Posts Tagged ‘confusion’

TTAB rules minimual evidence of actual confusion suffuicent for summary judgemnt on liklihood of confusion where mark identical to prior famous mark used on identical goods

In Texas Department of Transportation v. Richard Tucker, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board ("TTAB") unanimously granted the Texas Department of Transportation's ("TxDOT") motion for summary judgment, holding no genuine issue of material fact existed and Richard Tucker's ("Tucker") mark was likely to cause confusion.

TxDOT and Tucker both claimed use of and registered the same mark, "DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS" for goods, specifically clothing. TxDOT, claiming priority of use and a likelihood of confusion under 15 U.S.C. § 1052, filed a petition to cancel Tucker's registration and a notice of opposition against Tucker's pending application under 15 U.S.C. § 1064 and 15 U.S.C. § 1063 respectively. The two cases were consolidated. (more...)

FC Rules TM Applications Not to Be Dissected by Sound, Confirms Patients Perspective Plays a Role in Confusion Analysis of Pharmaceutical Marks

In NPS Pharmaceuticals v. Biofarma (2009 FC 172), the Federal Court upheld the Trade-marks Opposition Board's ("the Board") decision to dismiss NPS Pharmaceuticals' ("NPS") application to register the mark PREOS based on proposed use in association with pharmaceutical preparations for the treatment of certain bone diseases. Biofarma, Société par Actions Simplifiée (Biofarma), whose proposed marks PROTOS and PROTELOS had been accepted, but not yet registered, in association with nearly identical wares, opposed the application. (more...)

FC Grants Summary Judgment in Passing-Off Case

In 2045978 Ontario Inc. (Chaps The Original) v. Chaps Aldershot (2009 FC 872), the Federal Court allowed a motion for summary judgment in a dispute between two restaurant owners. The Court held the evidence clearly indicated infringement and passing-off by defendant Chaps Aldershot, as defined by ss. 19, 20 and s.7(b) of the Trade-Marks Act, respectively. (more...)