Opinion ID: 718674
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Appropriateness of Summary Judgment in this Case

Text: 29 When, as in this case, a trademark dispute centers on the proper interpretation to be given to the facts, rather than on the facts themselves, summary disposition is appropriate. Woodsmith Pub. Co. v. Meredith Corp., 904 F.2d 1244, 1247 (8th Cir.1990). 30 Our evaluation of the foregoing six factors leads us to conclude that no factual dispute exists the resolution of which would allow a reasonable jury to find a likelihood of confusion. Plaintiff's trademark, though deserving of some protection, is relatively weak. Although the newspapers themselves compete directly and provide similar news coverage, the titles, as they appear on the two papers, are sufficiently distinct to allow an ordinary purchaser to distinguish between them. Moreover, the remaining factors balance in defendants' favor. We find no evidence that defendants chose their mark with the intent to infringe on plaintiff's goodwill. The evidence of actual confusion is de minimis and insufficient to establish a genuine issue of material fact. Finally, and most decisive, defendants' distribution methods ensure that the vast majority of ordinary purchasers will not be confused. Thus we affirm the district court's grant of summary judgment on the Lanham Act claims.