Ninth Circuit: Reversible error to only consider one of the likelihood of confusion factors In a trademark case yesterday, the Ninth Circuit held that the similarity-of-the-marks factor could not be considered exclusive of the other likelihood of confusion factors in determining trademark infringement. In doing so, the court reversed the grant of summary judgment against the defendant's counterclaims of trademark infringement, as well as the defendant's counterclaims for copyright […] Continue Reading →
Revised TTAB rules coming soon The TTABlog reports that the revised TTAB rules initially proposed in a notice of proposed rulemaking on January 17, 2006 are likely to be published in the Federal Register in the next week. The summary of the rules as initially proposed is as follows: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) proposes to amend […] Continue Reading →
Federal Circuit affirms requirement to amend listing of goods to exclude goods in another class In the first of two Federal Circuit rulings today, the court affirmed that the USPTO was within its authority when it refused to allow an applicant to rely on the international classification to clarify ambiguities in the listing of goods for a trademark. In affirming the TTAB, the court emphasized the deference due to the […] Continue Reading →
Federal Circuit affirms dismissal of opposition proceeding for lack of standing In another nonprecediential ruling today, the Federal Circuit affirmed the TTAB's dismissal of an opposition filed against registration of the Dykes on Bikes mark. There are two requirements to have standing to file an opposition with the TTAB. The would-be opposer must have "both a real interest in the proceedings and a reasonable basis for […] Continue Reading →
Seventh Circuit: no evidence of use of “Stealth” mark, cancellation affirmed In a ruling today, the Seventh Circuit affirmed the cancellation of one of Leo Stoller's many "STEALTH" registrations (owned by one of his companies) for lack of use. The registration in question for "baseball bats, softball bats, and t-ball bats," was the basis for a suit brought against baseball hall of famer George Brett and […] Continue Reading →
Federal Circuit: less distinctive portions of a mark still considered in likelihood of confusion In a case decided today, the Federal Circuit reversed the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board's denial of an opposition to registration of a trademark. Specifically, the court rejected the Board's finding that there was no likelihood of confusion because the Board improperly considered an element present in both marks a "weak component" of the competing […] Continue Reading →
“Aspirina” descriptive of analgesic goods; denial of registration affirmed In a decision today, the Federal Circuit affirmed a decision by the TTAB that the term "ASPIRINA" is descriptive of analgesics, and therefore not subject to trademark protection in the United States absent a showing of secondary meaning. While the evidence of record was conflicting as to whether ASPIRINA was descriptive, given the deferential standard […] Continue Reading →
Ninth Circuit: have another look at those two moose – denial of preliminary injunction vacated In a decision Tuesday, the Ninth Circuit vacated a district court's denial of a preliminary injunction to Abercrombie & Fitch over an alleged infringement of its "Moose" marks by Moose Creek, a competing clothing company. The Ninth Circuit found that the district court had misapplied several of the factors used in the Ninth Circuit to […] Continue Reading →
First Circuit: “M4” generic for certain carbine firearms, summary judgment affirmed The First Circuit on Friday held that, in the context of certain carbine firearms, the term "M4" was generic, and therefore not subject to trademark protection. The court found that notwithstanding a registration on the principal register, the evidence presented was such that the only reasonable inference was that M4 was generic in the minds […] Continue Reading →
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences sues Oscarwatch.com for trademark infringement The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has sued the operator of the website oscarwatch.com for trademark infringement based on the use of "Oscar" in the website's address. AMPAS holds several federal trademark registrations for "Oscar" for various goods and services, such as "telecasts in connection with recognition of distinguished achievement in the […] Continue Reading →