Giusto’s Specialty Foods, LLCDownload PDFTrademark Trial and Appeal BoardMar 30, 2012No. 77528795 (T.T.A.B. Mar. 30, 2012) Copy Citation Mailed: March 30, 2012 UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE ________ Trademark Trial and Appeal Board ________ In re Giusto’s Specialty Foods, LLC ________ Serial Nos. 77528795 and 77528811 _______ David A. Payne of Casimir Jones SC for Giusto’s Specialty Foods, LLC. Katina S. Mister, Trademark Examining Attorney, Law Office 104 (Chris Doninger, Managing Attorney). _______ Before Bucher, Taylor and Wellington, Administrative Trademark Judges. Opinion by Taylor, Administrative Trademark Judge: Giusto’s Specialty Foods, LLC has filed applications to register on the Principal Register the mark VITA-GRAIN (in standard character format) for goods ultimately identified as: Application Serial No. 77528795 Full line of bakery ingredients, namely, cooking oil, dried fruits, processed nuts, processed beans, and processed edible seeds in International Class 29; and Full line of bakery ingredients, namely, flours, processed grains, natural sweeteners, sugar, syrup, spices, baking soda, baking powder, honey, and molasses in International Class 30.1 1 Filed July 22, 2008, and alleging December 7, 1959, as the date of first use anywhere and in commerce of both the Class 29 and Class 30 goods. Ownership is claimed of Registration No. 2325641 for the mark MILLERS AND BAKERS SINCE 1940 GIUSTO’S VITA-GRAIN and design (MILLERS THIS OPINION IS NOT A PRECEDENT OF THE TTAB Serial Nos. 77528795 and 77528811 2 Application Serial No. 77528811 Packaging of pre-blended baking mixes to the order and specification of others in International Class 35; Flour, grain, and cereal milling services in International Class 40; and Preparation of pre-blended baking mixes for others in International Class 42.2 Registration was finally refused in each application on the ground that the mark is likely to be confused with the mark VITOGRAIN (Registration No. 3362833) for “mixes for making bakery goods” in International Class 30 under Trademark Act Section 2(d), 15 U.S.C. § 1052(d).3 Applicant filed requests for reconsideration in each proceeding which were denied, and each proceeding was resumed. Applicant filed an appeal in each case. The examining attorney then moved to consolidate the two proceedings, and the motion was granted on April 8, 2011. The examining attorney next requested a remand and the consolidated proceedings were AND BAKERS SINCE 1940 disclaimed) for the same goods identified in these consolidated proceedings; Registration No. 2325652 for the mark GIUSTO’S VITA-GRAIN for the same services as those identified in these consolidated proceedings; and Registration No. 2325654 for the mark GIUSTO’S VITA-GRAIN for the same goods identified in these consolidated proceedings. 2 Filed July 22, 2008, and alleging December 31, 1989, as the date of first use of the Class 35 and Class 42 services anywhere and in commerce and December 12, 1959, as the date of first use of the Class 40 services anywhere and in commerce. Ownership is claimed of Registration Nos. 2325652 and 2325654 as well as for Registration No. 2325653 for the mark MILLERS AND BAKERS SINCE 1940 GIUSTO’S VITA-GRAIN and design (MILLERS AND BAKERS SINCE 1940 disclaimed) for the same services identified in these consolidated proceedings. 3 Issued January 1, 2008. Serial Nos. 77528795 and 77528811 3 suspended and jurisdiction of the involved applications was restored to the examining attorney for consideration of a missed issue regarding the identification of goods in Application Serial No. 77528795, that rendered the decision on the request for reconsideration in that case premature. After the identification issue was resolved, the examining attorney ultimately issued a second final refusal in Serial No. 77528795 on the likelihood of confusion ground and a second (and timely) denial of applicant’s requests for reconsideration. These proceedings were resumed on January 11, 2011. Both applicant and the examining attorney filed consolidated briefs.4 DISCUSSION Our determination of the issue of likelihood of confusion is based on an analysis of all the probative facts in evidence that are relevant to the factors set forth in In re E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d 1357, 177 USPQ 563 (CCPA 1973). See also, In re Majestic Distilling Company, Inc., 315 F.3d 1311, 65 USPQ2d 1201 (Fed. Cir. 2003). In any likelihood of confusion analysis, two key considerations are the similarities between the marks and the similarities between the goods and services. See Federated Foods, Inc. v. Fort Howard 4 We will consider applicant’s consolidated brief in this decision, which is not significantly different in substance than its separately- filed briefs. Serial Nos. 77528795 and 77528811 4 Paper Co., 544 F.2d 1098, 192 USPQ 24 (CCPA 1976). See also, In re Dixie Rests Inc., 105 F.3d 1405, 41 USPQ2d 1531 (Fed. Cir. 1997). THE MARKS We first compare applicant’s mark VITA-GRAIN with the cited registered mark VITOGRAIN. In determining the similarity or dissimilarity of the marks, we must consider the marks in their entireties in terms of sound, appearance, meaning and commercial impression. See Palm Bay Imports, Inc. v. Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, 396 F.3d 1369, 73 USPQ2d 1689 (Fed. Cir. 2005). The test, however, is not whether the marks can be distinguished when subjected to a side-by-side comparison, but rather whether the marks are sufficiently similar in their entireties that confusion as to the source of the goods offered under the respective marks is likely to result. The focus is on the recollection of the average purchaser, who normally retains a general, rather than a specific impression of trademarks. See Sealed Air Corp. v. Scott Paper Co., 190 USPQ 106 (TTAB 1975). Applicant maintains that the differences in spelling and pronunciation of the two marks creates distinctive connotations and commercial impressions. The examining attorney, conversely maintains that the marks are “practically” identical in appearance and sound, which creates a confusingly similar connotation and commercial impression. Serial Nos. 77528795 and 77528811 5 In this case, we find that applicant’s mark VITA-GRAIN and the cited mark VITOGRAIN are substantially similar in appearance, sound, meaning and commercial impression. Both are three- syllable terms that begin with the letters “VIT” and end with the word GRAIN. The only differences in appearance between the marks is the presence of the letter “A,” in place of the letter “O,” in applicant’s mark and the hyphen. The presence or absence of a hyphen is not a significant difference as it merely services as a break between the second and third syllables. See Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. v. Dayco. Corp., 201 USPQ 485, 489 n.4 (TTAB 1978). Thus, the differences in appearance are relatively minor, especially since they occur in the middle of the marks, and many purchasers may not even remember them when the marks are viewed apart at difference times. In terms of sound, it is settled that there is no correct way to pronounce a trademark. See In re Belgrade Shoe, 411 F.2d 1352, 162 USPQ 227 (CCPA 1969) and Interlago AG v. Abrams/Gentile Entertainment Inc., 63 USPQ2d 1862 (TTAB 2002). See also In re Microsoft Corp., 68 USPQ 1195 (TTAB 2003) (it is not possible to control how consumers will vocalize marks). Contrary to applicant’s position, many consumers may pronounce the marks in the same manner; the difference between the “a” and “o” sound is barely discernible when the two marks are pronounced. And, even if discernible, any difference in sound Serial Nos. 77528795 and 77528811 6 would, at best, be slight. Slight differences in the sound of similar marks will not avoid a likelihood of confusion. In re Energy Telecommunications & Electrical Association, 222 USPQ 350, 351 (TTAB 1983). Despite the minor differences in spelling, the marks VITA- GRAIN and VITOGRAIN, when viewed in their in entireties, are nearly identical in appearance and sound. As such, applicant’s mark and the cited mark are highly similar in connotation and commercial impression. The factor of similarity of the marks thus strongly favors a finding of likelihood of confusion. GOODS and SERVICES/TRADE CHANNELS/CONDITIONS OF SALE We next consider the goods and services, keeping in mind that, the greater the degree of similarity in the marks, the lesser the degree of similarity that is required of the products or services on which they are being used in order to support a holding of likelihood of confusion. In re Shell Oil Co., 992 F.2d 1204, 26 USPQ2d 1687, 1688-89 (Fed. Cir. 1993). Where, as here, the marks are so highly similar, there need only be a viable relationship between the involved goods and services to support a finding of likelihood of confusion. In re Concordia International Forwarding Corp., 222 USPQ 355, 356 (TTAB 1983). Serial Nos. 77528795 and 77528811 7 It is settled that the question of likelihood of confusion must be determined based on an analysis of the goods and services recited in applicant’s applications vis-à-vis the goods recited in the cited registration. Canadian Imperial Bank v. Wells Fargo Bank, 811 F.2d 1490, 1 USPQ2d 1813 (Fed. Cir. 1987); and The Chicago Corp. v. North American Chicago Corp., 20 USPQ 2d 1715 (TTAB 1991). Further, it is a general rule that the goods and services do not have to be identical or directly competitive to support a finding that there is a likelihood of confusion. It is sufficient if the respective goods are related in some manner and/or that the conditions surrounding their marketing are such that they would be encountered by the same persons under circumstances that could, because of the similarity of the marks used in connection therewith, give rise to the mistaken belief that they emanate from or are associated with a single source. In re Albert Trostel & Sons Co., 29 USPQ2d 1783, 1785 (TTAB 1993); In re International Telephone & Telegraph Corp., 197 USPQ 910, 911 (TTAB 1978). Applicant’s Goods (Application Serial No. 77528795) First, we compare the goods in applicant’s application Serial No. 77528795, namely applicant’s full line of bakery ingredients, namely, cooking oil, dried fruits, processed nuts, processed beans, and processed edible seeds (Class 29) and Serial Nos. 77528795 and 77528811 8 flours, processed grains, natural sweeteners, sugar, syrup, spices, baking soda, baking powder, honey, and molasses (Class 30) with the registrant’s mixes for making bakery goods. The examining attorney maintains that the respective goods are related because they are all of a type that are used to make bakery goods and are commonly offered together by a single source. In support of this position, the examining attorney has submitted various use-based, third-party registrations to show that the same entity has adopted a mark covering goods of a type identified in both applicant’s application and the cited registration. These third-party registrations may serve to suggest that the types of goods involved herein are ones which might be provided by a single entity and offered to the public under the same mark. See In re Mucky Duck Mustard Co., 6 USPQ2d 1467, 1470 n.6 (TTAB 1988) (Although third-party registrations are “not evidence that the marks shown therein are in use on a commercial scale or that the public is familiar with them, [they] may nonetheless have some probative value to the extent that they may serve to suggest that such goods and/or services are of a type which may emanate from a single source”). See also Albert Trostel 29 USPQ2d at 1786. These registrations include, by way of example: Registration No. 2150374 for, inter alia, bakery mixes and baking powder, honey, molasses and spices; Serial Nos. 77528795 and 77528811 9 Registration No. 2813548 for, inter alia, bakery mixes for mixing cakes and whole spices; Registration No. 3313236 for, inter alia, bakery mixes and honey and dried fruit; Registration No. 3555811 for, inter alia, bakery mixes and spices and honey; Registration No. 3668708 for, inter alia, bread mixes and spices and dried fruit; and Registration No. 3715221 for, inter alia, bakery mixes and baking soda, dried fruits and dried beans; The examining attorney also made of record printouts from third-party websites, e.g., Honeyville Food Products (http://store.honeyvillegrain.com), Sun Organic Farm (www.sunorganicfarm.com/Merchant1/merchant.mvc?), Papagino Foods Inc. (www.papaginofoods.com), Arrowhead Mills (www.www.arrowheadmills.com), Barry Farm Foods (http://stores.ebay.com/Barry-Farm-Foods) and Bob’s Red Mill (www.bobsredmill.com), showing that goods of a type identified in both applicant’s application and the cited registration not only are offered by a single entity under the same mark, but are also often offered on the same Internet site. Based on the nature of the goods and the third-party registrations, we conclude that applicant’s bakery ingredients are closely related and complementary to registrant’s mixes for bakery items, such goods all being baking supplies used for food preparation, that are often sold by the same source Serial Nos. 77528795 and 77528811 10 under the same mark. With further regard to the complementary nature of the goods, in response to an ever increasing pace of living, many home cooks have adopted a semi-homemade style of cooking, where applicant’s bakery mixes can serve as a base ingredient for sweet or savory baked items that may be embellished with, for example, registrant’s dried fruits, nuts and/or spices. Moreover, in the absence of any limitations in applicant’s application and the cited registration, we must presume that applicant’s full line of bakery ingredients travel in some of the same channels of trade as registrant’s mixes for making bakery goods, e.g., grocery stores and specialty food stores, and are sold to the some of the same classes of purchasers, including the general public. See In re Elbaum, 211 USPQ 639, 640 (TTAB 1981). As such, at a minimum, the channels of trade and classes of purchasers overlap. We find unpersuasive applicant’s contention that the goods are unrelated because the bakery mixes in the cited registration have a single distinct use whereas applicant’s goods may be used for purposes other than baking. Simply because applicant’s baking ingredients are more versatile than applicant’s mixes for making bakery goods, in that some may be used for additional purposes, does not alter the fact that Serial Nos. 77528795 and 77528811 11 both applicant’s and registrant’s goods are items used in baking. In view thereof, the du Pont factors of the relatedness of the goods, channels of trade and classes of purchasers favor a finding of likelihood of confusion. With respect to the conditions of sale, applicant maintains that food preparation is a specialized process requiring the careful selection of particular ingredients in order to obtain acceptable results. Thus, applicant argues, “the goods of both Registrant and Applicant are likely to be sought through a process of careful, sophisticated purchasing.” Br. p. 4. There is no evidence, however, to demonstrate that food preparation is a specialized process or that the products at issue here are limited to “specialty food items.” Rather, the record shows that many of the items, such as registrant’s flours, nuts and dried fruit and applicant’s baking mixes may be relatively inexpensive5 pantry staples that typically will be purchased by ordinary consumers who will exercise only a normal degree of care in their purchasing decisions. Applicant’s Services (Application Serial No. 77528811) 5 The record shows that flour, nuts, and dried fruit as well as baking mixes can be purchased in the United States in small quantities, and typically for a cost ranging from $2 to $10 an item. Serial Nos. 77528795 and 77528811 12 We next consider whether applicant’s “packaging of pre- blended baking mixes to the order and specification of others” (Class 35); “flour, grain, and cereal milling services” (Class 40); and “preparation of pre-blended baking mixes” (Class 42) are, or are not, related to registrant’s “mixes for making bakery goods.” Applicant maintains that its services are “clearly distinct” from registrant’s goods because the cited registration only covers pre-packaged goods while its application covers “customized packaging for baking mixes, milling services and customized preparation services of baking mixes.” Br. p. 3. The examining attorney conversely maintains that applicant’s services are related to registrant’s goods because “they are the type of services needed to manufacture/produce the type of goods offered by the registrant and are also commonly offered by a single source.” In support of this contention, the examining attorney has made of record web pages from various third-party websites which demonstrate that both applicant’s services and registrant’s goods commonly emanate from the same source. For example: The website for War Eagle Mill in response to query as to whether it did custom grinding states: “Yes. We are happy to discuss a custom grinding with a customer to see if the request can be accommodated.” The website also indicates that War Eagle Serial Nos. 77528795 and 77528811 13 Mill uses a slow turning stone in its milling process, and that its products, which include bakery mixes, are also available “gluten-free.” (www.wareaglemill.com). The website for Adluh Flour states that it mills, mixes and packages flour for its customers as bases or as finished products offered under the Adluh mark. (www.adluh.com/process.htm) The website for Bay State Milling discusses manufacturing capabilities which include milling and custom blending and packaging options for its customers. The website also indicates that its products include a variety of flours and bakery mixes offered under the mark GrainEssentials. (www.bsm.com). The website for Atkinson Milling states that “[c]orn comes into the mill from farmers by the truckload … and that “we are proud of the success we have had in the grist milling business.” The website also indicates that biscuit and muffin mixes are sold under the Atkinson’s mark. (http://atkinsonmilling.com). Grain Millers indicates on its website that its services include retail co-packaging. The website further states that Grain Millers is a value-added manufacturer with “[o]n-sight blending and retail packaging facilities” and that their “quality ingredients” are sold around the world. (www.grainmillers.com) Serial Nos. 77528795 and 77528811 14 The websites for Didion Milling, The Fowler’s Milling Company and Lehi Roller Mills, indicate that they mill their own grains to produce flours and baking mixes for wholesale and retail sales. (www.didionmilling.com, www.fowlermill.com, www.lehirollermill.com). The website for Bob’s Red Mill states that “Bob’s Red Mill is the nation’s leader in stone milling and offers the widest diversity of whole grains found today,” including grains and mixes. (www.bobsredmill.com.) Based on the evidence and the legal principles set forth previously, and particularly reiterating that there need only be a “viable relationship” between the goods and services to find them related for purposes of likelihood of confusion, we find that applicant’s packaging of pre-blended baking mixes to the order and specification of others (Class 35), flour, grain, and cereal milling services (Class 40) and preparation of pre- blended baking mixes for others (Class 42) and registrant’s “mixes for making bakery goods” are sufficiently related goods and services that, when provided under substantially similar marks, prospective customers are likely to believe that they emanate from the same source. In making this finding we point out that, as identified, the goods are complementary or related inasmuch as registrant’s mixes for baking could be the product of applicant’s custom preparation and packaging bakery mixes Serial Nos. 77528795 and 77528811 15 services. It is well recognized that confusion may be likely to occur from the use of the same or similar marks for goods, on the one hand, and for services involving those goods, on the other. See, e.g., In re Hyper Shoppes (Ohio), Inc., 837 F.2d 463, 6 USPQ2d 1025 (Fed. Cir. 1988) (holding BIGG’S (stylized) for retail grocery and general merchandise store services and BIGGS and design for furniture likely to cause confusion); In re H.J. Seiler Co., 289 F.2d 674, 129 USPQ 347 (CCPA 1961) (holding SEILER’s for catering services and SEILER’S for smoked and cured meats likely to cause confusion); Steelcase Inc. v. Steelcare Inc., 219 USPQ 433 (TTAB 1983) (holding STEELCARE INC. and design for refinishing of furniture, office furniture, and machinery and STEELCASE for office furniture and accessories, likely to cause confusion); Corinthian Broad. Corp. v. Nippon Elec. Co., Ltd., 219 USPQ 733 (TTAB 1983) (holding TVS for transmitters and receivers of still television pictures and TVS for television broadcasting services likely to cause confusion). Moreover, the Internet evidence demonstrates that in addition to applicant, third-party milling establishments also engage in milling and custom blending (preparing) and custom packaging services as well as offering baking mixes, such that prospective consumers are aware that goods of the type identified in the cited registration and services of the type offered by registrant are commonly offered under the same mark. Serial Nos. 77528795 and 77528811 16 Furthermore, in the absence of any limitations in the identification of the application or cited registration, we must presume that the goods and services will be offered to and purchased by the usual classes of purchasers for those goods and services, including retail grocery and warehouse store buyers seeking to develop private label bakery brands or to stock their shelves with pre-packaged bakery mixes. Thus, at a minimum, the classes of purchasers overlap. In re Elbaum, 211 USPQ at 640. Accordingly, the du Pont factors of relatedness of the goods and services and classes of purchasers favor a finding of likelihood of confusion. With respect to the conditions of sale, applicant contends that due to the specialized nature of the goods of registrant and the services of applicant, the consumers of both are necessarily sophisticated and selective. Applicant particularly argues that the nature and expense of its customized packaging, milling, and food preparation services would be sought through a process of careful, sophisticated purchasing. There is no evidence in the record concerning the pricing of applicant’s milling and custom packaging and baking mixes preparation services, however we believe it reasonable to assume that consumers seeking such custom services are likely to exercise some degree of care in their purchasing decisions. However, even knowledgeable and careful purchasers can be Serial Nos. 77528795 and 77528811 17 confused as to source, where, as here, very similar marks are used in connection with related goods and services. See In re Research Trading Corp., 793 F.2d 1276, 230 USPQ 49, 50 (Fed. Cir. 1986) citing Carlisle Chemical Works, Inc. v. Hardman & Holden Ltd., 434 F.2d 1403, 168 USPQ 110, 112 (CCPA 1970) ("Human memories even of discriminating purchasers … are not infallible."). We thus find this du Pont factor neutral. We next address additional arguments made by applicant in support of its position that the refusals should be reversed. First, applicant maintains that there has been a lengthy period of concurrent use without evidence of actual confusion, and this long period of concurrent use without confusion, weighs against a finding of likelihood of confusion. We find this argument unpersuasive. As the examining attorney points out, it is not necessary to show actual confusion in order to establish likelihood of confusion. See Weiss Associates Inc. v. HRL Associates Inc. 902 F.2d 1546, 14 USPQ2d 1840 (Fed. Cir. 1990). Moreover, there is nothing in the record to show that there has been meaningful opportunity for such confusion to have occurred. More importantly, in the context of an ex parte proceeding, “the lack of evidence of actual confusion carries little weight.” Majestic Distilling, 65 USPQ at Serial Nos. 77528795 and 77528811 18 1205. Accordingly, applicant’s assertion of the absence of actual confusion is of little probative value in our determination on the issue of likelihood of confusion and this du Pont factor is neutral. Applicant also contends that it “owns four U.S. registrations for marks incorporating VITA-GRAIN, for goods and services equivalent to those of the instant applications”6 and, explains further, that VITA-GRAIN has served as the brand for its goods and services because all four marks include applicant’s “corporate name,” Giusto’s. Again, applicant argues that because these registrations have peacefully coexisted with registrant’s mark since 2005, a likelihood of confusion cannot be established. This argument, too, is unavailing. As just explained, the absence of actual confusion is of little import within the context of an ex parte proceeding. Moreover, applicant’s other marks, which include the name Guisto’s (alone or with other matter) are not as similar to the cited mark as is its involved VITA-GRAIN mark. Put another way, applicant’s ownership of other marks that somewhat resembles its applied-for mark is not relevant to the specific likelihood of confusion issue involving applicant’s VITA-GRAIN mark vis-à-vis the cited 6 The particulars of three of these registrations are set out at footnote 1, supra. The fourth, Registration No. 2325653 is for the mark MILLERS AND BAKERS SINCE 1940 GIUSTO’S VITA-GRAIN and design (MILLERS AND BAKERS SINCE 1940 disclaimed). Serial Nos. 77528795 and 77528811 19 registered mark VITOGRAIN. See, Hornblower & Weeks Inc. v. Hornblower & Weeks Inc., 60 USPQ2d 1733, 1737 (TTAB 2001); Baroid Drilling Fluids v. Sun Drilling Products, 24 USPQ2d 1048, 1052 (TTAB 1992); and In re Lar Mor International, Inc., 221 USPQ 180, 183 (TTAB 1983). Finally, to the extent that applicant is claiming priority over the registered mark, this allegation constitutes an impermissible collateral attack of registrant’s registration. Section 7(b) of the Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1057(b), provides that a certificate of registration on the Principal Register shall be prima facie evidence of the validity of the registration, of the registrant’s ownership of the mark and of the registrant’s right to use the mark in connection with the goods or services identified in the certificate. During ex parte prosecution, including an ex parte appeal, an applicant will not be heard on matters that constitute a collateral attack on the cited registration (e.g., applicant’s claim of priority). In re Dixie Rests, Inc. 41 USPQ2d at 1534; and In re Peebles Inc., 23 USPQ2d 1795, 1797 n.5 (TTAB 1992). See TMEP § 1207.01(d)(iv)(5th ed. 2007). Accordingly, no consideration has been given to applicant’s argument in this regard. When we consider the record and the relevant likelihood of confusion factors, and all of applicant’s arguments relating thereto, including those arguments not specifically addressed Serial Nos. 77528795 and 77528811 20 herein, we conclude that in view of the substantial similarity in the commercial impressions of applicant’s mark, VITA-GRAIN, and registrant’s mark VITOGRAIN, their contemporaneous use on the involved closely related goods and related services is likely to cause confusion as to the source or sponsorship of such goods and services. Moreover, to the extent that we have any doubts as to the correctness of this conclusion, we resolve such doubts, as we must, against applicant and in favor of registrant. See Century 21 Real Estate Corp. v. Century Life of America, 970 F.2d 874, 23 USPQ2d 1698, 1700 (Fed. Cir. 1992); and Ava Enterprises Inc. v. Audio Boss USA Inc., 77 USPQ2d 1783 (TTAB 2006). Decision: The refusals to register under Section 2(d) are affirmed as to both application Serial No. 77528795 and application Serial No. 77528811. Copy with citationCopy as parenthetical citation