International Franchise Inc.Download PDFTrademark Trial and Appeal BoardJun 4, 202088033521 (T.T.A.B. Jun. 4, 2020) Copy Citation This Opinion is Not a Precedent of the TTAB Mailed: June 4, 2020 UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE _____ Trademark Trial and Appeal Board _____ In re International Franchise Inc. _____ Serial No. 88033521 _____ Arthur J. DeBaugh of Bell, Davis & Pitt, P.A., for International Franchise Inc. Andrea Koyner Nadelman, Trademark Examining Attorney, Law Office 110, Chris A. F. Pedersen, Managing Attorney. _____ Before Mermelstein, Pologeorgis and Hudis, Administrative Trademark Judges. Opinion by Hudis, Administrative Trademark Judge: International Franchise Inc. (“Applicant”) seeks registration on the Principal Register of the mark SCHMEAR (in standard characters) for “body oils not for use for the treatment or prevention of diaper rash; essential oils not for use for the treatment or prevention of diaper rash; scented oils not for use for the treatment or prevention of diaper rash” in International Class 3.1 1 Application Serial No. 88033521 filed on July 11, 2018 under Trademark Act Section 1(b), 15 U.S.C. § 1051(b), based upon Applicant’s allegation of a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce. Serial No. 88033521 - 2 - The Trademark Examining Attorney refused registration under Trademark Act Section 2(d), 15 U.S.C. § 1052(d), on the ground that Applicant’s mark, as applied to the goods identified in the application, so resembles the mark REAR SCHMEAR (“REAR” disclaimed) for “non-medicated diaper rash ointments and lotions” in International Class 3,2 registered on the Principal Register, as to be likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake, or to deceive. After the Trademark Examining Attorney made the refusal final, Applicant appealed to this Board. Both Applicant and the Examining Attorney filed briefs. We affirm the refusal to register. I. Evidentiary Issue Before proceeding to the merits of the refusal, we address an evidentiary matter. The Examining Attorney objects3 to Applicant’s explanation in its Appeal Brief of how students learn to read. The explanation purportedly is based on an excerpt from an article titled “Decoding Multisyllabic Words” in the publication SCHOLASTIC TEACHER. A copy of the article was not made of record during the prosecution of the SCHMEAR application. Instead, Applicant merely provided a hyperlink to the article in its brief.4 The record in an application should be complete prior to the filing of an appeal. Trademark Rule 2.142(d), 37 C.F.R. § 2.142(d). Because Applicant untimely provided 2 Registration No. 5305951, issued October 10, 2017. 3 Examiner’s Brief, 6 TTABVUE 4. Page references herein to the application record refer to the online database of the USPTO’s Trademark Status & Document Retrieval (“TSDR”) system. All citations to documents contained in the TSDR database are to the downloadable .pdf versions of the documents in the USPTO TSDR Case Viewer. References to the briefs on appeal refer to the Board’s TTABVUE docket system. Before the TTABVUE designation is the docket entry number; and after this designation are the page references, if applicable. 4 Applicant’s Brief, 4 TTABVUE 5. Serial No. 88033521 - 3 - the hyperlink to the SCHOLASTIC TEACHER article during its appeal, we disregard it. See In re Inn at St. John’s, LLC, 126 USPQ2d 1742, 1744 (TTAB 2018), aff’d per curiam, 777 Fed. App’x 516 (Fed. Cir. 2019); In re Fiat Grp. Mktg. & Corp. Commc’ns S.p.A., 109 USPQ2d 1593, 1596 (TTAB 2014). Notwithstanding, merely submitting a hyperlink to a published article is insufficient to make its contents of record. To properly introduce the article into the record, Applicant should have provided a capture of the webpage relied upon, the date the webpage was accessed, and the complete URL address where the article may be found. In re I-Coat Co., LLC, 126 USPQ2d 1730, 1733 (TTAB 2018); In re Olin Corp., 124 USPQ2d 1327, 1331 n.15 (TTAB 2017) (citing In re Powermat Inc., 105 USPQ2d 1789, 1791 (TTAB 2013). Applicant did not do so. Accordingly, the Examining Attorney’s evidentiary objection is sustained and we give no consideration to the “Decoding Multisyllabic Words” article from the SCHOLASTIC TEACHER publication nor any of Applicant’s discussion thereof. II. Likelihood of Confusion - Applicable Law We base our determination of likelihood of confusion under Trademark Act Section 2(d) on an analysis of all of the probative facts in evidence that are relevant to the factors enunciated in In re E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d 1357, 177 USPQ 563, 567 (CCPA 1973) (“DuPont”), cited in B&B Hardware, Inc. v. Hargis Indus., Inc., 575 U.S. 138, 113 USPQ2d 2045, 2049 (2015); see also In re Majestic Distilling Co., 315 F.3d 1311, 65 USPQ2d 1201, 1203 (Fed. Cir. 2003). We must consider each DuPont factor for which there is evidence and argument. See, e.g., In re Guild Mortg. Co., 912 F.3d 1376, 129 USPQ2d 1160, 1162-63 (Fed. Cir. 2019). However, “each case Serial No. 88033521 - 4 - must be decided on its own facts and the differences are often subtle ones.” Indus. Nucleonics Corp. v. Hinde, 475 F.2d 1197, 177 USPQ 386, 387 (CCPA 1973). In applying the DuPont factors, we bear in mind the fundamental purposes underlying Trademark Act Section 2(d), which are to prevent confusion as to source and to protect registrants from damage caused by registration of confusingly similar marks. Park ‘N Fly, Inc. v. Dollar Park & Fly, Inc., 469 U.S. 189, 224 USPQ 327, 331 (1985); Qualitex Co. v. Jacobson Prods. Co., 514 U.S. 159, 34 USPQ2d 1161, 1163 (1995); DuPont, 177 USPQ at 566. Varying weights may be assigned to each DuPont factor depending on the evidence presented. See Citigroup Inc. v. Capital City Bank Grp. Inc., 637 F.3d 1344, 98 USPQ2d 1253, 1260 (Fed. Cir. 2011); In re Shell Oil Co., 992 F.2d 1204, 26 USPQ2d 1687, 1688 (Fed. Cir. 1993) (“the various evidentiary factors may play more or less weighty roles in any particular determination”). Two key considerations are the similarities between the marks and the relatedness of the goods. See In re i.am.symbolic, llc, 866 F.3d 1315, 123 USPQ2d 1744, 1747 (Fed. Cir. 2017) (quoting Herbko Int’l, Inc. v. Kappa Books, Inc., 308 F.3d 1156, 64 USPQ2d 1375, 1380 (Fed. Cir. 2002) (“The likelihood of confusion analysis considers all DuPont factors for which there is record evidence but ‘may focus … on dispositive factors, such as similarity of the marks and relatedness of the goods.’”)). III. Analysis We now review the arguments of Applicant and the Examining Attorney in view of applicable law and the evidence of record. Notably, the only likelihood of confusion factors Applicant and the Examining Attorney focused on in this appeal are the Serial No. 88033521 - 5 - strength of the Registrant’s REAR SCHMEAR mark, the similarity of the REAR SCHMEAR and SCHMEAR marks, the relatedness of the goods associated with each mark, and the channels of trade and prospective purchasers therefor. A. Comparison of the Marks 1. Strength of the Registered Mark Applicant argues that “[t]he ‘SCHMEAR’ element of the Cited Mark [REAR SCHMEAR] is highly descriptive because it immediately describes a quality, characteristic, function, feature, purpose or use of the specified goods when used in conjunction with the first element of the Cited Mark (‘REAR’), namely, that the goods are intended to be ‘schmeared’ on the ‘rear.’”5 “[I]nasmuch as the cited mark is registered on the Principal Register, we must assume that it is at least suggestive and we cannot entertain Applicant’s argument that the registered mark is descriptive of Registrant’s … [goods].” In re Fat Boys Water Sports LLC, 118 USPQ2d 1511, 1517 (TTAB 2016) (citing In re Fiesta Palms LLC, 85 USPQ2d 1360, 1363 (TTAB 2007)). See also Trademark Act Section 7(b), 15 U.S.C. § 1057(b) (“A certificate of registration of a mark upon the principal register … shall be prima facie evidence of the validity of the registered mark … on or in connection with the … services specified in the certificate….”). Moreover, 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. In re Dixie Rests. Inc., 105 F.3d 1405, 41 USPQ2d 1531, 1534-35 (Fed. Cir. 1997); In re Peebles Inc., 23 5 Applicant’s Brief, 4 TTABVUE 4. Serial No. 88033521 - 6 - USPQ2d 1795, 1797 n.5 (TTAB 1992). We therefore find Registrant’s REAR SCHMEAR mark to be at least suggestive, inherently distinctive and entitled to protection. Further, assuming arguendo that the Registrant’s REAR SCHMEAR mark was conceptually weak, even marks deemed as such are entitled to protection under Trademark Act Section 2(d) against the registration by a subsequent user of a similar mark for closely related goods. See King Candy Co. v. Eunice King’s Kitchen, Inc., 496 F.2d 1400, 182 USPQ 108, 109 (CCPA 1974); In re Max Capital Grp. Ltd., 93 USPQ2d 1243, 1246 (TTAB 2010). Thus, on this record, we find that the REAR SCHMEAR mark is inherently distinctive in connection with the Registrant’s goods, favoring a finding of likelihood of confusion. 2. The Similarity or Dissimilarity of the Marks Under the first DuPont factor, we determine the similarity or dissimilarity of Applicant’s and the Registrant’s marks in their entireties, taking into account their appearance, sound, connotation and commercial impression. DuPont, 177 USPQ at 567; In re Detroit Athletic Co., 903 F.3d 1297, 128 USPQ2d 1047, 1048 (Fed. Cir. 2018); “Similarity in any one of these elements may be sufficient to find the marks confusingly similar.” In re Davia, 110 USPQ2d 1810, 1812 (TTAB 2014). “The proper test is not a side-by-side comparison of the marks, but instead whether the marks are sufficiently similar in terms of their commercial impression such that persons who encounter the marks would be likely to assume a connection between the parties.” In re i.am.symbolic, llc, 123 USPQ2d at 1748. “The focus is on Serial No. 88033521 - 7 - the recollection of the average purchaser, who normally retains a general rather than a specific impression of trademarks.” In re Assoc. of the U.S. Army, 85 USPQ2d 1264, 1268 (TTAB 2007). Applicant argues that: Applicant’s Mark [SCHMEAR] and the Cited Mark [REAR SCHMEAR] are dissimilar in terms of overall appearance and commercial impression when viewed in their entireties. The Cited Mark is a composite mark, combining two words (“Rear” and “Schmear”) to create a commercial impression that is subject to very little interpretation or mistake. REAR SCHMEAR brand products are clearly intended for use on a person’s buttocks or “rear.” In connection with diaper rash ointments and lotions, in particular, there can be no doubt that REAR SCHMEAR brand products are intended to be smeared on an individual’s bottom. * * * Whereas there can be little or no doubt as to what (or where) a REAR SCHMEAR brand diaper rash ointment or lotion is intended for, consumers would have to use a multi-step process to attempt to determine the function of Applicant’s SCHMEAR brand products. … As “Rear” is an easily recognizable word and the first word in the Cited Mark [REAR SCHMEAR], prospective purchasers are far more likely to see that portion of the “Rear Schmear” mark as the dominant element.6 The Examining Attorney argues: [T]he dominant portion of the registrant’s mark [REAR SCHMEAR] is the term SCHMEAR, as the term REAR is disclaimed as descriptive. The term REAR describes the intended location where the registrant’s goods are applied, namely, a person’s rear end. The applicant’s mark, SCHMEAR, consists solely of the dominant portion of the registrant’s mark. Thus, the dominant portion of the registrant’s mark is identical to the applicant’s mark. … The applicant’s mark, SCHMEAR, is entirely incorporated into the registrant’s mark, REAR SCHMEAR. Where the compared marks consist, as in the present case, of one mark entirely incorporated within another, likelihood of confusion under [Trademark Act] Section 2(d) has often been found [citations omitted]. 6 Applicant’s Brief, 5 TTABVUE 4-5. Serial No. 88033521 - 8 - * * * Although applicant’s mark does not contain the entirety of the registered mark, applicant’s mark is likely to appear to prospective purchasers as a shortened form of registrant’s mark. [citation omitted]. Thus, merely omitting some of the wording from a registered mark – especially the descriptive portion of the registered mark – may not overcome a likelihood of confusion. … In this case, applicant’s mark does not create a distinct commercial impression from the registered mark because it contains some of the wording in the registered mark and does not add any wording that would distinguish it from that mark.7 We agree with Applicant that the similarity or dissimilarity of two marks is determined based on the marks in their entireties, and our analysis cannot be predicated on dissecting the marks into their various components; that is, the decision must be based on the entire marks, not just part of the marks. Franklin Mint Corp. v. Master Mfg. Co., 667 F.2d 1005, 212 USPQ 233, 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, in articulating reasons for reaching a conclusion on the issue of confusion, 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 consideration of the marks in their entireties.” In re Nat’l Data Corp., 753 F.2d 1056, 224 USPQ 749, 751 (Fed. Cir. 1985). Applicant’s argument that the term “REAR” in the Registrant’s REAR SCHMEAR mark distinguishes it from Applicant’s SCHMEAR mark is not well taken. In fact, the general rule suggests the opposite. “[T]he presence of an additional term in the 7 Examiner’s Brief, 6 TTABVUE 6-7. Serial No. 88033521 - 9 - [Registrant’s] mark does not necessarily eliminate the likelihood of confusion if some terms are identical.” In re Mighty Leaf Tea, 601 F.3d 1342, 94 USPQ2d 1257, 1260 (Fed. Cir. 2010) (affirming the Board’s finding that the applicant’s mark ML is likely to be perceived as a shortened version of the registrant’s mark ML MARK LEES when used on the same or closely related skin care products). If, as in this case, a significant portion of both marks is the same (the term “SCHMEAR”), then the marks may be similar notwithstanding some differences. See, e.g., Stone Lion Capital Partners, LP v. Lion Capital LLP, 746 F.3d 1317, 110 USPQ2d 1157, 1161 (Fed. Cir. 2014) (affirming the Board’s finding that applicant’s mark STONE LION CAPITAL incorporated the entirety of the registered marks LION CAPITAL and LION, and that the noun LION was the dominant part of both parties’ marks). Further, disclaimed, descriptive matter, such as the term “REAR” in the Registrant’s mark, has less significance in likelihood of confusion determinations. See Cunningham v. Laser Golf Corp., 222 F.3d 943, 55 USPQ2d 1842, 1846 (Fed. Cir. 2000) (“Regarding descriptive terms, this court has noted that the ‘descriptive component of a mark may be given little weight in reaching a conclusion on the likelihood of confusion.’”) (quoting In re Nat’l Data, 224 USPQ at 751 (Fed. Cir. 1985)). In this connection, we note that REAR in the Registrant’s REAR SCHMEAR mark is an adjective which modifies SCHMEAR, making SCHMEAR the focus of the mark. We find that the marks SCHMEAR and REAR SCHMEAR appear and sound similar in that they share the dominant term “SCHMEAR,” notwithstanding the addition of the disclaimed, descriptive term “REAR” in the Registrant’s REAR Serial No. 88033521 - 10 - SCHMEAR mark. Additionally, because REAR rhymes with SCHMEAR, the additional wording does not detract from the aural similarity of the identical term SCHMEAR in Applicant’s and the Registrant’s marks. Regarding Applicant’s and the Registrant’s respective products (body oils vs. diaper rash ointments and lotions), the term “SCHMEAR” suggests the same activity, that is, to smear or spread the product on the body or a part of the body.8 That SCHMEAR “may have other meanings in different contexts [as Applicant argues]9 is not controlling.” In re Carlson, 91 USPQ2d 1198, 1200 (TTAB 2009) (citing In re Bright-Crest, Ltd., 204 USPQ 591, 593 (TTAB 1979)). Because both marks are associated with related goods that feature the word SCHMEAR, this term is likely to carry the same connotation in both instances. Thus, we also find that the marks SCHMEAR and REAR SCHMEAR have similar meanings and overall commercial impressions. The first DuPont factor, therefore, favors a finding that confusion is likely. B. The Similarity or Dissimilarity and Nature of the Goods The second DuPont factor concerns the “similarity or dissimilarity and nature of the goods or services as described in an application or registration.…” DuPont, 177 USPQ at 567. “This factor considers whether ‘the consuming public may perceive [the respective goods and services of the parties] as related enough to cause confusion about the source or origin of the goods and services.’” In re St. Helena Hosp., 774 F.3d 8 See definitions of “SCHMEAR” provided as part of Applicant’s Office Action Response of April 16, 2019 at TSDR 7. 9 Applicant’s Brief, 4 TTABVUE 5. Serial No. 88033521 - 11 - 747, 113 USPQ2d 1082, 1086 (Fed. Cir. 2014) (quoting Hewlett-Packard Co. v. Packard Press, Inc., 281 F.3d 1261, 62 USPQ2d 1001, 1004 (Fed. Cir. 2002)). “Likelihood of confusion must be found as to the entire class of [goods] … identified if there is likely to be confusion as to any [product] … that comes within the recitation of [goods] … in that class.” Primrose Retirement Cmtys., LLC v. Edward Rose Senior Living, LLC, 122 USPQ2d 1030, 1033 (TTAB 2016) (citing Tuxedo Monopoly, Inc. v. Gen. Mills Fun Grp., 648 F.2d 1335, 209 USPQ 986, 988 (CCPA 1981)). The goods need not be identical or even competitive to find a likelihood of confusion. See On-line Careline Inc. v. Am. Online Inc., 229 F.3d 1080, 56 USPQ2d 1471, 1475 (Fed. Cir. 2000); Recot, Inc. v. Becton, 214 F.3d 1322, 54 USPQ2d 1894, 1898 (Fed. Cir. 2000). They need only be “related in some manner and/or if the circumstances surrounding their marketing are such that they could give rise to the mistaken belief that [the goods] … emanate from the same source.” Coach Servs., Inc. v. Triumph Learning LLC, 668 F.3d 1356, 101 USPQ2d 1713, 1722 (Fed. Cir. 2012) (quoting 7-Eleven Inc. v. Wechsler, 83 USPQ2d 1715, 1724 (TTAB 2007)). Evidence of relatedness may include news articles or evidence from computer databases showing that the relevant goods are used by the same purchasers; advertisements showing that the relevant goods are advertised together or sold by the same manufacturer or dealer; or copies of use-based registrations of the same mark for both Applicant’s goods and the goods listed in the cited registration. See, e.g., In re Davia, 110 USPQ2d 1810, 1817 (TTAB 2014) (finding pepper sauce and agave related where evidence showed both were used for the same purpose in the Serial No. 88033521 - 12 - same recipes and thus consumers were likely to purchase the products at the same time and in the same stores). As evidence of product relatedness, the Examining Attorney made of record copies of 24 third-party use-based registrations, each depicting the same mark for both Applicant’s goods and the goods listed in the cited registration.10 Although such registrations are not evidence that the registered marks are in use or that the public is familiar with them, they nonetheless have some probative value to the extent that they serve to suggest that the goods identified in those registrations are of a kind which may emanate from a single source under a single mark. See In re Albert Trostel & Sons Co., 29 USPQ2d 1783, 1785-86 (TTAB 1993). The Examining Attorney also provided captures from nine websites showing, at each site, that the same entity promotes and offers for sale under the same mark the types of goods identified in Applicant’s involved application and the cited registration: • BURT’S BEES – offering facial oil, cleansing oil, body oil, body and bath oil and diaper rash ointment. • SAJÉ – offering body oils and essential oils as well as diaper rash ointment. • THE HONEST CO. – offering body oils as well as diaper rash creams. • CALIFORNIA BABY – offering body oil and diaper rash creams and ointments. • WELEDA – offering body oils and diaper rash cream. • MUFFETTA NATURALS – offering skin and body oils, baby diaper oils and baby “bum” balm. • ENESSA – offering ginger body oil and diaper care cream for diaper rash. • CEDAR CREEK ESSENTIALS – offering body oils and diaper rash cream. 10 Third-party registrations made of record with the Office Action of October 17, 2018 at TSDR 9-53, 82-83. Serial No. 88033521 - 13 - • ABSOLUTELY NATURAL – offering scented and unscented body oils and diaper cream.11 We find the third-party registration evidence and the Internet website evidence together amply demonstrate the relatedness of Applicant’s and Registrant’s goods. Applicant attempts to distinguish its goods from the Registrant’s goods by arguing that none of its identified goods are for treating or preventing diaper rash.12 As noted above, however, the goods at issue need not be identical to support a finding of likelihood of confusion. They need only be related in some manner and/or if the circumstances surrounding their marketing are such that they could give rise to the mistaken belief that they emanate from the same source. Here, the evidence of record clearly shows that Applicant’s goods and Registrant’s goods are related because they are the types of goods provided by the same entities under the same marks. The respective goods also are used for the same purpose — as an emollient — although one is for the “rear” and the other is used elsewhere on the body. Thus, the second DuPont factor also favors a finding of likelihood of confusion. C. The Similarity or Dissimilarity of Trade Channels and Classes of Purchasers Under the third DuPont factor, we must base our determination regarding the similarities or dissimilarities between channels of trade and classes of purchasers for the goods as they are identified in the application and the cited registration. Octocom 11 Captures of the BURT’S BEES, SAJÉ and THE HONEST CO. websites were made of record with the Office Action of October 17, 2018 at TSDR 54-79; captures of the CALIFORNIA BABY, WELEDA, MUFFETTA NATURALS, ENESSA, CEDAR CREEK ESSENTIALS and ABSOLUTELY NATURAL websites were made of record with the Office Action of May 8, 2019 at TSDR 6-36. 12 Applicant’s Brief, 4 TTABVUE 7. Serial No. 88033521 - 14 - Sys., Inc. v. Hous. Comp. Servs. Inc., 918 F.2d 937, 16 USPQ2d 1783, 1787 (Fed. Cir. 1990); Canadian Imperial Bank v. Wells Fargo Bank, 811 F.2d 1490, 1 USPQ2d 1813, 1815 (Fed. Cir. 1987); Mini Melts v. Reckitt Benckiser LLC, 118 USPQ2d 1464, 1471 (TTAB 2016). Neither Applicant’s application nor the cited registration contain any limitations as to trade channels or classes of customers, and we may not read any limitation into them. Squirtco v. Tomy Corp., 697 F.2d 1038, 216 USPQ 937, 940 (Fed. Cir. 1983), quoted in In re Mr. Recipe, LLC, 118 USPQ2d 1084, 1091 (TTAB 2016); In re Elbaum, 211 USPQ 639, 640 (TTAB 1981) (citing Kalart Co., Inc. v. Camera-Mart, Inc., 119 USPQ 139 (CCPA 1958)). Therefore, the goods of both Applicant and the Registrant must thus be assumed to travel in all channels of trade usual for such goods. The only evidence relating to the trade channels through which the goods at issue travel is the third-party website evidence submitted by the Examining Attorney, discussed above. This evidence shows that the goods identified in Applicant’s application, as well as goods identified in the cited registration, may be offered via the same virtual marketplace to all relevant classes of purchasers, i.e., individuals interested in skin care. It further is common knowledge that skin care products, including lotions for diaper rash, may be purchased at drug stores, pharmacies and supermarkets. Thus, the respective goods, as identified, would be provided in the same or at least overlapping channels of trade to the same or overlapping classes of purchasers. Thus, the third DuPont factor weighs in favor of a finding a likelihood of confusion. Serial No. 88033521 - 15 - IV. Conclusion: Likelihood of Confusion The first, second, and third DuPont factors favor a finding of likelihood of confusion. Neither Applicant nor the Examining Attorney presented evidence or argument in their briefs as to the other DuPont factors and, accordingly, we treat those factors as neutral. As the Registrant’s mark is inherently distinctive, the marks at issue are similar, and the goods are related and would travel in overlapping trade channels to the same or overlapping classes of purchasers, we find that Applicant’s SCHMEAR mark, used in connection with Applicant’s goods, so closely resembles the registered REAR SCHMEAR mark as to be likely to cause confusion, mistake or deception as to the source of Applicant’s goods. Decision: The refusal to register Applicant’s SCHMEAR mark under Trademark Act Section 2(d) is affirmed. Copy with citationCopy as parenthetical citation