Opinion ID: 771716
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: introduction

Text: 175 If the record suggested that, under the test we have set forth, A&H could not succeed as a matter of law in a reverse confusion claim, we would be bound to explicate our reasoning and affirm the judgment of the District Court. However, we do not so conclude, and hence vacatur and remand is necessary. Inasmuch as we have clarified the law of reverse confusion in this circuit by filling the gaps left in Fisons, it will be useful to the District Court if we comment on the extent to which it needs to revisit the various issues. 176 As explained supra, the factors concerning the market, sales, and function similarity (factors (3), (7), (8) & (9)) need not be reexamined for the reverse confusion claim because the District Court has already discussed them in connection with direct confusion and there is typically no difference in the analysis of these factors for reverse and direct confusion claims. As for the actual confusion factors ((4) & (6)), the District Court did not credit the evidence proffered by A&H and, in its best light, regarded it as de minimis. A&H's evidence of actual confusion primarily supported its claim for direct, rather than reverse, confusion, see supra Section IV. G., with the only exception being the Women's Wear Daily article mentioning the introduction of the Miracle Swimsuit in the upcoming Victoria's Secret catalog. Because these incidents, though relevant to reverse confusion, are more probative of direct confusion but the District Court felt that they were too weak to support even that claim, the court may, but need not, re-examine this factor on remand.