2013 TTAB Precedential Decisions

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Section 2(a) - Deceptiveness:

• Precedential No. 29: TTAB Affirms Five (5) Refusals of "AOP" for Wine
• Precedential No. 9: TTAB Affirms 2(a) Deceptiveness Refusal of WHITE JASMINE for Tea

Section 2(a) - Disparagement:

• Precedential No. 38: TTAB Affirms Section 2(a) Disparagement Refusal of "THE SLANTS" for Musical Band
• Precedential No. 31: TTAB Dismisses U. Alabama Opposition to HOUNDSTOOTH MAFIA & Design for Clothing

Section 2(a) - False Connection:

• Precedential No. 43: TTAB Affirms Section 2(a) False Connection Refusal of "LAKOTA" for Herbal Remedies
• Precedential No. 31: TTAB Dismisses U. Alabama Opposition to HOUNDSTOOTH MAFIA & Design for Clothing

Section 2(a) - Immoral or Scandalous:

• Precedential No. 34: Findng "AWSHIT WORKS" to be Scandalous, TTAB Affirms Section 2(a) Refusal

Section 2(d) - Likelihood of Confusion:

• Precedential No. 31: TTAB Dismisses U. Alabama Opposition to HOUNDSTOOTH MAFIA & Design for Clothing
• Precedential No. 26: FInding Wine and Water Related, TTAB Sustains 2(d) Opposition
• Precedential No. 23: CHEMIN DES PAPES Not Confusable with CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE CONTROLE for Wine, Says TTAB
• Precedential No. 16: TTAB Refuses to Consider File HIstory of Cited Registration in Section 2(d) Appeal
• Precedential No. 14: Refusing to Read Cited Registration Narrowly, TTAB Affirms 2(d) Refusal of LOTUS for Casino Bar Services
• Precedential No. 6: Applicant's Rule 133 Amendment Yields Dismissal of 2(d) Opposition

Section 2(e)(1)) - Mere Descriptiveness:

• Precedential No. 37: TTAB Affirms Mere Descriptiveness Refusal of SUPERJAWS for Machine and Hand Tools
• Precedential No. 27: TTAB Rejects Genericness and Fraud Claims, But Cancels "ANNAPOLIS TOURS" Section 2(f) Registration for Mere Descriptiveness

Section 2(e)(1) - Deceptive Misdescriptiveness:

• Precedential No. 29: TTAB Affirms Five (5) Refusals of "AOP" for Wine

Section 2(e)(4) - Primarily Merely a Surname:

• Precedential No. 2: TTAB Sustains Section 2(e)(4) Surname Opposition to "MILLER LAW GROUP" for Legal Services

Section 2(e)(5) - Functionality:

• Precedential No. 32: TTAB Sustains Opposition to Pipe Boot Design, Finding it De Jure Functional
• Precedential No. 10: Finding Aesthetic Functionality, TTAB Affirms 2(e)(5) Refusal of Black Color for Floral Packaging
• Precedential No. 7: TTAB Affirms Refusal to Register Peppermint Flavor and Scent for Nitroglycerin Spray
• Precedential No. 3: TTAB Affirms Alternative Refusals to Register Pet Food Container Design, Finding it Functional or Non-Distinctive

Failure to Function:

• Precedential No. 29: TTAB Affirms Five (5) Refusals of "AOP" for Wine
• Precedential No. 22: WYHA? TTAB Affirms Failure-to-Function Refusal of "No More RINOs!" for Bumper Stickers, T-Shirts, and Buttons
• Precedential No. 7: TTAB Affirms Refusal to Register Peppermint Flavor and Scent for Nitroglycerin Spray
• Precedential No. 5: TTAB Affirms Failure-to-Function Refusal of Battery Charger "Chirp"
• Precedential No. 4: TTAB Affirms Failure-to-Function Refusal of BLATANCY for Audio Recordings by Eponymous Performer
• Precedential No. 3: TTAB Affirms Alternative Refusals to Register Pet Food Container Design, Finding it Functional or Non-Distinctive
• Precedential No. 1: TTAB Affirms Ornamentality Refusal of Clothing Trim Design Mark

Fraud:

• Precedential No. 27: TTAB Rejects Genericness and Fraud Claims, But Cancels "ANNAPOLIS TOURS" Section 2(f) Registration for Mere Descriptiveness
• Precedential No. 28: TTAB Denies 12(b)(6) Motion to Dismiss Fraud Counterclaim

Genericness:

• Precedential No. 36: TTAB Finds FOOTLONG To Be Generic for Sandwiches
• Precedential No. 27: TTAB Rejects Genericness and Fraud Claims, But Cancels "ANNAPOLIS TOURS" Section 2(f) Registration for Mere Descriptiveness

Goods in Trade:

• Precedential No. 8: TTAB Finds Investment Report to Be a Mere Sales Document, Not a Good in Trade

Identification of Goods:

• Precedential No. 25: TTAB Affirms Refusal to Register Due To Indefinite Identification of Goods

Lack of Bona Fide Intent:

• Precedential No. 39: TTAB Sustains Swatch Opposition to IWATCH, Finding Lack of Bona Fide Intent
• Precedential No. 23: CHEMIN DES PAPES Not Confusable with CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE CONTROLE for Wine, Says TTAB

Non-use:

• Precedential No. 40: TTAB Sustains Opposition to CLOROTEC & Design Due to Non-Use

Ownership:

• Precedential No. 24: Foreign Manufacturer, Not U.S. Distributor, Owns the Mark, Says TTAB

Rule 2.61(b) Compliance:

• Precedential No. 29: TTAB Affirms Five (5) Refusals of "AOP" for Wine
  

Section 10 Assignability:

• Precedential No. 33: TTAB Cancels ZILLA Registration, Section 10 Violated by Assignment of ITU Application to Parent

Concurrent Use:

• Precedential No. 11: Junior User Awarded All of USA Except Arizona in "3 PALMS" Concurrent Use Battle

Discovery/Evidence/Procedure:

• Precedential No. 44: Respondent Consents to Judgment on Abandonment Claim, TTAB Declines to Consider Fraud Claim
• Precedential No. 42: TTAB Grants Applicant's Contested, Pre-Trial Motion to Narrow Its Identification of Goods
• Precedential No. 41: Genericness Counterclaim Survives Dismissal of Opposer's 2(d) Claim, Says TTAB
• Precedential No.35: TTAB Denies Protective Order, Requires Opposer to Answer Hundreds of Admission Requests
• Precedential No. 30: TTAB Re-Designates as Precedential Its Opinon Vacating ROLEX/ROLL-X
• Precedential No. 28: TTAB Denies 12(b)(6) Motion to Dismiss Fraud Counterclaim
• Precedential No. 21: TTAB Dismisses Belatedly-Filed Opposition, Rejects Claim of Privity With Extension Recipient
• Precedential No. 20: Cancellation Respondent Can't Undo Voluntary Surrender of Registration
• Precedential No. 18: Parties Opt for ACR, Foregoing Discovery, Trial, and Final Argument
• Precedential No. 17: Use of TREASURYNET Mark Only Internally Results in Cancellation due to Abandonment
• Precedential No. 15: TTAB Requires FRCP 26(a)(2)(B) Written Report of "Retained" Expert Witness
• Precedential No. 13: TTAB Nixes Stipulation for Service By E-Mail And Five Extra Mailing Days
• Precedential No. 12: WYHA? TTAB Affirms Refusal of PLAQUE-ZAPPER for Pet Treats Due to Faulty Specimen of Use
• Precedential No. 6: Applicant's Rule 133 Amendment Yields Dismissal of 2(d) Opposition

Text Copyright John L. Welch 2013.