2022 Precedential Decisions

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Section 2(a) - False suggestion of a connection

• Precedential No. 24: "PURPLE RAIN" for Dietary Supplements Falsely Suggests a Connection with Prince, Says TTAB

Section 2(b) - Governmental Insignia:

• Precedential No. 19: TTAB Affirms Section 2(b) Refusals of Orange County "Unofficial" Insignia

Section 2(c) - Consent of living individual

• Precedential No. 36: TTAB Sustains Section 2(c) Opposition to DANA DESIGN Due to Lack of Consent

Section 2(d) - Likelihood of Confusion:

• Precedential No. 37: TTAB Rejects DC Comics Opposition: No Likely Confusion or Dilution vis-a-vis Superman "S-Shield" Marks
• Precedential No. 31: "SMOKES & Design" for Cannabis Cigarettes Not Confusable with "SMOK" for Electronic Cigarettes, Says TTAB

• Precedential No. 29: Finding Applicant's Period of Nonuse Excusable, TTAB Dismisses EUCALIN Opposition for Failure to Prove Priority
• Precedential No. 28: Nunc Pro Tunc Assignment Confirming Oral Agreement Suffices to Establish Priority
• Precedential No. 26: TTAB Denies "HAPPIEST HOUR" Cancellation Petition for Failure to Prove Priority Via Technical or Analogous TM Use
• Precedential No. 16: TTAB Unsurprisingly Finds "NATURE MADE" Confusable With "MADE IN NATURE" for Fruit and Snack Products
• Precedential No. 14: TTAB Allows Amendment to Applicant's Goods, Dismisses 2(d) Opposition to LUX ENHANCER
• Precedential No. 11: TTAB Dismisses SKËNDERBEU Brandy Opposition for Failure to Prove Priority and Fraud
• Precedential No. 9: TTAB Overturns RAINCOAST DIP Section 2(d) Refusal in Light of Coexistence Agreement Pooh-poohed by USPTO

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

• Precedential No. 20: TTAB Finds "SMART BEZEL" Merely Descriptive of Electronic Sensor Modules for Home Automation Systems
• Precedential No. 13: TTAB Reverses Disclaimer Requirement of "KID" in two Lego Marks Found to be Unitary

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

• Precedential No. 5: TTABlog Test - Is ATWELL SUITES Primarily Merely a Surname for Hotel Services?

Section 2(e)(5) - Functionality

• Precedential No. 4: TTAB Finds Pastel Colors for Disposable Pipette Tips Both Nondistinctive and Functional

Section 2(f) - Acquired Distinctiveness

• Precedential No. 10: TTAB Affirms Refusal to Register Handbag Shape: Generic and (Alternatively) Lacking Acquired Distinctiveness

Abandonment:

• Precedential No. 21: TTAB Orders Cancellation of OLD SCHOOL Registrations Due to Abandonment - Intent to Sell Mark Is Not Intent to Use

Dilution:

• Precedential No. 37: TTAB Rejects DC Comics Opposition: No Likely Confusion or Dilution vis-a-vis Superman "S-Shield" Marks
• Precedential No. 1: TTAB Sustains Spotify's Dilution-By-Blurring Claim Against POTIFY for Clothing and Marijuana-Related Software and Services

Failure to Function/Specimens of Use:

• Precedential No. 34: "IFG" Fails to Function as a Trademark For Live Plants Because It's a Varietal Name
• Precedential No. 33: #LAW Fails to Function as a Source Indicator for Legal Referral Services, Says TTAB
• Precedential No. 23: FUCK Fails to Function As a Source Indicator for Jewelry, Bags, and Retail Services, Says TTAB
• Precedential No. 6: Title of Single Work "STRONGHOLDS & FOLLOWERS" Fails to Function as a Trademark, Says TTAB

Fraud:

• Precedential No. 11: TTAB Dismisses SKËNDERBEU Brandy Opposition for Failure to Prove Priority and Fraud

Genericness

• Precedential No. 10: TTAB Affirms Refusal to Register Handbag Shape: Generic and (Alternatively) Lacking Acquired Distinctiveness

Nonownership:

• Precedential No. 22: TTAB Grants Petition to Cancel CHENOA FUND Registration for Mortgage Services Due to Non-Ownership
• Precedential No. 15: TTAB Dismisses Opposition to Section 66(a) Application: Nonownership Claim Unavailable

Nonuse:

• Precedential No. 29: Finding Applicant's Period of Nonuse Excusable, TTAB Dismisses EUCALIN Opposition for Failure to Prove Priority

Pan American Convention:

• Precedential No. 38: TTAB Orders Cancellation of COHIBA Registrations Under Pan American Convention, Rejects Issue Preclusion Defense

Procedural Issues/Discovery/Sanctions:

• Precedential No. 38: TTAB Orders Cancellation of COHIBA Registrations Under Pan American Convention, Rejects Issue Preclusion Defense
• Precedential No. 35: In a Real Snoozer, TTAB Rules on Several Discovery-Related Issues
• Precedential No. 32: In an "Unusual Situation," TTAB Opts to Consider Summary Judgment Motion on Unpleaded Claim
• Precedential No. 30: Finding No Error, TTAB Rejects Reconsideration Request Re "DEEP OPTO PROFILING" Descriptiveness Affirmance
• Precedential No. 27: TTAB Dismisses PepsiCo's "TORTRIX" Opposition Due to Inadequate Pleading of Misrepresentation of Source, Lack of Bona Fide Intent, and Fraud
• Precedential No. 25: TTAB Applicant's 41-Page ACR Brief Stricken As Too Long, But Re-Filing of 25-Page Brief Allowed
• Precedential No. 18: TTAB Denies LAGUNA CANDLES Cancellation Petition, Finding Acquired Distinctiveness and No Claim Preclusion
• Precedential No. 17: TTAB Dismisses "HUNGRY" Section 2(d) Opposition Due to False Testimony and Spoliation of Evidence
• Precedential No. 12: TTAB Delivers Up a Nothingburger to Applicant Seeking to Strike Testimony and Evidence
• Precedential No. 7: TTAB Sanctions Party for Flagrant Violation of the Standard Protective Order
• Precedential No. 3: TTAB Grants Motion to Supplement Notice of Opposition to Add Post-Filing Trademark Applications
• Precedential No. 2: TTAB Rejects Summary Judgment Motion Filed Three Days Too Late

Prosecution Issues:

• Precedential No. 8: TTAB Upholds Refusal Based on Applicant's Noncompliance with Domicile Address Requirement

Text Copyright John L. Welch 2022.