To:
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`Subject:
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`Sent:
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`Sent As:
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`Attachments:
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`Chastain, Robert H (robert.chastain@gmail.com)
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`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 86630461 - XPLODING HOUSEWIVES - Parody Trade
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`8/27/2015 11:46:22 AM
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`ECOM104@USPTO.GOV
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`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)
`OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) ABOUT APPLICANT’S TRADEMARK APPLICATION
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`*86630461*
`
`CLICK HERE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER:
`http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp
`
`VIEW YOUR APPLICATION FILE
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`U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. (cid:160) 86630461
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`(cid:160)M
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`ARK: XPLODING HOUSEWIVES
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`CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS:
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160) CHASTAIN, ROBERT H
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160) 3011 Prestwyck Haven Dr
`(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Duluth, GA 30097-6208
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`APPLICANT: Chastain, Robert H
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`(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)
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`(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)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`CORRESPONDENT E-MAIL ADDRESS:(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`(cid:160) Parody Trade
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`robert.chastain@gmail.com
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`OFFICE ACTION
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`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.
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`(cid:160)I
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`SSUE/MAILING DATE: 8/27/2015
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`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.
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`(cid:160)S
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`earch of Office Records
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`The trademark examining attorney has searched the Office’s database of registered and pending marks and has found no conflicting marks that
`would bar registration under Trademark Act Section 2(d).(cid:160) TMEP §704.02; see 15 U.S.C. §1052(d).
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`(cid:160)N
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`ew Specimen Required
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`(cid:160)R
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`egistration is refused because the specimen in International Class 9 consists of material used by applicant to conduct its business transactions
`and thus does not show the applied-for mark in use in commerce for each international class.(cid:160) Trademark Act Sections 1 and 45, 15 U.S.C.
`§§1051, 1127; 37 C.F.R. §§2.34(a)(1)(iv), 2.56(a); TMEP §§904, 904.07(a).(cid:160) Generally, materials for conducting an applicant’s internal
`business or carrying out business dealings are not acceptable as specimens to show use in commerce for goods.(cid:160) See 15 U.S.C. §1127; 37 C.F.R.
`§2.56(b)(1); In re Chi. Rawhide Mfg. Co., 455 F.2d 563, 565, 173 USPQ 8, 9 (C.C.P.A. 1972); In re Bright of Am., Inc., 205 USPQ 63, 71
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`(TTAB 1979); TMEP §§904.03, 904.04(b), (c).(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`Specifically, the specimen consists of confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement.
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`(cid:160)A
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`n application based on Trademark Act Section 1(a) must include a specimen showing the applied-for mark in use in commerce for each
`international class of goods identified in the application or amendment to allege use.(cid:160) 15 U.S.C. §1051(a)(1); 37 C.F.R. §§2.34(a)(1)(iv), 2.56(a);
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`TMEP §§904, 904.07(a).(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
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`Examples of specimens for goods include tags, labels, instruction manuals, containers, photographs that show the mark on the actual goods or
`packaging, and displays associated with the actual goods at their point of sale.(cid:160) See TMEP §§904.03 et seq.(cid:160) Webpages may also be specimens
`for goods when they include a picture or textual description of the goods associated with the mark and the means to order the goods.(cid:160) TMEP
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`§904.03(i).(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`Applicant may respond to this refusal by satisfying one of the following for each applicable international class:
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`(1)(cid:160) Submit a different specimen (a verified “substitute” specimen) that (a) was in actual use in commerce at least as early as the filing
`date of the application or prior to the filing of an amendment to allege use and (b) shows the mark in actual use in commerce for the
`goods identified in the application or amendment to allege use.
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`(2)(cid:160) Amend the filing basis to intent to use under Section 1(b), for which no specimen is required.(cid:160) This option will later necessitate
`additional fee(s) and filing requirements such as providing a specimen.
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`(cid:160)F
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`or an overview of both response options referenced above and instructions on how to satisfy either option online using the Trademark Electronic
`Application System (TEAS) form, please go to http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/law/specimen.jsp.
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`(cid:160)S
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`ubstituting Basis
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`(cid:160)I
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`f applicant cannot comply with the requirement for the submission of an acceptable specimen for the Section 1(a) basis asserted, applicant can
`substitute a different basis if applicant can meet the requirements for the new basis.(cid:160) See 37(cid:160)C.F.R. §2.35(b)(1); TMEP §806.03(h).
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`(cid:160)I
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`n this case, applicant may wish to amend the application to assert a Section 1(b) basis.
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`(cid:160)T
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`he application was filed under Trademark Act Section 1(b); however, it does not include the required verified statement of applicant’s “bona
`fide intention to use the mark in commerce.” (cid:160) 15 U.S.C. §1051(b)(3)(B); 37 C.F.R. §2.34(a)(2); TMEP §§804.02, 806.01(b).(cid:160) Therefore,
`applicant must submit the following statement, verified with an affidavit or signed declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20:
`
`Applicant has a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce and had a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce as of the
`application filing date.
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`(cid:160)1
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`5 U.S.C. §1051(b)(3)(B); 37 C.F.R. §2.34(a)(2); TMEP §§804.02, 806.01(b); see 37 C.F.R. §2.193(e)(1).
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`(cid:160)D
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`eclaration for Substituting Basis
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`(cid:160)T
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`o properly verify the application, applicant may provide the following declaration at the end of the response to this Office action.(cid:160) See 37
`C.F.R. §§2.20, 2.33(a)-(b)(1), 2.34(a)(1)(i); TMEP §804.01(b).(cid:160) This declaration must be personally signed and dated by a person authorized
`under 37 C.F.R. §2.193(e)(1), and include the name of the signatory printed or typed near the signature.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §§2.33(a), 2.193(a), (d);
`TMEP §§611.01(b), 804.01(b).(cid:160) The signatory’s particular title or position should also be specified. (cid:160) See TMEP §804.04.
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`the applicant is the owner of the mark; the mark is in use in commerce and was in use in commerce as of the
`The signatory believes that:(cid:160)
`application filing date; the original specimen(s), if applicable, shows the mark as used on or in connection with the goods and/or services
`as of the application filing date; and to the best of the signatory’s knowledge and belief, no other person has the right to use the mark in
`commerce, either in the identical form or in such near resemblance as to be likely, when applied to the goods and/or services of such
`other person, to cause confusion or mistake, or to deceive.(cid:160) The signatory being warned that willful false statements and the like are
`punishable by fine or imprisonment, or both, under 18 U.S.C. §1001, and that such willful false statements and the like may jeopardize
`the validity of the application or any registration resulting therefrom, declares that all statements made of his or her own knowledge are
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`true and all statements made on information and belief are believed to be true.(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`_____________________________
`(Signature)
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`(cid:160)_
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`____________________________
`(Print or Type Name and Position)
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`(cid:160)_
`
`____________________________
`(Date)
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`Declaration for Substitute Specimen
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`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`

`

`(cid:160)T
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`he following is a sample declaration for a verified substitute specimen for use in a paper response:
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`The signatory being warned that willful false statements and the like are punishable by fine or imprisonment, or both, under 18 U.S.C.
`§1001, and that such willful false statements and the like may jeopardize the validity of the application or submission or any registration
`resulting therefrom, declares that the substitute specimen was in use in commerce at least as early as the filing date of the application; all
`statements made of his/her own knowledge are true and all statements made on information and belief are believed to be true.
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`_____________________________
`(Signature)
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`(cid:160)_
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`____________________________
`(Print or Type Name and Position)
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`(cid:160)_
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`____________________________
`(Date)
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`Significance of Wording
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`(cid:160)A
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`pplicant must specify whether the wording “XPLODING”, “EXPLODING”, and “HOUSEWIVES” has any significance in the relevant
`trade or industry or as applied to the goods and/or services described in the application, or if such wording is a “term of art” within applicant’s
`industry.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §2.61(b); TMEP §814.
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`(cid:160)F
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`ailure to respond to a request for information is an additional ground for refusing registration.(cid:160) See In re Cheezwhse.com, Inc., 85 USPQ2d 1917,
`1919 (TTAB 2008); In re DTI P’ship LLP , 67 USPQ2d 1699, 1701 (TTAB 2003); TMEP §814.
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`(cid:160)R
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`esponse
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`(cid:160)F
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`or this application to proceed toward registration, applicant must explicitly address each refusal and/or requirement raised in this Office action.(cid:160)
`If the action includes a refusal, applicant may provide arguments and/or evidence as to why the refusal should be withdrawn and the mark should
`register.(cid:160) Applicant may also have other options for responding to a refusal and should consider such options carefully.(cid:160) To respond to
`requirements and certain refusal response options, applicant should set forth in writing the required changes or statements.
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`(cid:160)I
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`f applicant does not respond to this Office action within six months of the issue/mailing date, or responds by expressly abandoning the
`application, the application process will end, the trademark will fail to register, and the application fee will not be refunded.(cid:160) See 15 U.S.C.
`§1062(b); 37 C.F.R. §§2.65(a), 2.68(a), 2.209(a); TMEP §§405.04, 718.01, 718.02.(cid:160) Where the application has been abandoned for failure to
`respond to an Office action, applicant’s only option would be to file a timely petition to revive the application, which, if granted, would allow
`the application to return to active status.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §2.66; TMEP §1714.(cid:160) There is a $100 fee for such petitions.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §§2.6,
`2.66(b)(1).
`
`TEAS PLUS OR TEAS REDUCED FEE (TEAS RF) APPLICANTS – TO MAINTAIN LOWER FEE, ADDITIONAL
`REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET, INCLUDING SUBMITTING DOCUMENTS ONLINE:(cid:160) Applicants who filed their application
`online using the lower-fee TEAS Plus or TEAS RF application form must (1) file certain documents online using TEAS, including responses to
`Office actions (see TMEP §§819.02(b), 820.02(b) for a complete list of these documents); (2) maintain a valid e-mail correspondence address;
`and (3) agree to receive correspondence from the USPTO by e-mail throughout the prosecution of the application.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §§2.22(b),
`2.23(b); TMEP §§819, 820.(cid:160) TEAS Plus or TEAS RF applicants who do not meet these requirements must submit an additional processing fee of
`$50 per international class of goods and/or services.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §§2.6(a)(1)(v), 2.22(c), 2.23(c); TMEP §§819.04, 820.04.(cid:160) However, in certain
`situations, TEAS Plus or TEAS RF applicants may respond to an Office action by authorizing an examiner’s amendment by telephone without
`
`incurring this additional fee.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`/Angela Duong/
`Angela G. Duong
`Examining Attorney
`Law Office 104
`O: (571) 272-1347
`F:(cid:160) (571) 272-9104
`angela.duong@uspto.gov
`
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`

`

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

`

`To:
`
`Subject:
`
`Sent:
`
`Sent As:
`
`Attachments:
`
`Chastain, Robert H (robert.chastain@gmail.com)
`
`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 86630461 - XPLODING HOUSEWIVES - Parody Trade
`
`8/27/2015 11:46:23 AM
`
`ECOM104@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 8/27/2015 FOR U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 86630461
`
`Your trademark application has been reviewed.(cid:160) The trademark examining attorney assigned by the USPTO to your application has written an
`official letter to which you must respond.(cid:160) Please follow these steps:
`
`(cid:160)(
`
`1)(cid:160) READ THE LETTER by clicking on this link or going to http://tsdr.uspto.gov/, entering your U.S. application serial number, and clicking
`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)(cid:160)
`(2)(cid:160) RESPOND WITHIN 6 MONTHS (or sooner if specified in the Office action), calculated from 8/27/2015, using the Trademark Electronic
`Application System (TEAS) response form located at http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp.(cid:160)(cid:160)
`Do 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)(cid:160)
`(3)(cid:160) QUESTIONS about the contents of the Office action itself should be directed to the trademark examining attorney who reviewed your
`application, identified below.(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`/Angela Duong/
`Angela G. Duong
`Examining Attorney
`Law Office 104
`O: (571) 272-1347
`F:(cid:160) (571) 272-9104
`angela.duong@uspto.gov
`
`WARNING
`
`Failure 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.(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`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
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`

`

`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)
`