The TTAB Issued 45 Precedential Decisions in 2013

Here is a compilation of links to the TTABlog postings for the 45 precedential decisions issued by the TTAB in 2013, categorized according to subject matter. The SUPERJAWS, ANNAPOLIS TOURS, and THE SLANTS decisions are now on appeal to the CAFC.The HOUNDSTOOTH MAFIA and the NIC OUT (No. 24) cases are the subject of district court review.



Section 2(a) - Deceptiveness:

• Precedential No. 29: TTAB Affirms Five (5) Refusals of "AOP" for Wine
• Precedential No. 9: TTAB Affirms 2(a) Deceptiveness Refusal of WHITE JASMINE for Tea

Section 2(a) - Disparagement:

• Precedential No. 38: TTAB Affirms Section 2(a) Disparagement Refusal of "THE SLANTS" for Musical Band
• Precedential No. 31: TTAB Dismisses U. Alabama Opposition to HOUNDSTOOTH MAFIA & Design for Clothing

Section 2(a) - False Connection:

• Precedential No. 43: TTAB Affirms Section 2(a) False Connection Refusal of "LAKOTA" for Herbal Remedies
• Precedential No. 31: TTAB Dismisses U. Alabama Opposition to HOUNDSTOOTH MAFIA & Design for Clothing

Section 2(a) - Immoral or Scandalous:

• Precedential No. 34: Findng "AWSHIT WORKS" to be Scandalous, TTAB Affirms Section 2(a) Refusal

Section 2(d) - Likelihood of Confusion:

• Precedential No. 31: TTAB Dismisses U. Alabama Opposition to HOUNDSTOOTH MAFIA & Design for Clothing
• Precedential No. 26: FInding Wine and Water Related, TTAB Sustains 2(d) Opposition
• Precedential No. 23: CHEMIN DES PAPES Not Confusable with CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE CONTROLE for Wine, Says TTAB
• Precedential No. 16: TTAB Refuses to Consider File HIstory of Cited Registration in Section 2(d) Appeal
• Precedential No. 14: Refusing to Read Cited Registration Narrowly, TTAB Affirms 2(d) Refusal of LOTUS for Casino Bar Services
• Precedential No. 6: Applicant's Rule 133 Amendment Yields Dismissal of 2(d) Opposition

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

• Precedential No. 37: TTAB Affirms Mere Descriptiveness Refusal of SUPERJAWS for Machine and Hand Tools
• Precedential No. 27: TTAB Rejects Genericness and Fraud Claims, But Cancels "ANNAPOLIS TOURS" Section 2(f) Registration for Mere Descriptiveness

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

• Precedential No. 29: TTAB Affirms Five (5) Refusals of "AOP" for Wine

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

• Precedential No. 2: TTAB Sustains Section 2(e)(4) Surname Opposition to "MILLER LAW GROUP" for Legal Services

Section 2(e)(5) - Functionality:

• Precedential No. 32: TTAB Sustains Opposition to Pipe Boot Design, Finding it De Jure Functional
• Precedential No. 10: Finding Aesthetic Functionality, TTAB Affirms 2(e)(5) Refusal of Black Color for Floral Packaging
• Precedential No. 7: TTAB Affirms Refusal to Register Peppermint Flavor and Scent for Nitroglycerin Spray
• Precedential No. 3: TTAB Affirms Alternative Refusals to Register Pet Food Container Design, Finding it Functional or Non-Distinctive

Failure to Function:

• Precedential No. 29: TTAB Affirms Five (5) Refusals of "AOP" for Wine
• Precedential No. 22: WYHA? TTAB Affirms Failure-to-Function Refusal of "No More RINOs!" for Bumper Stickers, T-Shirts, and Buttons
• Precedential No. 7: TTAB Affirms Refusal to Register Peppermint Flavor and Scent for Nitroglycerin Spray
• Precedential No. 5: TTAB Affirms Failure-to-Function Refusal of Battery Charger "Chirp"
• Precedential No. 4: TTAB Affirms Failure-to-Function Refusal of BLATANCY for Audio Recordings by Eponymous Performer
• Precedential No. 3: TTAB Affirms Alternative Refusals to Register Pet Food Container Design, Finding it Functional or Non-Distinctive
• Precedential No. 1: TTAB Affirms Ornamentality Refusal of Clothing Trim Design Mark

Fraud:

• Precedential No. 27: TTAB Rejects Genericness and Fraud Claims, But Cancels "ANNAPOLIS TOURS" Section 2(f) Registration for Mere Descriptiveness
• Precedential No. 28: TTAB Denies 12(b)(6) Motion to Dismiss Fraud Counterclaim

Genericness:

• Precedential No. 36: TTAB Finds FOOTLONG To Be Generic for Sandwiches
• Precedential No. 27: TTAB Rejects Genericness and Fraud Claims, But Cancels "ANNAPOLIS TOURS" Section 2(f) Registration for Mere Descriptiveness

Goods in Trade:

• Precedential No. 8: TTAB Finds Investment Report to Be a Mere Sales Document, Not a Good in Trade

Identification of Goods:

• Precedential No. 25: TTAB Affirms Refusal to Register Due To Indefinite Identification of Goods

Lack of Bona Fide Intent:

• Precedential No. 39: TTAB Sustains Swatch Opposition to IWATCH, Finding Lack of Bona Fide Intent
• Precedential No. 23: CHEMIN DES PAPES Not Confusable with CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE CONTROLE for Wine, Says TTAB

Non-use:

• Precedential No. 40: TTAB Sustains Opposition to CLOROTEC & Design Due to Non-Use

Ownership:

• Precedential No. 24: Foreign Manufacturer, Not U.S. Distributor, Owns the Mark, Says TTAB

Rule 2.61(b) Compliance:

• Precedential No. 29: TTAB Affirms Five (5) Refusals of "AOP" for Wine
  

Section 10 Assignability:

• Precedential No. 33: TTAB Cancels ZILLA Registration, Section 10 Violated by Assignment of ITU Application to Parent

Concurrent Use:

• Precedential No. 11: Junior User Awarded All of USA Except Arizona in "3 PALMS" Concurrent Use Battle

Discovery/Evidence/Procedure:

• Precedential No. 45: Opposer Made Prima Facie Case Under Section 2(d), So TTAB Denies Applicant's Rule 2.132(b) Motion to Dismiss
• Precedential No. 44: Respondent Consents to Judgment on Abandonment Claim, TTAB Declines to Consider Fraud Claim
• Precedential No. 42: TTAB Grants Applicant's Contested, Pre-Trial Motion to Narrow Its Identification of Goods
• Precedential No. 41: Genericness Counterclaim Survives Dismissal of Opposer's 2(d) Claim, Says TTAB
• Precedential No.35: TTAB Denies Protective Order, Requires Opposer to Answer Hundreds of Admission Requests
• Precedential No. 30: TTAB Re-Designates as Precedential Its Opinion Vacating ROLEX/ROLL-X
• Precedential No. 28: TTAB Denies 12(b)(6) Motion to Dismiss Fraud Counterclaim
• Precedential No. 21: TTAB Dismisses Belatedly-Filed Opposition, Rejects Claim of Privity With Extension Recipient
• Precedential No. 20: Cancellation Respondent Can't Undo Voluntary Surrender of Registration
• Precedential No. 18: Parties Opt for ACR, Foregoing Discovery, Trial, and Final Argument
• Precedential No. 17: Use of TREASURYNET Mark Only Internally Results in Cancellation due to Abandonment
• Precedential No. 15: TTAB Requires FRCP 26(a)(2)(B) Written Report of "Retained" Expert Witness
• Precedential No. 13: TTAB Nixes Stipulation for Service By E-Mail And Five Extra Mailing Days
• Precedential No. 12: WYHA? TTAB Affirms Refusal of PLAQUE-ZAPPER for Pet Treats Due to Faulty Specimen of Use
• Precedential No. 6: Applicant's Rule 133 Amendment Yields Dismissal of 2(d) Opposition

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Text Copyright John L. Welch 2013-14.