Opinion ID: 6928544
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Unauthenticated and Hearsay Evidence

Text: Ashbyweb argues that the district court erred in admitting into evidence unauthenticated and hearsay envelopes addressed to “OAG Travel Planner.” The evidence was admitted for the limited purpose of demonstrating that consumers associate the term “Travel Planner” with OAG. Consumer perceptions are relevant in determining whether a non-inherently distinctive mark has acquired secondary meaning and should therefore be treated as a strong mark. Levi Strauss & Co. v. Blue Bell, Inc., 778 F.2d 1352, 1354 (9th Cir.1985). Ashbyweb concedes, however, as it must, that the alleged error is'harmless if we find that OAG was not required to prove secondary meaning for the term “Travel Planner.” Although the district court was instructed upon remand to consider consumer perceptions in determining whether the term “Travel Planner” is protectable, it was only because OAG expressly disclaimed the words “Travel Planner” apart from the mark as a whole. OAG no longer disclaims the words “Travel Planner” apart from the mark as a whole. The composite mark “OAG TRAVEL PLANNER” constitutes an arbitrary mark that qualifies for trademark protection without the need to prove secondary meaning. Official Airline Guides, 856 F.2d at 87. The alleged error was harmless.