Sportswear, Inc.Download PDFTrademark Trial and Appeal BoardAug 3, 2017No. 86126599 (T.T.A.B. Aug. 3, 2017) Copy Citation This Opinion is Not a Precedent of the TTAB Mailed: August 3, 2017 UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE _____ Trademark Trial and Appeal Board _____ In re Sportswear, Inc. _____ Serial No. 86126599 _____ Leslie C. Ruiter and Elizabeth A. Findley of Stokes Lawrence PS for Sportswear, Inc. Shaila E. Lewis, Trademark Examining Attorney, Law Office 114, K. Margaret Le, Managing Attorney. _____ Before Ritchie, Adlin, and Larkin, Administrative Trademark Judges. Opinion by Larkin, Administrative Trademark Judge: Sportswear, Inc. (“Applicant”) seeks registration on the Principal Register of the mark SPARKLE TWILL in standard characters (TWILL disclaimed) for “customized embroidery and imprinting of names and logos on goods and apparel to the order or specification of others; manufacture of apparel to the order or specification of others,” in International Class 40.1 1 Application Serial No. 86126599 was filed on November 22, 2013 under Section 1(a) of the Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. §1051(a), on the basis of Applicant’s claim of first use of the mark, and first use of the mark in commerce, on November 21, 2013. Serial No. 86126599 - 2 - The Trademark Examining Attorney has refused registration of the mark under Section 2(e)(1) of the Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1052(e)(1), on the ground that the mark is deceptively misdescriptive of the identified goods. After the Examining Attorney made the refusal final, Applicant timely appealed and requested reconsideration, which was denied. The appeal is fully briefed. We affirm the refusal to register. Analysis of Deceptive Misdescriptiveness Refusal Section 2(e)(1) of the Trademark Act prohibits registration of “a mark which, (1) when used on or in connection with the goods of the applicant is . . . deceptively misdescriptive of them.” 15 U.S.C. § 1052(e)(1). “The test for deceptive misdescriptiveness under Section 2(e)(1) has two parts.2 First, we must determine whether the matter sought to be registered misdescribes the goods or services. In order for a term to misdescribe goods or services, ‘the term must be merely descriptive, rather than suggestive, of a significant aspect of the goods or services which the goods or services plausibly possess, but in fact do not.’. . . Second, if the term misdescribes the goods, we must ask whether consumers are likely to believe that misrepresentation.” In re Hinton, 116 USPQ2d 1051, 1052 (TTAB 2016) (quoting In re Phillips-Van Heusen Corp., 63 USPQ2d 1047, 1051 (TTAB 2002) (citations omitted)). A refusal to register under Section 2(e)(1) may be affirmed if Applicant’s 2 Applicant argued in its main brief that the alleged misdescription would not be a material factor in a decision to purchase Applicant’s services. 8 TTABVUE 14-15 (citing TRADEMARK MANUAL OF EXAMINING PROCEDURE Section 1203.02(d)(i)). Materiality is not an element of the Examining Attorney’s prima facie case for deceptive misdescriptiveness under Section 2(e)(1). In re Hinton, 116 USPQ2d 1051, 1055 n.24 (TTAB 2016). Serial No. 86126599 - 3 - mark is deceptively misdescriptive with respect to any of the services identified in the application. See In re Chamber of Commerce of the U.S., 675 F.3d 1297, 102 USPQ2d 1217, 1219 (Fed. Cir. 2012) (mere descriptiveness) (citing In re Stereotaxis, 429 F.3d 1039, 77 USPQ2d 1087, 1089 (Fed. Cir. 2005)). I. Misdescription As for whether the proposed mark is merely descriptive of a feature or characteristic that Applicant’s services do not possess, “‘[a] term is merely descriptive if it immediately conveys knowledge of a quality, feature, function, or characteristic of the goods or services with which it is used.’” Chamber of Commerce, 102 USPQ2d at 1219 (quoting In re Bayer Aktiengesellschaft, 488 F.3d 960, 82 USPQ2d 1828, 1831 (Fed. Cir. 2007)). Whether a mark is merely descriptive is determined in relation to the goods or services for which registration is sought, not in the abstract or on the basis of guesswork. In re Abcor Dev. Corp., 588 F.2d 811, 200 USPQ 215, 217-18 (CCPA 1978); In re Fat Boys Water Sports LLC, 118 USPQ2d 1511, 1512 (TTAB 2016). The question “‘is whether someone who knows what the goods and services are will understand the mark to convey information about them.’” DuoProSS Meditech Corp. v. Inviro Med. Devices, Ltd., 695 F.3d 1247, 103 USPQ2d 1753, 1757 (Fed. Cir. 2012) (quoting In re Tower Tech Inc., 64 USPQ2d 1314, 1316-17 (TTAB 2002)). The Examining Attorney argues that “the wording ‘sparkle twill’ does not refer to a source of services, but, rather, a type of fabric and therefore misdescribes a feature of custom embroidery and imprinting services because applicant admittedly does not Serial No. 86126599 - 4 - use sparkle twill fabric in rendering its identified services.” 10 TTABVUE 5. She relies upon: (1) dictionary definitions of “twill” as “a fabric with a twill weave” and of “sparkle” as “a little spark or fiery particle” and as “a sparkling appearance, luster, or play of light,”3 which meanings cause “the wording ‘sparkle twill’ [to] refer[] to a fabric with a twill weave that contains a little spark, fiery particle, or sparkling appearance,” 10 TTABVUE 5-6; and (2) Internet evidence showing that the word “twill” refers to a type of fabric used in embroidery and apparel manufacturing services, 10 TTABVUE 5-6, and that “sparkle twill” is “used in the embroidery and apparel industries to refer to a type of fabric,” 10 TTABVUE 6, that is “often preferred or used for embroidered designs on apparel or for the manufacturing of the apparel itself.” 10 TTABVUE 7. The Examining Attorney argues that the proposed mark misdescribes Applicant’s services “[b]ecause ‘sparkle twill’ refers to a type of fabric [and] when this wording is used in connection with applicant’s embroidery, imprinting, and apparel manufacturing services, it immediately describes the type of fabric used in the process,” a description that is false because Applicant has admitted “that it is not using sparkle twill fabric in its embroidery, imprinting and/or apparel manufacturing services.” 10 TTABVUE 7.4 3 September 30, 2014 Office Action at 7-8 (MERRIAM-WEBSTER online dictionary (merriam- webster.com) and DICTIONARY.COM (dictionary.com)). 4 Applicant responded to information requests issued during prosecution by stating that it does not embroider with, imprint names and logos on, or manufacture apparel with, twill fabric, March 30, 2015 Response to Office Action at 1, that its “appliqués are not made of twill fabric, nor are the clothing items to which they are applied,” that its “services involve the application of appliques to clothing items made of simple cotton knits or cotton blends, not twill,” and that “‘twill’ applies to a variety of fabric types (linen, cotton, polyester, wool) with a diagonal parallel lined weave,” and Applicant “stresses again that neither its ‘Sparkle Twill’ appliqué technique, nor the resulting garments, have any connection with ‘twill’ patterned fabric.” May 12, 2016 Response to Office Action at 1. Serial No. 86126599 - 5 - Applicant responds that “there is no such thing as ‘sparkle twill fabric,’ and services cannot involve the use of a fabric that does not exist.” 8 TTABVUE 10. For this proposition, Applicant relies primarily upon the following: (1) Criticism of evidence made of record by the Examining Attorney, that “Sparkle Twill” is only used in “Internet catalog marketing hype . . . used for selling particular clothing items,” 8 TTABVUE 10; (2) Criticism of evidence made of record by the Examining Attorney, that such uses by “a few fabric re-sellers” involve either (a) a “linguistic logical fallacy,” namely, use of “the verb ‘sparkle’ using incorrect grammar when describing various types of fabrics that appear to be ‘sparkly,’” 8 TTABVUE 10;5 or (b) “merely coined product names,” 8 TTABVUE 10;6 (3) The testimony of Applicant’s counsel Leslie C. Ruiter in a declaration that she has “never heard of or seen any fabric called ‘sparkle twill,’” and that SPARKLE TWILL “is a made-up phrase that does not apply to any fabric;”7 and the testimony of Applicant’s Chief Executive Officer Chad A. Hartvigson in a declaration that “no fabric exists or has existed which has 5 In its reply brief, Applicant reiterates that “[m]ost examples of the phrase ‘sparkle twill’ which the Examining Attorney provided to demonstrate that ‘sparkle twill’ is a specific fabric were with respect to a description of clothing or accessory. These examples indicate a misuse of the noun ‘sparkle’ (rather than the adjective ‘sparkly’) to describe the final product.” 11 TTABVUE 3-4. Applicant characterizes this evidence as “a few instances of marketing or promotional language by websites without any particular expertise or credibility in the field of fabrics . . . .” 11 TTABVUE 4. 6 These arguments address evidence made of record on the final refusal to register. 8 TTABVUE 10. With respect to the other record evidence, Applicant “notes that it has not here distinguished or addressed evidence submitted with the examining attorney’s previous Office Actions in this proceeding. Should the Board consider the examining attorney’s previous evidence and responses, Applicant respectfully requests that the Board likewise consult the Applicant’s corresponding Responses to Office Action and corresponding submission.” 8 TTABVUE 11 n.1. We decline this request and deem Applicant to have waived any arguments regarding this evidence that it made during prosecution but did not maintain in its main appeal brief. See, e.g., In re E5 LLC, 103 USPQ2d 1578, 1579 n.2 (TTAB 2012). We have, of course, considered all evidence made of record by Applicant. 7 March 30, 2015 Response to Office Action at 10-11 (Ruiter Decl. ¶ 4). The Examining Attorney dismisses Ms. Ruiter’s declaration out of hand because “it is limited to the view of only one person who happens to also be the attorney of record for this case and is therefore biased.” 10 TTABVUE 7-8. As Applicant’s advocate, Ms. Ruiter is obviously an interested witness, but her declaration states that she has also sold fabrics in stores and has worked as a tailor and seamstress, Ruiter Decl. ¶ 3, so we have considered her testimony. Serial No. 86126599 - 6 - been referred to as ‘Sparkle Twill,’” and that he is “not aware of any fabric or non-fabric material that is known as ‘Sparkle Twill,’”8 and (4) Criticism of the evidence made of record by the Examining Attorney in the final refusal because it post-dates Applicant’s claimed first use of its proposed mark. 8 TTABVUE 11.9 Applicant’s core argument, in response to the evidence made of record by the Examining Attorney, that “there is no such thing as ‘sparkle twill fabric,’ and services cannot involve the use of a fabric that does not exist,” 8 TTABVUE 10, misses the mark. “Twill” is “a fabric with a twill weave” (MERRIAM-WEBSTER ONLINE DICTIONARY, merriam-webster.com) and “sparkle” means “a sparkling appearance, luster or play of light” (DICTIONARY.COM, dictionary.com).10 Mr. Hartvigson acknowledges that “[t]he word ‘twill’ applies to a variety of fabric types (linen, cotton, polyester, wool) with a 8 6 TTAB 26 (Hartvigson Decl. ¶ 13). In paragraphs 14-19 of his declaration, Mr. Hartvigson testifies about Applicant’s promotional expenditures, sales, Internet exposure, and industry awards and recognition. These matters are irrelevant on this appeal. Although deceptively misdescriptive terms are eligible for registration on the Principal Register if they have acquired distinctiveness under Section 2(f) of the Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1052(f), Applicant does not seek registration on that basis. 9 Applicant makes a convoluted argument, based upon the Federal Rules of Evidence and other doctrines of trademark law, that the Board should “require an Examiner to prove descriptiveness largely by evidence of use of the term prior to Applicant’s first use dates or at least prior to Applicant’s filing date.” 8 TTABVUE 13 n. 2. We decline to do so because the “fact that Applicant may be the first or only user of a term does not render that term distinctive, if it otherwise meets the standard” for descriptiveness under § 2(e)(1). Fat Boys, 118 USPQ2d at 1514 (“trademark law does not countenance someone obtaining ‘a complete monopoly on use of a descriptive term simply by grabbing it first.’”) (quoting KP Permanent Make-Up, Inc. v. Lasting Impression I, Inc., 543 U.S. 111, 72 USPQ2d 1833, 1838 (2004)). If Applicant were correct that we could not consider evidence regarding mere descriptiveness from the period after Applicant’s first use, it would be impossible for a mark to become generic, the ultimate in descriptiveness, based upon evidence post-dating the first use of the alleged mark. That is not the law. See, e.g., Neapco Inc. v. Dana Corp., 12 USPQ2d 1746, 1747 (TTAB 1989); Alcatraz Media Inc. v. Chesapeake Marine Tours Inc., 107 USPQ2d 1750, 1763 (TTAB 2013), aff’d mem., 565 F. App’x 900 (Fed. Cir. 2014). 10 September 30, 2014 Office Action at 7-8. Serial No. 86126599 - 7 - diagonal parallel line weave.” 4 TTABVUE 26 (Hartvigson Decl. ¶ 12). Applicant thus “does not deny that twill is a type of fabric weave that can be used in appliqué; in addition, twill can have sparkly properties (or glittery or matte).” 11 TTABVUE 3. The dictionary definitions of “sparkle” and “twill,” and Applicant’s acknowledgement of the descriptive meaning of those words in the context of the identified services, indicate that the combination of the descriptive terms “sparkle” and “twill” “results in a composite that is itself merely descriptive” of properties that Applicant concedes that its services do not possess. Fat Boys, 118 USPQ2d at 1516. The record evidence shows that the composite of the words “sparkle” and “twill” in Applicant’s mark refers to “a type of fabric weave that can be used in appliqué” (or in the custom manufacture of apparel) with a “sparkling appearance,” even if, as Applicant claims, there is not a unique type of fabric called “sparkle twill.” Indeed, “sparkle twill” refers to fabrics with a sparkling appearance. Serial No. 86126599 - 8 - Serial No. 86126599 - 9 - March 10, 2014 Office Action 2-4.11 11 All highlighting in this evidence was supplied by the Examining Attorney during prosecution. Serial No. 86126599 - 10 - May 5, 2015 Office Action at 5. Serial No. 86126599 - 11 - June 3, 2016 Office Action at 2-3, 5. “Sparkle twill” also refers specifically to fabrics used in customizing apparel: Serial No. 86126599 - 12 - Serial No. 86126599 - 13 - Serial No. 86126599 - 14 - May 5, 2015 Office Action at 6. May 5, 2015 Office Action at 4. Serial No. 86126599 - 15 - June 3, 2016 Office Action at 4. Equally importantly, Applicant itself uses SPARKLE TWILL in a similar manner to describe features of its custom-made clothing. Portions of Applicant’s specimen of use and pages from its website using SPARKLE TWILL in this manner are reproduced below. Serial No. 86126599 - 16 - November 22, 2013 specimen of use at 3 (reproduced in illustrative part). Serial No. 86126599 - 17 - Serial No. 86126599 - 18 - Serial No. 86126599 - 19 - Serial No. 86126599 - 20 - March 30, 2015 Response to Office Action at 2-3, 5-6, and 9.12 It is settled that “[e]vidence of the context in which a mark is used on labels, packages, or in advertising material directed to the goods is probative of the reaction of prospective purchasers to the mark.” Abcor, 200 USPQ at 218; In re Promo Ink, 78 USPQ2d 1301, 12 A blogger also referred to the introduction of Applicant’s “Sparkle Twill line for schools and sports,” and “the bling in part of the fabric.” 4 TTABVUE 31 (Hartvigson Decl. ¶ 14, Ex. A). Serial No. 86126599 - 21 - 1303 (TTAB 2006); see also In re Hunter Fan Co., 78 USPQ2d 1474, 1476 (TTAB 2006) (“applicant’s own use of the term ERGONOMIC . . . highlights the descriptive nature of this term …”). Applicant’s various descriptions of the goods resulting from its “customized embroidery and imprinting” services and “manufacture of apparel” services as bearing “Sparkle Twill™ Embroidered Lettering,” or as being “Embroidered with Sparkle Twill™,” “customized with sparkle twill,” made “with Sparkle Twill™,” or featuring “sparkle twill™ designs,” communicate, notwithstanding the (mis)use of the “™” symbol, that “sparkle twill” is a feature of the goods, and thus a feature of the services that create them.13 The evidence in the record as a whole is sufficient to establish a prima facie case that the term “sparkle twill” describes various types of twill fabric with a sparkling appearance that can be used in embroidery, or in the custom manufacture of apparel through processes other than embroidery. See Fat Boys, 118 USPQ2d at 1513. Ms. Ruiter’s and Mr. Hartvigson’s testimony that there is no unique fabric called “sparkle twill” neither addresses this evidence, nor otherwise rebuts the Examining Attorney’s prima facie case, and Applicant offers no contrary evidence.14 13 Applicant uses the symbol “™” next to its putative service mark in these materials. The mere “[u]se of the letters ‘™’ on a product does not make unregistrable matter into a trademark.” In re Remington Prods. Inc., 3 USPQ2d 1714, 1715 (TTAB 1987). 14 Applicant’s claim that its proposed mark is “suggestive of the phrase ‘tackle twill’ which is commonly used to refer to the appliqué process itself, rather than to a specific type of fabric used in the process,” 11 TTABVUE 3, based upon evidence regarding the “tackle twill” process, does not address, much less rebut, the Examining Attorney’s showing that “sparkle twill” refers to various twill fabrics with a sparkling appearance. The only references in the record to “sparkle twill” as a technique or process is a line on Applicant’s specimen (captioned “Introducing New Sparkle Twill™!”), and several lines in Applicant’s March 7, 2014 press Serial No. 86126599 - 22 - Applicant also provides no basis to dismiss the record evidence as “Internet catalog marketing hype” because it uses words incorrectly, in Applicant’s estimation. 11 TTABVUE 4.15 The Board is not an arbiter of proper use of the English language. Our task is not to determine whether the uses of “sparkle twill” in the record comport with the rules of grammar, but rather to determine whether “sparkle twill” is descriptive. The record establishes that it is, whether or not these uses reflect the King’s English. Because the record shows that the words “sparkle twill” describe twill fabrics with a sparkling appearance, and Applicant admits that its “appliqués are not made of twill fabric, nor are the clothing items to which they are applied” and that its “services involve the application of appliques to clothing items made of simple cotton knits or cotton blends, not twill,” May 12, 2016 Response to Office Action at 1, we find that “sparkle twill” describes an aspect of Applicant’s services that they could plausibly have (namely, that they involve the use of twill fabrics with a sparkling appearance), but in fact do not.16 Applicant’s proposed mark is thus misdescriptive of the identified services. release “Introduc[ing] Sparkle Twill™ to All College Stores,” which also mentioned the “distinctive look of Sparkle Twill™” and “gear in the Sparkle Twill™ category.” May 12, 2016 Response to Office Action at 10. The record does not show the extent and duration of exposure of these introductory materials to consumers. 15 Applicant also claims that the uses of “sparkle twill” made of record by the Examining Attorney in the June 3, 2016 Office Action “are merely coined product names [used] by the various marketers,” 8 TTABVUE 10, but as shown above, these uses describe fabrics whether or not they were “coined” by their users. 16 Applicant relies heavily on In re Cord Crafts Inc., 11 USPQ2d 1157 (TTAB 1989), in which the Board reversed a misdescriptiveness refusal to register the mark SENSATIONAL SILKS for artificial flowers that were not made of silk fabric because the evidence in that case showed that “silk flowers” was a generic term for all artificial flowers, regardless of fabric. 8 Serial No. 86126599 - 23 - II. Likelihood of Consumer Belief That the Misdescription Actually Describes the Services “The Board has applied the reasonably prudent consumer test in assessing whether a proposed mark determined to be misdescriptive involves a misrepresentation consumers would be likely to believe.” Hinton, 116 USPQ2d at 1052. We may determine whether purchasers of Applicant’s services are likely to believe the misdescription by an analysis of the record evidence showing third-party uses of the term “sparkle twill” in connection with apparel. In re Budge Mfg. Co., 857 F.2d 773, 8 USPQ2d 1259, 1261 (Fed. Cir. 1988) (Section 2(a) case);17 E5, 103 USPQ2d at 1581-83 (same). The Examining Attorney argues that the record shows “the wording ‘sparkle twill’ used in accordance with its basic meaning to refer to twill fabric with a sparkling appearance” and that because “it is widely used in this manner by third parties, reasonably prudent consumers are likely to believe the misrepresentation in this case.” 10 TTABVUE 8.18 She further argues that “there is no evidence to indicate that consumers of embroidery or related services are knowledgeable about applique, embroidery, or any of the other services in connection with which ‘sparkle twill’” is TTABVUE 9-10, 12. The case is inapposite because there is no comparable evidence in the record here that “sparkle twill” has any meaning other than a twill fabric with a sparkling appearance. 17 The first two elements of the three-part test for deceptiveness under Section 2(a) of the Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1052(a), set forth in Budge are identical to the elements of the test for misdescriptiveness. 18 The Examining Attorney also provided evidence that twill is a preferred fabric for embroidery and is used in full-back embroidery and appliqué. May 5, 2015 Office Action at 15, 19-20. Serial No. 86126599 - 24 - used” and that “it is highly likely that consumers will believe the misrepresentation.” 10 TTABVUE 8. Applicant argues in its main brief that its “consumers are those seeking appliqué products and services on Applicant’s website,”19 that “a reasonable consumer seeking appliqué products will be aware of the term ‘tackle twill’ and understand that appliqué products referencing ‘twill’ are not necessarily made of twill patterned textile,” and that “the reasonable consumer of appliqué products is much more likely to associate SPARKLE TWILL with tackle twill appliqué products than with, for example, a polyester twill-weave suit.” 8 TTABVUE 12. In its reply brief, Applicant argues that “reasonably prudent consumers of embroidery and appliqué services will be familiar with the term tackle twill, and will understand that ‘twill’ as used with reference to these services refers to the process, not necessarily a specific type of fabric weave,”20 and that the “majority of the references to “sparkle twill” on the Internet, for example, are with respect to apparel and accessories generally, not in reference to appliqué products or services.” 11 TTABVUE 8. 19 The relevant consumers are not limited to visitors to Applicant’s website. Applicant’s identification of services is not limited to services provided through the Internet, and thus must be deemed to include “customized embroidery and imprinting of names and logos on goods and apparel to the order or specification of others” services and “manufacture of apparel to the order or specification of others” services rendered through all normal channels of trade to all normal classes of customers for such services. See, e.g., Thor Tech Inc., 90 USPQ2d 1634, 1639 (TTAB 2009). 20 The Examining Attorney correctly notes that two of the websites in the record that discuss the tackle twill process specifically state that twill fabric is used in that process. May 5, 2015 Office Action at 13-14. The explanation of “tackle twill lettering” on the website at ask.com also states that “[t]ackle twill lettering refers to a sort of polyester twill that manufacturers cut and then sew to a garment.” May 5, 2015 Office Action at 2. Serial No. 86126599 - 25 - “Applicant does not deny that twill is a type of fabric weave that can be used in appliqué; in addition, twill can have sparkly properties (or glittery or matte),” 11 TTABVUE 3, and the dictionary definitions of “sparkle” and “twill,” and the record evidence of use of “sparkle twill” to identify twill fabrics with a sparkling appearance, show that “sparkle twill” fabric is used in connection with embroidery services and in the manufacture of custom apparel. We therefore find that the Examining Attorney established a prima facie case that consumers of the services of “customized embroidery and imprinting of names and logos on goods and apparel to the order or specification of others” and “manufacture of apparel to the order or specification of others” are likely to believe the misdescription that Applicant’s services involve the use of twill fabric with a sparkling appearance. Applicant did not rebut this showing. Applicant’s claim of purchaser sophistication, 8 TTABVUE 13, is unsupported by either the case upon which it primarily relies, In re Lyphomed Inc., 1 USPQ2d 1430 (TTAB 1986), 8 TTABVUE 13, or the record. In Lyphomed, “the only prospective purchasers for the product were knowledgeable doctors and pharmacists who, in view of the medicinal use of the product, would not believe” the misrepresentation claimed by the examining attorney. 8 TTABVUE 13. The record here shows that the relevant purchasing public consists of ordinary consumers who want to express affinity with schools or organizations, including cheerleaders of various ages, teenagers, and junior high school and elementary school students. 4 TTABVUE 25 (Hartvigson Decl. ¶ 4). There is nothing in the record to suggest that these ordinary consumers, including children Serial No. 86126599 - 26 - who may direct purchases of custom-made apparel by their parents or other responsible adults,21 have the level of understanding of the appliqué process that Applicant claims. Moreover, as discussed above, Applicant’s identification of services is not limited to embroidery (appliqué) services, but includes “imprinting of names and logos on goods and apparel to the order or specification of others” and “manufacture of apparel to the order or specification of others,” both of which services encompass processes other than embroidery. We agree with the Examining Attorney that “there is simply no basis to conclude that consumers will use anything other than the basic meaning of the words ‘sparkle’ and ‘twill’ in reaching a conclusion as to the meaning of the wording ‘sparkle twill,’” 10 TTABVUE 9, and we find that Applicant did not rebut the Examining Attorney’s showing that consumers of Applicant’s services are likely to believe the misdescription that the services involve the use of twill fabric with a sparking appearance. Decision: The refusal to register is affirmed. 21 The fact that children may drive purchases of affinity apparel by adults is reflected in the statements in the record that “my cheerleaders are wanting the sparkle twill and the polka dot twill,” which they saw “in one of their cheer catalogs . . . .” May 5, 2015 Office Action at 6. Copy with citationCopy as parenthetical citation