Clarity Telecom, LLCDownload PDFTrademark Trial and Appeal BoardAug 12, 2016No. 86457631 (T.T.A.B. Aug. 12, 2016) Copy Citation This Opinion is not a Precedent of the TTAB Mailed: August 12, 2016 UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE _____ Trademark Trial and Appeal Board _____ In re Clarity Telecom, LLC _____ Serial No. 86388395 Serial No. 86388506 Serial No. 86457631 _____ Sam Gunn of Alston & Bird LLP, for Clarity Telecom, LLC. Brin Anderson Desai, Trademark Examining Attorney, Law Office 113, Odette Bonnet, Managing Attorney. _____ Before Cataldo, Lykos and Goodman, Administrative Trademark Judges. Opinion by Goodman, Administrative Trademark Judge: Clarity Telecom, LLC (“Applicant”) seeks registration on the Principal Register of the following marks: VAST (in standard characters),1 1 Application Serial No. 86388395 was filed on September 8, 2014, based upon Applicant’s allegation of a bona fide intent to use the mark in commerce under Section 1(b) of the Trademark Act. Serial Nos. 86388395, 86388506 and 86457631 - 2 - ,2 and VAST IS FAST (in standard characters),3 all for the following services: Cable television transmission services; Telecommunications services, namely, voice, video and data transmissions via broadband networks; Telephony communication services in International Class 38. The Trademark Examining Attorney refused registration of the three applications under Section 2(d) of the Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1052(d), on the ground that Applicant’s mark so resembles two previously registered marks, set forth below, owned by the same entity, as to be likely to cause confusion, mistake or deceive: 4 2 Application Serial No. 86388506 was filed on September 8, 2014, based upon Applicant’s allegation of a bona fide intent to use the mark in commerce under Section 1(b) of the Trademark Act; BROADBAND disclaimed. Color is not claimed as a feature of the mark. Applicant has described the mark as follows: “The mark consists of a stylized letter ‘V’ consisting of three separate wavy lines. To the right of the ‘V’ is the word ‘VAST’ in large lowercase letter [sic] stacked on top of the term ‘BROADBAND’ in smaller capital letters.” 3 Application Serial No. 86457631 was filed on November 18, 2014, based upon Applicant’s allegation of a bona fide intent to use the mark in commerce under Section 1(b) of the Trademark Act. 4 The Examining Attorney also cited Registration No. 3769611 for the mark (owned by another entity), but this Registration was cancelled under Section 18, 15 U.S.C. § 1068, on June 13, 2016. Serial Nos. 86388395, 86388506 and 86457631 - 3 - 5 VAST NETWORKS (in standard characters).6 Both registrations are for the following services: providing communications connections and transfer of data, voice, video and other information via a fiber optic-based network, in International Class 38. When the refusals in all applications were made final, Applicant appealed and requested reconsideration in each application. After the Examining Attorney denied the requests for reconsideration, the appeal was resumed. We affirm the refusals to register. I. Proceedings Consolidated When, as here, Applicant has filed ex parte appeals to the Board in three co- pending applications, and the cases involve common issues of law or fact, the Board, upon request by the Applicant or Examining Attorney or upon its own initiative, may order the consolidation of the appeals for purposes of briefing, oral hearing, and/or final decision. See In re Anderson, 101 USPQ2d 1912, 1915 (TTAB 2012) (Board sua sponte consolidated two appeals); In re Country Music Association, Inc., 100 USPQ2d 5 Registration No. 4415363 issued October 8, 2013; NETWORKS disclaimed. The colors black, green, red, blue and orange are claimed as a feature of the mark. The application includes a description of the mark: “The mark consists of the word ‘VAST’ appearing above the word ‘NETWORKS’, both in black, with a stylized asterisk or starlike symbol made up of overlapping V-shapes in green, red, blue and orange.” 6 Registration No. 4415364 issued October 8, 2013; NETWORKS disclaimed. Serial Nos. 86388395, 86388506 and 86457631 - 4 - 1824, 1827 (TTAB 2011) (same). In this case, the marks in the involved applications are similar, the services are identical, the refusal to register the three marks is based upon the same registrations, and the appeals are presented on essentially identical records.7 Accordingly, the Board consolidates these appeals. References to the record and briefs refer to Application Serial No. 86388395 unless otherwise indicated. II. Likelihood of Confusion Our determination under Section 2(d) is based on an analysis of all of the probative facts in evidence that are relevant to the factors bearing on likelihood of confusion. In re E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d 1357, 177 USPQ 563 (CCPA 1973). See also In re Majestic Distilling Co., Inc., 315 F.3d 1311, 65 USPQ2d 1201 (Fed. Cir. 2003). In any likelihood of confusion analysis, two key considerations are the similarities between the marks and the similarities between the goods and/or services. See Federated Foods, Inc. v. Fort Howard Paper Co., 544 F.2d 1098, 192 USPQ 24 (CCPA 1976). These factors, and the other relevant du Pont factors now before us, are discussed below. In this case, we confine our analysis to the issue of likelihood of confusion between Applicant’s marks and the mark in Registration No. 4415364, which is the mark VAST NETWORKS (in standard characters), for services identified in the registration as “providing communications connections and transfer of data, voice, video and other information via a fiber optic-based network.” A finding of likelihood of confusion between Applicant’s marks and this previously-registered mark suffices 7 Application Serial No. 86388506 includes a definition for “broadband” in the record. Serial Nos. 86388395, 86388506 and 86457631 - 5 - by itself to bar registration of Applicant’s marks under Section 2(d); we need not find likelihood of confusion as to all of the cited registrations. See In re Max Capital Group Ltd., 93 USPQ2d 1243, 1245 (TTAB 2010); In re Davey Products Pty Ltd., 92 USPQ2d 1198, 1201 (TTAB 2009). A. The number and nature of similar marks in use on similar services We first consider Applicant’s argument that Registrant’s mark is commercially weak as a result of third-party registrations and use of similar marks for related goods and services. Applicant argues that the term “vast” is weak and/or diluted and entitled to a narrow scope of protection due to common use of the term “in connection with computers, communications networks, and other products and services in the digital realm.”8 In support of this contention, Applicant submitted in its response to the first Office Action third-party registrations which incorporate the term “vast” that identified computer hardware, software, accessories, or related computer or information technology goods or services.9 On reconsideration, Applicant provided two additional third-party registrations, one of which related to electronic delivery of images, photographs, art, graphic images and designs, animation, video, film, and audio data via a global computer network, and the other which related to providing private virtual network services.10 For the most part, these third-party registrations do not identify the Class 38 services of either Applicant or Registrant, and only the 8 7 TTABVUE 9-13. 9 June 30, 2015 Response to Office Action pp. 2-13. 10 4 TTABVUE 21-22. Serial Nos. 86388395, 86388506 and 86457631 - 6 - two third-party registrations provided on reconsideration are somewhat related to Applicant’s and Registrant’s telecommunication services. Applicant also provided some evidence of actual use of the term “vast” in connection with academic online video, professional video central management software for managing surveillance products, video technology to facilitate and improve communication for speech- impaired individuals, IT consulting, unified communications and online marketing services, digital marketing consulting, online marketing campaign management, marketing analytics and e-commerce web design. Like the third-party registrations, these services are not similar to the telecommunications services provided by both Applicant and Registrant. These third-party registrations and website print-outs tell us little about any putative suggestive meaning that the term “vast” might have among customers of Applicant and Registrant’s telecommunication services because the third-party services are not in the relevant industry. This evidence differs from the evidence provided in Jack Wolfskin Ausrustung Fur Draussen GmbH & Co. KGAA v. New Millennium Sports, S.L.U., 797 F3d 1363, 116 USPQ2d 1129 (Fed. Cir. 2015) and Juice Generation, Inc. v. GS Enters. LLC, 794 F.3d 1334, 115 USPQ2d 1671 (Fed. Cir. 2015), where the third-party registrations involved the very same goods and services at issue. Although weakness may be shown by extensive use on similar, as well as identical goods and services, we do not find that the goods and services in these third- party registrations or the website printouts showing use of the term “vast” are sufficiently similar to those of Applicant and Registrant to illustrate that the term Serial Nos. 86388395, 86388506 and 86457631 - 7 - has suggestive meaning in the context of Applicant’s and Registrant’s services. To the extent some of this evidence showing use of “vast” in connection with certain goods or services may be considered closely related to the relevant industry, we find there is not sufficient evidence to establish that “vast” is weak. See e.g., In re Mr. Recipe, LLC, 118 USPQ2d 1084, 1089 (TTAB 2016) (one registered mark not sufficient evidence to show term diluted for purposes of determining strength of mark). We find that Applicant has not demonstrated that “vast” is a weak term as applied to the services at issue in this appeal and this du Pont factor is neutral. B. The similarities or dissimilarities between the marks in their entireties, in terms of appearance, sound, connotation and commercial impression We turn next to the du Pont factor focusing on the similarity or dissimilarity of the marks in their entireties as to appearance, sound, connotation and commercial impression. Palm Bay Imports, Inc. v. Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Maison Fondee En 1772, 396 F.3d 1369, 73 USPQ2d 1689, 1691 (Fed. Cir. 2005) (quoting du Pont, 177 USPQ at 567). “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.” Coach Servs., Inc. v. Triumph Learning LLC, 668 F.3d 1356, 101 USPQ2d 1713, 1721 (Fed. Cir. 2012). The focus is on the recollection of the average purchaser, who normally retains a general rather than a specific impression of trademarks. See Sealed Air Corp. v. Scott Paper Co., 190 USPQ 106, 108 (TTAB 1975). Serial Nos. 86388395, 86388506 and 86457631 - 8 - Our analysis cannot be predicated on dissection of the involved marks. Stone Lion Capital Partners, L.P. v. Lion Capital LLP, 746 F.3d 1317, 110 USPQ2d 1157, 1161 (Fed. Cir. 2014). Rather, we consider the marks in their entireties. Id. See also 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.”). Nonetheless, 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 a consideration of the marks in their entireties. Stone Lion, 110 USPQ2d at 1161. For instance, as our principal reviewing court has observed, “[t]hat a particular feature is descriptive or generic with respect to the involved goods or services is one commonly accepted rationale for giving less weight to a portion of the mark.” See In re National Data Corp., 753 F.2d 1056, 224 USPQ 749, 751 (Fed. Cir. 1985). VAST, Application Serial No. 86388395 While acknowledging that both Applicant’s mark and the registered mark contain the term VAST, Applicant argues that consumers will be able to distinguish the marks by the addition of the term NETWORKS in Registrant’s mark. We find that VAST is the dominant portion of Registrant’s VAST NETWORKS mark. The disclaimed word NETWORKS in Registrant’s mark is descriptive, if not generic, of Registrant’s fiber-optic based network services. See, e.g., In re Dixie Rests., Inc., 105 F.3d 1405, 41 USPQ2d 1531, 1533-34 (Fed. Cir. 1997) (“DELTA,” not the disclaimed Serial Nos. 86388395, 86388506 and 86457631 - 9 - generic term “CAFE,” is the dominant portion of the mark THE DELTA CAFE). Applicant’s VAST mark incorporates in its entirety the dominant portion of Registrant’s mark. We find that Applicant’s VAST mark and the dominant portion of Registrant’s VAST NETWORK mark are similar in sound, appearance, connotation and commercial impression.11 Moreover, likelihood of confusion is often found where the entirety of one mark is incorporated within another. The Wella Corp. v. California Concept Corp., 558 F.2d 1019, 194 USPQ 419, 422 (CCPA 1977) (CALIFORNIA CONCEPT and surfer design for men’s cologne, hair spray, conditioner and shampoo is likely to cause confusion with the mark CONCEPT for cold permanent wave lotion and neutralizer); Coca-Cola Bottling Co. v. Seagram & Sons, Inc., 526 F.2d 556, 188 USPQ 105, 106 (CCPA 1975) (BENGAL LANCER and soldier design for club soda, quinine water and ginger ale is likely to cause confusion with BENGAL LANCER for gin); In re West Point-Pepperell, Inc., 468 F.2d 200, 175 USPQ 558 (CCPA 1972) (WEST POINT PEPPERELL and griffin design for fabrics is likely to cause confusion with WEST POINT for woolen piece goods). Because we have found that the term VAST is the dominant element of the registered mark, the descriptive or generic word NETWORKS in Registrant’s mark does not distinguish Applicant’s mark from the registered mark. We find that the marks have similar overall commercial impressions. 11 The Examining Attorney has included a definition of “Vast” which is defined as “of very great extent or quantity, immense.” December 30, 2014 Office Action p. 10. Oxford dictionary, www.oxforddictionaries.com. Applicant has not argued that the term VAST in its marks has a different meaning from that of Registrant’s mark. The Examining Attorney argued, in regard to the marks, that VAST describes the “great extent of the breadth of the transmission.” December 30, 2014 Office Action, p. 1. Serial Nos. 86388395, 86388506 and 86457631 - 10 - and VAST IS FAST, Application Serial Nos. 86388506 and 86457631 With regard to Applicant’s marks and VAST IS FAST and Registrant’s mark VAST NETWORKS, Applicant acknowledges that the marks share the term VAST. However, Applicant contends that due to the additional terms or elements, namely, the letter “V”, the term BROADBAND and the stylization of VAST BROADBAND in Applicant’s mark, and the additional terms IS FAST in Applicant’s VAST IS FAST mark, as well as the term NETWORKS in Registrant’s mark, consumers will be able to distinguish the marks. As stated previously, VAST is the dominant portion of Registrant’s mark VAST NETWORKS mark due to the disclaimed descriptive or generic term NETWORKS. Similarly, VAST is the dominant term in Applicant’s mark due to the disclaimed term BROADBAND, which is descriptive, if not generic, of Applicant’s telecommunication services provided via a broadband network.12 We further note that VAST is also displayed more prominently than BROADBAND in the mark, in 12 As indicated at n.7, the Examining Attorney included the definition of broadband which is identified as “a type of connection to the Internet that allows you to receive or send a lot of information very quickly.” Macmillan Dictionary, www.macmillandictionary.com. December 30, 2014 Office Action, p. 50, Application Serial No. 86388506. Serial Nos. 86388395, 86388506 and 86457631 - 11 - much larger type. Although Applicant’s mark includes a highly stylized letter “V,” it cannot be presumed that it would be perceived by consumers as a letter “V” as it is in the gray area between a pure design mark which cannot be vocalized and a term which would readily be identified as a letter. Cf. Georgia-Pacific Corp. v. Great Plains Bag Co., 614 F.2d 757, 204 USPQ 697, 699 (CCPA 1980) (“It must be remembered that [the] trademark consists of highly stylized letters and is therefore in the gray region between pure design marks which cannot be vocalized and word marks which are clearly intended to be.”). We further note that when a mark consists of a word portion and a design portion, the word portion is more likely to be impressed upon a purchaser’s memory and to be used in calling for the goods. In re Appetito Provisions Co., 3 USPQ2d 1553, 1554 (TTAB 1987). To the extent that Applicant argues the stylization sufficiently distinguishes its mark from that of the cited registration, VAST NETWORKS, we do not find the stylized lettering of Applicant’s mark to be so distinctive that its mark is distinguishable from the registered mark on this basis. Because the registered mark is presented in standard characters, it could at any time be displayed in a manner similar to Applicant’s mark, as Registrant is not limited to any particular depiction of its mark and is entitled to all depictions regardless of the font, style, size, or color. In re Viterra, 671 F.3d 1358, 101 USPQ2d 1905, 1909-10 (Fed. Cir. 2012); Citigroup Serial Nos. 86388395, 86388506 and 86457631 - 12 - Inc. v. Capital City Bank Group, Inc., 637 F.3d 1344, 98 USPQ2d 1253, 1259 (Fed. Cir. 2011). With regard to the slogan VAST IS FAST, we find the term VAST to be the dominant portion of Applicant’s mark, despite its presence in a slogan, rather than in a simple word mark. Although the additional wording IS FAST cannot be ignored, that wording is suggestive of the speed of Applicant’s broadband services, and has less source-identifying significance than the term VAST to which it refers. We find that the first term VAST in Applicant’s VAST IS FAST mark is the most memorable portion and will make the lasting commercial impression in the consumer’s mind. See Palm Bay Imports Inc. v. Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Maison Fondee En 1772, 73 USPQ2d at 1692.13 We find that the dominant VAST portions of the and VAST IS FAST marks are similar in sound, appearance, meaning and commercial impression to the dominant VAST portion of Registrant’s VAST NETWORKS mark as discussed above.14 We find, therefore, as a whole that Applicant’s and VAST IS 13 In its reply, Applicant has argued that in the “real-world context” in which consumers encounter the mark “… mostly likely to be requested and confronted online … weighs in favor of a finding that confusion is not likely.” Under actual market conditions, however, consumers generally do not have the luxury of making side-by-side comparisons. 14 We further note that both VAST NETWORKS and VAST BROADBAND have similar connotations as they are both references to broadband networks, albeit substituting the term “network” for “broadband.” See definition of broadband n.11. We take judicial notice of the definition of network which is defined as “[a] system of computers interconnected by telephone wires or other means in order to share information.” The American Heritage Serial Nos. 86388395, 86388506 and 86457631 - 13 - FAST marks are more similar than dissimilar in overall commercial impression to Registrant’s VAST NETWORKS mark. C. The similarity or dissimilarity and nature of the services We now turn to the du Pont factor involving the similarity or dissimilarity of Applicant’s and Registrant’s services. It is noted that Applicant did not address the similarity or dissimilarity of the services in its brief. In order to show the legal identity of Applicant’s broadband services and Registrant’s fiber-optic transmission services, the Examining Attorney submitted a printout from broadband.gov.15 Dictionary. ahdictionary.com. The Board may take judicial notice of dictionary definitions, Univ. of Notre Dame du Lac v. J.C. Gourmet Food Imp. Co., 213 USPQ 594 (TTAB 1982), aff'd, 703 F.2d 1372, 217 USPQ 505 (Fed. Cir. 1983), including online dictionaries that exist in printed format or have regular fixed editions. In re Red Bull GmbH, 78 USPQ2d 1375, 1377 (TTAB 2006). 15 December 30, 2014 Office Action pp. 1, 19. The Examining Attorney argued that Registrant’s services are encompassed by Applicant’s broadband network services. Serial Nos. 86388395, 86388506 and 86457631 - 14 - Based on this evidence, we find that the services are in part legally identical. Both Applicant and Registrant offer telecommunications services in the nature of transmission (transfer) of voice, video, and data. Registrant’s fiber-optic based data, voice and video transfer services are encompassed by Applicant’s more broadly identified broadband network voice, video and data transmission services. Moreover, even if the services are not legally identical in part, the Examining Attorney has established relatedness by providing website evidence showing that both cable service providers and fiber-optic network providers offer voice, television and Internet transmission services and by providing evidence of third-party registrations, which individually cover both types of services involved herein, to show that Applicant’s and Registrant’s services may emanate from the same mark.16 “Third-party registrations which cover a number of differing goods and/or services, and which are based on use in commerce, although not evidence that the marks shown therein are in use on a commercial scale or that the public is familiar with them, may nevertheless have some probative value to the extent that they may serve to suggest that such goods or services are of a type which may emanate from a single source.” In re Mucky Duck Mustard Co., 6 USPQ2d 1467, 1470 n.6 (TTAB 1988), aff’d, 864 F.2d 149 (Fed. Cir. 1988). See also In re Albert Trostel & Sons Co., 29 USPQ2d 1783, 1785-86 (TTAB 1993). 16 Some examples are Registration No. 4035312 for DREAM BIG; Registration No. 3929588 for POWERTASKING, and Registration No. 4008819 for COMMUNITY OWNED. GLOBALLY CONNECTED. The website evidence shows providers of fiber-optic transmission services offering digital television, Internet and telephone services and cable transmission providers offering the same. December 30, 2014 Office Action p. 1. Serial Nos. 86388395, 86388506 and 86457631 - 15 - This du Pont factor also weighs in favor of finding a likelihood of confusion. D. Similarity or dissimilarity of established, likely-to-continue trade channels Because the identifications of goods in the application and registration are in part legally identical and unrestricted as to trade channels, we must also presume that both Applicant's and Registrant's legally identical services travel in the same ordinary trade and distribution channels and will be marketed to the same potential consumers. In re Viterra Inc., 101 USPQ2d at 1908 (Fed. Cir. 2012) (even though there was no evidence regarding channels of trade and classes of consumers, the Board was entitled to rely on this legal presumption in determining likelihood of confusion); In re Yawata Iron & Steel Co., 403 F.2d 752, 159 USPQ 721, 723 (CCPA 1968) (where there are legally identical goods, the channels of trade and classes of purchasers are considered to be the same); Genesco Inc. v. Martz, 66 USPQ2d 1260, 1268 (TTAB 2003) (finding goods, which were in part identical and in part related as being offered and sold to the same classes of purchasers and channels of trade). We further note that even if the services are not legally identical in part, but related, the services are presumed to move in all normal channels of trade and to be available to all classes of consumers. Citigroup Inc., 98 USPQ2d at 1261; In re Jump Designs, LLC, 80 USPQ2d 1370, 1374 (TTAB 2006). This du Pont factor also favors a finding of likelihood of confusion. Serial Nos. 86388395, 86388506 and 86457631 - 16 - E. The conditions under which and buyers to whom sales are made (i.e., “impulse” vs. careful, sophisticated purchasing) Applicant argues that the only class of purchasers that overlap between Applicant and Registrant are business customers who exercise a great deal of care. To support this assertion, Applicant has submitted website printouts from Applicant’s and Registrant’s websites identifying some of the customers to whom the services are directed, i.e., businesses. However, Applicant did not submit any supporting evidence that the relevant business purchasers are knowledgeable and discriminating in making purchasing decisions about the services sold under the Applicant’s and Registrant’s marks. We recognize that some of the prospective consumers of Applicant’s and Registrant’s identified services may indeed be highly discerning and relatively knowledgeable about these services and exercise some degree of care in their purchasing decisions. It is settled, however, that even sophisticated purchasers are not immune from source confusion, especially in cases such as the instant one involving similar marks and legally identical in part services. Cunningham v. Laser Golf Corp., 222 F.3d 943, 55 USPQ2d 1842, 1846 (Fed. Cir. 2000). See In re Research Trading Corp., 793 F.2d 1276, 230 USPQ 49, 50 (Fed. Cir. 1986) (citing Carlisle Chemical Works, Inc. v. Hardman & Holden Ltd., 434 F.2d 1403, 168 USPQ 110, 112 (CCPA 1970) (“Human memories even of discriminating purchasers…are not infallible.”)). Furthermore, careful purchasers who do notice the difference in the marks will not necessarily conclude that there are different sources for the services, but will see the marks as variations of each other, pointing to a single source. See, e.g., Kangol Ltd. v. Kangaroos U.S.A., Inc., 974 F.2d 161, 23 USPQ2d 1945, 1946 (Fed. Serial Nos. 86388395, 86388506 and 86457631 - 17 - Cir. 1992) (“What is important is not whether people will necessarily confuse the marks, but whether the marks will be likely to confuse people into believing that the goods they are purchasing emanate from the same source.”) (citations omitted). Accordingly, we deem this du Pont factor to be neutral. III. Conclusion There is no relevant evidence or argument concerning the remaining likelihood of confusion factors, and we therefore treat them as neutral. After considering all of the evidence of record as it pertains to the relevant du Pont factors, including all of Applicant’s arguments and evidence, even if not specifically discussed herein, we find that confusion is likely because the marks are similar, the services are legally identical in part, and the trade channels are the same. Decision: The refusals to register Applicant’s marks VAST, and VAST IS FAST are affirmed. Copy with citationCopy as parenthetical citation