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holding that whether the trade dress was "a common basic shape or design" was "inapplicable" because "there has been no showing that the [trade dress] is common generally"
Summary of this case from Munchkin, Inc. v. Luv N' Care, Ltd.Opinion
No. 2009-1370.
October 1, 2010.
Appeal form the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, Walsh, Administrative Trademark Judge.
Stephen W. Feingold, Kilpatrick Stockton LLP, of New York, NY, argued for appellant. With him on the brief was Michelle M. Graham.
Christina J. Hieber, Associate Solicitor, Office of the Solicitor, United States Patent and Trademark Office, of Alexandria, VA, argued for the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. With her on the brief were Raymond T. Chen, Solicitor. Of counsel was Kristi L.R. Sawert, Associate Solicitor.
Before DYK, FRIEDMAN, and MOORE, Circuit Judges.
Appellant Chippendales USA, Inc. ("Chippendales"), appeals a decision of the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board ("the Board"). The Board affirmed the examining attorney's refusal to register the "Cuffs Collar Mark" as inherently distinctive. We affirm.
BACKGROUND
The applicant, Chippendales, is in the business of providing adult entertainment services for women. It opened its first strip club in Los Angeles in 1978. In 1979, Chippendales performers began wearing an abbreviated tuxedo — wrist cuffs and a bowtie collar without a shirt — as part of their act. This costume, referred to as the "Cuffs Collar," was featured prominently in Chippendales' advertising and performances over the past several decades. It is set forth below.
Exhibit
In November 2000, Chippendales filed an application to register the Cuffs Collar trade dress. In 2003, the United States Patent and Trademark office ("PTO") issued Registration No. 2,694,613 for the Cuffs Collar for "adult entertainment services, namely exotic dancing for women." U.S. Trademark Registration No. 2, 694, 613 (the `"613 mark"). A mark that is inherently distinctive qualifies for registration under the Lanham Trademark Act ("Lanham Act"). See Pub.L. No. 79-489, 60 Stat. 427 (1946) (codified at 15 U.S.C. § 1051 et seq.). A mark can also qualify for trademark protection under Section 2(f) of the Lanham Act if the mark has become distinctive through use in connection with the applicant's goods in commerce, known as acquired distinctiveness. See 15 U.S.C. § 1052(f) ("Section 2(f)").
Although Chippendales submitted evidence both of "inherent" distinctiveness and, alternatively, "acquired" distinctiveness under Section 2(f) of the Lanham Act, the examining attorney in 2003 concluded that the applicant was only entitled to a registration based on acquired distinctiveness. Because of the existing procedure at the PTO at the time of the decision, Chippendales could not contest the basis of the examining attorney's decision. The sole option at that time would have been for Chippendales to request that the registration be cancelled and that the mark be remanded for reconsideration. Chippendales was about to commence an infringement action based on the registration and thus opted not to initiate the cancellation of its registration under Section 2(f). The 613 mark became incontestable in 2008 under 15 U.S.C. § 1065.
Once a mark has been registered and in continuous use for five consecutive years subsequent to the date of registration, it becomes "incontestable" under the Trademark Act, thus resulting in additional benefits to the owner. See 15 U.S.C. § 1065. The registration for an incontestable mark is treated as "conclusive evidence" of the validity of the mark, as well as its registration, ownership, and the exclusive right of the owner to use the mark in commerce. 15 U.S.C. § 1115(b).
In 2005, Chippendales filed a second application, seeking again to register the Cuffs Collar mark as inherently distinctive for "adult entertainment services, namely exotic dancing for women," in the nature of live performances. Chippendales claimed that it was entitled to a registration on the ground that the mark was inherently distinctive, even though it had secured a registration under Section 2(f). In the ordinary course, the PTO bars applicants from registering the same mark for the same goods and services. See Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure § 703 [hereinafter TMEP]. However, here Chippendales petitioned for — and was -granted — a waiver of that procedure, to resolve "the underlying substantive issue as to whether the proposed mark is inherently distinctive." J.A. 664.
On September 5, 2007, the examining attorney issued her final Office Action refusing to register the Cuffs Collar because the mark was not inherently distinctive. The Board affirmed. In re Chippendales USA Inc., 90 U.S.P.Q.2d (BNA) 1535, 1537 (T.T.A.B. Mar. 25, 2009). The Board held that it was bound to apply our predecessor court's decision in Seabrook Foods, Inc. v. Bar-Well Foods, Ltd., 568 F.2d 1342 (C.C.P.A. 1977), to determine inherent distinctiveness.
On the merits, the Board concluded that the mark was not inherently distinctive under Seabrook. As we discuss below, Seabrook holds that a mark is not inherently distinctive if it, or a variation thereof, is in common use. 568 F.2d at 1344. The Board considered whether the mark was inherently distinctive "at the time applicant began to use the mark nearly 30 years ago." Chippendales, 90 U.S.P.Q.2d at 1538. The Board noted, however, that "[w]e are not suggesting that registrability should be determined at any time other than at the time the application is pending." Id. at 1538 n. 6. The Board concluded that the Cuffs Collar was a common basic shape design, because it is not unusual for exotic dancers to "wear costumes or uniforms which are . . . revealing and provocative." Id. at 1541. The Board also concluded that the Cuffs Collar was not unique or unusual in the particular field of use, because costumes generally are common to the field of exotic dancing. See id. at 1542. ("[A]ll strippers begin their routine with some kind of fantasy outfit."). In reaching this conclusion, the Board cited examples of "various provocative costumes," such as "a stripper representing either a doctor wearing a stethoscope, or a construction worker wearing a utility belt, or a cowboy wearing chaps and a tengallon hat." Id. at 1541.
Alternatively, the Board concluded that the Cuffs Collar mark was not unique or unusual in the particular field of use because it was inspired by the ubiquitous Playboy bunny suit, which included cuffs, a collar and bowtie, a corset, and a set of bunny ears. Id. at 1546. Finally, the Board concluded that the Cuffs Collar mark "was a refinement of an existing form of ornamentation for the particular class of services," based on the same evidence discussed in the treatment of the first two Seabrook factors. Id. at 1542. The dissent disagreed, concluding that the Cuffs Collar mark was in fact inherently distinctive. Id. at 1544-45. Chippendales timely appealed, and this court has jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1295(a)(4)(B).
DISCUSSION
This court reviews the Board's legal conclusions de novo, and the Board's factual findings for substantial evidence. See In re Pacer Tech., 338 F.3d 1348, 1349 (Fed. Cir. 2003); see also 5 U.S.C. § 706(2)(E). Whether an asserted mark is inherently distinctive involves both a legal question as to the correct standard to apply and a factual determination. "The issue of inherent distinctiveness is a factual determination made by the board." See Hoover Co. v. Royal Appliance Mfg. Co., 238 F.3d 1357, 1359 (Fed. Cir. 2001). The PTO has the burden to establish a prima facie case of no inherent distinctiveness. See Pacer Tech., 338 F.3d at 1350. Once the PTO sets forth a sufficient prima facie case, the burden shifts to the applicant to come forward with evidence to rebut the prima facie case. See id.
I
In order to understand the nature of appellant's claim, some background is useful. In general, trademarks are assessed according to a scale formulated by Judge Friendly in Abercrombie Fitch Co. v. Hunting World, Inc., 537 F.2d 4, 10-11 (2d Cir. 1976), which evaluates whether word marks are "arbitrary" or "fanciful," "suggestive," "descriptive," or "generic." Word marks that are arbitrary, fanciful, or suggestive are inherently distinctive. See Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Samara Bros., Inc., 529 U.S. 205, 210-11, 120 S.Ct. 1339, 146 L.Ed.2d 182 (2000). Descriptive marks that acquire secondary meaning may also qualify for protection under Section 2(f), while generic marks generally cannot qualify for trademark protection at all. Abercrombie Fitch, 537 F.2d at 9-10.
Examples of "arbitrary" or "fanciful" marks include such trademarks as "Rolls-Royce," "Aunt Jemima's," or "Kodak." See Moseley v. V Secret Catalogue, Inc., 537 U.S. 418, 429 n. 10, 123 S.Ct. 1115, 155 L.Ed.2d 1 (2003). These marks contain "coined, arbitrary or fanciful words or phrases that have been added to rather than withdrawn from the human vocabulary by their owners, and have, from the very beginning, been associated in the public mind with a particular product . . . and have created in the public consciousness an impression or symbol of the excellence of the particular product in question." Id.
A suggestive mark "suggests characteristics of the product or service and require[s] an effort of the imagination by the consumer in order to be understood as descriptive." See, e.g., Gift of Learning Found., Inc. v. TGC, Inc., 329 F.3d 792, 797-99 (11th Cir. 2003). For example, the word mark "LaserSpecialist.com" was determined to be "suggestive" in conjunction with a center for oculoplastic surgery. See St. Luke's Cataract Laser Inst., PA. v. Sanderson, 573 F.3d 1186, 1207-08 (11th Cir. 2009) (upholding jury verdict that mark was suggestive where trademark owner presented evidence that cosmetic surgeons or oculoplastic surgeons were not generally identified as "laser specialist[s]" and thus did not immediately convey the nature of the services offered).
Descriptive marks merely "describe[] the qualities or characteristics of a good or service." See Park `N Fly, Inc. v. Dollar Park Fly, Inc., 469 U.S. 189, 194, 105 S.Ct. 658, 83 L.Ed.2d 582 (1985). For example, the word "Nu-Enamel" was held to be descriptive of paint enamels. Armstrong Paint Varnish Works v. Nu-Enamel Corp., 305 U.S. 315, 329-30, 59 S.Ct. 191, 83 L.Ed. 195 (1938).
A generic mark is one that "refer[s] to the genus of which the product is a species." See Two Pesos, Inc. v. Taco Cabana, Inc., 505 U.S., 763, 768, 112 S.Ct. 2753, 120 L.Ed.2d 615 (1992). For example, the term "Shredded Wheat" was found to constitute a generic mark. See Kellogg Co. v. Nat'l Biscuit Co., 305 U.S. Ill, 112-13, 59 S.Ct. 109, 83 L.Ed. 73 (1938).
Trademark protection may be secured for "trade dress." "Trade dress" encompasses the design and appearance of the product and its packaging, and the Supreme Court has held that trade dress can be inherently distinctive. See Two Pesos, Inc. v. Taco Cabana, Inc., 505 U.S. 763, 775, 112 S.Ct. 2753, 120 L.Ed.2d 615 (1992). Here, the Cuffs Collars worn by Chippendales dancers constitutes "trade dress" because it is part of the "packaging" of the product, which is "[a]dult entertainment services, namely exotic dancing for women." U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 78/666,598 (the "598 Application").
This court applies a four-part test for determining the inherent distinctiveness of trade dress. This four-part test is set forth in our decision in Seabrook as follows:
whether it was a "common" basic shape or design, [2] whether it was [not] unique or unusual in the particular field, [3] whether it was a mere refinement of a commonly-adopted and well-known form of ornamentation for a particular class of goods viewed by the public as a dress or ornamentation for the goods, or [4] whether it was capable of creating a commercial impression distinct from the accompanying words.
Seabrook, 568 F.2d at 1344. If a mark satisfies any of the first three tests, it is not inherently distinctive. See id.; 1 J. Thomas McCarthy, McCarthy on Trademarks and Unfair Competition § 8:13 (4th ed. 2008). The fourth factor, whether the trade dress was capable of creating a commercial impression distinct from the accompanying words, is not applicable here.
Inherent distinctiveness does not depend on a showing that consumers actually identify the particular mark with the particular business; this is a question of acquired distinctiveness, or secondary meaning. As we elaborated in Tone Brothers, Inc. v. Sysco Corp., 28 F.3d 1192 (Fed. Cir. 1994), ultimately "the focus of the [inherent distinctiveness] inquiry is whether or not the trade dress is of such a design that a buyer will immediately rely on it to differentiate the product from those of competing manufacturers; if so, it is inherently distinctive." Id. at 1206 (citing Paddington Corp. v. Attiki Imps. Distribs., Inc., 996 F.2d 577, 582-84 (2d Cir. 1993)). Thus, if the mark is inherently distinctive, it is presumed that consumers will view it as a source identifier. If the mark is not inherently distinctive, it is unfair to others in the industry to allow what is in essence in the public domain to be registered and appropriated, absent a showing of secondary meaning. The policy here is basically the same as the prohibition against registering generic word marks, or descriptive marks that have not acquired secondary meaning.
See, e.g., Qualitex Co. v. Jacobson Prods. Co., Inc., 514 U.S. 159, 163, 115 S.Ct. 1300, 131 L.Ed.2d 248 (1995) ("`[Secondary meaning' is acquired when `in the minds of the public, the primary significance of a product feature . . . is to identify the source of the product rather than the product itself.'" (citing Inwood Labs., Inc. v. Ives Labs., Inc., 456 U.S. 844, 851 n. 11, 102 S.Ct. 2182, 72 L.Ed.2d 606 (1982))); Tone Bros., Inc. v. Sysco Corp., 28 F.3d 1192, 1206 (Fed. Cir. 1994) ("We agree with Tone that the district court's analysis on this question confuses the issues of inherent distinctiveness and secondary meaning. To be inherently distinctive trade dress need not, as the district court implies, have an inherent association with the product, or with the owner of the alleged trade dress.").
II
The first issue we consider on appeal is whether the granting of a Section 2(f) registration for a mark of acquired distinctiveness moots the request for an inherent distinctiveness registration. Although the parties are in agreement that it does not, we are nevertheless obligated to consider the issue. See, e.g., Sosna v. Iowa, 419 U.S. 393, 398, 95 S.Ct. 553, 42 L.Ed.2d 532 (1975) ("While the parties may be permitted to waive nonjurisdictional defects, they may not by stipulation invoke the judicial power of the United States in litigation which does not present an actual `case or controversy,' and on the record before us we feel obliged to address the question of mootness before reaching the merits of appellant's claim." (citations omitted)). We note that this problem is unlikely to arise in the future, as it appears to have resulted from a procedural defect that has since been remedied by the PTO. We nonetheless agree that there are potential collateral consequences resulting from the form of registration under the Lanham Act and that this presents a viable controversy.
Section 2(f) provides:
Except as expressly excluded in subsections (a), (b), (c), (d), (e)(3), and (e)(5) of this section, nothing in this chapter shall prevent the registration of a mark used by the applicant which has become distinctive of the applicant's goods in commerce. The Director may accept as prima facie evidence that the mark has become distinctive, as used on or in connection with the applicant's goods in commerce, proof of substantially exclusive and continuous use thereof as a mark by the applicant in commerce for the five years before the date on which the claim of distinctiveness is made. 15 U.S.C. § 1052(f).
As the PTO described at oral argument, the new procedure requires the examining attorney to explicitly notify the applicant as to the basis for his decision, and give the applicant the option to either appeal the underlying refusal of inherent distinctiveness, or waive the appeal and accept the section 2(f) registration. See Oral Arg. at 38.13-38:43; TMEP § 715.02.
All registrations for marks in the Principal Register, regardless of whether the mark has acquired or inherent distinctiveness, are accorded the same benefits and evidentiary presumptions under 15 U.S.C. § 1057(b). Similarly, once a mark has achieved incontestable status under 15 U.S.C. § 1065, it is entitled to the benefits of section 1115(b), which precludes all but a limited number of challenges to a mark's validity or enforceability, such as fraudulent procurement of the mark or abandonment of its use. See 15 U.S.C. § 1115(b)(lM9); see also Park `N Fly, Inc. v. Dollar Park Fly, Inc., 469 U.S. 189, 196, 105 S.Ct. 658, 83 L.Ed.2d 582 (1985) (holding that an incontestable mark may not be challenged as merely descriptive).
A descriptive term lacking secondary meaning may not appear on the Principal Register, but may appear on the Supplemental Register. See E.T. Browne Drug Co. v. Cococare Prods., Inc., 538 F.3d 185, 202 (3d Cir. 2008). Unlike registrations on the Principal Register, registrations on the Supplemental Register do not receive some of the advantages extended to marks registered on the Principal Register. See 15 U.S.C. § 1094. Supplemental registration is not prima facie evidence of the validity of the registered mark, of ownership of the mark, or of the registrant's exclusive right to use the registered mark in commerce. Id. § 1057(b).
Section 1057 provides that a certificate of registration of a mark upon the Principal Register "shall be prima facie evidence of the validity of the registered mark and of the registration of the mark, of the [registrant's] ownership of the mark, and of the [registrant's] exclusive right to use the registered mark in commerce on or in connection with the goods or services specified in the certificate." 15 U.S.C. § 1057(b).
However, there may be differences in the context of enforcement. Every court of appeals to consider the question has adopted a similar multi-factor test for evaluating the likelihood of confusion necessary to establish a trademark infringement claim, and all of those tests include a factor that inquires into the "strength" of the asserted mark. See 4 McCarthy, supra, §§ 24:30-24:43; see, e.g., Polaroid Corp. v. Polarad Elecs. Corp., 287 F.2d 492, 495 (2d Cir. 1961). A mark's strength is measured both by its conceptual strength (distinctiveness) and its marketplace strength (secondary meaning). See 2 McCarthy, supra, § 11.83. Thus, whether a particular mark is inherently distinctive may affect the scope of protection accorded in an infringement proceeding. See, e.g., Tana v. Dantanna's, 611 F.3d 767, 774-76 (11th Cir. 2010); Boston Duck Tours, L.P. v. Super Duck Tours, L.L.C., 531 F.3d 1, 16-17 (1st Cir. 2008); Louis Vuitton Malletier v. Dooney Bourke, Inc., 454 F.3d 108, 115 (2d Cir. 2006). The potential for benefit in an infringement suit of a registration based on inherent distinctiveness creates a viable controversy.
In general, in order to prevail in a trademark infringement case, a plaintiff must show that the alleged infringer "use[d] in commerce any reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or colorable imitation of a registered mark in connection with the sale, offering for sale, distribution, or advertising of any goods or services on or in connection with which such use is likely to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive." 15 U.S.C. § 1114(1)(a) (emphasis added).
For example, the Second Circuit applies the influential "Polaroid test," which applies an eight-factor balancing test to determine the likelihood of confusion: (1) the strength of the trademark; (2) similarity of the marks; (3) proximity of the products and their competitiveness with one another; (4) evidence that the senior user may "bridge the gap" by developing a product for sale in the market of the alleged infringer's product; (5) evidence of actual consumer confusion; (6) evidence that the imitative mark was adopted in bad faith; (7) respective quality of the products; and (8) sophistication of the consumers in the relevant market. See Starbucks Corp. v. Wolfe's Borough Coffee, Inc., 588 F.3d 97, 115 (2d Cir. 2009).
III
The second question we consider is the appropriate time for measuring the inherent distinctiveness of a mark. The PTO on appeal argues that the correct time for measuring inherent distinctiveness is at the time of registration, whereas appellant argues that the correct point in time is when the mark is first in use.
We agree with the PTO's argument on appeal that the proper time for measuring inherent distinctiveness is at the time of registration. This is in fact the accepted practice at the PTO. See, e.g., 2 McCarthy, supra, § 11.53 ("The Trademark Office will consider the issue of descriptiveness and distinctiveness as existing at the time the application is examined. If the distinctiveness of the mark has changed since the original application was filed, this will be considered."); TMEP § 1216.01. Our predecessor court has ruled that "the right to register must be determined on the basis of the factual situation as of the time when registration is being sought." In re Morton-Norwich Prods., Inc. 671 F.2d 1332, 1344 (C.C.P.A1982). For example, in In re Thunderbird Prods. Corp., 56 CCPA 969, 406 F.2d 1389 (1969), our predecessor court held that the mark "cathedral hull" was in general use to describe a specific type of boat hull by the time the PTO considered the trademark application. Id. at 1391-92. The court held that the Board properly concluded that the term "cathedral hull" was descriptive and not registrable as a trademark. Id. at 1392; see also Remington Prods. Inc. v. N. Amer. Philips Corp., 892 F.2d 1576, 1582 (Fed. Cir. 1990) (holding that the phrase "travel care" had "gone into the public domain as a category of goods designation in the marketplace by reason of its extensive use as such" by the time the trademark registration was sought, the point at which the descriptiveness of the mark is properly determined).
Judging inherent distinctiveness at the time of first use would be fundamentally unfair. As we have noted, "[trademark rights are not static." Morton-Norwich, 671 F.2d at 1344; see Thunderbird Prods., 406 F.2d at 1391-92 (1969). The test for inherent distinctiveness depends on whether the mark, or a variation thereof, has been in common use in general or in the particular field. A term or device that was once inherently distinctive may lose its distinguishing characteristics over time. See Thunderbird Prods., 406 F.2d at 1391-92. It would be unfair for an applicant to delay an application for registration and then benefit from having distinctiveness measured at the time of first use. This would allow an applicant to preempt intervening uses that might have relied on the fact that the registration for the mark as inherently distinctive had not been sought at an earlier time.
We note that the Board erred in stating that "[t]heoretically, if a mark was inherently distinctive when applicant began use, it remained so thereafter." In re Chippendales, 90 U.S.P.Q. 2d at 1538 n. 6.
IV
The final question is whether the PTO erred in holding that the Cuffs Collar mark is not inherently distinctive as of the date of the Board's decision. In making this determination, the Board appropriately considered evidence of the current situation as well as evidence of earlier uses, since earlier uses can shed light on the current situation. We think the Board erred in suggesting that any costume in the context of the adult entertainment industry would lack inherent distinctiveness, but that the Board did not err in its ultimate conclusion.
The three relevant Seabrook factors that the Board considered are: "whether the . . . [m]ark is a common basic shape or design," "whether [it] is [not] unique or unusual in the particular field," and "whether [it] is a mere refinement of a commonly-adopted and well-known form of ornamentation for a particular class of goods viewed by the public as a dress or ornamentation for the goods or services." Chippendales, 90 U.S.P.Q.2d at 1539 (citing Seabrook, 568 F.2d at 1344). A finding that any one of these factors is satisfied may render the mark not inherently distinctive. The first Seabrook factor essentially asks whether the trade dress is common generally: for example, does it employ a basic shape or design such as a letter or geometric shape? See Brooks Shoe Mfg. Co., Inc. v. Suave Shoe Corp., 716 F.2d 854, 858 (11th Cir. 1983) (noting that the trade dress design on sides of shoe could be characterized as a V, an arrow, or a 7, and that "such a basic geometric shape generally is not considered inherently distinctive"). The second factor asks whether the symbol is common in the particular field of use. See Wiley v. Am. Greetings Corp., 762 F.2d 139, 142 (1st Cir. 1985) ("Using a red heart as ornamentation for stuffed animals is . . . far from unique or unusual. . . . [T]he record contains so many examples of use of a red heart motif on teddy bears and other stuffed animals, not to mention all manner of other toys and paraphernalia, that no reasonable argument on this point can be made."). The third factor asks whether or not the mark is a mere refinement of or variation on existing trade dress within the relevant field of use. See id. ("The fact that Wiley's alleged mark is a red heart, permanently affixed to the left breast of a teddy bear does not, as she claims, serve to distinguish her use of the design from others' uses of hearts on other stuffed animals. These characteristics, even if they in combination could be deemed unique, are `mere refinements] of a commonly-adopted and well-known form of ornamentation for a particular class of goods viewed by the public as dress or ornamentation for the goods.'" (citations omitted)).
We think the Board erred in applying the Seabrook standard to the extent that it suggested that any costume would lack inherent distinctiveness in the context of the live adult entertainment industry. The Board seems to lump the Cuffs Collar together with the examples of a "doctor wearing a stethoscope, or a construction worker wearing a utility belt, or a cowboy wearing chaps and a tengallon hat," Chippendales, 90 U.S.P.Q.2d at 1541, and notes essentially that "persons performing the same or similar adult entertainment services, whether male or female, routinely wear costumes or uniforms which are, above all, revealing and provocative," id. Similarly, the PTO on appeal appears to adopt this argument as well, suggesting that Chippendales' mark is not inherently distinctive simply because exotic dancers are expected to wear revealing attire. It is incorrect to suggest that no costume in the context of the live adult entertainment industry could be considered inherently distinctive. Simply because the live adult entertainment industry generally involves "revealing and provocative" costumes does not mean that there cannot be any such costume that is inherently distinctive. Each such trademark must be evaluated individually under the Seabrook factors. The "mere refinement or variation" test is not satisfied by showing that costumes generally are common in the industry.
However, the Board did not err in concluding that the Cuffs Collar mark is not inherently distinctive under the Seabrook test. The first factor is inapplicable; there has been no showing that the Cuffs Collar dress is common generally. We need not decide whether the second factor is applicable. The third question is whether the Cuffs Collar mark constitutes "a mere refinement of a commonly-adopted and well-known form of ornamentation for a particular class of goods." Seabrook, 568 F.2d at 1344. That test is satisfied if the Cuffs Collar mark is a mere variant or refinement of a particular costume. The Board alternatively found the Cuffs Collar mark not inherently distinctive because of the existence of the pervasive Playboy mark, which includes the cuffs and collar together with bunny ears.
Chippendales argues that it was unfair of the Board to raise the issue of the Playboy bunny costume sua sponte, thus preventing it from having the opportunity to respond. However, the Board did not err in relying on the bunny costume, as it was, in fact, Chippendales' own expert, Dr. Shteir, who provided the article (as an exhibit accompanying her affidavit) which states that "the collar and cuffs, like the bunny suit which inspired them, has become a trademark recognized, wherever women take their entertainment seriously, as a symbol of professional and classy sexy fun." J.A. 337 (emphasis added). Moreover, this court may take judicial notice of the existence of the Playboy bunny trademarks under Fed.R.Evid. 201(c), as we determine that the registration documents by the PTO are "capable of accurate and ready determination by resort to sources whose accuracy cannot reasonably be questioned." See Fed.R.Evid. 201(b)(2); Group One, Ltd. v. Hallmark Cards, Inc., 407 F.3d 1297, 1306 (Fed. Cir. 2005) (upholding district court's taking of judicial notice of the fact of a patent's reinstatement).
The Playboy bunny service mark was first registered in 1964, and remained in effect until 2004 for "operating establishments which feature food, drink and entertainment." U.S. Trademark Registration No. 762, 884. Playboy has acquired numerous other trademarks for its bunny suit, including U.S. Trademark Registration No. 3, 319, 643 ("casino and nightclub services") and 3, 392,-817 ("bar and hotel services; cocktail lounge services").
The use of the Playboy mark constitutes substantial evidence supporting the Board's determination that Chippendales' Cuffs Collar mark is not inherently distinctive. The Playboy bunny suit, including cuffs and a collar, was widely used for almost twenty years before Chippendales' first use of its Cuffs Collar trade dress. The Cuffs Collar mark is very similar to the Playboy bunny costume, although the Cuffs Collar mark includes no bunny ears and includes a bare-chested man instead of a woman in a corset. While the Playboy clubs themselves did not involve exotic dancing, the mark was registered for "operating establishments which feature food, drink and entertainment." The Cuffs Collar mark was also worn by waiters and bartenders at Chippendales establishments, which Chippendales argues reinforced the association of the mark with the Chippendales brand. Additionally, the pervasive association between the Playboy brand and adult entertainment at the time of the Board's decision leads us to conclude that the Board did not err in considering the mark to be within the relevant field of use. Thus, the Playboy registrations constitute substantial evidence supporting the Board's factual determination that Chippendales' Cuffs Collar mark is not inherently distinctive under the Seabrook test.
Chippendales argues that, even if the Playboy mark were common in the industry, there are separate markets for male adult entertainment and female adult entertainment, and that the relevant field of use is limited to exotic male dancing for women. Chippendales urges that the affidavit of its expert, Dr. Shteir, establishes that the audiences for male and female striptease are entirely different, and that the nature of the experience underlying each is entirely different. We detect no error in the Board's approach. The Board considered the affidavit and ultimately concluded that Dr. Shteir's affidavit was unpersuasive. Chippendales, 90 U.S.P.Q.2d at 1542. The Board was entitled to conclude, in light of the evidence and after considering Dr. Shteir's affidavit, that the relevant market was "adult entertainment," not adult entertainment specifically for women, and we see no basis to disturb the Board's finding in this respect.
Dr. Shteir also argued that the Cuffs Collar motif would have been seen by audiences as a source identifier, and thus is inherently distinctive. J.A. 306-07. We note that this conclusion does not address the Seabrook factors, but rather is directed to the alternative test that Chippendales proposes to "better address" the issue of inherent distinctiveness. See infra, note 16 and accompanying text.
Finally, Chippendales argues that we should overrule Seabrook, and that the Supreme Court's decision in Walr-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Samara Brothers, Inc., 529 U.S. 205, 120 S.Ct. 1339, 146 L.Ed.2d 182 (2000), is fundamentally at odds with the Seabrook test. Chippendales proposes an alternative test to "better address" the issue of inherent distinctiveness and replace the "outdated Seabrook test." Br. of Appellant 58. We note that in Wal-Mart, the Court merely held that product design trade dress can never be inherently distinctive, and can only qualify for protection through acquired distinctiveness. Wal-Mart, 529 U.S. at 214-15, 120 S.Ct. 1339. Nothing in the Wal-Mart decision questioned or undermined the reasoning in Seabrook. Indeed, the Court cited Seabrook but did not express any disagreement with its use to determine the inherent distinctiveness of trade dress, although rejecting it as a test for inherent distinctiveness in the context of product design. Id. at 213-14, 120 S.Ct. 1339. Under these circumstances, the panel is bound by Seabrook, and only the court en banc may overturn it. In any event, we fail to see how appellant's proposed test represents an improvement over Seabrook.
Chippendales proposed the following test for determining the inherent distinctiveness of trade dress:
1. Is the costume used in a channel of trade where consumers are conditioned through their past experience to presume a source identification function?
2. Is the costume immediately associated with an iconic larger than life character where the costume acts as an intrinsic symbol for the character?
If the answer to either question is yes, then the costume is inherently distinctive unless the costume is nothing more than a common depiction of a familiar symbol that preexisted the costume.
If the answer to both (1) and (2) is no, then the costume is not inherently distinctive.
In re Chippendales, 90 U.S.P.Q.2d at 1538.
The Court noted that "[t]he attribution of inherent distinctiveness to certain categories of word marks and product packaging derives from the fact that the very purpose of attaching a particular word to a product, or encasing it in a distinctive packaging, is most often to identify the source of the product." Wal-Mart, 529 U.S. at 212, 120 S.Ct. 1339. In contrast, product design "almost invariably serves purposes other than source identification." Id. at 213, 120 S.Ct. 1339.
We conclude that the Board's determination that the Cuffs Collar mark was not inherently distinctive is supported by substantial evidence. We have considered Chippendales' additional arguments for setting aside the Board's decision, and we find them to be without merit.