Lori GoldsteinDownload PDFTrademark Trial and Appeal BoardJan 19, 2012No. 77667009 (T.T.A.B. Jan. 19, 2012) Copy Citation Hearing: Mailed: August 9, 2011 January 19, 2012 Bucher UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE ________ Trademark Trial and Appeal Board ________ In re Lori Goldstein ________ Serial Nos. 77666448 & 77667009 _______ Gary H. Fechter of McCarter & English LLP for Lori Goldstein Michael R. Tanner,1 Trademark Examining Attorney, Law Office 117 (Brett Golden, Managing Attorney). _______ Before Bucher, Cataldo and Lykos, Administrative Trademark Judges. Opinion by Bucher, Administrative Trademark Judge: Lori Goldstein, a resident of New York, seeks registration on the Principal Register of the mark LOGO (in standard character format) 2 and 3 1 Although Mr. Tanner conducted the oral argument for the Office, the prosecution of these applications through the preparation of the briefs was handled by Ms. Florentina Blandu. 2 Application Serial No. 77666448 was filed on February 9, 2009, based upon applicant’s allegation of a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce. 3 Application Serial No. 77667009 was filed on February 10, 2009, based upon applicant’s allegation of a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce. The mark consists of the word LOGO stylized with the letters OGO interlocking. Color is not claimed as a feature of the mark. THIS OPINION IS NOT A PRECEDENT OF THE TTAB Serial Nos. 77666448 & 77667009 - 2 - for goods identified in the applications, as amended, as “apparel, namely, sweaters, pants, jackets, scarves, t-shirts, headwear and footwear” in International Class 25. The Trademark Examining Attorney issued a final refusal to register these marks based upon Section 2(d) of the Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1052(d). The Trademark Examining Attorney has taken the position that applicant’s marks, when used in connection with the identified goods, so resembles the mark LOGO GEAR registered for “clothing, namely, shirts, T-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, vests, anoraks and hats,”4 also in International Class 25. After the Trademark Examining Attorney made the refusal final, applicant appealed to this Board, and an oral hearing was conducted on August 9, 2011, before this three-member panel of the Board. We affirm the refusals to register as to both of applicant’s marks. Arguments of applicant and the Trademark Examining Attorney In urging registrability, applicant contends that the marks have different commercial impressions; that the respective goods travel in different channels of trade and are offered to entirely different classes of customers; that 4 Registration No. 3216687 issued to Chad Robley, dba Logo Gear on March 13, 2007. No claim is made to the exclusive right to use the word “Gear” apart from the mark as shown. Serial Nos. 77666448 & 77667009 - 3 - both distinct classes of purchasers are sophisticated; and that the cited, registered mark should be accorded a narrow scope of protection because it exists in a crowded marketplace of marks containing the word “Logo.” By contrast, the Trademark Examining Attorney argues that the respective marks are confusingly similar; that the goods are identical in part, and otherwise, closely related; and that the respective goods are presumed to travel in identical channels of trade to the same classes of ordinary customers. Preliminary matters The Trademark Examining Attorney has objected to two exhibits attached to applicant’s appeal brief: (1) “Exhibit D” is a portion of the prosecution file of the cited registration; and (2) “Exhibit E,” which contains copies of nine, third-party registrations.5 Trademark Rule 2.142(d) reads as follows: The record in the application should be complete prior to the filing of an appeal. The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board will ordinarily not consider additional evidence filed with the Board by the appellant or by the examiner after the appeal is filed. 5 Namely, Registration Nos. 1761450, 2532536, 2947559, 3106209, 3106923, 3152417, 3557615, 3629239 and 3679040. Serial Nos. 77666448 & 77667009 - 4 - In its reply brief, however, applicant argues that the above language of Trademark Rule 2.142(d) provides the Board with some discretion in considering additional evidence after an appeal has been filed. 37 C.F.R. § 2.142(d). However, we find that to permit applicant to place additional evidence into the record with its appeal brief would be manifestly unfair to the Trademark Examining Attorney. We note that applicant was afforded two opportunities, i.e., in its response to the first Office action and in its request for reconsideration of the final refusal to register, in which to submit the evidence contained in this exhibit and has not provided the Board with any reason why it did not timely make this evidence of record during prosecution. Accordingly, applicant’s submission of copies of the prosecution record of the cited registration (“Exhibit D”) for the first time with applicant’s appeal brief, is untimely and we have not given any further consideration to such evidence in our deliberations herein.6 As to the listings in “Exhibit E,” the record shows that applicant, in its response (dated June 25, 2009) to the initial Office action, simply informed the Trademark 6 We hasten to add that nothing contained in either of these submissions, if placed into the record and given full consideration, would have changed the result herein. Serial Nos. 77666448 & 77667009 - 5 - Examining Attorney that United States Patent and Trademark Office records revealed “three hundred sixty-four (364) valid and sustaining federal applications and/or registrations consisting of or comprising the word ‘LOGO.’” Then in its request for reconsideration (January 14, 2010) after the final Office action, applicant included a chart containing references to six registrations owned by third parties. Applicant’s mere submission of a list of registrations does not make such registrations part of the record. See In re Dos Padres Inc., 49 USPQ2d 1860, 1861 n.2 (TTAB 1998); and In re Broadway Chicken Inc., 38 USPQ2d 1559, 1561 n.6 (TTAB 1996). To make third party registrations part of the record, an applicant may only submit copies of registrations from United States Patent and Trademark Office records. See In re Ruffin Gaming LLC, 66 USPQ2d 1924, 1925 n.3 (TTAB 2002); and In re Carolina Apparel, 48 USPQ2d 1542, 1543 n.2 (TTAB 1998). In her denial of the request for reconsideration, the previous Trademark Examining Attorney neither discussed the listing nor otherwise affirmatively treated the list as being of record. We find that the Trademark Examining Attorney’s failure in her denial of the request for reconsideration to object to the listing or otherwise advise Serial Nos. 77666448 & 77667009 - 6 - the applicant of the insufficiency of this listing is not held against her because this was a point in the prosecution where applicant could no longer cure the insufficiency absent a remand. Finally, with its appeal brief, applicant submitted a somewhat longer listing of third-party registrations (nine this time) having LOGO-formative marks, along with photocopies of the involved registration certificates. However, even if we presume that these hard copies came from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the copies of the registration certificates were untimely. Accordingly, the Trademark Examining Attorney’s objection is sustained and we have given no consideration to either of these listing nor have we considered the copies of third-party registrations attached to applicant’s brief. 37 C.F.R. § 2.142(d); In re Fitch IBCA Inc., 64 USPQ2d 1058, 1059 n.2 (TTAB 2002); and In re Trans Cont’l Records Inc., 62 USPQ2d 1541, 1541 n.2 (TTAB 2002). Finally, as to the probative value of the referenced registrations in “Exhibit E,” we should note that even if copies had been timely filed, third-party registrations are entitled to little weight on the question of likelihood of confusion because they are “not evidence of what happens in the marketplace or that customers are familiar with them.” Serial Nos. 77666448 & 77667009 - 7 - AMF Inc. v. Am. Leisure Prods. Inc., 474 F.2d 1403, 1406, 177 USPQ 268, 269 (CCPA 1973); and In re Melville Corp., 18 USPQ2d 1386, 1388 (TTAB 1991). TBMP §§ 1203.02(e), 1207.01 (3d ed. 2011). Likelihood of Confusion We turn then to a consideration of the issue of likelihood of confusion. Our determination of likelihood of confusion is based upon our analysis of all of the probative facts in evidence that are relevant to the factors bearing on this issue. See In re E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d 1357, 177 USPQ 563 (CCPA 1973). See also, In re Majestic Distilling Co., Inc., 315 F.3d 1311, 65 USPQ2d 1201 (Fed. Cir. 2003); and In re Dixie Restaurants Inc., 105 F.3d 1405, 41 USPQ2d 1531 (Fed. Cir. 1997). In any likelihood of confusion analysis, however, two key, although not exclusive, considerations are the similarities between the marks and the relationship between the goods and/or services. See Federated Foods, Inc. v. Fort Howard Paper Co., 544 F.2d 1098, 192 USPQ 24 (CCPA 1976). The Similarity of the Marks As to the first du Pont factor in any likelihood of confusion determination, we compare the similarity or dissimilarity of the marks in their entireties as to Serial Nos. 77666448 & 77667009 - 8 - appearance, sound, connotation and commercial impression. Palm Bay Imports Inc. v. Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Maison Fondee En 1772, 396 F.3d 1369, 73 USPQ2d 1689, 1692 (Fed. Cir. 2005). Because the similarity or dissimilarity of the marks is determined based upon a comparison of the marks in their entireties, applicant is correct that the analysis cannot be predicated on dissecting the marks into their various components; that is, the decision must be based upon the entire marks, not just select parts of the marks. In re National Data Corp., 753 F.2d 1056, 224 USPQ 749, 751 (Fed. Cir. 1985). See also Franklin Mint Corp. V. Master Mfg. Co., 667 F.2d 1005, 212 USPQ 23, 234 (CCPA 1981) [“It is axiomatic that a mark should not be dissected and considered piecemeal; rather, it must be considered as a whole in determining likelihood of confusion”]. On the other hand, different features may be analyzed to determine whether the marks are similar. Price Candy Company v. Gold Medal Candy Corporation, 220 F.2d 759, 105 USPQ 266, 268 (CCPA 1955). In fact, there is nothing improper in stating that, for rational reasons, more or less weight has been given to a particular feature of a mark, provided the ultimate conclusion rests on a consideration of the marks in their entireties. In re National Data Corp., 224 USPQ at 751. Serial Nos. 77666448 & 77667009 - 9 - Comparing the involved marks, applicant merely deleted LOGO and LOGO GEAR the word “Gear” from registrant’s mark. As a general rule, the mere deletion of non-distinctive wording from a registered mark will not be sufficient to overcome a likelihood of confusion. See In re Optica Int’l, 196 USPQ 775, 778 (TTAB 1977) [OPTIQUE BOUTIQUE vs. OPTIQUE for competing optical wear]. Although the highly descriptive7 and hence, disclaimed word “GEAR,” in registrant’s mark cannot be ignored, it certainly is of less significance when comparing these two marks in their entireties. Applicant reinforces this principle with its citation to language from cases such as California Prune & Apricot Growers Ass'n v. Dobry Flour Mills, Inc., 40 USPQ 616, 617 (CCPA 1939) and Singer Co. v. Kay Jewelry Stores, Inc., 148 USPQ 614 (TTAB 1966).8 However, in light of applicant’s contention that registrant provides “logoed” items to its customers, applicant applies this rule to registrant’s mark, and 7 The Trademark Examining Attorney argues that the word “Gear” is defined as “clothing” in various dictionary definitions placed into the record, and hence would be deemed generic for the goods in the cited registration. 8 Applicant’s brief at 5-6. Serial Nos. 77666448 & 77667009 - 10 - concludes that the word “gear” is the dominant feature of the cited mark. We disagree. Viewing this composite mark on the face of the cited registration, we must presume that the word “Logo” could have a variety of meanings, many of them being arbitrary as applied to the identified goods. Applicant goes on to argue that its LOGO marks were actually derived from the first two letters of applicant’s first name and of her surname, LOri GOldstein. The Trademark Examining Attorney responded that this argument “is not helpful or relevant.” We agree. Irrespective of its derivation, applicant’s marks are the four uppercase letters “L·O·G·O.” Although applicant asserts this will be recognized as an abbreviated reference to fashion designer Lori Goldstein, we must presume on this record that consumers will not know of this derivation, but rather will simply see these marks as the common English-language word, “Logo.”9 That is to say, there is nothing in the record to support applicant’s assertion that consumers will recognize 9 In the context of this case, it is also a non-sequitur to debate whether abbreviations are entitled to trademark protection. In a case cited by applicant involving non-word letter strings, Martahus v. Video Duplication Servs., Inc., 3 F.3d 417, 27 USPQ2d 1846 (Fed. Cir. 1993), where cancellation petitioner, Video Duplication Services, Inc. (VDS) had prevailed at the Board, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit simply upheld the earlier ruling that Video Duplication Services had used the initials, VDS, as a trade name or a service mark prior to the date on which respondent’s had first made use of its VCDS service mark. Serial Nos. 77666448 & 77667009 - 11 - its marks as a shorthand reference to applicant, nor is such a construction evident from viewing either mark. Hence, we agree with the Trademark Examining Attorney that in comparing the commercial impressions engendered by the respective marks, the sole word in the applied-for marks is identical to the dominant term in the cited mark, LOGO. Accordingly, this critical du Pont factor weighs in favor of finding a likelihood of confusion. Relationship of the Goods and Their Trade Channels We turn next to the du Pont factor focused on the relationship of the goods. As noted by the Trademark Examining Attorney, registrant and applicant have identified two legally- identical types of goods, namely, T-shirts and jackets. Applicant’s headwear is broad enough to encompass registrant’s listing of hats.10 Finally, the record shows 10 Under Tuxedo Monopoly, Inc. v. General Mills Fun Group, 648 F.2d 1335, 209 USPQ 986 (CCPA 1981), it is sufficient to block an entire class if likelihood of confusion is found for any single item which is legally identical. See also In re Max Capital Group, Ltd., 93 USPQ2d 1243 (TTAB 2010) [“At the very least, the ‘writing property and casualty insurance’ identified in the applicant’s application must be considered to be legally identical to the ‘underwriting of property and casualty insurance’ identified in the cited registrations. The examining attorney has also submitted third-party registrations showing the relatedness of the other insurance services in applicant's application and the cited registration, but in view of these legally identical services, there is no need for us to discuss this additional evidence,” citing to Tuxedo Monopoly]. Nonetheless, the Trademark Examining Attorney has made of record Serial Nos. 77666448 & 77667009 - 12 - that applicant’s sweaters, pants, scarves and footwear are of a kind that may emanate from the same source as registrant’s kind of shirts, sweatshirts, vests and anoraks. In order to show the relatedness of these last two groupings of goods, the Trademark Examining Attorney submitted for the record copies of third-party registrations of various manufacturers and merchants, which he argues have probative value to the extent that they serve to suggest that the relevant goods listed therein are of a kind that may emanate from a single source. See In re Infinity Broad. Corp., 60 USPQ2d 1214, 1217-1218 (TTAB 2001); In re Albert Trostel & Sons Co., 29 USPQ2d 1783, 1785-86 (TTAB 1993); and In re Mucky Duck Mustard Co., Inc., 6 USPQ2d 1467, 1470 at n.6 (TTAB 1988): for, inter alia, “apparel, namely headwear, footwear, … t-shirts, shirts, neckties, ascots, sweatshirts, … sweaters, jackets, coats, jerseys, vests, … scarves …”11 UGA UNDER GOD'S ANOINTING for “clothing, namely, shirts, sweat shirts, caps, jackets, sweaters, pants, scarves, bathrobes, aprons, handkerchiefs, and other apparel items, namely, shawls, blouses”12 additional evidence supporting a finding that the remaining goods are related, and makes the point that our finding of likelihood of confusion is not limited merely to the overlapping goods. 11 Registration No. 3158736 issued on October 17, 2006. 12 Registration No. 3199298 issued on January 16, 2007. Serial Nos. 77666448 & 77667009 - 13 - Quinn The Eskimo for “clothing, namely; pants, jackets, shirts, sweatshirts, t- shirts, headwear, footwear athletic, … anoraks parkas, … sweaters, swim wear, toques, trousers, vests, wet suits”13 PREEN for, inter alia, “articles of clothing …, namely headwear, footwear, gloves, scarves, shawls, belts, suspenders, shirts, jackets, cardigans, pullovers, sweaters, suits, trousers, waistcoats, coats, t-shirts, shorts, sweatshirts, polo shirts, … jeans, anoraks, tights, overalls, bustiers, underwear, capes and vests”14 for “men's, women's, children's and infant clothing, namely, ear muffs, t-shirts, shirts, tank tops, pants, overalls, jackets, socks, leggings, infant sleepers, snow suits, snow skirts, sleepwear, loungewear, jumpers, coats, dresses, skirts, underwear, sweaters, swim wear, ties, vests, shorts, mufflers, scarves, mittens, gloves, headwear, footwear, belts for use as clothing, suspenders, raincoats, smocks; costumes, namely, masquerade, dance and bathing costumes; workout clothes, namely, jogging outfits, jogging pants and jogging suits; sweat shirts, gym suits, scarves, long johns, hats, caps, visors”15 13 Registration No. 3221697 issued on March 27, 2007. 14 Registration No. 3343887 issued on November 27, 2007. 15 Registration No. 3393432 issued on March 4, 2008. Serial Nos. 77666448 & 77667009 - 14 - for, inter alia, “clothing, namely; shirts, t-shirts, jerseys, turtlenecks, tank tops, sweatshirts, pants, sweatpants, warm-up suits, shorts, jackets, vests, skirts, dresses, jumpers, overalls, rompers, bibs, camisoles, chemises, pajamas, scrubs, socks, underwear, athletic uniforms, wind suits, ponchos, rain suits, wristbands, belts, neckwear, bandanas, scarves, gloves, mittens; headwear; footwear”16 LINO GIOVANCARLI for “men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, namely, shirts, blouses, t-shirts, skirts, coats, vests, jackets, … sweatshirts, fleece tops, fleece bottoms, rainwear, anoraks, belts, trousers, jeans, pants, … sweaters, hats, scarves, ties, gloves, shoes, slippers, sports shoes, sleepwear, pajamas, nightgowns, swimwear, beachwear, headwear, footwear”17 and for, inter alia, “clothing, namely, tops, bottoms, underwear, foul weather gear, blazers, clothing belts, dresses, hosiery, jackets, jeans, sweatshirts, sweaters, pants, scarves, shorts, skirts, vests, socks, footwear, swimwear and headwear.”18 Applicant contends that the respective goods and their trade channels are, in actuality, quite different. Applicant has introduced into the record a screen-print of registrant’s website, supporting its argument that 16 Registration No. 3499195 issued on September 9, 2008. 17 Registration No. 3529868 issued on November 11, 2008. 18 Registration No. 3674434 issued on August 25, 2009. Serial Nos. 77666448 & 77667009 - 15 - registrant’s customers are large corporations like Embassy Suites, Marriott, Federal Express, Marriott, Porsche, Qualcomm and Outback Steakhouse, for whom registrant places their companies’ logos (e.g., trademarks and service marks) on shirts, outerwear and hats: 19 However, we cannot resort to such extrinsic evidence in order to restrict registrant’s goods. See, e.g., In re Bercut-Vandervoort & Co., 229 USPQ 763, 764 (TTAB 1986) [evidence that relevant goods are expensive wines sold to 19 http://www.logogear.com/ Serial Nos. 77666448 & 77667009 - 16 - discriminating purchasers must be disregarded given the absence of any such restrictions in the application or registration]. Hence, we must presume that registrant may be selling its LOGO GEAR shirts, outerwear and hats directly to ordinary retail customers, including women cyber-shopping on TV channels or Internet shopping sites. As for its own goods, applicant has repeatedly argued throughout the prosecution of this application that Ms. Goldstein designs her LOGO line of high fashions for women. Applicant’s items of clothing, footwear and accessories are available for consumers to purchase exclusively through the television channel QVC and through QVC’s Internet website: 20 Applicant argues that in the marketplace, inasmuch as registrant’s goods are not sold on television, and because one cannot purchase registrant’s goods online directly from registrant’s website, the likelihood of confusion would be de minimis. However, we agree with the Trademark Examining Attorney that applicant’s attempts to limit the scope of registrant’s goods to corporate “logoed” clothing offered though only 20 www.qvc.com Serial Nos. 77666448 & 77667009 - 17 - very defined channels of trade is inappropriate. The presumption under Trademark Act Section 7(h), 15 U.S.C. § 1057(h), is that the registrant is the owner of the mark and that use of the mark extends to all goods identified in the registration. Neither registrant nor applicant has placed any limitations on the identifications of goods as to trade channels, types of customers, etc. As a result, the presumption implies that the registrant operates in all normal channels of trade and reaches all classes of purchasers. Hence, we must presume that the involved goods, in part identical and otherwise closely related items of clothing, will travel in identical channels of trade to the same classes of customers for the identified goods. In re Melville Corp., 18 USPQ2d 1386, 1389 (TTAB 1991); McDonald's Corp. v. McKinley, 13 USPQ2d 1895, 1899 (TTAB 1989); RE/MAX of Am., Inc. v. Realty Mart, Inc., 207 USPQ 960, 964-65 (TTAB 1980). Specifically, as set forth in its identification of goods, registrant’s items of clothing must be presumed to travel in all normal channels of trade and must be presumed to reach all classes of purchasers, including women seeking clothing from a fashion designer. Accordingly, these critical du Pont factors also weigh in favor of finding a likelihood of confusion. Serial Nos. 77666448 & 77667009 - 18 - Conditions of Purchase As to the du Pont factor focusing on the conditions under which and buyers to whom sales are made, applicant makes the further argument, based upon the extrinsic evidence placed in the file (as discussed above), that the respective classes of purchasers are distinct and sophisticated. According to applicant, registrant’s customers are national corporate customers procuring large volumes of clothing marked with the customer’s brands, largely intended for their employees. By contrast, applicant’s customers are savvy shoppers using electronic media to purchase women’s high fashions. However, for the same reasons that we cannot use extrinsic evidence to distinguish the character of the goods or to narrow the channels of trade, we cannot presume that either registrant’s or applicant’s customers are sophisticated, or would generally pursue the acquisition of these items of clothing with anything exceeding the normal level of care. Accordingly, this is a neutral factor in our analysis. Strength of the cited mark We note that applicant has made much of the alleged weakness of the cited mark. Applicant argues that the word “Logo” in registrant’s composite mark has little source- Serial Nos. 77666448 & 77667009 - 19 - indicating value for products to be “logoed” with the purchaser’s brands. However, the cited registration did not issue under Section 2(f) of the Trademark Act, and the word “Logo” appears to be the dominant portion of the cited mark. As to applicant’s claims that the word “Logo” is terribly weak and diluted in the clothing field, we have no probative evidence supporting this claim. Due to their tardy submission, none of the third-party registrations with marks having “Logo” formatives has been considered. Furthermore, as noted earlier, third-party registrations generally are entitled to little weight on the question of likelihood of confusion. Moreover, as noted by the Trademark Examining Attorney, third-party registrations having marks that place the word “Logo” within a slogan or into a composite mark having other inherently distinctive words, design features, or having connotations designed to denigrate the value of branded products21 are not analogous to applicant’s marks having no 21 e.g., “Logo” formative marks having other distinctive matter: YOUR LOGO HAS NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD Logo22 NO LOGO SPORTSWEAR FOR THE SELF ASSURED TRUE LOGO FAN COLLECTION EQUINOX LOGO Serial Nos. 77666448 & 77667009 - 20 - other literal elements. Finally, even if we should find it necessary to accord the cited mark a narrow scope of protection, this tribunal and our reviewing courts have recognized that marks deemed weak are still entitled to protection against the registration by a subsequent user of a similar mark for closely-related goods or services. King Candy Co. v. Eunice King's Kitchen, Inc., 496 F.2d 1400, 182 USPQ 108, 109 (CCPA 1974); and In re Colonial Stores, Inc., 216 USPQ 793, 795 (TTAB 1982). As contended by the Trademark Examining Attorney at the oral hearing, to accept applicant’s argument on this factor would provide substantially no protection for registrant under Section 2(d) of the Trademark Act. Conclusion In conclusion, weighing all the relevant du Pont factors as discussed above, we find a likelihood of confusion herein. Decision: The refusal to register under Section 2(d) of the Lanham Act is hereby affirmed. Copy with citationCopy as parenthetical citation