Source: https://www.neustel.com/trademarks/trademark-infringement/
Timestamp: 2020-01-20 22:56:14
Document Index: 159917658

Matched Legal Cases: ['§1114', '§1116', '§1116', '§1117', '§1111', '§1117']

Trademark Infringement - Neustel Law Offices
USPTO Warning About Third-Party Solicitations
It should first be noted that the Lanham Act gives the owner of a federal trademark registration an express cause of action for infringement of their registered mark. 1 There are also state law issues that may also be applicable that are not discussed in this letter. The Lanham Act provides:
Any person who shall, without the consent of the registrant:
reproduce, counterfeit, copy, or colorably imitate a registered mark and apply such reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or colorable imitation to labels, signs, prints, packages, wrappers, receptacles or advertisements intended to be used in commerce upon or in connection with the sale, offering for sale, distribution, or advertising of goods or services on or in connection with which such use is likely to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive, 2
shall be liable in a civil action by the registrant for the remedies hereinafter provided. 3 There are six factors utilized by the courts to determine whether a likelihood of confusion exists between two marks: 4
Trademark’s Strength in the marketplace;
Competitive Closeness of the products on which the marks are placed;
Infringer’s Intent to pass off goods as those of the trademark holder;
Actual Confusion amongst consumers; 5 and
Sophistication Of Consumers which purchase the trademark holder’s goods.
None of the six factors alone are dispositive of whether there is a “likelihood of confusion.” “Each factor must be considered” in determining the likelihood of confusion without placing exceptional significance on any one factor. 6
If infringement is proven, there are three forms of federal relief the owner has: (i) injunction, (ii) monetary relief, and (iii) a destruction order. 7 Injunctive relief prevents the violation of the rights of the holder of a federal registration. 8 The award of injunctive relief is to be made “according to the general principles of equity and upon such terms as the court may deem reasonable.” 9
There are three forms of monetary relief that a successful plaintiff may recover: (i) defendant’s profits, (ii) any damages sustained by plaintiff, and (iii) costs of the action. 10 Recovery of profits and damages is limited where the defendant has no notice of the owner’s registration unless the owner has placed the appropriate registration notice on the goods sold. 11
A court also has the discretion to award an amount that the court finds “to be just,” with a limit up to three times the plaintiff’s actual damages. 12 Enhancement of damages is appropriate where the defendant’s infringement was willful, as long as the award is not punitive. 13 In “exceptional cases,” reasonable attorney’s fees may be awarded to the prevailing party. 14 Attorney’s fees may be awarded where the defendant’s infringement was malicious, fraudulent, deliberate or willful.
15 U.S.C. §1114(1).
Under subsection (b) of this section, the registrant shall not be entitled to recover profits or damages unless the acts have been committed with knowledge that such imitation is intended to be used to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive.
ConAgra Inc. v. George A. Hormel & Co., 990 F.2d 368 (8th Cir. 1993); Downtown/Passport Int’l Hotel Corp. v. Norlew, Inc., 841 F.2d 214 (8th Cir. 1988); Life Technologies, Inc. v. Gibbco Scientific, Inc., 826 F.2d 775 (8th Cir. 1987); Comidas Exquientos, Inc. v. O’Malley & McGee’s, Inc., 775 F.2d 260 (8th Cir. 1985).
The Eighth Circuit accords likelihood of confusion survey evidence considerable weight. Stuart Hall Co. Inc. v. Ampad Corp., 51 F.3d 780 (8th Cir. 1995).
ConAgra, 990 F.2d at 371; Life Technologies, 826 F.2d at 776.
15 U.S.C. §§1116-1118.
15 U.S.C. §1116(a).
15 U.S.C. §1117(a). An award for monetary relief is “subject to the principals of equity,” therefore not automatic. Id.
15 U.S.C. §1111.
15 U.S.C. §1117(a). The amount awarded must constitute “compensation and not a penalty.” Id.; See also Electronics Corp. of America v. Honeywell, Inc., 358 F.Supp. 1230, 1234-1235 (D. Mass. 1973).
Taco Cabana Int’l, Inc. Two Pesos, Inc., 112 S.Ct. 2753 (1992). Where difficulties in measuring the plaintiff’s damages have caused the plaintiff to be undercompensated, an enhancement of the award is justified. Id.