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PTO Form 1957 (Rev 9/2005)OMB No. 0651-0050 (Exp. 04/2009)
Response to Office Action
The table below presents the data as entered.
Input FieldEnteredSERIAL NUMBER
77099522
LAW OFFICEASSIGNED
LAW OFFICE 111
MARK SECTION (no change)ARGUMENT(S)
Applicant submits the following response to the Office Action dated September 8, 2009.
Identification of Goods
Contrary to prior assertions, Applicant does not intend to the use the mark in connection with cigarsmade from Cuban seed tobacco or Cuban seed tobacco. The identification of goods has been amendedaccordingly.
Refusal to Register
The Examining Attorney refuses registration on the basis of primarily geographically descriptivenessunder Section 2(e)(2). Applicant respectfully disagrees and submits that its mark cannot becharacterized as being geographic, primarily or otherwise, but is rather a distinctive, coined term thatfunctions solely as a trademark. Applicant incorporates by reference all relevant arguments andevidence from its prior responses.Applicant submits that a
 prima facie
case of primary geographic descriptiveness has not beenestablished. A primarily geographically descriptive mark is one (i) that is a name of a place knowngenerally to public, and (ii) that public would believe goods or services for which mark is sought to beregistered originate in that place.
See In re California Innovations Inc.
, 66 USPQ2d 1853 (Fed. Cir.2003);
 In re London & Edinburgh Ins. Group Ltd.
, 36 USPQ2d 1367 (TTAB 1995) citing
 In re SocieteGenerale des Eaux Minerales de Vittel S.A.
, 3 USPQ2d 1450 (Fed. Cir. 1987).Applicant's mark is simply not geographic. Applicant adopted its distinctive KUBA KUBA mark while,in part, drawing from the overall look and feel of the culture of the Kuba Kingdom. Applicant submittedpreliminary information on the Kuba Kingdom, people, and culture in Exhibit 4 in its amendment datedNovember 26,2007. Applicant now provides further information on the Kuba Kingdom, people andculture to support the nature of the KUBA KUBA mark. The Kuba Kingdom existed during the 16
th
century through to about the 19
th
century in Southeastern Congo, now present day Zaire.
See
Exhibit A.The Kuba Kingdom existed on a continent of Africa. The art of the Kuba Kingdom is recognized in
 
many circles for its ornate characteristics.
See
Exhibit B. The people of the Kuba Kingdom were traders,farmers, fishermen, and hunters.
See
Id;
see also
Exhibits C through K.Moreover, a purchaser of Applicant's goods would not likely make a goods-place association. The termKuba may be used to refer generally to the look and feel of the culture and people of the KubaKingdom. Kuba Kuba is not a place. In the absence of the Examining Attorney agreeing withApplicant's analysis, Applicant asserts that even if geographic significance is associated with "KubaKuba" such significance is of so little significance it could only be minor, obscure, and unconnectedwith Applicant's goods in view of the nature of the KUBA KUBA mark.Applicant's mark is not a misspelling of the term Cuba, nor does Cuba have any relevance to the nature,characteristics, or meaning of the KUBA KUBA mark. Incidentally, the record remains devoid of anyevidence that the term "Kuba" is a misspelling of, or relates to, the term "Cuba."
Conclusion
In view of the foregoing, Applicant submits that the application is in condition for acceptance andrequests passage of the mark to publication.
EVIDENCE SECTION
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evi_38104110134-183820891_._KUBA_EXHIBITS.PDF
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DESCRIPTION OFEVIDENCE FILE
printouts of Internet search for Kuba Kingdom.
GOODS AND/OR SERVICES SECTION (current)
INTERNATIONAL CLASS
034
DESCRIPTION
Cigars, tobacco and related products, namely, cigarettes, cigar boxes, lighters, holders, ashtrays, cigarbands, cigar cutters, humidors, and cigar tubes
FILING BASIS
Section 1(b)
GOODS AND/OR SERVICES SECTION(proposed)
INTERNATIONAL CLASS
034
of 00

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