Source: http://www.patenttrademarkblog.com/what-is-likelihood-of-confusion/
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 15:57:30+00:00

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/Trademark Registration /What is likelihood of confusion?
A trademark serves to indicate the source of goods or services (in this post, I’ll refer to both goods and services collectively as “products” for simplicity).
A trademark may comprise words and/or logos used in connection with the sale of goods or services. In rare cases, a trademark may comprise a sound or three-dimensional product configuration.
Keep in mind that the offering of a product or service is key in making a word or graphic symbol a trademark. You cannot claim trademark rights by merely arguing that you coined a term if no products or services were ever provided.
What does “confusion” mean in the trademark world?
Since the purpose of a trademark is to indicate source, confusion refers to the notion that consumers encountering a particular trademark on a product may be led to believe that the product originates from the same source or has some sponsorship from the owner of a similar trademark.
Therefore, confusion in trademark vernacular has a special meaning that refers to two marks being so similar that consumers may be confused into thinking that the respective products originate from the same source [see TMEP § 1207.01].
Likelihood of confusion is determined from the perspective of the consumer. The level of sophistication of purchasers and the care in exercising a purchasing decision are factors to be considered [see TMEP § 1207.01(d)(vii)]. The tendency of applicants who receive a likelihood of confusion rejection is to reason why they (the business owner) would not be confused, but business owners are not the standard. Consumers are.
What’s the difference between likelihood of confusion and actual confusion?
Actual confusion refers to instances where consumers actually thought that the source of a product from Company B belonged to Company A. Examples may include a purchaser of a product from Company B calling Company A to ask a question or return the product.
When examining a trademark application, the USPTO examining attorney is making a determination on the likelihood of confusion, and not whether actual confusion exists.
What is a Section 2(d) refusal to register?
What are key factors in determining likelihood of confusion?
The greater the similarity between marks, the less related the goods or services have to be in order to support a finding of likelihood of confusion [see TMEP § 1207.01(a)]. Therefore, if two marks are identical or virtually identical, the respective goods or services need not be as close to find a likelihood of confusion.
The conditions under which and buyers to whom sales are made, i.e., “impulse” vs. careful, sophisticated purchasing [see TMEP §1207.01(d)(vii)].
The number and nature of similar marks in use on similar goods [see TMEP §1207.01(d)(iii)].
The existence of a valid consent agreement between the applicant and the owner of the previously registered mark [see TMEP §1207.01(d)(viii)].
When a mark consists of both wording and a design (e.g., graphic image or logo), the verbal portion of the mark is typically the greater indicator of source. Therefore, the wording in a composite mark usually plays a more significant role in determining likelihood of confusion.
“The weaker an opposer’s mark, the closer an applicant’s mark can come without causing a likelihood of confusion and thereby invading what amounts to its comparatively narrow range of protection. Juice Generation, 2015 WL 4400033, at *3. Therefore, usage or registrations of similar marks by several third parties can show the weakness of a particular mark. Evidence of extensive use or registrations of similar marks by third parties can show that customers have been educated to distinguish between similar marks on the basis of minute distinctions. Jack Wolfskin Ausrustung fur Draussen GmbH & Co. KGaA v. New Millennium Sports, S.L.U., 797 F.3d 1363 (2015).
Does likelihood of confusion require marks to be identical?
No, the standard is confusingly similar. Therefore, it’s possible for a new mark to be confusingly similar to a registered mark even if the new mark is not identical. Removing or changing certain portions of a registered mark will not guarantee that the new mark will be sufficiently distinguishable.
What if the same mark is used on different products?
The relatedness of the goods and/or services plays a key factor in determining likelihood of confusion. In general, the more similar your mark is to a registered mark, the less similar the products have to be to support a finding of likelihood of confusion [see TMEP § 1207.01(a)]. Keep in mind that goods can be related to services (e.g., food products and restaurant services), and that the relatedness of the products is not limited to a single trademark class.
What are examples of confusingly similar marks?
The USPTO has provided examples of confusingly similar marks based on sound, appearance, commercial impression and relatedness of goods and/or services here.

References: § 1207
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