[E-trademarks] Determining Whether Specimen Matches Drawing Based on Line Breaks

Wed Jan 31 10:20:20 EST 2024

Was there recently a training on this?

I also received an office action with this same rejection, but the inverse
with regard to the space.  The drawing in the applied-for mark has a space
between the two words, and the examiner argues that the space needs to be
removed.  The application is for a standard character word mark that has
previously been registered by the applicant several times over the last 20
years at the USPTO, with the same stylized graphical representation of the
mark in each specimen (just different goods/services)!

However, now, suddenly, the drawing doesn't match the specimen!

I also couldn't find any relevant case law on this, so I was planning on
arguing the commercial impression of the specimen drawing matches the
drawing in the application since the first term in the specimens is a
different font and color when compared to the second term, so the consumer
would view the specimen drawing as being comprised of two separate terms.

I also planned on pointing to the previous registrations and renewals where
the same stylized graphical representation was accepted.

Thanks,

John

On Wed, Jan 31, 2024 at 8:20 AM Hall, Michael via E-trademarks <
e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com> wrote:

> Spencer,
>
>
>
> Putting aside potential issues involving commercial impression (THE RAPIST
> vs. THERAPIST), which you say are inapplicable to your situation, I believe
> your examining attorney is correct that your applied-for mark is not a
> substantially exact representation of the mark on the specimen.  However,
> you could likely amend your mark to add the space.  *See In re Innovative
> Cos., LLC*, 88 U.S.P.Q.2d 1095 (T.T.A.B. 2008) (finding applied-for mark FREEDOMSTONE
> not a substantially exact representation of mark FREEDOM STONE on specimen,
> but permitting applicant’s amendment of the mark to FREEDOM STONE because
> not a material alteration).
>
>
>
> Best,
>
> Michael
>
>
> Michael Hall
> Senior Counsel
> Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP
> d:  919-755-2163
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> e:  Michael.Hall at wbd-us.com
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> 
> 
> 
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>
> *From:* E-trademarks <e-trademarks-bounces at oppedahl-lists.com> *On Behalf
> Of *Spencer Cross via E-trademarks
> *Sent:* Tuesday, January 30, 2024 7:56 PM
> *To:* Weitzmanip <rstraussman at weitzmanip.com>
> *Cc:* Spencer Cross <spencer at counselforcreators.com>; For trademark
> practitioners. This is not for laypersons to seek legal advice. <
> e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [E-trademarks] Determining Whether Specimen Matches
> Drawing Based on Line Breaks
>
>
>
>
>
> Agreed, but safe to assume that's not the case here and the EA doesn't
> make any argument that the commercial impression is different. His entire
> analysis is "The mark on the specimen does not match the mark in the
> drawing because the specimen shows the term "ALPHA" over the term "BETA,"
> indicating a space between both terms."
>
>
>
> Best,
>
> Spencer
>
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, Jan 30, 2024 at 4:31 PM Weitzmanip <rstraussman at weitzmanip.com>
> wrote:
>
> A space could make a difference depending on the commercial impressions of
> each. Consider:
>
>
>
> THERAPIST   vs  THE RAPIST
>
>
>
> Not the same connotation, is it?
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Jan 30, 2024, at 7:16 PM, Spencer Cross via E-trademarks <
> e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com> wrote:
>
> 
>
> Hi all,
>
>
>
> We recently received a "specimen does not match the drawing" refusal where
> we applied for the mark as a compound word mark:
>
>
>
> ALPHABETA
>
>
>
> But the specimen, which is a screen capture of a website, uses a logo
> design that shows the two words stacked:
>
>
>
> ALPHA
>
> BETA
>
>
>
> Everywhere else on the site the mark is used as a compound word on one
> line (e.g., in the copyright notice in the footer). Unfortunately, it's a
> relatively sparse site and none of those other uses are great options for a
> specimen.
>
>
>
> That refusal seems inappropriate to me. I can't imagine, for example, that
> a specimen depicting the vertically stacked red LEVI'S tag would be refused
> because it shows the mark as "L E V I ' S" or that a specimen for SUPERCELL
> showing their logo
> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/supercell.com/en/for-media/__;!!NROYQQ!atLCCbr6ch7dJUcZZ71UQop3jdX81cIHXUdfjONZJiszS_oxSgw0f9fqXlN6wORpBu8z5YDzitVGlvl2a66lO8DnTieux_TD$>
> would be refused for showing the mark as "SUP ERC ELL".
>
>
>
> Before we talk to the client about revising their website, I'm curious if
> anyone knows of any authority addressing whether it's appropriate to
> conclude a standard character mark is two separate words based on its
> design expression? Unfortunately I wasn't able to find anything in TMEP or
> McCarthy or my other go-to secondary sources, all of which only address
> mismatches in punctuation. I assume in the end it will be easier to just
> ask the client to update the website, but I'd rather not capitulate because
> I don't think it's an appropriate refusal.
>
>
>
> Feel free to send responses off-list if you prefer.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Spencer
>
>
>
> --
>
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