Opinion ID: 772978
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Proceedings After the Florida Judgment and Before the Present Suits

Text: 14 In 1985, the appellant Scott and other band members filed a petition for cancellation of Far Out Productions' mark WAR with the PTO. That proceeding was halted due to the bankruptcy stay. Meanwhile, in 1986, the appellees licensed Brown to perform publicly as WAR. When the appellees learned that Scott and some of the other band members were also performing as WAR, the appellees applied to the bankruptcy court for permission to bring suit to enforce the trademark. After receiving permission to bring suit, Far Out Productions filed an action for trademark infringement that was nearly identical to its present complaint. 15 Shortly after the suit was filed, Far Out Productions entered into a global settlement with the appellants and the other band members. On April 1, 1987, each of the band members signed written agreements that agreed to dismiss with prejudice any and all lawsuits, even if the lawsuit had been reduced to a final judgment. The contracts also reaffirmed Far Out Productions' exclusive ownership in the name WAR. Scott also eventually executed joint stipulations to dismiss with prejudice and vacate the Florida judgment. 16 On August 24, 1987, Goldstein filed an incontestability affidavit with the PTO on behalf of Far Out Productions. The affidavit declared that Far Out Productions was the owner of the mark and that the mark had been in continuous use for five consecutive years. The declaration also indicated that there had been no final decision adverse to the registrant's claim to ownership of the mark and that there were no proceedings pending in any court. 17