PTO Form 1957 (Rev 9/2005)
`
`OMB No. 0651-0050 (Exp. 07/31/2017)
`
`Response to Office Action
`
`Input Field
`
`SERIAL NUMBER
`
`LAW OFFICE ASSIGNED
`
`MARK SECTION
`
`MARK
`
`LITERAL ELEMENT
`
`STANDARD CHARACTERS
`
`USPTO-GENERATED IMAGE
`
`MARK STATEMENT
`
`EVIDENCE SECTION
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)EVIDENCE FILE NAME(S)
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)ORIGINAL PDF FILE
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)CONVERTED PDF FILE(S)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(8 pages)
`
`NEW ATTORNEY SECTION
`
`NAME
`
`FIRM NAME
`
`STREET
`
`CITY
`
`STATE
`
`ZIP/POSTAL CODE
`
`COUNTRY
`
`PHONE
`
`FAX
`
`EMAIL
`
`The table below presents the data as entered.
`
`Entered
`
`86367912
`
`LAW OFFICE 106
`
`http://tsdr.uspto.gov/img/86367912/large
`
`THE WAX CENTER
`
`YES
`
`YES
`
`The mark consists of standard characters, without claim to any particular font style,
`size or color.
`
`evi_701095314-20150508150822123097_._THE_WAX_CENTER_2e_response.pdf
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\863\679\86367912\xml4\ROA0002.JPG
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\863\679\86367912\xml4\ROA0003.JPG
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\863\679\86367912\xml4\ROA0004.JPG
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\863\679\86367912\xml4\ROA0005.JPG
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\863\679\86367912\xml4\ROA0006.JPG
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\863\679\86367912\xml4\ROA0007.JPG
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\863\679\86367912\xml4\ROA0008.JPG
`
`\\TICRS\EXPORT16\IMAGEOUT16\863\679\86367912\xml4\ROA0009.JPG
`
`TOM DUNLAP
`
`DUNLAP, BENNET & LUDWIG PLLC
`
`211 Church street SE
`
`Leesburg
`
`Virginia
`
`20175
`
`United States
`
`703.777.7319
`
`703.777.3656
`
`ip@dbllawyers.com
`
`(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)
`

`

`AUTHORIZED EMAIL COMMUNICATION
`
`Yes
`
`CORRESPONDENCE SECTION
`
`ORIGINAL ADDRESS
`
`NEW CORRESPONDENCE SECTION
`
`NAME
`
`FIRM NAME
`
`STREET
`
`CITY
`
`STATE
`
`ZIP/POSTAL CODE
`
`COUNTRY
`
`PHONE
`
`FAX
`
`EMAIL
`
`ALEXE, CHRISTIAN
`4330 48TH ST
`SUNNYSIDE
`New York (NY)
`US
`11104-1648
`
`TOM DUNLAP
`
`DUNLAP, BENNET & LUDWIG PLLC
`
`211 Church street SE
`
`Leesburg
`
`Virginia
`
`20175
`
`United States
`
`703.777.7319
`
`703.777.3656
`
`ip@dbllawyers.com;ip@dbllawyers.com
`
`AUTHORIZED EMAIL COMMUNICATION
`
`Yes
`
`SIGNATURE SECTION
`
`RESPONSE SIGNATURE
`
`SIGNATORY'S NAME
`
`SIGNATORY'S POSITION
`
`SIGNATORY'S PHONE NUMBER
`
`DATE SIGNED
`
`AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY
`
`FILING INFORMATION SECTION
`
`SUBMIT DATE
`
`TEAS STAMP
`
`/khardley/
`
`KEISHA HARDLEY
`
`Associate Attorney, Dunlap, Bennett & Ludwig PLLC (MD Bar)
`
`703.777.7319
`
`05/08/2015
`
`YES
`
`Fri May 08 15:12:07 EDT 2015
`
`USPTO/ROA-XX.XXX.XX.XX-20
`150508151207012645-863679
`12-530bf6dd32881e2db3b634
`026b3aaaf99a530ae41334c1c
`e037a0c1ea391dcd5f2-N/A-N
`/A-20150508150822123097
`
`PTO Form 1957 (Rev 9/2005)
`
`OMB No. 0651-0050 (Exp. 07/31/2017)
`
`To the Commissioner for Trademarks:
`
`Response to Office Action
`
`

`

`Application serial no. 86367912(cid:160)THE WAX CENTER(Standard Characters, see http://tsdr.uspto.gov/img/86367912/large) has been amended as
`follows:
`
`EVIDENCE
`
`Original PDF file:
`evi_701095314-20150508150822123097_._THE_WAX_CENTER_2e_response.pdf
`Converted PDF file(s) ( 8 pages)
`Evidence-1
`Evidence-2
`Evidence-3
`Evidence-4
`Evidence-5
`Evidence-6
`Evidence-7
`Evidence-8
`
`ATTORNEY ADDRESS
`Applicant proposes to amend the following:
`Proposed:
`TOM DUNLAP of DUNLAP, BENNET & LUDWIG PLLC, having an address of
`211 Church street SE Leesburg, Virginia 20175
`United States
`ip@dbllawyers.com
`703.777.7319
`703.777.3656
`
`CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS CHANGE
`Applicant proposes to amend the following:
`Current:
`ALEXE, CHRISTIAN
`4330 48TH ST
`SUNNYSIDE
`New York (NY)
`US
`11104-1648
`
`Proposed:
`TOM DUNLAP of DUNLAP, BENNET & LUDWIG PLLC, having an address of
`211 Church street SE Leesburg, Virginia 20175
`United States
`ip@dbllawyers.com;ip@dbllawyers.com
`703.777.7319
`703.777.3656
`
`SIGNATURE(S)
`Response Signature
`Signature: /khardley/(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)Date: 05/08/2015
`Signatory's Name: KEISHA HARDLEY
`Signatory's Position: Associate Attorney, Dunlap, Bennett & Ludwig PLLC (MD Bar)
`
`Signatory's Phone Number: 703.777.7319
`
`The signatory has confirmed that he/she is an attorney who is a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a U.S. state, which
`includes the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and other federal territories and possessions; and he/she is currently the applicant's attorney or an
`associate thereof; and to the best of his/her knowledge, if prior to his/her appointment another U.S. attorney or a Canadian attorney/agent not
`currently associated with his/her company/firm previously represented the applicant in this matter: (1) the applicant has filed or is concurrently
`filing a signed revocation of or substitute power of attorney with the USPTO; (2) the USPTO has granted the request of the prior representative to
`
`

`

`withdraw; (3) the applicant has filed a power of attorney appointing him/her in this matter; or (4) the applicant's appointed U.S. attorney or
`Canadian attorney/agent has filed a power of attorney appointing him/her as an associate attorney in this matter.
`
`Mailing Address: (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)TOM DUNLAP
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)DUNLAP, BENNET & LUDWIG PLLC
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)211 Church street SE
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)Leesburg, Virginia 20175
`
`Serial Number: 86367912
`Internet Transmission Date: Fri May 08 15:12:07 EDT 2015
`TEAS Stamp: USPTO/ROA-XX.XXX.XX.XX-20150508151207012
`645-86367912-530bf6dd32881e2db3b634026b3
`aaaf99a530ae41334c1ce037a0c1ea391dcd5f2-
`N/A-N/A-20150508150822123097
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`

`

`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`Applicant:
`Serial No.:
`
`Christian, Alexe
`86367912
`
`August 15, 2014
`Filed:
`Trademark Atty: Pamela Y. Willis
`TradeMark:
`THE WAX CENTER
`
`RESPONSE TO DECEMBER 03, 2014 OFFICE ACTION
`
`This Response is filed in reply to the Office Action e-mailed on October 24, 2014. The
`
`Applicant respectfully submits the following response. Applicant submits that the above-
`
`identified trademark application for THE WAX CENTER is in condition for allowance to
`
`publication.
`
`POTENTIAL SECTION 2(e)(1) REFUSAL — MARK IS MERELY DESCRIPTIVE
`
`Applicant submits a preliminary response to the potential section 2(e)(l) refusal; however,
`
`Applicant reserves all rights to provide a detailed and more descriptive response if Examining
`
`Attorney Pamela Y. Willis raises a Section 2(e)(l) refusal in a subsequent Office Action.
`
`APPLICANT’S MARK IS AT MOST SUGGESTIVE
`
`Applicant respectfully submits that the mark THE WAX CENTER for airbrush skin tanning,
`
`skin tanning, waxing services, eyebrow threading, hair salon services, makeup application
`
`services, nail and skin care is at most suggestive and is not merely descriptive of Applicant’s
`
`goods. It is therefore deserving of registration on the Principal Register.
`
`

`

`A mark is merely descriptive only if it “immediately describes” the Applicant’s goods or
`
`services. In re Econoheat Inc. 218 U.S. P. Q. 381, 383 (TTAB l983)(emphasis in original).
`
`For a term to be classified as “merely descriptive,” the name must “immediately tell a potential
`
`customer what to expect in sum total of these concepts.” Holiday Inns Inc. v. Monolith Enter.,
`
`21 U.S. P.Q. 949, 952 (TTAB 1981). Ifthe term used as a mark provides vague or indirect
`
`information about the goods or services, then the term is used in a “suggestive” manner. See J.
`
`McCarthy, McCarthy on Trademarks and Unfair Competition §l l.l9, at 11-26 (4th ed. 2002).
`
`To be deemed merely descriptive, a mark must directly provide the consumer with reasonably
`
`accurate knowledge of the characteristics of the product or service in connection with which it
`
`is used. If the information about the product or service is indirect or vague, then the mark is
`
`considered suggestive, not descriptive. I_d. See also Glamorene Products Corp. v. Boyle-
`
`Midway Inc., 188 U.S.P.Q. 145 (S.D.N.Y. 1975) (finding that the mark SPRAY ‘N VAC is
`
`not merely descriptive of a no scrub rug cleaner and stating “a mark is not merely descriptive
`
`unless descriptiveness is its principle significance. A mark is not descriptive if it merely
`
`suggests the nature or class of the product on which it is used”.)
`
`Applicant’s mark does not immediately and directly describe the products provided under the
`
`mark, thus, Applicant submits that its mark is “suggestive” and capable of registration on the
`
`Principal Register. The mark does not immediately convey the precise nature of the goods or
`
`exactly what is being offered by Applicant. In this case, While Applicant’s mark THE WAX
`
`CENTER may be suggestive in that it appeals to waxing services, however, it is not merely
`
`

`

`descriptive. The term WAX refers to a broad class of potential goods and services that can be
`
`offered. The term WAX does not tell consumers that the goods include airbrush tanning, skin
`
`tanning, eye brown threading and body waxing services. As cited by the Examining Attorney
`
`the Oxford Dictionary indicates numerous definitions for the word “WAX.” Among the
`
`definitions included are, “a sticky yellowish moldable substance secreted by honeybees. . .,”
`
`“cover or treat something with wax. . .” (See Exhibit A). The term CENTER according to the
`
`Oxford Dictionary as cited by the Examining Attorney is defined as “a core, such as the filling
`
`in a piece of chocolate,” or “a pivotal axis of rotation” amongst numerous other definitions
`
`(See Exhibit B). The combination of WAX and CENTER does not call to mind any particular
`
`product. The terms “wax center” could evoke thoughts of a place that sells a variety of
`
`candles, or a place where honeybees are stored for the beeswax they produce. Moreover, wax
`
`is known for the buffing of cars as well. Thus the average consumer may believe car detailing
`
`services could be offered. Given the various goods or services to which the mark could refer, it
`
`is evident the mark is not merely descriptive of Applicant’s goods. The term WAX, when
`
`juxtaposed with the term CENTER, does not merely describe Applicant’s goods, including
`
`airbrush tanning, eyebrow threading, and body waxing services. The consumer must engage in
`
`a multi-stage reasoning process and exercise imagination to associate the mark with the goods
`
`it identifies.
`
`Imagination Required
`
`A mark is suggestive, and therefore registerable, without evidence of acquired
`
`distinctiveness, if imagination, thought or perception is required to reach a conclusion on
`
`

`

`the nature of the goods or services. “[I]f one must exercise mature thought or follow a
`
`multi—stage reasoning process in order to determine what product or service characteristics
`
`the term indicates, the term is suggestive rather than merely descriptive.” In re Tennis in
`
`the Round, Inc. , 199 USPQ 496, 497 (TTAB 1978). Consequently, an applicant can
`
`overcome a merely descriptive refilsal under Section 2(e)(l) by making well formed
`
`arguments that a multi—stage reasoning process is needed to associate the mark with the
`
`goods or services sold under the mark. The applicant in this case offers a multitude of
`
`goods that are not easily ascertainable by Applicant’s mark. Moreover, wax is used in a
`
`variety of industries, thus additional thought must be put towards the type of services
`
`offered. Imagination must be used to determine airbrush tarming, body waxing, eyebrow
`
`threading amongst other services are offered.
`
`Composite Marks
`
`A composite mark consisting of two or more descriptive words may be suggestive or
`
`fanciful and therefore registrable. E.g., In re Colonial Stores, Inc., 394 F.2d 549, 552-53,
`
`157 U.S.P.Q. 382, 385 (C.C.P.A. 1968) (SUGAR & SPICE as a whole not merely
`
`descriptive for bakery products); W G. Reardon Laboratories, Inc. v. B. & B.
`
`Exterminators, Inc., 71 F.2d 515, 517, 22 U.S.P.Q. 22, 24 (4th Cir. 1934) (MOUSE SEED
`
`as a whole not descriptive for poisonous pellets used to kill mice). In fact, "a mark that
`
`connotes two meanings — one possibly descriptive, and the other suggestive of some other
`
`association — can be called suggestive, as the mark is not ‘merely’ descriptive." See J.
`
`

`

`McCarthy on Trademarks and Unfair Competition §11:19, at 11-28 (4th ed. 2001). E.g.,
`
`Blisscraft ofHollywood v. United Plastics C0., 294 F.2d 694, 131 U.S.P.Q. 55, 60 (2nd
`
`Cir. 1961) (POLY PITCHER not merely descriptive because it connotes both a
`
`polyethylene pitcher and is suggestive of MOLLY PITCHER of Revolutionary time).
`
`Moreover, mere ambiguity is sufficient to overcome evidence that a mark is merely
`
`descriptive. E.g., In re Diet Tabs, Inc., 231 U.S.P.Q. 587 (T.T.A.B. 1986) (refusal of
`
`registration reversed because the mark had two possible interpretations). In the present case
`
`the terms WAX and CENTER are vague and ambiguous. There are varying types of goods
`
`or services that can be offered from businesses utilizing the aforementioned terms.
`
`CONCLUSION
`
`To the extent the Examining Attorney finds Applicant's THE WAX CENTER mark to fall
`
`within the “gray area" between obviously descriptive and suggestive marks, all doubts must be
`
`resolved in Applicant's favor. In re Conductive Systems, Inc., 220 U.S.P.Q. 84, 86 (TTAB
`
`1983) (where combination of two merely descriptive terms creates a mark that might be either
`
`descriptive or suggestive, doubts are to be resolved in favor of applicants; refusal reversed); In
`
`re Pennwalt Corp, 173 U.S.P.Q. 317, 319 (TTAB 1972) (DRI-FOOT not merely descriptive
`
`for antiperspirant foot deodorant; doubts to be resolved in favor of publication; refusal
`
`reversed). Accordingly, the Examining Attorney should withdraw the refusal under Section
`
`2(e)(l).
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`/Keisha M. Hardley/
`Keisha M. Hardley (MD Bar)
`Attorney of Record for the Applicant
`
`

`

`Exhibit A
`
`. Oxford Dictionaries
`Language mciflars
`
`F9 X
`sodastream
`
`YOU AND
`YOUR FAMILY
`DRINK MORE
`WATER
`
`THE PDWER PEANT l]F THE F|JTUR_ _
`DIJVERS 71% iii THE PLANET.
`
`_
`
`%
`
`FOME » U6 ENEUEH > ‘.‘i‘/U(
`
`3
`
`There are 3 main definitions of um‘ in English: 0 2
`‘D
`WEIX
`See definition in (Jxiord Advanced Leamefls Dictionary
`Syllabificalion: wfi
`Pl'(1}illll('ICI’.‘ii)[I
`/\mks/
`HDHH
`
`HWETWIEWW
`000+
`
`Most popular in the US V
`sense DH1liI1\DlIl 5
`huiiibietiiaq 9
`rac sm
`paiady
`iiteialiv
`
`A sticky yeiiui.-iisii moidable substance secreted by honeybees as the material of honeycomb,
`beeswax
`FXAMPI: ‘:l:NiENl,F5
`
`A while tiaiisiiineiit material obi-aiiied by biaaciiiiig and purifying beeswax and used foi such
`purposes as making candies MOGQWIQ, and as a basis of poiisiies
`E>‘AAMPi : "wF.‘Ji'FM‘F5
`
`' = A viscous substance typicallya lipid or |i\idrr}Caibaii_
`E)<»lMPLE SENTENCES
`
`:
`
`3 Eaiwax
`E."{i”ii‘i’iF‘LE ‘SENVFEMLES
`
`10 tips to impirove your wn't‘ii1g
`
`9' % '
`'
`It
`345259. Ԥ
`
`What’s1'u a name? Bob‘s your
`uncle and other curious
`expi'essions
`
`

`

`Exhibit B
`0 E2‘._..,’i‘?,';,‘3i'?.,‘.f.'3f’"°"°‘
`
`i
`
`English v
`
`R’ x
`
`People Are Talking. Ci:
`
`i.. Fi
`
`i
`
`1
`
`i
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`ii1iv.'iii;i
`
`7° "
`
`sodastream
`
`DELICIOUS
`SPARKLING
`
`JUST THE
`WAY You
`LIKE IT
`
`E
`
`HOME ‘ US ENGLISH ’ CENTER
`
`Great Barbecues Even; Time
`
`@
`
`center
`See definition in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
`i Top 1000 trcqueiitlv used worcts
`Svilahificatiori: (‘en-ter
`‘
`l"1'oniinci:itiou' / sen(t)sr/
`
`g
`
`(Biinsii centre)
`Definition: of center in English:
`I’ID|llI
`
`s»-awussmw
`0 O 6 ,,
`
`Most popuhr in the U5 V
`sense at hUl’l1OLH' O
`hum btebmg 9
`racism
`parody
`Iiteraiiy
`
`i
`
`9 = trending
`
`‘ The middle Qoint of a circie or sphere, equidistant from every ooint on the circumference or
`surface
`EXAMPLE SE NTENCE$
`
`,
`’ '
`
`A p0lI'|| or part that is equaliy distant from ail sides. ends, or surfaces of something: the
`middle
`‘the center ofthe cri‘Ii'ng'
`‘the ceritm" ofa vast tz'i'rii‘ary’
`MORE EXAMPLE SENTENCES
`EV NONV‘ MS
`
`A pivot or axis of rotation:
`‘the g11Im‘n'r:rurz1t1oriofthe SD[ElI'SySIEiJ1 around the galactic center’
`
`The Oxforé Dictioriafies Word of
`the Year 15-~ WP9
`
`"1
`9 drinks named after people
`
`

`

`MORE EXAMPLE SENTENCES
`
`A political party or group holding moderate opinions.
`EXAMPLE SENTENCES
`
`‘Sports The middle player in a line or group in many games:
`‘Terry played center on the basketball team’
`MORE EXAMPLE SENTENCES
`
`Baseball short for center field,
`‘heflied out to center’
`
`A care, such as the filling in a piece of chocolate’
`‘tr-u_ffles with liqueur centers’
`MORE EXAMPLE SENTENCES
`
`A conical adjustable support for a workpiece in a lathe or similar machine.
`EXAMPLE SENTENCES
`
`I The point tiom which an activity or process is directed, or on which it is focused:
`‘the city was a center ofdiscontent’
`‘two issues at the center ofthe heal'th~carr= debate’
`
`J
`
`Quiz: howwen do you knowyom.
`Cfichés?
`
`9 interesting Word facts you didn't
`know
`
`The vocabulary of voting...
`at election et.Vm°l°§3'
`
`.
`d Id-1L(’l
`it ,,-1.; .3”: .-,i,l,,q,r in r,-m,:,.,~_r;
`
`,
`
`MORE EXAMPLE SENTENCES
`
`,
`
`Rented words
`
`1 '- The most important place in the resped specified:
`‘Geneva was then the center of the in ternationai world’
`
`center
`call center
`center back
`
`