The TTAB Issued 42 Precedential Decisions in 2012

Here is a compilation of links to the TTABlog postings for the 42 precedential decisions issued by the TTAB in 2012, categorized according to subject matter.


Section 2(a) - Deceptiveness:

• Precedential No. 25: TTAB Finds "α CU" (Alpha CU) Deceptive for Copper-less Dietary Supplements

Section 2(a) - False Association:

• Precedential No. 23: TTAB Affirms 2(a) False Connection Refusal of BENNY GOODMAN COLLECTION

Section 2(b) - Official Insignia:

• Precedential Nos. 1 and 2: TTAB Rules that Section 2(b) Bars Registration of a Government Entity's Own Official Insignia

Section 2(d) - Likelihood of Confusion:

• Precedential No. 42: In Rare Section 2(d) Color Case, TTAB Affirms Refusal of Teal for Sheaths over Blue for Catheters
  
• Precedential No. 37: WYHA? TTAB Finds TALENT ASSURANCE and JOB ASSURANCE Confusable with ASSURANCE for Employment Placement Services
• Precedential No. 19: TTAB Finds Actual Confusion and Bad Faith, Sustains SUPER CHIRO TEA Opposition
• Precedential No. 18: Invoking 13th duPont Factor, TTAB Reverses 2(d) Refusal of ANYWEAR for Footwear
• Precedential No. 14: TTAB Reverses 2(d) Refusal of GRAND HOTEL NYC over GRAND HOTEL for Hotel Services
• Precedential No. 13: TTAB Sustains L'Oreal's Opposition to L'OREAL PARIS for Aloe Vera Drinks, Finding Likely Confusion and Lack of Bona Fide Intent
• Precedential No. 10: TTAB Finds COLOMBIANO COFFEE HOUSE Confusingly Similar to COLOMBIAN Certification Mark for Coffee
• Precedential No. 9: Rejecting Parody Defense, TTAB Finds CRACKBERRY Likely to Cause Confusion With and Likely to Dilute BLACKBERRY
• Precedential No. 5: Parties Choose ACR, TTAB Finds TURFECTA and TRIFECTA Confusingly Similar for Grass Seed

Section 2(e)(1) Mere Descriptivenses:

• Precedential No. 40: On Summary Judgment, TTAB Rejects Claim that SMS Number Is Merely Descriptive of Mobile Search Services
• Precedential No. 31: TTAB Affirms Mere Descriptiveness Refusal of "CENTER OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY"
• Precedential No. 30: Denying Cancellation, TTAB Finds CMS Neither Generic Nor Merely Descriptive for Wine
• Precedential No. 29: TTAB Affirms 2(e)(1) and Failure-to-Function Refusals of SEMICONDUCTOR LIGHT MATRIX for Light Curing Systems
• Precedential No. 28: TTAB Finds Stylization of "SADORU" Not Enough to Overcome Mere Descriptiveness Refusal for Motorcycle Seats
• Precedential No. 26: Chastizing PTO, TTAB Reverses Disclaimer Requirement of ARCADEWEB For Internet Marketing Services

 
Section 2(e)(3) - Primarily Geographically Deceptively Misdescriptive:

• Precedential No. 24: TTAB Affirms Refusal of REAL RUSSIAN as Primarily Geographically Deceptively Misdescriptive of Vodka
• Precedential No. 15: TTAB Affirms Section 2(e)(3) Refusal of OLD HAVANA as Primarily Geographically Deceptively Misdescriptive of Rum
• Precedential No. 7: On Remand from District Court, TTAB Sustains Section 2(e)(3) Opposition to GUANTANAMERA for Cigars

Abandonment:

• Precedential No. 34: Section 66(a) Registration May Be Cancelled Under Section 14 Even If I.R. Still Viable
• Precedential No. 11: Sidestepping Fraud Claim, TTAB Cancels "SHUT IT DOWN" Registration Due to Abandonment and Nonuse

Certification Mark:

• Precedential No. 10: TTAB Finds COLOMBIANO COFFEE HOUSE Confusingly Similar to COLOMBIAN Certification Mark for Coffee
• Precedential No. 3: TTAB Dismisses Petition to Cancel SWISS and SWISS MADE Certification Mark Registrations for Watches

Dilution:

• Precedential No. 33: Federal Registration Defense Yields TTAB Dismissal of Dilution Claim
• Precedential No. 9: Rejecting Parody Defense, TTAB Finds CRACKBERRY Likely to Cause Confusion With and Likely to Dilute BLACKBERRY

Failure to Function:

• Precedential No. 35: TTAB Finds Mouthwash Bottle and Cap to Be Inherently Distinctive Source Indicators

Fraud:

• Precedential No. 11: Sidestepping Fraud Claim, TTAB Cancels "SHUT IT DOWN" Registration Due to Abandonment and Nonuse

Genericness:

• Precedential No. 30: Denying Cancellation, TTAB Finds CMS Neither Generic Nor Merely Descriptive for Wine
• Precedential No. 17: TTAB Reverses Genericness Refusal of TENNIS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

Lack of Bona Fide Intent;

• Precedential No. 13: TTAB Sustains L'Oreal's Opposition to L'OREAL PARIS for Aloe Vera Drinks, Finding Likely Confusion and Lack of Bona Fide Intent

Nonuse:

• Precedential No. 11: Sidestepping Fraud Claim, TTAB Cancels "SHUT IT DOWN" Registration Due to Abandonment and Nonuse

Section 44(e) Basis:

• Precedential No. 6: TTAB Summarily Cancels Registration Due to Flawed Section 44(e) Basis

Use in Commerce/Specimen of Use/Mutilation:

• Precedential No. 41: TTAB Affirms SSFA CERTIFIED CODE COMPLIANT Refusal - Specimens Show Two Marks, Drawing One
• Precedential No. 38: Screenshot of YouTube Music Video Not a Proper Trademark Specimen Absent Download Link
• Precedential No. 27: Adding a Question Mark to GOT STRAPS Materially Alters the Mark, Says TTAB
• Precedential No. 22: TTAB Re-designates Azteca Specimen-of-Use Decision as Precedential
• Precedential No. 16: "CEI" Identifies a Process, Not a Service, So TTAB Affirms Refusal to Register

(click on photo for larger picture)
Discovery/Evidence/Procedure:

• Precedential No. 39: Plaintiff That Relies Solely on a Supplemental Registration Cannot Prevail in a Section 2(d) Proceeding
• Precedential No. 36: TTAB Denies Another Motion to Re-Open Discovery
• Precedential No. 34: Section 66(a) Registration May Be Cancelled Under Section 14 Even If I.R. Still Viable
• Precedential No. 32: Board Finds Service of Notice of Opposition Flawed but Adequate
• Precedential No. 21: TTAB Excludes Opposer's Sole Trial Witness Due To Failure to Previously Identify Her
• Precedential No. 20: TTAB Says Partial Cancellation for Abandonment Governed by Section 14, not Section 18
• Precedential No. 12: TTAB Dismisses Cancellation Petition Due to Improper Service
• Precedential No. 8: TTAB Applies Collateral Estoppel in Ex Parte Section 2(d) Context Based on Prior TTAB Proceedings
• Precedential No. 5: Parties Choose ACR, TTAB Finds TURFECTA and TRIFECTA Confusingly Similar for Grass Seed
• Precedential No. 4: TTAB Dismisses "Goats on a Roof" Cancellation Petition for Lack of Standing, Failure to State a Claim

Text Copyright John L. Welch 2012-2013.