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<p>Thanks! Yes, a misnomer for sure - I'm not sure how "use" could
be "premature"!</p>
<p>Pam</p>
<p>Pamela S. Chestek</p>
<div class="moz-signature">
Chestek Legal<br>
300 Fayetteville St.<br>
Unit 2492<br>
Raleigh, NC 27602<br>
+1 919-800-8033<br>
pamela@chesteklegal<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.chesteklegal.com">www.chesteklegal.com</a></div>
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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 4/11/2024 10:43 AM, Kevin Grierson
wrote:<br>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Beat me to it. The only reference to
anything similar to \u201cpremature use\u201d I can find in the TMEP is
in 1109.02, which refers to a premature filing of a statement
of use, which doesn\u2019t seem applicable. So I took a look at
one of the refusals for \u201cpremature use.\u201d It appears that the
gist is that an applicant has filed a 1(a) application when
he/she/they/it has not yet actually used the mark in commerce
(which seems to me to be \u201cnon-use\u201d or \u201cpremature CLAIM of use\u201d
rather than \u201cpremature use\u201d):<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">Premature
Use \u2013 Final Refusal</span></u><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">The
May 19, 2015 Office Action refused registration under
Trademark Act Sections 1(a) and 45 because the current
\u201cspecimens\u201d and Applicant\u2019s statements show that applicant
has not used the applied-for mark in commerce in connection
with the identified services as of the filing date of the
application. Trademark Act Sections 1(a) and 45, 15 U.S.C.
§§1051(a), 1127; see TMEP §§904, 1301.03(a). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">Use
or display of a mark in the sale or advertising of goods
and/or services before actually creating or providing the
goods or rendering the services is not use in commerce. <i>See
Aycock Eng\u2019g, Inc. v. Airflite, Inc.,</i> 560 F.3d 1350,
1360, 90 USPQ2d 1301, 1308 (Fed. Cir. 2009) (holding that
applicant\u2019s preparations to use a mark in commerce, by
establishing a corporate entity to do business, obtaining
toll-free telephone numbers and contracting with suppliers,
were not sufficient to show use in commerce); <i>Richardson-Vicks,
Inc. v. Franklin Mint Corp</i>., 216 USPQ 989, 991-92
(TTAB 1982) (noting that the goods to be identified by the
mark must exist at the time of a sale); TMEP §§904,
1301.03(a).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">In
this case, the applicant filed over 150 applications which
have been refused for various reasons including likelihood
of confusion, false connection, mere descriptiveness, and
specimen of use. (<i>See</i> previously supplied list of
Applicant\u2019s co-pending applications.) The applicant
indicates in most of its responses that<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">"A
professional company should be 1a because it is available
for sale right now. Any legal advertising cannot be done
until the USPTO approves the trademark."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">(<i>See</i>,
e.g., attached April 22, 2015 \u201cResponse to Office Action\u201d
from Applicant\u2019s co-pending Application Serial No.
86/466965.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">The
applicant appears to be confused with what is required for a
USE based application as opposed to an INTENT TO USE
application since the above statement appears to show a
misunderstanding of what is meant by "use in commerce".<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">Trademark
Act Section 45 defines "use in commerce" as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">The
term "use in commerce" means the <u>bona fide use of a mark
in the ordinary course of trade</u>, and <u>not made
merely to reserve a right in a mark</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">TMEP
§901.01.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">Based
on Applicant\u2019s statements, and on the supplied \u201cspecimen of
use\u201d (which is still nothing more than an image showing a
rendering of the mark on a piece of paper), it does not
appear that Applicant is using the applied-for mark in
commerce within the meaning of Trademark Act Section 45, and
Applicant failed to address this refusal in its most recent
response.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">As
a result of the foregoing, the refusal under Trademark Act
Sections 1(a) and 45 is maintained and made FINAL.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">If
applicant\u2019s services were being rendered in commerce as of
the filing date of the application, applicant must submit
the following: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">(1) <u>A
substitute specimen</u> showing the applied-for mark in
use in commerce for the goods and/or services specified in
the application. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">(2) <u>The
following statement</u>, verified with an affidavit or
signed declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20: \u201c<b>The
substitute specimen was in use in commerce at least as
early as the filing date of the application</b>.\u201d 37
C.F.R. §2.59(a); TMEP §904.05; <i>see</i> 37 C.F.R.
§2.193(e)(1). If submitting a substitute specimen requires
an amendment to the dates of use, applicant must also verify
the amended dates. 37 C.F.R. §2.71(c); TMEP §904.05.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">If
applicant did not use the applied-for mark in commerce on or
before the filing date, applicant may substitute a different
basis for filing if applicant can meet the requirements for
the new basis. In this case, applicant may wish to amend
the application to assert a Section 1(b) basis. <i>See</i> TMEP
§806.03(c). However, if applicant amends the basis to
Section 1(b), registration will not be granted until
applicant later amends the application back to use in
commerce by filing an acceptable allegation of use with a
proper specimen. <i>See</i> 15 U.S.C. §1051(c), (d); 37
C.F.R. §§2.76, 2.88; TMEP §1103. If the same specimen is
submitted with an allegation of use, the same refusal will
issue.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">To
amend to Section 1(b), applicant must submit the following
statement, verified with an affidavit or signed declaration
under 37 C.F.R. §2.20: \u201c<b>Applicant has had a bona fide
intention to use the mark in commerce on or in connection
with the goods or services listed in the application as of
the filing date of the application</b>.\u201d 37 C.F.R.
§2.34(a)(2); TMEP §806.01(b); <i>see</i> 15 U.S.C. §1051(b);
37 C.F.R. §§2.35(b)(1), 2.193(e)(1).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span
style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0F172E">Kevin Grierson</span></b><b><span
style="font-size:1.0pt;font-family:"remialcxesans",serif;color:white">\u200b</span></b><b><span
style="font-size:1.0pt;font-family:"template-5QSGLunPEem16QANOhMLNA",serif;color:white">\u200b</span></b><b><span
style="font-size:1.0pt;font-family:"zone-1",serif;color:white">\u200b</span></b><b><span
style="font-size:1.0pt;font-family:"zones-AQ",serif;color:white">\u200b</span></b><b><span
style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0F172E"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span
style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;color:gray"><a
href="http://www.culhanemeadows.com/" target="_blank"
moz-do-not-send="true"><span
style="font-size:11.5pt;color:#0F172E;text-decoration:none">CULHANE</span><span
style="color:#0F172E;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none"> </span><span
style="font-size:7.5pt;color:#0F172E;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none">PLLC</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">
E-trademarks
<a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:e-trademarks-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com"><e-trademarks-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com></a>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Pamela Chestek via E-trademarks<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, April 11, 2024 9:44 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com">e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com</a><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Pamela Chestek
<a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:pamela@chesteklegal.com"><pamela@chesteklegal.com></a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [E-trademarks] [EXT] Re: Letter of
Protest: anonymous?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span
style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:white">EXTERNAL
EMAIL<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt">"Premature
Use"? Never heard of that one!<br>
<br>
Pam<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt">Pamela S.
Chestek<br>
Chestek Legal<br>
300 Fayetteville St.<br>
Unit 2492<br>
Raleigh, NC 27602<br>
+1 919-800-8033<br>
<a href="mailto:pamela@chesteklegal.com"
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">pamela@chesteklegal.com</a><br>
<a href="http://www.chesteklegal.com/"
moz-do-not-send="true">www.chesteklegal.com</a><br>
<br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></p>
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<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">On 4/10/2024 9:41 PM, Laura Geyer via
E-trademarks wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
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<blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal">Alex:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I\u2019ve had a number of LOPs accepted over
the years, and I always tell clients that:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<ol style="margin-top:0in" type="1" start="1">
<li class="MsoListParagraph"
style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">It\u2019s
absolutely confidential as an initial matter, and if not
granted, it\u2019s pretty safe to assume nobody but G-d and
an unidentified person on the PTO staff will know about
it, BUT<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph"
style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">If
granted, and especially if the applicant is aware of
your existence, there\u2019s a chance that they\u2019ll
<i>guess</i> who is responsible especially if your mark
is the only one cited. If it\u2019s one of those 13 mark
2(d)s
<span
style="font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif">\U0001f644\U0001f644\U0001f644</span>
you might squeak past, but if it\u2019s the corporate
equivalent of a national security concern then:<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph"
style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">Just
assume that it could be found out by FOIA or
accidentally entered into the record somehow in the
process and make your dispositions accordingly.
<o:p></o:p></li>
</ol>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It\u2019s just such a useful tool that it\u2019s
worth the risk. I\u2019m not aware of one of mine that leaked
but certainly it wouldn\u2019t take a master carpenter to sort
out who\u2019d filed it in some of those cases. I do remember
back when the \u201cTrademark King\u201d filed to register something
like 80 trademark applications a number of which
incorporated famous trademarks (like, say, Mercedes) or
famous people\u2019s names like Elton John or a bunch of
generic things like \u201cHoliday Sale\u201d (resulting in office
action responses I treasure to this day) all for
\u201ctrademark branding\u201d. There was a rain of LOPs in lots of
the famous mark applications, many of which were passed on
to the examiners and 2(d)s issued (that probably would
have issued anyway). I mean, it could have been a random
Concerned Citizen, but the smart money would have been on
the brand owners\u2026 <span
style="font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif">
\U0001f609</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">\u201cWho was the Trademark King,\u201d those of
you who are not old like me might ask \u2026 just a few
screenshots from one of his efforts.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img
style="width:3.0208in;height:2.927in"
id="Picture_x0020_2"
src="cid:part4.oTYdGCt5.ek32SCxa@chesteklegal.com"
class="" width="290" height="281" border="0"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The summary of issues that repeated for
multiple office actions:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img
style="width:6.0208in;height:2.1041in"
id="Picture_x0020_5"
src="cid:part5.KkLEGWbW.nHw7hVdU@chesteklegal.com"
class="" width="578" height="202" border="0"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The King appealed to the Commissioner \u2013
Sir Elton had slept upon his rights! He was lazy!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img
style="width:5.5208in;height:4.8229in"
id="Picture_x0020_3"
src="cid:part6.Eb3i4u29.Es0ehxoS@chesteklegal.com"
class="" width="530" height="463" border="0"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When the Examiner remained obdurate,
the Trademark King appealed to a higher authority:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img
style="width:9.1666in;height:1.7708in"
id="Picture_x0020_4"
src="cid:part7.Wy2ElAtg.hnRSYL7S@chesteklegal.com"
class="" width="880" height="170" border="0"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Alas, it all ended in abandonment. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Have a great evening!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Laura
Talley Geyer (she/her)</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Of
Counsel</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt">ND
Galli Law LLC</span></i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">1200 G Street,
N.W., Ste 800</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Washington, DC</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Tel: (202)
599-9019 (direct)</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a
href="https://ndgallilaw.com/laura-geyer/"
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://ndgallilaw.com/laura-geyer/</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Iskoola Pota",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div
style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">
E-trademarks
<a
href="mailto:e-trademarks-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com"
moz-do-not-send="true"><e-trademarks-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com></a>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Alex Butterman via E-trademarks<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, April 10, 2024 3:54 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> For trademark practitioners. This is not
for laypersons to seek legal advice.
<a href="mailto:e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com"
moz-do-not-send="true"><e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com></a><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Alex Butterman <a
href="mailto:abutterman@dbllawyers.com"
moz-do-not-send="true"><abutterman@dbllawyers.com></a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [E-trademarks] [EXT] Re: Letter
of Protest: anonymous?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><b><span
style="color:#CC0000">EXTERNAL EMAIL</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#156082">That\u2019s
a good question. I have a fed government agency client
that figured their Letters of Protest could be
discovered by a FOIA request.
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#156082"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span
style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Alex
Butterman</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Partner<b>
</b></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span
style="font-family:"Avenir Next";color:#37428A">DUNLAP </span></b><b><span
style="font-family:"Avenir Next";color:#616A73">BENNETT </span></b><b><span
style="font-family:"Avenir Next";color:#37428A">& LUDWIG</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:3.0pt"><i><span
style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">211
Church St., SE; Leesburg, VA 20175</span></i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:3.0pt"><span
style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">T:
703-777-7319</span><span
style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#156082;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">
\u2013
</span><span
style="color:#156082;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a
href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.dbllawyers.com%2fattorney%2falex-butterman%2f&c=E,1,UshTsoBWZU1f2Sbg3CmfPDGZcB3B6JXceNOUjacPR2vAJTmqsbBRtm1o-65q66XFALwuow-pKbG9R-mUrU0kcLfhL_ORSGaW6yWB5xGlLZnX&typo=1"
moz-do-not-send="true"><b><span
style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">BIO</span></b></a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:3.0pt"><span
style="color:#156082"><img
style="width:1.7395in;height:.5104in"
id="Picture_x0020_1"
src="cid:part8.d6NG3fYW.sLATUKEr@chesteklegal.com"
alt="A blue and white logo
Description automatically generated" class="" width="167" height="49"
border="0"></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#156082;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">This
electronic message contains information from Dunlap
Bennett & Ludwig PLLC and may be confidential or
privileged. If you are not the intended recipient,
any disclosure, copying, or use of the contents is
prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in
error, please notify us and delete the message
without copying or disclosing it.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#156082"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div
style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">
E-trademarks <<a
href="mailto:e-trademarks-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com"
moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">e-trademarks-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Crane, Susan via E-trademarks<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, April 10, 2024 08:06 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> For trademark practitioners. This is
not for laypersons to seek legal advice. <<a
href="mailto:e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com"
moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com</a>><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Crane, Susan <<a
href="mailto:susan.crane@wyndham.com"
moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">susan.crane@wyndham.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [EXT] Re: [E-trademarks] Letter of
Protest: anonymous?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt">True,
but is it possible you can file a FOIA request to get
the original letter?<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Susan L. Crane<br>
Group Vice President, Legal<br>
Intellectual Property, Brands & Marketing<br>
<br>
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc.<br>
22 Sylvan Way<br>
Parsippany, NJ 07054<br>
O (973) 753-6455<br>
M (973) 879-3420<br>
<a href="mailto:Susan.Crane@wyndham.Com"
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">Susan.Crane@wyndham.Com</a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt">On
Apr 10, 2024, at 8:04 AM, Michael Brown via
E-trademarks <<a
href="mailto:e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com"
moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com</a>>
wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">\ufeff</span>
<o:p>
</o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="mso-line-height-alt:.75pt"><span
style="font-size:1.0pt;color:white">The Letter
of Protest does not get sent to the applicant,
nor is it part of the TSDR record. However, if
approved, a memorandum from the Office of the
Deputy Commissioner to the Examining Attorney
with the relevant information for consideration
</span>
<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="mso-line-height-alt:.75pt"><span
style="font-size:1.0pt;color:white">ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<table class="MsoNormalTable"
style="width:100.0%;border-radius:4px" width="100%"
cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding:12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable"
style="width:100.0%;background:#D0D8DC;border:none;border-top:solid #90A4AE 3.0pt"
width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td
style="border:none;padding:0in 7.5pt 3.75pt 4.5pt" valign="top">
<table class="MsoNormalTable"
cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
border="0" align="left">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td
style="padding:3.0pt 6.0pt 3.0pt 6.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">This
Message Is From an
External Sender
</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td
style="padding:3.0pt 6.0pt 3.0pt 6.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Do
not click links or open
attachments unless you
recognize the sender and
know the content is safe.
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table class="MsoNormalTable"
cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
border="0" align="right">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td
style="padding:3.0pt 0in 3.0pt 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"> <a
href="https://us-phishalarm-ewt.proofpoint.com/EWT/v1/Nf401RNTQFE14GfWW3o!ksaLCl7KIOx0I-lfcXtIkMx5sgXJCe0LohVDnZgLBw8hhHgd8DHnxMPGnuS5jjraJ7-te1yKFmvhdagr-fnS18_coEAkuHHwOAClbbjYrSyrxAr6iuMxM2pWpExQLw$"
target="_blank"
moz-do-not-send="true"><strong><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;border:solid #666666 1.0pt;padding:6.0pt;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none"> Report Suspicious </span></strong></a> \u200c
<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="mso-line-height-alt:.75pt"><span
style="font-size:1.0pt;color:white">ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Letter of Protest does not
get sent to the applicant, nor is it part of the
TSDR record. However, if approved, a memorandum
from the Office of the Deputy Commissioner to the
Examining Attorney with the relevant information
for consideration is part of the TSDR record, so
if there is information that would identify the
Protestor, that might give it away.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you are interested,
contact me off list, and I can point you to a
case or two where I had LoPs accepted.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Best regards, <br>
Michael<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br clear="all">
<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Michael Brown<br>
Michael J Brown Law Office <o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">354
Eisenhower Parkway<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Plaza I, 2nd
Floor, Suite 2025 <o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Livingston,
NJ 07039<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a
href="mailto:michaeljbrownlaw@gmail.com" target="_blank"
moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">michaeljbrownlaw@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a
href="mailto:michael@mjbrownlaw.com" target="_blank"
moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">michael@mjbrownlaw.com</a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a
href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/www.mjbrownlaw.com__;!!Nf401RNTQFE14GfWW3o!hYyGRU1up_s3RYBVeL5V6iV28bNVldBOJRMWOtNiqb8y-5Jb8u3DAES83vDWw29kEN4ezAtYFnVb4b5xvJ1CutOLFpkyERA$"
target="_blank"
moz-do-not-send="true">www.mjbrownlaw.com</a> <br>
+1 973-577-6300 fax +1
973-577-6301<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Google
Voice +1 973-637-0358<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">On Wed, Apr 10, 2024 at 3:05<span
style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">\u202f</span>AM Judith S via
E-trademarks <<a
href="mailto:e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com"
moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com</a>>
wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<blockquote
style="border:none;border-left:solid #CCCCCC 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt">
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hi All,<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have a small client who
is contemplating filing a Letter of Protest
against a larger competitor who filed a
trademark for a term they consider generic
or descriptive of the technology they use.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">They are concerned that
if they are identified as the "Protestor"
there might be retaliation.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:12.0pt">The "Name of
Protestor" field instruction says "Enter the
full legal name of the entity objecting to
the registration of a mark in a pending
application, i.e., the name of the
individual, corporation, partnership, or
other entity that is protesting registration
of a mark, NOT the person or firm completing
the Letter of Protest."<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Could we use the name of
the in-house attorney who is initiating the
objection or some other name?<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks for any insight.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Judith<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">-- <br>
E-trademarks mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:E-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com"
target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">E-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com</a><br>
<a
href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/oppedahl-lists.com/mailman/listinfo/e-trademarks_oppedahl-lists.com__;!!Nf401RNTQFE14GfWW3o!hYyGRU1up_s3RYBVeL5V6iV28bNVldBOJRMWOtNiqb8y-5Jb8u3DAES83vDWw29kEN4ezAtYFnVb4b5xvJ1CutOL_nmiKSQ$"
target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true">http://oppedahl-lists.com/mailman/listinfo/e-trademarks_oppedahl-lists.com</a><o:p></o:p></p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">-- <br>
E-trademarks mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:E-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com"
moz-do-not-send="true"
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