TTAB 2010 Precedential Decisions

Here is a compilation of this year's precedential decisions, categorized according to subject matter.


Section 2(a) - disparagement:

• Precedential No. 10: Divided TTAB Panel Affirms 2(a) Disparagement Refusal of "KHORAN" for Wines

Section 2(c) - lack of consent from living individual:

• Presidential No. 44: In Rare Section 2(c) Ruling, TTAB Affirms Refusal of "OBAMA BAHAMA PAJAMAS"

Section 2(d) - likelihood of confusion:

• Precedential No. 50: TTAB Says Consent and License from Registrant Require Reversal of 2(d) Refusal of WACKER NEUSON over NEUSON for Machinery
• Precedential No. 40: TTAB Reverses 2(d) Refusal: Differing Trade Channels and Customers Trump Third-Party Registrations
• Precedential No. 38: "COACH" Loses Triple-Header: 2(d), 2(e)(1), and Dilution
• Precedential No. 31: Opposer Fails to Prove Priority, Non-Use, and Fraud in "BLACK BELT TV" Brouhaha
• Precedential No. 27: Finding Computer Software and Services Related, TTAB Affirms 2(d) "ACTIVECARE" Refusal
• Precedential No. 23: Finding Third-Party Registrations Not Probative, TTAB Reverses 2(d) Refusal
• Precedential No. 13: Divided TTAB Panel Dismisses "VIGILANZ" Opposition, Finding Purchasers Sophisticated and Goods Not Related
• Precedential No. 5: TTAB Finds "CAPITAL CITY BANK" and "CITIBANK" Not Confusingly Similar, Dismisses 2(d) and Dilution-Based Opposition
• Precedential No. 4: TxDOT Wins TTAB 2(d) Tussle Over "DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS" for Clothing
• Precedential No. 1: TTAB Yawningly Affirms 2(d) Refusal of "MAX & Design" Over "MAX" for Overlapping Insurance Services

Section 2(e)(4) - Primarily merely a surname:

• Precedential No. 22: Reversing 2(e)(4) Refusal, TTAB Finds "P.J. FITZPATRICK, INC." Not Primarily Merely a Surname

Section 2(e)(5) - Functionality:

• Precedential No. 32: TTAB Finds Bands on Mag Rechargeable Flashlight Functional, Lacking in Acquired Distinctiveness

Section 2(f) - acquired distinctiveness:

• Precedential No. 42: TTAB Affirms Refusal to Register Shape of Chevron's "Pole Spanner Sign" as Non-Distinctive
• Prededential No. 34: TTAB Affirms Refusal to Register "Beer Glass and Stand" Packaging for Lack of Distinctiveness
• Precedential No. 32: TTAB Finds Bands on Mag Rechargeable Flashlight Functional, Lacking in Acquired Distinctiveness
• Precedential No. 3: Denying 2(f) Tacking, TTAB Finds HOLLYWOOD and BOLLYWOOD Not Legal Equivalents

Section 10 - Improper Assignment:

• Precedential No. 35: Amazon Spanked Again in TTAB Discovery Ruling

Abandonment:

• Precedential No. 29: TTAB Dismisses "ECSTASY" Cancellation - Petitioner Proves Standing, But Not Abandonment or Fraud

Dilution:

• Precedential No. 38: "COACH" Loses Triple-Header: 2(d), 2(e)(1), and Dilution
• Precedential No. 21: TTAB Sustains Dilution Claim For the First Time in Seven Years
• Precedential No. 14: Noncommercial Use Defense to a Dilution Claim Unavailable in a TTAB Proceeding
• Precedential No. 11: Foreign Mark's Fame in US Plus ITU Application Provides Dilution Cause of Action, Says TTAB
• Precedential No. 5: TTAB Finds "CAPITAL CITY BANK" and "CITIBANK" Not Confusingly Similar, Dismisses 2(d) and Dilution-Based Opposition

Failure to Function

• Precedential No. 42: TTAB Affirms Refusal to Register Shape of Chevron's "Pole Spanner Sign" as Non-Distinctive
• Precedential No. 39: TTAB Re-Designates "ONCE A MARINE ..." Decision as Precedential
• Prededential No. 34: TTAB Affirms Refusal to Register "Beer Glass and Stand" Packaging for Lack of Distinctiveness

Fraud:

• Precedential No. 36: TTAB Refuses to Find Fraudulent Intent Where Applicant Relied on Advice of Counsel
• Precedential No. 16: Fraud Claim Survives Motion to Dismiss; Facts Pleaded with Sufficient Particularity
• Precedential No. 2: TTAB Okays Fraud Pleading But Denies Summary Judgment on Intent Issue

Genericness:

• Precedential No. 45: TTAB Finds "NANDRIVE" Generic for Electronic Integrated Circuits
• Precedential No. 43: TTAB Reverses Genericness Refusal of "THUMBDRIVE" for Portable Storage Devices
• Precedential No. 9: TTAB Finds "ELECTRIC CANDLE COMPANY" Generic for Light Bulbs

Lack of bona fide intent:

• Precedential No. 46: Applicant Lacked Bona Fide Intent, TTAB Sustains "AQUAJETT" Opposition
• Precedential No. 28: Finding Lack of Bona Fide Intent, TTAB Sustains "MITHRIL" Opposition
• Precedential No. 12: TTAB Sustains "HERE'S JOHNNY" Portable Toilets Opposition on Two Grounds: Res Judicata and No Bona Fide Intent

Priority:

• Precedential No. 41: Parties File Cross-Motions for Summary Judgment, then Opt for TTAB's ACR Procedure to Resolve Cancellation
• Prededential No. 33: Opposer Proves Priority Based on Sale of Ventilators for Test Purposes

Procedural issues:

• Precedential No. 48: TTAB Enters Summary Judgment, Ruling That Res Judicata Bars Cancellation after Defaulted Opposition
• Precedential No. 47: TTAB Dismisses Opposition for Lack of Standing, Finds No Excusable Neglect Warranting Re-Opening of Case
• Precedential No. 41: Parties File Cross-Motions for Summary Judgment, then Opt for TTAB's ACR Procedure to Resolve Cancellation

Res judicata:

• Precedential No. 48: TTAB Enters Summary Judgment, Ruling That Res Judicata Bars Cancellation after Defaulted Opposition
• Precedential No. 12: TTAB Sustains "HERE'S JOHNNY" Portable Toilets Opposition on Two Grounds: Res Judicata and No Bona Fide Intent

Standing:

• Precedential No. 38: "COACH" Loses Triple-Header: 2(d), 2(e)(1), and Dilution
• Precedential No. 29: TTAB Dismisses "ECSTASY" Cancellation - Petitioner Proves Standing, But Not Abandonment or Fraud

Use in Commerce/Drawing/Specimen of Use:

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• Precedential No. 49: Following First Niagara, TTAB Rules That Foreign Owner Sufficiently Pleaded Use of Mark in USA
• Precedential No. 26: "OSMODEX" Specimens Fail to Show Use as Service Mark, TTAB Rules
• Precedential No. 25: "CLOTHING FACTS" Not Functioning as a Trademark, Says TTAB
• Precedential No. 18: TTAB Affirms Rejection of Trademark Specimen as Mere Advertising and not Point-of-Sale Display
• Precedential No. 15: TTAB Affirms Rejection of Website Specimen for Goods, Ordering Information Lacking

TTAB Discovery/Evidence/Procedure:

• Precedential No. 37: TTAB Says Filing of Summary Judgment Motion Does Not Automatically Suspend Proceeding
• Precedential No. 35: Amazon Spanked Again in TTAB Discovery Ruling
• Precedential No. 30: TTAB Strikes Counterclaim Allegations Based on Ex Parte Prosecution Errors, but Okays Section 10 Abandonment Claim
• Precedential No. 24: TTAB Says Reference to Documents (in Russian) Does Not Satisfy FRCP 33(d)
• Precedential No. 20: Per Rule 2.107(b), TTAB Denies Motion to Amend Madrid Opposition
• Precedential No. 19: TTAB Snoringly Rules on Motions to Compel Production and to Exclude Trial Witness
• Precedential No. 17: TTAB Says Section 18 Not Available for Requiring Disclaimer of Generic Part of Mark Registered for More Than 5 Years
• Precedential No. 8: You Can't Move for Summary Judgment Until After Serving Initial Disclosures, Says TTAB
• Precedential No. 7: TTAB Deems Internet Printouts Admissible Via Notice of Reliance
• Precedential No. 6: TTAB Spanks Opposer Who Failed to Serve Initial Disclosures

Text and photos ©John L. Welch 2009-2010.