Source: http://www.alca-ftaa.org/intprop/natleg/Usa/LIPT15eC.asp
Timestamp: 2018-12-17 00:15:28
Document Index: 156627456

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1051', '§ 1069', '§ 19', '§ 1', '§ 119', '§ 1070', '§ 20', '§ 1', '§ 1071', '§ 21', '§ 2', '§ 1', '§ 12', '§ 1', '§ 2', '§ 162', '§ 414', '§ 120', '§ 1072', '§ 22', '§ 1091', '§ 23', '§ 13', '§ 121', '§ 333', '§ 1092', '§ 24', '§ 1', '§ 14', '§ 1', '§ 122', '§ 1093', '§ 25', '§ 1094', '§ 26', '§ 123', '§ 1095', '§ 27', '§ 124', '§ 1096', '§ 28', '§ 1111', '§ 29', '§ 15', '§ 1', '§ 125', '§ 1112', '§ 30', '§ 16', '§ 1', '§ 126', '§ 1113', '§ 31', '§ 1', '§ 3', '§ 1', '§ 5', '§ 3', '§ 103', '§ 5', '§ 1114', '§ 32', '§ 17', '§ 127', '§ 3', '§ 1115', '§ 33', '§ 18', '§ 128', '§ 1116', '§ 34', '§ 1', '§ 1503', '§ 128', '§ 6', '§ 1117', '§ 35', '§ 19', '§ 1', '§ 3', '§ 1503', '§ 129', '§ 7', '§ 1118']

Laws: Title 15, §§ 1051 - 1127, United States Code
15 U.S.C. § 1069 Application of equitable principles in inter partes proceedings
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, Title I, § 19, 60 Stat. 434; Jan. 2, 1975, Pub. L. 93-596, § 1, 88 Stat. 1949; Nov. 16, 1988, Pub. L. 100-667, Title I, § 119, 102 Stat. 3941.)
15 U.S.C. § 1070 Appeals to Trademark Trial and Appeal Board from decisions of examiners 1
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, Title I, § 20, 60 Stat. 435; Aug. 8, 1958, Pub. L. 85-609, § 1(b), 72 Stat. 540.)
15 U.S.C. § 1071 Appeal to courts
(a)	Persons entitled to appeal; United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; waiver of civil action; election of civil action by adverse party; procedure.
(1)	An applicant for registration of a mark, party to an interference proceeding, party to an opposition proceeding, party to an application to register as a lawful concurrent user, party to a cancellation proceeding, a registrant who has filed an affidavit as provided in section 8, or an applicant for renewal, who is dissatisfied with the decision of the Commissioner or Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, may appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit thereby waiving his right to proceed under subsection (b) of this section: Provided, That such appeal shall be dismissed if any adverse party to the proceeding, other than the Commissioner, shall, within twenty days after the appellant has filed notice of appeal according to paragraph (2) of this subsection, files notice with the Commissioner that he elects to have all further proceedings conducted as provided in subsection (b) of this section. Thereupon the appellant shall have thirty days thereafter within which to file a civil action under subsection (b) of this section, in default of which the decision appealed from shall govern the further proceedings in the case.
(2) When an appeal is taken to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the appellant shall file in the Patent and Trademark Office a written notice of appeal directed to the Commissioner, within such time after the date of the decision from which the appeal is taken as the Commissioner prescribes, but in no case less than 60 days after that date.
(3) The Commissioner shall transmit to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit a certified list of the documents comprising the record in the Patent and Trademark Office. The court may request that the Commissioner forward the original or certified copies of such documents during pendency of the appeal. In an ex parte case, the Commissioner shall submit to that court a brief explaining the grounds for the decision of the Patent and Trademark Office, addressing all the issues involved in the appeal. The court shall, before hearing an appeal, give notice of the time and place of the hearing to the Commissioner and the parties in the appeal.
(4) The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit shall review the decision from which the appeal is taken on the record before the Patent and Trademark Office. Upon its determination the court shall issue its mandate and opinion to the Commissioner, which shall be entered of record in the Patent and Trademark Office and shall govern the further proceedings in the case. However, no final judgment shall be entered in favor of an applicant under section 1(b) before the mark is registered, if such applicant cannot prevail without establishing constructive use pursuant to section 7(c).
(b) Civil action; persons entitled to; jurisdiction of court; status of commissioner; procedure.
(1) Whenever a person authorized by subsection (a) of this section to appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is dissatisfied with the decision of the Commissioner or Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, said person may, unless appeal has been taken to said United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, have remedy by a civil action if commenced within such time after such decision, not less than sixty days, as the Commissioner appoints or as provided in subsection (a) of this section. The court may adjudge that an applicant is entitled to a registration upon the application involved, that a registration involved should be canceled, or such other matter as the issues in the proceeding require, as the facts in the case may appear. Such adjudication shall authorize the Commissioner to take any necessary action, upon compliance with the requirements of law. However, no final judgment shall be entered in favor of an applicant under section 1(b) before the mark is registered, if such applicant cannot prevail without establishing constructive use pursuant to section 7(c).
(2) The Commissioner shall not be made a party to an inter partes proceeding under this subsection, but he shall be notified of the filing of the complaint by the clerk of the court in which it is filed and shall have the right to intervene in the action.
(3) In any case where there is no adverse party, a copy of the complaint shall be served on the Commissioner, and, unless the court finds the expenses to be unreasonable, all the expenses of the proceeding shall be paid by the party bringing the case, whether the final decision is in favor of such party or not. In suits brought hereunder, the record in the Patent and Trademark Office shall be admitted on motion of any party, upon such terms and conditions as to costs, expenses, and the further cross-examination of the witnesses as the court imposes, without prejudice to the right of any party to take further testimony. The testimony and exhibits of the record in the Patent and Trademark Office, when admitted, shall have the same effect as if originally taken and produced in the suit.
(4) Where there is an adverse party, such suit may be instituted against the party in interest as shown by the records of the Patent and Trademark Office at the time of the decision complained of, but any party in interest may become a party to the action. If there be adverse parties residing in a plurality of districts not embraced within the same State, or an adverse party residing in a foreign country, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia shall have jurisdiction and may issue summons against the adverse parties directed to the marshal of any district in which any adverse party resides. Summons against adverse parties residing in foreign countries may be served by publication or otherwise as the court directs.
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, Title I, § 21, 60 Stat. 435; July 19, 1952, ch. 950, § 2, 66 Stat. 814; Aug. 8, 1958, Pub. L. 85-609, § 1(c), 72 Stat. 540; Oct. 9, 1962, Pub. L. 87-772, § 12, 76 Stat. 771; Jan 2, 1975, Pub. L. 93-596, § 1, 88 Stat. 1949; Jan. 2, 1975, Pub. L. 93-600, § 2, 88 Stat. 1955; April 2, 1982, Pub. L. 97-164, Title I, Part B, § 162(1), 96 Stat. 49; Nov. 8, 1984, Pub. L. 98-620, Title IV, Subtitle C, § 414(b), 98 Stat. 3363; Nov. 16, 1988, Pub. L. 100-667, Title I, § 120, 102 Stat. 3942.)
15 U.S.C. § 1072 Registration as constructive notice of claim of ownership
Registration of a mark on the principal register provided by this Act or under the Act of March 3, 1981, or the Act of February 20, 1905, shall be constructive notice of the registrant's claim of ownership thereof.
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, Title I, § 22, 60 Stat. 435.)
15 U.S.C. § 1091 Supplemental register
(a) Marks registrable. In addition to the principal register, the Commissioner shall keep a continuation of the register provided in paragraph (b) of section 1 of the Act of March 19, 1920, entitled “An Act to give effect to certain provisions of the convention for the protection of trademarks and commercial names, made and signed in the city of Buenos Aires, in the Argentine Republic, August 20, 1910, and for other purposes,” to be called the supplemental register. All marks capable of distinguishing applicant's goods or services and not registrable on the principal register herein provided, except those declared to be unregistrable under subsections (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e)(3) of section 2 of this Act, which are in lawful use in commerce by the owner thereof, on or in connection with any goods or services may be registered on the supplemental register upon the payment of the prescribed fee and compliance with the provisions of subsections (a) and (e) of section 1 so far as they are applicable. Nothing in this section shall prevent the registration on the supplemental register of a mark, capable of distinguishing the applicant's goods or services and not registrable on the principal register under this Act, that is declared to be unregistrable under section 2(e)(3), if such mark has been in lawful use in commerce by the owner thereof, on or in connection with any goods or services, since before the date of the enactment of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act [enacted Dec. 8, 1993].
(b) Application and proceedings for registration. Upon the filing of an application for registration on the supplemental register and payment of the prescribed fee the Commissioner shall refer the application to the examiner in charge of the registration of marks, who shall cause an examination to be made and if on such examination it shall appear that the applicant is entitled to registration, the registration shall be granted. If the applicant is found not entitled to registration the provisions of subsection (b) of section 12 of this Act shall apply.
(c) Nature of mark. For the purposes of registration on the supplemental register, a mark may consist of any trade-mark, symbol, label, package, configuration of goods, name, word, slogan, phrase, surname, geographical name, numeral, or device or any combination of any of the foregoing, but such mark must be capable of distinguishing the applicant's goods or services.
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, Title II, § 23, 60 Stat. 435; Oct. 9, 1962, Pub. L. 87-772, § 13, 76 Stat. 773; Nov. 16, 1988, Pub. L. 100-667, Title I, § 121, 102 Stat. 3942.)
(As amended Dec. 8, 1993, Pub. L. 103-182, Title III, Subtitle C, § 333(b), 107 Stat. 2114.)
15 U.S.C. § 1092 Publication; not subject to opposition; cancellation
Marks for the supplemental register shall not be published for or be subject to opposition, but shall be published on registration in the Official Gazette of the Patent and Trademark Office. Whenever any person believes that he is or will be damaged by the registration of a mark on this register he may at any time, upon payment of the prescribed fee and the filing of a petition stating the ground therefor, apply to the Commissioner to cancel such registration. The Commissioner shall refer such application to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board which shall give notice thereof to the registrant. If it is found after a hearing before the Board that the registrant is not entitled to registration, or that the mark has been abandoned, the registration shall be canceled by the Commissioner. However, no final judgment shall be entered in favor of an applicant under section 1(b) before the mark is registered, if such applicant cannot prevail without establishing constructive use pursuant to section 7(c).
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, Title II, § 24, 60 Stat. 436; Aug. 8, 1958, Pub. L. 85609, § 1(d), 72 Stat. 540; Oct. 9, 1962, Pub. L. 87-772, § 14, 76 Stat. 773; Jan. 2, 1975, Pub. L. 93-596, § 1, 88 Stat. 1949; Nov. 16, 1988, Pub. L. 100-667, Title I, § 122, 102 Stat. 3943.)
15 U.S.C. § 1093 Registration certificates for marks on principal and supplemental registers to be different
The certificates of registration for marks registered on the supplemental register shall be conspicuously different from certificates issued for marks registered on the principal register.
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, Title II, § 25, 60 Stat. 436.)
15 U.S.C. § 1094 Provisions of chapter applicable to registrations on supplemental register
The provisions of this Act shall govern so far as applicable applications for registration and registrations on the supplemental register as well as those on the principal register, but applications for and registrations on the supplemental register shall not be subject to or receive the advantages of sections 1(b), 2(e), 2(f), 7(b), 7(c), 12(a), 13 to 18, inclusive, 22, 33, and 42 of this Act.
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, Title II, § 26, 60 Stat. 436; Nov. 16, 1988, Pub. L. 100-667, Title I, § 123, 102 Stat. 3943.)
15 U.S.C. § 1095 Registration on principal register not precluded
Registration of a mark on the supplemental register, or under the Act of March 19, 1920, shall not preclude registration by the registrant on the principal register established by this Act. Registration of a mark on the supplemental register shall not constitute an admission that the mark has not acquired distinctiveness.
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, Title II, § 27 60 Stat. 436; Nov. 16, 1988, Pub. L. 100-667, Title I, § 124, 102 Stat. 3943.)
15 U.S.C. § 1096 Registration on supplemental register not used to stop importations
Registration on the supplemental register or under the Act of March 19, 1920, shall not be filed in the Department of the Treasury or be used to stop importations.
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, Title II, § 28, 60 Stat. 436.)
15 U.S.C. § 1111 Notice of registration; display with mark; recovery of profits and damages in infringement suit
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 22 hereof, a registrant of a mark registered in the Patent Office, may give notice that his mark is registered by displaying with the mark the words “Registered in U. S. Patent and Trademark Office” or “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off.” or the letter R enclosed within a circle, thus (R); and in any suit for infringement under this Act by such a registrant failing to give such notice of registration, no profits and no damages shall be recovered under the provisions of this Act unless the defendant had actual notice of the registration.
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, Title III, § 29, 60 Stat. 436; Oct. 9, 1962, Pub. L. 87. 772, § 15, 76 Stat. 773; Jan. 2, 1975, Pub. L. 93-596, §§ 1, 2, 88 Stat. 1949; Nov. 16, 1988, Pub. L. 100-667, Title I, § 125, 102 Stat. 1343.)
15 U.S.C. § 1112 Classification of goods and services; registration in plurality of classes
The Commissioner may establish a classification of goods and services, for convenience of Patent and Trademark Office administration, but not to limit or extend the applicant's or registrant's rights. The applicant may apply to register a mark for any or all of the goods and services upon or in connection with which he or she is using or has a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce: Provided, That if the Commissioner by regulation permits the filing of an application for the registration of a mark for goods or services which fall within a plurality of classes, a fee equaling the sum of the fees for filing an application in each class shall be paid, and the Commissioner may issue a single certificate of registration for such mark.
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, Title IV, § 30, 60 Stat. 436; Oct. 9, 1962, Pub. L. 87772, § 16, 76 Stat. 773; Jan. 2, 1975, Pub. L. 93-596, § 1, 88 Stat. 1949; Nov. 16, 1988, Pub. L. 100-667, Title I, § 126, 102 Stat. 3943.)
15 U.S.C. § 1113 Fees
(a) Applications; services; materials. The Commissioner shall establish fees for the filing and processing of an application for the registration of a trademark or other mark and for all other services performed by and materials furnished by the Patent and Trademark Office related to trademarks and other marks. Fees established under this subsection may be adjusted by the Commissioner once each year to reflect, in the aggregate, any fluctuations during the preceding 12 months in the Consumer Price Index, as determined by the Secretary of Labor. Changes of less than 1 percent may be ignored. No fee established under this section shall take effect until at least 30 days after notice of the fee has been published in the Federal Register and in the Official Gazette of the Patent and Trademark Office.
(b) Waiver; Indian products. The Commissioner may waive the payment of any fee for any service or material related to trademarks or other marks in connection with an occasional request made by a department or agency of the Government, or any officer thereof. The Indian Arts and Crafts Board will not be charged any fee to register Government trademarks of genuineness and quality for Indian products or for products of particular Indian tribes and groups.
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, Title V, § 31, 60 Stat. 437; Aug. 8, 1958, Pub. L. 85-609, § 1(e), 72 Stat. 540; July 24, 1965, Pub. L. 89-83, § 3, 79 Stat. 260; Jan. 2, 1975, Pub. L. 93-596, § 1, 88 Stat. 1949; Dec. 12, 1980, Pub. L. 96-517, § 5, 94 Stat. 3018; Aug. 27, 1982, Pub. L. 97-247, § 3(f), 96 Stat. 319; Sept. 8, 1982, Pub. L. 97-256, Title I, § 103, 96 Stat. 256.)
( As amended, Dec. 10, 1991, Pub. L. 102-204, § 5(f)(1), 105 Stat. 1640.)
15 U.S.C. § 1114 Remedies; infringement; innocent infringement by printers and publishers
(1)	Any person who shall, without the consent of the registrant—
As used in this subsection, the term “any person” includes any State, any instrumentality of a State, and any officer or employee of a State or instrumentality of a State acting in his or her official capacity. Any State, and any such instrumentality, officer, or employee, shall be subject to the provisions of this Act in the same manner and to the same extent as any non-governmental entity.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the remedies given to the owner of a right infringed under this Act or to a person bringing an action under section 43(a) shall be limited as follows:
(A)	Where an infringer or violator is engaged solely in the business of printing the mark or violating matter for others and establishes that he or she was an innocent infringer or innocent violator, the owner of the right infringed or person bringing the action under section 43(a) shall be entitled as against such infringer or violator only to an injunction against future printing.
(B)	Where the infringement or violation complained of is contained in or is part of paid
advertising matter in a newspaper, magazine, or other similar periodical or in an electronic communication as defined in section 2510(12) of title 18, United States Code, the remedies of the owner of the right infringed or person bringing the action under section 43(a) as against the publisher or distributor of such newspaper, magazine, or other similar periodical or electronic communication shall be limited to an injunction against the presentation of such advertising matter in future issues of such newspapers, magazines, or other similar periodicals or in future transmissions of such electronic communications. The limitations of this subparagraph shall apply only to innocent infringers and innocent violators.
(C)	Injunctive relief shall not be available to the owner of the right infringed or person bringing the action under section 43(a) with respect to an issue of a newspaper, magazine, or other similar periodical or an electronic communication containing infringing matter or violating matter where restraining the dissemination of such infringing matter or violating matter in any particular issue of such periodical or in an electronic communication would delay the delivery of such issue or transmission of such electronic communication after the regular time for such delivery or transmission, and such delay would be due to the method by which publication and distribution of such periodical or transmission of such electronic communication is customarily conducted in accordance with sound business practice, and not due to any method or device adopted to evade this section or to prevent or delay the issuance of an injunction or restraining order with respect to such infringing matter or violating matter.
(i) the term “violator” means a person who violates section 43(a); and
(ii) the term “violating matter” means matter that is the subject of a violation under section 43(a).
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, Title VI, § 32, 60 Stat. 437; Oct. 9, 1962; Pub. L. 87-772, § 17, 76 Stat. 773; Nov. 16, 1988, Pub. L. 100-667, Title I, § 127, 102 Stat. 3943.)
(As amended Oct. 27, 1992, Pub. L. 102-542, § 3(a), 106 Stat. 3567.)
15 U.S.C. § 1115 Registration on principal register as evidence of exclusive right to use mark; defenses
(a) Evidentiary value; defenses. Any registration issued under the Act of March 3, 1881, or the Act of February 20, 1905, or of a mark registered on the principal register provided by this Act and owned by a party to an action shall be admissible in evidence and shall be prima facie evidence of the validity of the registered mark and of the registration of the mark, of the registrant's ownership of the mark, and of the registrant's exclusive right to use the registered mark in commerce on or in connection with the goods or services specified in the registration subject to any conditions or limitations stated therein, but shall not preclude another person from proving any legal or equitable defense or defect, including those set forth in subsection (b), which might have been asserted if such mark had not been registered.
(b) Incontestability; defenses. To the extent that the right to use the registered mark has become incontestable under section 15, the registration shall be conclusive evidence of the validity of the registered mark and of the registration of the mark, of the registrant's ownership of the mark, and of the registrant's exclusive right to use the registered mark in commerce. Such conclusive evidence shall relate to the exclusive right to use the mark on or in connection with the goods or services specified in the affidavit filed under the provisions of section 15, or in the renewal application filed under the provisions of section 9 if the goods or services specified in the renewal are fewer in number, subject to any conditions or limitations in the registration or in such affidavit or renewal application. Such conclusive evidence of the right to use the registered mark shall be subject to proof of infringement as defined in section 32, and shall be subject to the following defenses or defects:
(3) That the registered mark is being used, by or with the permission of the registrant or a person in privity with the registrant, so as to misrepresent the source of the goods or services on or in connection with which the mark is used; or
(5) That the mark whose use by a party is charged as an infringement was adopted without knowledge of the registrant's prior use and has been continuously used by such party or those in privity with him from a date prior to (A) the date of constructive use of the mark established pursuant to section 7(c), (B) the registration of the mark under this Act if the application for registration is filed before the effective date of the Trademark Law Revision Act of 1988, or (C) publication of the registered mark under subsection (c) of section 12 of this Act: Provided, however, That this defense or defect shall apply only for the area in which such continuous prior use is proved; or
(6) That the mark whose use is charged as an infringement was registered and used prior to the registration under this Act or publication under subsection (c) of section 12 of this Act of the registered mark of the registrant, and not abandoned: Provided, however, That this defense or defect shall apply only for the area in which the mark was used prior to such registration or such publication of the registrant's mark; or
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, Title VI, § 33, 60 Stat. 438; Oct. 9, 1962, Pub. L. 87-772, § 18, 76 Stat. 774; Nov. 16, 1988, Pub. L. 100-667, Title I, § 128(a), 102 Stat. 3944.)
15 U.S.C. § 1116 Injunctive relief
(a) Jurisdiction; service. The several courts vested with jurisdiction of civil actions arising under this Act shall have power to grant injunctions, according to the principles of equity and upon such terms as the court may deem reasonable, to prevent the violation of any right of the registrant of a mark registered in the Patent and Trademark Office or to prevent a violation under section 43(a). Any such injunction may include a provision directing the defendant to file with the court and serve on the plaintiff within thirty days after the service on the defendant of such injunction, or such extended period as the court may direct, a report in writing under oath setting forth in detail the manner and form in which the defendant has complied with the injunction. Any such injunction granted upon hearing, after notice to the defendant, by any district court of the United States, may be served on the parties against whom such injunction is granted anywhere in the United States where they may be found, and shall be operative and may be enforced by proceedings to punish for contempt, or otherwise, by the court by which such injunction was granted, or by any other United States district court in whose jurisdiction the defendant may be found.
(c) Notice to Commissioner. It shall be the duty of the clerks of such courts within one month after the filing of any action, suit, or proceeding involving a mark registered under the provisions of this Act to give notice thereof in writing to the Commissioner setting forth in order so far as known the names and addresses of the litigants and the designating number or numbers of the registration or registrations upon which the action, suit, or proceeding has been brought, and in the event any other registration be subsequently included in the action, suit, or proceeding by amendment, answer, or other pleading, the clerk shall give like notice thereof to the Commissioner, and within one month after the judgment is entered or an appeal is taken the clerk of the court shall give notice thereof to the Commissioner, and it shall be the duty of the Commissioner on receipt of such notice forthwith to endorse the same upon the file wrapper of the said registration or registrations and to incorporate the same as a part of the contents of said file wrapper.
(A) In the case of a civil action arising under section 32(1)(a) of this Act or section 110 of the Act entitled “An Act to incorporate the United States Olympic Association”, approved September 21, 1950 (36 U.S.C. 380) with respect to a violation that consists of using a counterfeit mark in connection with the sale, offering for sale, or distribution of goods or services, the court may, upon ex parte application, grant an order under subsection (a) of this section pursuant to this subsection providing for the seizure of goods and counterfeit marks involved in such violation and the means of making such marks, and records documenting the manufacturer, sale, or receipt of things involved in such violation.
(B) As used in this subsection the term “counterfeit mark” means--
(ii) a spurious designation that is identical with, or substantially indistinguishable from, a designation as to which the remedies of this Act are made available by reason of section 110 of the Act entitled “An Act to incorporate the United States Olympic Association”, approved September 21, 1950 (36 U.S.C. 380); but such term does not include any mark or designation used on or in connection with goods or services of which the manufacture or producer was, at the time of the manufacture or production in question authorized to use the mark or designation for the type of goods or services so manufactured or produced, by the holder of the right to use such mark or designation.
(i) an order other than an ex parte seizure order is not adequate to achieve the purposes of section 32 of this Act;
(11) A person who suffers damage by reason of a wrongful seizure under this subsection has a cause of action against the applicant for the order under which such seizure was made, and shall be entitled to recover such relief as may be appropriate, including damages for lost profits, cost of materials, loss of good will, and punitive damages in instances where the seizure was sought in bad faith, and, unless the court finds extenuating circumstances, to recover a reasonable attorney's fee. The court in its discretion may award prejudgment interest on relief recovered under this paragraph, at an annual interest rate established under section 6621 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, commencing on the date of service of the claimant's pleading setting forth the claim under this paragraph and ending on the date such recovery is granted, or for such shorter time as the court deems appropriate.
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, Title VI, § 34, 60 Stat. 439; Jan. 2, 1975, Pub. L. 93-596, § 1, 88 Stat. 1949; Oct. 12, 1984, Pub. L. 98-473, Title II, Ch. XV, § 1503(1), 98 Stat. 2179; Nov. 16, 1988, Pub. L. 100-667, Title I, § 128(c)-(e), 102 Stat. 3945.)
(As amended July 2, 1996, Pub. L. 104-153, § 6, 110 Stat. 1388.)
15 U.S.C. § 1117 Recovery for violation of rights; profits, damages and costs; attorney fees; treble damages
(a) When a violation of any right of the registrant of a mark registered in the Patent and Trademark Office, or a violation under section 43(a), shall have been established in any civil action arising under this Act, the plaintiff shall be entitled, subject to the provisions of sections 29 and 32, and subject to the principles of equity, to recover (1) defendant's profits, (2) any damages sustained by the plaintiff, and (3) the costs of the action. The court shall assess such profits and damages or cause the same to be assessed under its direction. In assessing profits the plaintiff shall be required to prove defendant's sales only; defendant must prove all elements of cost or deduction claimed. In assessing damages the court may enter judgment, according to the circumstances of the case, for any sum above the amount found as actual damages, not exceeding three times such amount. If the court shall find that the amount of the recovery based on profits is either inadequate or excessive the court may in its discretion enter judgment for such sum as the court shall find to be just, according to the circumstances of the case. Such sum in either of the above circumstances shall constitute compensation and not a penalty. The court in exceptional cases may award reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party.
(b) In assessing damages under subsection (a), the court shall, unless the court finds extenuating circumstances, enter judgment for three times such profits or damages, whichever is greater, together with a reasonable attorney's fee, in the case of any violation of section 32(1)(a) of this Act or section 110 of the Act entitled “An Act to incorporate the United States Olympic Association”, approved September 21, 1950 (36 U.S.C. 380) that consists of intentionally using a mark or designation, knowing such mark or designation is a counterfeit mark (as defined in section 34(d) of this Act), in connection with the sale, offering for sale, or distribution of goods or services. In such cases, the court may in its discretion award prejudgment interest on such amount at an annual interest rate established under section 6621 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, commencing on the date of the service of the claimant's pleadings setting forth the claim for such entry and ending on the date such entry is made, or for such shorter time as the court deems appropriate.
(c) In a case involving the use of a counterfeit mark (as defined in section 34(d) in connection with the sale, offering for sale, or distribution of goods or services, the plaintiff may elect, at any time before final judgment is rendered by the trial court, to recover, instead of actual damages and profits under subsection (a), an award of statutory damages for any such use in connection with the sale, offering for sale, or distribution of goods or services in the amount of--
(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, Title VI, § 35, 60 Stat. 439; Oct. 9, 1962, Pub. L. 87-772, § 19, 76 Stat. 774; Jan. 2, 1975, Pub. L. 93-596, § 1, 88 Stat. 1949; Jan. 2, 1975, Pub. L. 93-600, § 3, 88 Stat. 600; Oct. 12, 1984, Pub. L. 98-473, Title II, Ch. XV, § 1503(2), 98 Stat. 2182; Nov. 16, 1988, Pub. L. 100-667, Title I, § 129, 102 Stat. 3945.)
(As amended July 2, 1996, Pub. L. 104-153, § 7, 110 Stat. 1388.)
1 Section 1070 current through November 12, 1998.
Continuation: 15 U.S.C. § 1118 Destruction of infringing articles