Source: https://iplegalcorner.com/no-standing-for-intent-to-use-applications/
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 06:22:41+00:00

Document:
Complainants cannot claim standing for intent to use applications since the first use in commerce is prospective. This applies to both the UDRP and the ACPA. While trademark registration on the Principal Register is prima facie proof of validity and some consideration is given to registrations on the Supplemental Register on proof of acquired distinctiveness, no right accrues to a pending trademark application. The “broad consensus under the Policy is that a trademark application alone is not sufficient to establish rights in a mark.” PRGRS, Inc. v. Pak, D2002-0077 (WIPO April 24, 2002). A certificate of registration satisfies the threshold requirement while a mere application to register a trademark confers no rights. “No such presumption arises from a pending application to register a mark.” Aspen Grove, Inc. v. Aspen Grove, D2001-0798 (WIPO October 17, 2001). Application “for a mark [as opposed to issuance of registration] is not per se sufficient to establish rights in a trademark for the purposes of the UDRP.” Wave Indus., Inc. v. Angler Supply, FA 304784 (Nat. Arb. Forum September 20, 2004) (U.S. parties); Amsec Enterprises, L.C. v. Sharon McCall, D2001-0083 (WIPO April 3, 2001) (U.S. parties). This rule applies unless complainant offers persuasive evidence that it has rights to an unregistered trademark under common law principles.
As a general rule a respondent’s good faith is consistent with a finding that it registered the domain name prior to the trademark coming into existence, with the following caveat: a complainant is not precluded from proving acquired distinctiveness antedating registration of the domain name. However, complainant cannot (if the trademark is already in use) rely on its representation of “first use in commerce” in its application; or, if the application is for “intent to use” a mark which by its terms denotes prospective use assert a date earlier than the application. Since assertion of a fact is not proof of its truth priority depends on complainant proving that its trademark was used in commerce earlier in time than the domain name. “[C]laimed dates of first use are meaningless without supporting evidence.” eSnipe, Inc. v. Modern Empire Internet, Ltd., D2009-0719 (WIPO August 5, 2009). Under U.S. trademark law, “[t]he allegation in an application for registration, or in a registration, of a date of first use is not evidence on behalf of the applicant or registrant; a date of first use must be established by competent evidence.” Rules of Practice in Trademark Cases, 37 C.F.R. § 2.122(b)(2), “Matters in Evidence.” See also, Kay Hill, Ltd. v. Texas International Property Associates- NA NA, FA0805001190984 (Nat. Arb. Forum July 9, 2008).
Since a representation of first use in a trademark application is unacceptable without corroborating evidence of secondary meaning, there is certainly no evidentiary presumption in favor of an applicant for an ITU trademark application. The reason for this is that the filing of an ITU application denotes prospective rather than past use of the applied-for trademark. It would take significant legerdemain to prove otherwise. In Kemosabe, Complainant offered no evidence beyond the assertion of a prior right. And, that is not good enough!

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