Collen - We represent corporate clients in U.S. trademark opposition and trademark cancellation proceedings that are based on a likelihood of confusion with a preexisting trademark. Likelihood of confusion is one of the highest-cited reasons that a trademark application is refused registration. The statutory basis may be found in Section 2(d) of the Trademark Act. In order to prevail in a trademark opposition or trademark cancellation based on likelihood of confusion, the moving party must establish the following: Likelihood of Confusion Factors. In addition to establishing standing and priority, the plaintiff must establish that the likelihood of confusion factors analyzed by the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board weigh in its favor. These factors include a comparison of the parties' marks in relation to the: and other relevant factors that are relied on by the Board. Proceeding with a trademark opposition or cancellation matter requires an experienced trademark attorney that can weigh the merits of litigation versus other dispute resolution alternatives. To discuss a trademark opposition or trademark cancellation case based on a likelihood of confusion, please contact James Hastings or a member of the Collen TTAB litigation team. Notice of Opposition: Summary A notice of opposition is a complaint filed in a trademark opposition proceeding seeking denial of another party's trademark registration. Trademark oppositions are heard before the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Below are some helpful tips for both trademark opposers and trademark applicants who may be in involved in a trademark opposition proceeding. 1. Trademark Opposers Any party who believes that it will be injured by the registration of a trademark can file a notice of opposition at the appropriate time for doing so. The relevant time frame to file the complaint is within 30 days of publication of an application of the Official Gazette. Potential opposers can elect to obtain an automatic 30 day extension of time to file an opposition. In the alternative, a potential opposer can seek a 90 day extension of time on motion and for good cause shown. The complaint must, at a minimum, set forth the Opposer's statutory right to bring a cause of action as well as the grounds for opposition. 2. Trademark Applicants If a trademark applicant receives an opposition notice, it should discuss the notice with an experienced trademark opposition attorney. The attorney will review the complaint to ensure that it meets all statutory grounds, as well as assess any alleged facts or statements of law that the Opposer is asserting as part of the Opposition. The applicant will have the right to negotiate a potential settlement which could take many forms. There is a also a mandatory discovery conference where the parties' counsel discuss the respective positions of the parties, and determine whether an amicable settlement can be achieved. Rothwell Figg - The U.S. Trademark Cancellation Law Firm A trademark cancellation can seriously impact the value of a company's brand. Conversely, it can be brought strategically to remove a competitor's trademark registration from the Registry that is negatively impacting a party's rights. More information on how to cancel a trademark registration may be found in our informative article here. Trademark cancellation proceedings are heard before the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Approximately 2,500 U.S. trademark cancellations are filed each year. The complaint, known as a petition for cancellation, can seek cancellation of a trademark registration in its entirety. Alternatively, a petitioner can request a partial cancellation of a third-party's registration to remove certain goods or services from the registration. In the United States, there are numerous grounds to cancel a trademark registration. These include likelihood of confusion, abandonment of the mark, mere descriptiveness, and fraud in the procurement of the registration. If a trademark cancellation proceeding has been filed against your company's trademark, you have several options to avoid an adverse judgment. Rothwell Figg represents both domestic and international companies in trademark cancellation proceedings before the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. This is due in large part to USPTO rules that have resulted in more trademark cancellation proceedings being brought on the grounds of abandonment or non-use of certain goods contained in the registration. According to 15 U.S.C. Section 1127, trademark abandonment occurs when a trademark's use has been discontinued with an intent not to resume use. Non-use of three consecutive years shall be prima facie evidence of abandonment. An intent not to resume use may be found by taking account all objective evidence. As such, a registrant cannot avoid a finding of trademark abandonment by simply alleging that it had intended to resume use. To discuss your case, please contact James Hastings of Rothwell Figg for a complimentary consultation. Trademark infringement. Trademark infringement is the unauthorized use of a trademark or service mark that is likely to cause confusion about the source of the goods or services. Under federal law, a cause of action for trademark infringement is governed by Section 2(d) of the Trademark Act (15 USC Section 1114). A trademark owner that believes that its mark is being infringed may bring a cause of action for trademark infringement in U.S. federal court. If the trademark owner is successful in proving infringement, the remedies available to it may include the following: Trademark infringement test. The various factors that courts consider in determining whether a likelihood of confusion exists for a finding of infringement include: Not all of the above factors are inclusive. Checklist. If your company is a trademark owner, or has received a cease and desist letter or a complaint for trademark infringement, you may speak with James Hastings to discuss the options available to you to bring or defend your case. ROTHWELL FIGG - The U.S. Trademark Opposition Law Firm. Rothwell Figg has substantial experience in representing global companies in trademark opposition proceedings before the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Why work with us? Here are a few reasons: Here are some of the clients who have retained our services: Attorneys and law firms also seek out our services to represent their own clients or provide guidance and subject matter expertise. To speak with our attorneys about your matter, please contact James Hastings at (914) 941-5668 or email: jhastings@rfem.comLikelihood of Confusion
Notice of Opposition
Trademark Cancellation
Trademark Infringement
Trademark Opposition
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