To:
`
`Subject:
`
`Sent:
`
`Sent As:
`
`Parodi, Monica (trademarks@legalforce.com)
`
`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 86126250 - THE NUTRITIONISTA - 75734
`
`3/11/2014 9:05:27 AM
`
`ECOM103@USPTO.GOV
`
`Attachments:
`
`Attachment - 1
`Attachment - 2
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)
`OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) ABOUT APPLICANT’S TRADEMARK APPLICATION
`
`86126250
`
`*86126250*
`
`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.(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) MARK: THE NUTRITIONISTA
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) APPLICANT: Parodi, Monica
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) CORRESPONDENT’S REFERENCE/DOCKET
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`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) 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) CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS:
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160) RAJ ABHYANKER
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160) RAJ ABHYANKER, P.C.
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) 1580 W EL CAMINO REAL STE 8
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA 94040-2462
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`(cid:160) (cid:160) 75734
`
`(cid:160) (cid:160) trademarks@legalforce.com
`
`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.
`
`OFFICE ACTION
`
`(cid:160)I
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`SSUE/MAILING DATE: 3/11/2014
`
`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.
`
`(cid:160)L
`
`ikelihood of Confusion
`Registration of the applied-for mark is refused because of a likelihood of confusion with the mark in U.S. Registration No. 3677783.(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.
`
`(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, 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)
`In the seminal decision In re E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d 1357, 177 USPQ 563 (C.C.P.A. 1973), the court listed the principal
`factors to be 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
`the factors are necessarily relevant or of equal weight, and any one of the factors may control in a given case, depending upon the evidence of
`record.(cid:160) Citigroup Inc. v. Capital City Bank Grp., Inc., 637 F.3d 1344, 1355, 98 USPQ2d 1253, 1260 (Fed. Cir. 2011); In re Majestic Distilling
`Co., 315 F.3d 1311, 1315, 65 USPQ2d 1201, 1204 (Fed. Cir. 2003); see In re E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., 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 and nature of the goods and/or services, and similarity
`of the trade channels of the goods and/or services.(cid:160) See In re Viterra Inc., 671 F.3d 1358, 1361-62, 101 USPQ2d 1905, 1908 (Fed. Cir. 2012); In
`re Dakin’s Miniatures Inc. , 59 USPQ2d 1593, 1595-96 (TTAB 1999); TMEP §§1207.01 et seq.
`
`(cid:160)
`

`

`COMPARISON OF THE MARKS
`
`(cid:160)M
`
`arks are compared in their entireties for similarities in appearance, sound, connotation, and commercial impression.(cid:160) In re Viterra Inc., 671
`F.3d 1358, 1362, 101 USPQ2d 1905, 1908 (Fed. Cir. 2012) (quoting 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)-(b)(v).(cid:160) Similarity in any one of these elements may be sufficient to find the marks confusingly
`similar.(cid:160) In re White Swan Ltd., 8 USPQ2d 1534, 1535 (TTAB 1988); see In re 1st USA Realty Prof’ls, Inc. , 84 USPQ2d 1581, 1586 (TTAB
`2007); TMEP §1207.01(b).
`
`(cid:160)A
`
`pplicant’s mark is THE NUTRITIONISTA. (cid:160) The cited registered mark is NUTRITIONISTA.(cid:160) The dominant feature of applicant’s mark,
`NUTRITIONISTA, is identical to the cited registered mark.(cid:160) The marks are highly similar in appearance, connotation and commercial
`impression. Applicant has merely added THE to registrant’s mark. (cid:160) When comparing similar marks, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board has
`found that inclusion of the term “the” at the beginning of one of the marks will generally not affect or otherwise diminish the overall similarity
`between the marks.(cid:160) See In re Thor Tech Inc., 90 USPQ2d 1634, 1635 (TTAB 2009) (finding WAVE and THE WAVE “virtually identical”
`marks; “[t]he addition of the word ‘The’ at the beginning of the registered mark does not have any trademark significance.”);
`In re Narwood
`Prods. Inc., 223 USPQ 1034, 1034 (TTAB 1984) (finding THE MUSIC MAKERS and MUSIC-MAKERS “virtually identical” marks; the
`inclusion of the definite article “the” is “insignificant in determining likelihood of confusion”).
`(cid:160) Thus, this minor difference is insufficient to
`obviate the likelihood of confusion.
`
`(cid:160)C
`
`OMPARISON OF THE SERVICES
`
`The goods and/or services of the parties need not be identical or even competitive to find a likelihood of confusion.(cid:160) See On-line Careline Inc. v.
`Am. Online Inc., 229 F.3d 1080, 1086, 56 USPQ2d 1471, 1475 (Fed. Cir. 2000); Recot, Inc. v. Becton, 214 F.3d 1322, 1329, 54 USPQ2d 1894,
`1898 (Fed. Cir. 2000) (“[E]ven if the goods in question are different from, and thus not related to, one another in kind, the same goods can be
`
`related in the mind of the consuming public as to the origin of the goods.”); TMEP §1207.01(a)(i). (cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`The respective goods and/or services need only be related in some manner or the conditions surrounding their marketing be such that they will
`be encountered by the same consumers under circumstances that would lead to the mistaken belief that the goods and/or services originate from
`the same source.(cid:160) Gen. Mills Inc. v. Fage Dairy Processing Indus., 100 USPQ2d 1584, 1597 (TTAB 2012); TMEP §1207.01(a)(i); see On-line
`Careline Inc. v. Am. Online Inc., 229 F.3d at 1086, 56 USPQ2d at 1475; In re Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc. , 748 F.2d 1565, 1566-68,
`223 USPQ 1289, 1290 (Fed. Cir. 1984).
`
`Applicant’s services are “Providing a website featuring information about beauty, health and wellness, namely, nutrition and beauty tips and
`related articles.”
`
`(cid:160)R
`
`egistrant’s services are “Counseling services in the fields of health, nutrition and lifestyle wellness.”
`
`(cid:160)R
`
`egistrant is providing counseling in the fields of health, nutrition and lifestyle wellness. Counseling is essentially providing information.(cid:160)(cid:160)
`Applicant is also providing information.(cid:160) Note that articles are also a means of providing information and that applicant has prefaced its
`recitation of services to clarify that it is providing information.(cid:160) Registrant is providing its information about subjects that encompass the
`information that applicant is providing; ie, health and nutrition encompass nutrition and lifestyle wellness encompasses physical beauty.(cid:160)
`Moreover, nutrition encompasses the use of nutrition to create beauty (eg taking supplements for skin vitality).(cid:160) Thus, the applicant’s and
`registrant’s services are highly similar and overlapping.
`
`(cid:160)A
`
`ccordingly, the services would be provided to the same class of purchasers and encountered under circumstances leading one to mistakenly
`believe the services originate from the same source.
`
`Although applicant’s mark has been refused registration, applicant may respond to the refusal(s) by submitting evidence and arguments in
`support of registration. Applicant must also respond to the requirement(s) set forth below.
`
`(cid:160)R
`
`ecitation of Services
`The identification of services is indefinite and overly broad and must be clarified. (cid:160)(cid:160) See TMEP §1402.01. (cid:160) Specifically, the information is
`
`classified in class 44 whereas the articles are classified as publications (downloadable in class 9 and non-downloadable in class 41).(cid:160)(cid:160)
`Applicant may adopt the following identification, if accurate:(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Providing a website featuring information about beauty, health and wellness, namely, nutrition and beauty tips, in class 44
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`

`

`(cid:160)D
`
`ownloadable articles featuring information about beauty, health and wellness, namely, nutrition and beauty tips, in class 9
`
`(cid:160)P
`
`roviding a website featuring non-downloadable articles in the field of information about beauty, health and wellness, namely, nutrition and
`beauty tips, in class 41
`
`An applicant may amend an identification of goods/services only to clarify or limit the goods/services; adding to or broadening the scope of the
`goods/services is not permitted.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.71(a); see TMEP §§1402.06 et seq., 1402.07 et seq.
`
`(cid:160)F
`
`or assistance with identifying and classifying goods and/or 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.
`
`Classification
`
`If applicant adopts the suggested amendment of the goods and/or services, then applicant must amend the classification to the International
`
`Class(es) noted.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §§2.32(a)(7), 2.85; TMEP §§805, 1401.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Proper classification of goods and services is a purely administrative matter within the sole discretion of the United States Patent and Trademark
`Office.(cid:160) In re Tee-Pak, Inc., 164 USPQ 88, 89 (TTAB 1969).
`
`(cid:160)M
`
`ultiple Class Application Requirements-Section 1b
`For an application with more than one international class, called a “multiple-class application,” an applicant must meet all the requirements
`below for those international classes based on an intent to use the mark in commerce under Trademark Act Section 1(b):
`
`(1)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`(2)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`LIST GOODS AND/OR SERVICES BY INTERNATIONAL CLASS:(cid:160) Applicant must list the goods and/or services by international
`class.
`
`PROVIDE FEES FOR ALL INTERNATIONAL CLASSES:(cid:160) Applicant must submit an application filing fee for each international
`class
`of
`goods
`and/or
`services
`not
`covered
`by the
`fee(s)
`already paid
`(confirm current
`fee
`information
`at
`http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/tm_fee_info.jsp).
`
`(cid:160)S
`
`ee 15 U.S.C. §§1051(b), 1112, 1126(e); 37 C.F.R. §§2.34(a)(2)-(3), 2.86(a); TMEP §§1403.01, 1403.02(c).
`
`If applicant has questions regarding this Office action, please telephone or e-mail the assigned trademark examining attorney.(cid:160) All relevant e-
`mail communications will be placed in the official application record; however, an e-mail communication will not be accepted as a response to
`this Office action and will not extend the deadline for filing a proper response.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §2.191; TMEP §§304.01-.02, 709.04-.05.(cid:160) Further,
`although the trademark examining attorney may provide additional explanation pertaining to the refusal(s) and/or requirement(s) in this Office
`action, the trademark examining attorney may not provide legal advice or statements about applicant’s rights. (cid:160) See TMEP §§705.02, 709.06.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`/Rebecca Gilbert/
`Rebecca Gilbert
`Examining Attorney
`Law Office 103
`571-272-9431
`rebecca.gilbert@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 (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
`
`(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)
`

`

`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)
`

`

`Print: Mar 10, 2014
`
`77615218
`
`DESIGN MARK
`
`Serial Number
`TT6l52T6
`
`Status
`REGISTERED
`
`Word Mark
`NDTRITICNISTA
`
`Standard Character Mark
`Yes
`
`Registration Number
`3517783
`
`Date Registered
`2DDSxDSxD1
`
`Type ef Marl:
`SERVICE MARK
`
`Register
`PRINCIPAL
`
`Mark Drawing Code
`[4]
`STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
`
`Owner
`Haramis, Julie K. DEA Health Counselor INDIVIDUAL UNITED STDTES 145
`Hicks Street Apartment B63 Brooklyn NEW YORK ll2Ul2326
`
`Goodsfserviees
`
`G & S: Counseling
`100 101.
`US
`IC 044.
`Class Statue -- ACTIVE.
`services in the fields of health, nutrition and lifestyle wellness.
`First Use: 2009/D4fDT. First Use In Commerce: ZOOBHO4/OT.
`
`Filing Date
`2DDS/11/15
`
`Examining Attorney
`HE S I K, APRIL
`
`

`

`Nutritionista
`
`

`

`To:
`
`Subject:
`
`Sent:
`
`Sent As:
`
`Attachments:
`
`Parodi, Monica (trademarks@legalforce.com)
`
`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 86126250 - THE NUTRITIONISTA - 75734
`
`3/11/2014 9:05:28 AM
`
`ECOM103@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 3/11/2014 FOR U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 86126250
`
`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 3/11/2014 (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 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)
`