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WYHA? "STEAM N' MASH" Merely Descriptive of Processed Potatoes, Says TTAB

Well, what do you think of this one? Applicant ProMark Brands, Inc. sought to register the marks ORE-IDA STEAM N' MASH and STEAM N' MASH for "processed potatoes," but Examining Attorneys Kathleen H. Lorenzo and Inga Marie Ervin said no. In the former case, Lorenzo demanded a disclaimer of STEAM N' MASH, and in the latter Ervin refused registration, both on the ground of mere descriptiveness. The Board required just over six pages to issue its affirmances. In re ProMark Brands Inc., Serial Nos. 77266099 and 77266087 (June 15, 2009) [not precedential].In each case, the Examining Attorney relied on definitions of "steam" and "mash," excerpts from numerous websites using the terms "steam" and/or "mash" in describing the preparation of potatoes, and an excerpt from ProMark's own website referring to its STEAM N' MASH potatoes with text describing how easy it is to steam and mash processed potatoes...continue to full post

Full post as published by The TTABlog on July 14, 2009 (boomark / email).