To:
`
`Subject:
`
`Beacon Equity Partners, LLC (trademark@mbbp.com)
`
`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 85901142 - BEACON EQUITY
`PARTNERS - BCEPTM05
`
`Sent:
`
`2/26/2014 7:45:56 PM
`
`Sent As:
`
`ECOM114@USPTO.GOV
`
`Attachments: Attachment - 1
`Attachment - 2
`Attachment - 3
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)
`OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) ABOUT APPLICANT’S TRADEMARK APPLICATION
`
`(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) SHERI S. MASON
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160) MORSE, BARNES-BROWN & PENDLETON, P.C.
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) 230 3RD AVE STE 4
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) WALTHAM, MA 02451-7542
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`*85901142*
`
`CLICK HERE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER:
`http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp
`
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 85901142
`(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: BEACON EQUITY PARTNERS
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) APPLICANT: Beacon Equity Partners, LLC
`(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) BCEPTM05
`
`(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) trademark@mbbp.com
`
`OFFICE ACTION
`
`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
`
`SSUE/MAILING DATE: 2/26/2014
`
`This Office action is being issued in response to applicant’s communication filed January 30, 2014. (cid:160)
`Applicant’s arguments have been carefully considered. (cid:160) However, the Section 2(d) refusal as to U.S.
`Registration No. 4253883 is maintained and continued.(cid:160) Additionally, prior-pending U.S. Application
`Serial No. 85682493 has since registered.(cid:160) Therefore, registration is refused under Section 2(d) on the
`basis of this registration as well.
`
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`

`
`(cid:160) S
`
`ECTION 2(d) REFUSAL – LIKELIHOOD OF CONFUSION
`
`Registration of the applied-for mark is refused because of a likelihood of confusion with the marks in U.S.
`Registration Nos. 4405660 and 4253883.(cid:160) Trademark Act Section 2(d), 15 U.S.C. §1052(d); see TMEP
`§§1207.01 et seq.(cid:160) See the enclosed registration for U.S. Registration No. 4405660.(cid:160) A copy of U.S.
`
`Registration No. 4253883 was sent previously.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`Applicant’s mark is “BEACON EQUITY PARTNERS” for, as amended, “Financial investment in the
`field of securities excluding such services in connection with real estate asset management, real estate
`investment trust services, real estate leasing services, real estate and property management, real estate
`acquisition services, real estate investment administration and management, real estate financing services,
`financial investment in the field of real-estate related securities, and financial advisory services in the field
`of real-estate related securities; Financial investment in the field of intellectual property asset management
`and renewal”.
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he marks in the cited registrations are as follows:
`
`(cid:160)U
`
`.S. Registration No. 4405660 for the mark “BEACON INNOVATION GROUP” for “Consulting in
`the field of intellectual property licensing; Intellectual property consultation; Providing information in the
`
`field of intellectual property legal services; Providing information in the field of intellectual property”. (cid:160)(cid:160)
`U.S. Registration No. 4253883 for the mark “BEACON FINANCIAL GROUP” for “Registered
`investment advisory services; Financial consultancy, namely, financial planning and investment advisory
`services and insurance consultancy; Financial advisory services; Financial services, namely, a total
`portfolio offering for clients consisting of both separate accounts that hold stocks, bonds, Electronically
`Traded Funds, Unit Investment Trusts, direct participation programs such as Real Estate Investment Trust
`and mutual funds for equity and fixed income investments; Financial planning; Advisory services in the
`field of employee benefits for group healthcare and business insurance offered to employees in addition to
`standard benefits such as medical, dental, life insurance including short term disability, long term
`disability, cancer insurance, accidental death, long term care and dismemberment; Financial planning and
`investment advisory services; Financial planning for retirement; Financial services, namely, providing an
`investment option available for variable annuity and variable life insurance products; Financial services,
`namely, wealth management services relating to financial planning and investment advisory services;
`Financial trust planning; Investment advisory services; Investment management; Investment management
`of and distribution of annuities; Investment management of and distribution of variable annuities;
`Providing advice in the field of finance, financial investments, financial valuations, and the financial
`aspects of retirement; Strategic financial advisory services”.
`
`ANALYSIS
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he marks are similar in commercial impression, and the goods and services are related.(cid:160) Therefore, a
`likelihood of confusion determination is warranted.
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`rademark Act Section 2(d) bars registration of an applied-for mark that so resembles a registered mark
`that it is likely that a potential consumer would be confused or mistaken or deceived as to the source of the
`goods and/or services of the applicant and registrant.(cid:160) See 15 U.S.C. §1052(d).(cid:160) The court in In re E. I. du
`Pont de Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d 1357, 177 USPQ 563 (C.C.P.A. 1973) listed the principal factors to be
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`

`
`considered when determining whether there is a likelihood of confusion under Section 2(d).(cid:160) See TMEP
`§1207.01.(cid:160) However, not all of the factors are necessarily relevant or of equal weight, and any one factor
`may be dominant in a given case, depending upon the evidence of record.(cid:160) In re Majestic Distilling Co.,
`315 F.3d 1311, 1315, 65 USPQ2d 1201, 1204 (Fed. Cir. 2003); see In re E. I. du Pont, 476 F.2d at 1361-
`62, 177 USPQ at 567.
`
`(cid:160)I
`
`n this case, the following factors are the most relevant:(cid:160) similarity of the marks, similarity of the goods
`and/or services, and similarity of trade channels of the goods and/or services.(cid:160) See In re Opus One, Inc., 60
`USPQ2d 1812 (TTAB 2001); In re Dakin’s Miniatures Inc. , 59 USPQ2d 1593 (TTAB 1999); In re
`Azteca Rest. Enters., Inc., 50 USPQ2d 1209 (TTAB 1999); TMEP §§1207.01 et seq.
`
`Similarity of the Marks
`
`(cid:160)I
`
`n a likelihood of confusion determination, the marks are compared for similarities in their appearance,
`sound, meaning or connotation and commercial impression.(cid:160) In re E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., 476
`F.2d 1357, 1361, 177 USPQ 563, 567 (C.C.P.A. 1973); TMEP §1207.01(b).(cid:160) Similarity in any one of
`these elements may be sufficient to find a likelihood of confusion.(cid:160) In re White Swan Ltd., 8 USPQ2d
`1534, 1535 (TTAB 1988); In re Lamson Oil Co., 6 USPQ2d 1041, 1043 (TTAB 1987); see TMEP
`§1207.01(b).
`
`(cid:160)I
`
`n the present case, the marks are similar in commercial impression because the dominant element in each
`mark is “BEACON”. (cid:160) The marks are compared in their entireties under a Trademark Act Section 2(d)
`analysis.(cid:160) See TMEP §1207.01(b).(cid:160) Nevertheless, one feature of a mark may be recognized as more
`significant in creating a commercial impression.(cid:160) Greater weight is given to that dominant feature in
`determining whether there is a likelihood of confusion.(cid:160) In re Nat’l Data Corp. , 753 F.2d 1056, 224
`USPQ 749 (Fed. Cir. 1985); Tektronix, Inc. v. Daktronics, Inc., 534 F.2d 915, 189 USPQ 693 (C.C.P.A.
`1976); In re J.M. Originals Inc., 6 USPQ2d 1393 (TTAB 1987); see TMEP §1207.01(b)(viii), (c)(ii).
`
`(cid:160)A
`
`pplicant’s mark and each of the cited marks contain the word “BEACON” along with additional words.
`(cid:160) However, in each case, the additional words are descriptive or generic.(cid:160) Therefore, the dominant word in
`each mark is “BEACON.”
`
`Similarity of the Services
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he goods and/or services of the parties need not be identical or directly competitive to find a likelihood
`of confusion.(cid:160) See Safety-Kleen Corp. v. Dresser Indus., Inc., 518 F.2d 1399, 1404, 186 USPQ 476, 480
`(C.C.P.A. 1975); TMEP §1207.01(a)(i).(cid:160) Rather, they need only be related in some manner, or the
`conditions surrounding their marketing are such that they would be encountered by the same purchasers
`under circumstances that would give rise to the mistaken belief that the goods and/or services come from a
`common source.(cid:160) In re Total Quality Group, Inc., 51 USPQ2d 1474, 1476 (TTAB 1999); TMEP
`§1207.01(a)(i); see, e.g., On-line Careline Inc. v. Am. Online Inc., 229 F.3d 1080, 1086-87, 56 USPQ2d
`1471, 1475-76 (Fed. Cir. 2000); In re Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc. , 748 F.2d 1565, 1566-68, 223
`USPQ 1289, 1290 (Fed. Cir. 1984).
`
`(cid:160)I
`
`n the present case, applicant’s services and the services in U.S. Registration No. 4253883 are related
`because registrant’s “investment advisory services; financial consultancy, namely, financial planning and
`investment advisory services and insurance consultancy, financial advisory services, and other identified
`services are the same as or encompass applicant’s financial investment and related services.(cid:160) Thus, the
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`

`
`services are the same in most cases and/or are encompass by registrant’s services.
`
`(cid:160)A
`
`pplicant’s services involving “financial investment in the field of intellectual property asset
`management and renewal” are related to the services in U.S. Registration No. 4405660, which involve
`consulting in the field of intellectual property licensing, intellectual property consultation, providing
`information in the field of intellectual property legal services, and providing information in the field of
`intellectual property,” because intellectual property consultation encompasses finance related issues
`
`involving intellectual property.(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`For these reasons, the services are related.
`
`Applicant’s Argument :
`
`(cid:160)A
`
`pplicant argues that the consistency initiative applies in this case.(cid:160) However, following the consistency
`initiative in this case would be inappropriate because it would be a clear error not to issue a Section 2(d)
`refusal because the marks are similar in commercial impression and the services are the same in some
`instances and overlap in other instances.(cid:160) Therefore, applicant’s arguments are unpersuasive.
`
`Conclusion
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he overriding concern is not only to prevent buyer confusion as to the source of the goods and/or
`services, but to protect the registrant from adverse commercial impact due to use of a similar mark by a
`newcomer.(cid:160) See In re Shell Oil Co., 992 F.2d 1204, 1208, 26 USPQ2d 1687, 1690 (Fed. Cir. 1993).(cid:160)
`Therefore, any doubt regarding a likelihood of confusion determination is resolved in favor of the
`registrant.(cid:160) TMEP §1207.01(d)(i); see Hewlett-Packard Co. v. Packard Press, Inc., 281 F.3d 1261, 1265,
`62 USPQ2d 1001, 1003 (Fed. Cir. 2002); In re Hyper Shoppes (Ohio), Inc., 837 F.2d 463, 464-65, 6
`USPQ2d 1025, 1025 (Fed. Cir. 1988).
`
`(cid:160)A
`
`lthough applicant’s mark has been refused registration, applicant may respond to the refusal by
`submitting evidence and arguments in support of registration.
`
`If there are questions regarding this action or the application in general, the undersigned examining
`attorney can be contacted at the telephone number below.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`/Shaila Lewis/
`Trademark Examining Attorney
`Law Office 114
`(571) 270-1527 (tel.)
`(571) 270-2527 (fax.)
`shaila.lewis@uspto.gov
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`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
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`

`
`(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 this Office action by e-mail.
`
`(cid:160)A
`
`ll informal e-mail communications relevant to this application will be placed in the official
`application record.
`
`(cid:160)W
`
`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/.
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`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)
`

`
`Pfint:Feh26,2fl14
`
`85882493
`
`DESIGN MARK
`
`Serial Number
`85682493
`
`Status
`REGISTERED
`
`Word Mark
`DEAOON INNOVATION GROUP
`
`Standard Character Mark
`Yes
`
`Registration Number
`4405550
`
`Date Registered
`2OI3xO9x24
`
`Type of Marin
`SERVICE MARK
`
`Register
`PRINOIPAL
`
`Mark Drawing Code
`[4]
`STANDARD OHARAOTER MARK
`
`Owner
`Singh, Pallavi DEA Beacon IP Services, LLC INDIVIDURL UNITED STRTES
`lUT S. West Street #?63 Alexandria VIRGINIA 22314
`
`Goodsfserviees
`
`G & S: Consulting in
`100 lUl.
`US
`IC 045.
`Class Status -- ACTIVE.
`the field of intellectual property licensing: Intellectual property
`consultation; Providing information in the field of intellectual
`property legal services; Providing information in the field of
`intellectual property . First Use: 20l2fO6fl8. First Use In
`Commerce: 20l2fO7fl6.
`
`Disclaimer Statement
`NO OLAIM IS MADE TO THE Ex-OLDGIVE RIGHT TO USE "GROUP" APART PROM THE
`MARK AS SHOWN.
`
`Filing Date
`2OI2xD7/2O
`
`Examining Attorney
`GNAPP, TINA L.
`
`

`
`

`
`
`it is a snapstttt more page as It appeaed on Feb 26, 20:4 00 05 m am The current we could name arranged In the
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`iV G inVigor Law Grou
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`legal services for the life ofyour business
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`
`
`Intellectual Property
`Intellectual property is olten your businesses‘ most valuable asset. Accordingly, pmtecting the value ol
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`

`
`To:
`
`Subject:
`
`Beacon Equity Partners, LLC (trademark@mbbp.com)
`
`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 85901142 - BEACON EQUITY
`PARTNERS - BCEPTM05
`
`Sent:
`
`2/26/2014 7:45:56 PM
`
`Sent As:
`
`ECOM114@USPTO.GOV
`
`Attachments:
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)
`
`IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING YOUR
`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION
`
`USPTO OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) HAS ISSUED
`ON 2/26/2014 FOR U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 85901142
`
`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 2/26/2014 (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
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`

`
`ABANDONMENT of your application.(cid:160)
`For more information regarding abandonment,
`http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/basics/abandon.jsp.
`
`see
`
`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)