TTAB Issued 50 Precedential Decisions in 2010

Here is a compilation of the TTAB's precedential opinions/decisions for the calendar year 2010, categorized according to subject matter. Be warned that occasionally an interlocutory ruling escapes my attention because it is not included in the FOIA final decision database. [Please report any broken links to me: jwelch at lalaw dot com.]


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

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:

• 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. 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
• 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

©John L. Welch 2010-2011.