\tiew=ul<hit D‘li'1?"f2DD?' D‘l:39:15 PM
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`Compact Oxford English Dictionary
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`deck
`
`- noun 1 a floor of a ship, especially the upper level. 2 a floor or platform, as in a bus or car
`park. 3 chieiiy N..»'1mer.
`_
`.4 a component in sound—reproduction equipment,
`
`incorporating a player or recorderfor discs ortapes.
`
`0 Ask The Exgerts
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`- iierb1 decorate brightly orfestively. 2 informal knockto the ground with a punch.
`
`— PHRASES hit the deck informal fall to the ground.
`
`— DERIVATIVES decked adiectiire.
`
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`{J-) Askflxford Shop
`2
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`httrgiififi-i-'i-ii’-ii-ii.askoitfordcomfconcise oedi‘deck?\tiew=Lik
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`0‘lf1?"i’200?' 01:39:15 PM
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`— LJ|:H|\-".-“xi |\-"|:l:-i CIECKECI adjecthie.
`
`_ ORIGIN Diitch den ‘covering, roof‘
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