Court Opinion

ID: 4442748
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-09-30 15:00:25.011168+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:50:54.938416
License: Public Domain

18-2998-cv
E.A. Sween Co., Inc. v. A & M Deli Express Inc.

                              UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                                 FOR THE SECOND CIRCUIT

                                        SUMMARY ORDER
Rulings by summary order do not have precedential effect. Citation to a summary order filed
on or after January 1, 2007, is permitted and is governed by Federal Rule of Appellate
Procedure 32.1 and this Court’s Local Rule 32.1.1. When citing a summary order in a
document filed with this Court, a party must cite either the Federal Appendix or an
electronic database (with the notation “summary order”). A party citing a summary order
must serve a copy of it on any party not represented by counsel.

       At a stated term of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, held at
the Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse, 40 Foley Square, in the City of New York,
on the 30th day of September, two thousand nineteen.

PRESENT:    JOSÉ A. CABRANES,
            GERARD E. LYNCH,
            CHRISTOPHER F. DRONEY,
                         Circuit Judges.
_____________________________________

E.A. SWEEN COMPANY, INC., A MINNESOTA
CORPORATION, DBA DELI EXPRESS,

                 Plaintiff-Appellant,                           18-2998-cv

                 v.

A & M DELI EXPRESS INC.,

            Defendant-Appellee.
_____________________________________

FOR PLAINTIFF-APPELLANT:                          Thomas H. Boyd, Tucker A. Chambers,
                                                  Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A., Minneapolis,
                                                  MN; Sanford H. Greenberg, Greenberg
                                                  Freeman LLP, New York, NY.

FOR DEFENDANT-APPELLEE:                           No appearance.
       Appeal from a judgment of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New
York (Raymond J. Dearie, Judge; Robert M. Levy, Mag. Judge).

    UPON DUE CONSIDERATION, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND
DECREED that the judgment of the District Court is AFFIRMED.

       Appellant E.A. Sween Company (“Sween”) sued A & M Deli Express Inc. (“A&M”) for
trademark infringement, dilution, and unfair competition under federal and state law, alleging that
A&M’s use of “Deli Express” in its name and advertising infringed on Sween’s trademark for a brand
of convenience foods called “Deli Express.” After A&M failed to appear, Sween moved for a default
judgment. A magistrate judge recommended denying the motion and dismissing the complaint,
reasoning that Sween failed to state any claims. The District Court adopted the recommendation and
dismissed the complaint with prejudice. We assume the parties’ familiarity with the underlying facts,
the procedural history of the case, and the issues on appeal.

       Because the District Court simultaneously denied the motion for a default judgment and
dismissed the complaint for failure to state a claim, we review the dismissal de novo. See Chambers v.
Time Warner, Inc., 282 F.3d 147, 152 (2d Cir. 2002)

    I.      Procedural Issues

         Sween challenges the District Court’s judgment on a number of procedural grounds. It argues
that the District Court erred by dismissing its complaint sua sponte, without notice or the opportunity
to be heard, thereby denying it due process. Although it is true that the magistrate judge
recommended dismissal sua sponte in the sense that no party had moved to dismiss for failure to state
a claim, the record does not support the notion that Sween was denied notice and an opportunity to
be heard before the complaint was dismissed. The magistrate judge, in his Report &
Recommendation, clearly informed Sween that it had an opportunity to object. This gave Sween
explicit notice that the District Court would be considering dismissal and provided Sween an
opportunity to be heard on the issue.

         Sween also contends that the District Court erred by dismissing the complaint because a
defaulting party admits liability and the magistrate judge should not have conducted a merits analysis.
That argument is meritless. A defaulting party admits only well-pleaded factual allegations; it does not
admit conclusory allegations or legal conclusions. See Finkel v. Romanowicz, 577 F.3d 79, 84 (2d Cir.
2009). Therefore, it was proper for the magistrate judge to consider whether the complaint’s
allegations established liability. Id. In considering both plaintiff’s motion for default judgment and the
propriety of dismissal for failure to state a claim, the District Court was required to determine

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whether the facts, as alleged in well-pleaded, non-conclusory fashion, were sufficient to establish the
defendant’s liability as a matter of law. See id.; J.S. v. T’Kach, 714 F.3d 99, 103 (2d Cir. 2013); see also
Steginsky v. Xcelera Inc., 741 F.3d 365, 368 (2d Cir. 2014). Even assuming, without deciding, the
correctness of the view, frequently stated in district court opinions in this Circuit, that “[l]ikelihood of
confusion is a fact-intensive analysis that ordinarily does not lend itself to a motion to dismiss,” Van
Praagh v. Gratton, 993 F. Supp. 2d 293, 303 (E.D.N.Y. 2014) (internal quotation marks omitted)
(alteration in original), district courts can and do properly dismiss such claims when the allegation of
consumer confusion is implausible, and we have affirmed dismissals in such cases. See, e.g., Eliya, Inc.
v. Steven Madden, Ltd., 749 F. App’x 43, 47-48 (2d Cir. 2018); Kelly-Brown v. Winfrey, 659 F. App’x 55,
61-62 (2d Cir. 2016); Cintas Corp. v. Unite Here, 355 F. App’x 508, 510-11 (2d Cir. 2009).

    II.     Sufficiency of the Allegations

            A. Trademark Infringement and Unfair Competition

         The District Court properly denied Sween’s motion for a default judgment and dismissed its
trademark infringement and unfair competition claims. To establish trademark infringement under
the Lanham Act, “a plaintiff must establish that (1) it has a valid mark that is entitled to protection
under the Lanham Act; and that (2) the defendant used the mark, (3) in commerce, (4) in connection
with the sale . . . or advertising of goods or services, (5) without the plaintiff's consent.” 1-800
Contacts, Inc. v. WhenU.Com, Inc., 414 F.3d 400, 406–07 (2d Cir. 2005) (internal quotation marks and
citation omitted). It must further show that the “defendant’s use of that mark ‘is likely to cause
confusion . . . as to the affiliation, connection, or association of [defendant] with [plaintiff], or as to
the origin, sponsorship, or approval of [the defendant’s] goods, services, or commercial activities by
[plaintiff].’” Id. at 407 (quoting 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a)(1)(A) (alterations in original)). A common law
unfair competition claim under New York law is generally “the bad faith misappropriation of the
labors and expenditures of another, likely to cause confusion or to deceive purchasers as to the origin
of the goods.” Jeffrey Milstein, Inc. v. Greger, Lawlor, Roth, Inc., 58 F.3d 27, 34 (2d Cir. 1995) (internal
quotation marks omitted). As under the Lanham Act, “the plaintiff must show either actual confusion
in an action for damages or a likelihood of confusion for equitable relief,” as well as bad faith. Id. at
35.

        Because the District Court concluded that Sween alleged sufficient facts to meet the
threshold requirements (protection, use in commerce, and use without consent), the sole issue on
appeal is whether there was a likelihood of confusion between Sween’s mark and A&M’s use of Deli
Express. Likelihood of confusion is determined by the eight-factor test developed in Polaroid Corp. v.
Polarad Elecs. Corp., 287 F.2d 492 (2d Cir. 1961): (1) strength of the trademark; (2) similarity of the
marks; (3) proximity of the products and their competitiveness with one another; (4) evidence that

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the senior user may “bridge the gap” by developing a product for sale in the market of the alleged
infringer’s product; (5) evidence of actual consumer confusion; (6) sophistication of the consumers in
the relevant market; (7) evidence that the imitative mark was adopted in bad faith; and (8) respective
quality of the products. Virgin Enters. Ltd. v. Nawab, 335 F.3d 141, 146–47 (2d Cir. 2003). Based on
our review of the second, third, sixth, seventh, and eighth Polaroid factors, Sween failed to allege
sufficient facts to show a likelihood of confusion.1

                1. Similarity

          The second factor (similarity) weighs in A&M’s favor. The “similarity of the marks test . . .
attempts to discern whether the similarity of the marks is likely to cause confusion among potential
customers.” Malletier v. Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corp., 426 F.3d 532, 537 (2d Cir. 2005)
(internal quotation marks omitted). Sween argues that the magistrate judge erred by doing a side-by-
side comparison of its Deli Express logos and the photos of A&M’s store. Sween is correct that
serial, rather than side-by-side comparisons are preferable because “the Lanham Act requires a court
to analyze the similarity of the products in light of the way in which the marks are actually displayed
in their purchasing context.” See id. at 538. But an examination of Sween’s mark and A&M’s store
signage reveals a substantial amount of dissimilarity to the point where the differences “are likely to
be memorable enough to dispel confusion on serial viewing.” Id. The differences in use, font, colors,
and arrangement are stark.

          Sween further argues that the magistrate judge failed to compare the parties’ use of the words
“Deli Express” without the artwork. But even if the District Court erred by failing to make this
comparison, it would not alter the outcome. “[A]n inquiry into the degree of similarity between two
marks does not end with a comparison of the marks themselves . . . . [T]he setting in which a
designation is used affects its appearance and colors the impression conveyed by it.” Hormel Foods
Corp. v. Jim Henson Prods., Inc., 73 F.3d 497, 503 (2d Cir. 1996) (internal quotation marks omitted;
ellipsis in original). Even if Sween is correct that the District Court should have compared the
phrases “Deli Express” with “A & M Deli Express” and “Fresh for Less Deli Express” without
considering the parties’ physical presentation of the words, e.g., the actual logos, they are not similar.
Sween generally uses Deli Express to sell prepackaged convenience foods to retail outlets; it did not
allege that it directly operated delis, convenience stores, or other similar retail operations. Although
Sween alleged that it used the Deli Express mark in connection with convenience store and

1
  The first factor (trademark strength) is not at issue because the magistrate judge concluded that it
weighed in Sween’s favor. And Sween does not meaningfully challenge the magistrate judge’s
conclusion that the fourth (“bridging the gap”) and fifth (actual confusion) factors weighed against a
likelihood of confusion.

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restaurant services, it did not specify what services it offered, and the marketing materials it included
in its complaint suggest that the “services” included subsidized equipment and “free point-of-sale
materials[,]” not operation of the actual stores.

         In contrast, A&M used “Deli Express” as the name of its store and for advertisements of its
store. Sween did not allege that A&M also sold “Fresh for Less Deli Express” or “A & M Deli
Express” prepackaged goods similar to the ones Sween sells. The photographs of A&M’s store show
that it sold freshly made sandwiches, not prepackaged ones. Further, Sween did not allege that A&M
offers similar services, like subsidized restaurant equipment. Although Sween alleged that both parties
used the phrase “Deli Express” in connection with food products in a convenience store setting, the
uses are not so close that an ordinarily prudent consumer would confuse a freshly made sandwich
bought at the “A & M Deli Express” store with a “Deli Express” sandwich from Sween’s line of
prepackaged foods. Cf. Morningside Grp. Ltd. v. Morningside Capital Grp. L.L.C., 182 F.3d 133, 140 (2d
Cir. 1999) (concluding that the names of two financial investment firms offering nearly identical
services were similar because both firms used “Group” and the word “Morningside”). The second
factor therefore weighs in A&M’s favor.

                2. Proximity

        The third factor (competitive proximity) also weighs in A&M’s favor. “The proximity inquiry
asks to what extent the two products compete with each other.” Brennan’s, Inc. v. Brennan’s Restaurant,
L.L.C., 360 F.3d 125, 134 (2d Cir. 2004). A court should examine “the nature of the products
themselves and the structure of the relevant market[,]” including the “market proximity and
geographic proximity.” Id. (internal quotation marks omitted). “Market proximity asks whether the
two products are in related areas of commerce and geographic proximity looks to the geographic
separation of the products.” Id. Because Sween alleged that it sold its products in New York City,
where A&M’s store is located, it had alleged sufficient facts to show geographic proximity. The sole
issue then is whether the parties are in close market proximity to each other.

         The magistrate judge concluded that the parties were not competitively proximate because
they did not directly compete. Sween asserts that this was error because direct competition is not
required to show proximity. It is correct that “direct competition between the products is not a
prerequisite to relief[.]” Mobil Oil Corp. v. Pegasus Petroleum Corp., 818 F.2d 254, 257 (2d Cir. 1987)
(internal quotation marks omitted). Instead, the proximity inquiry asks whether “a purchaser could
easily assume that, while the [products] themselves are different, they belong to the same genre of
products and might well have the same source.” Arrow Fastener Co. v. Stanley Works, 59 F.3d 384, 396
(2d Cir. 1995) (internal quotation marks omitted).

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        Sween asserts that the strength of its mark and its use in the convenience food market is
sufficient to show that it and A&M were competitively proximate. However, as discussed above,
A&M’s usage of “Deli Express” was not confusingly similar to Sween’s mark. This weighs against a
conclusion that consumers would confuse A&M’s sandwiches with Sween’s. See id. And the fact that
Sween’s photos showed that A&M offered a different product, i.e., a deli counter, rather than a
selection of premade sandwiches, supports the conclusion that the products are not in the same arena
of competition. Nor does Sween allege that A&M wraps its sandwiches in “Deli Express” labeled
packaging. Even though both parties sell sandwiches, they are not selling the same sandwiches made
in the same way and prepackaged in the same way. Accordingly, the third factor also favors A&M.

               3. Consumer Sophistication, Bad Faith, and Quality of Goods

         We conclude that the magistrate judge erred by concluding that the sixth factor (consumer
sophistication) was neutral because it can be inferred that retail consumers (like A&M’s) were not as
sophisticated as other types of purchasers. See, e.g., Virgin Enters. Ltd., 335 F.3d at 151 (“[R]etail
customers, such as the ones catered to by both the defendants and [plaintiff], are not expected to
exercise the same degree of care as professional buyers, who are expected to have greater powers of
discrimination.” (internal quotation marks omitted; second alteration in original)). However, the
magistrate judge properly concluded that the seventh factor (bad faith) was neutral or slightly favored
Sween and that the eighth factor (quality of goods) was neutral. Sween asserts that the magistrate
judge should have concluded that both factors weighed strongly in its favor. But even if bad faith
should have been considered in Sween’s favor, it “does not bear directly on whether consumers are
likely to be confused.” Id. And Sween has not introduced evidence regarding the goods’ comparative
quality or cited authority to show that, absent such evidence, the eighth factor should weigh in its
favor.

        In sum, three factors weighed in Sween’s favor (strength of mark, consumer sophistication,
and bad faith), one factor was neutral (quality of goods), and the remaining four factors (similarity,
proximity, bridging the gap, and actual confusion) weighed in A&M’s favor. Taken as a whole, it is
unlikely that consumers would confuse Sween’s Deli Express brand of prepackaged foods with the
“A & M Deli Express” store. Nabisco, Inc., 220 F.3d at 46 (the “ultimate question” is “whether
consumers are likely to be confused” (internal quotation marks omitted)). Therefore, the District
Court properly dismissed Sween’s federal trademark infringement and state law unfair competition
claims.

           B. Trademark Dilution

       The District Court also properly dismissed Sween’s federal and state law trademark dilution

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claims. “Under federal law, an owner of a famous, distinctive mark is entitled to an injunction against
the user of a mark that is likely to cause dilution of the famous mark.” Starbucks Corp. v. Wolfe’s
Borough Coffee, Inc., 588 F.3d 97, 105 (2d Cir. 2009) (internal quotation marks omitted). Dilution can
occur through “blurring” or “tarnishment.” Id.; see also 15 U.S.C. § 1125(c)(1). “Dilution by blurring is
an association arising from the similarity between a mark or trade name and a famous mark that
impairs the distinctiveness of the famous mark[.]” Starbucks Corp., 588 F.3d at 105 (internal quotation
marks omitted). Likelihood of confusion is not required. Id.

        Sween argues that its mark was famous enough to warrant protection. But even if Sween
sufficiently alleged that its mark was famous, we may affirm the dismissal of the dilution claim on the
alternate ground that Sween has not alleged facts showing that its mark was diluted. To determine if a
defendant’s use of a mark is likely to cause dilution by blurring, a court may consider: (1) “[t]he
degree of similarity between the mark or trade name and the famous mark”; (2) “[t]he degree of
inherent or acquired distinctiveness of the famous mark”; (3) “[t]he extent to which the owner of the
famous mark is engaging in substantially exclusive use of the mark”; (4) “[t]he degree of recognition
of the famous mark”; (5) “[w]hether the user of the mark or trade name intended to create an
association with the famous mark”; and (6) “[a]ny actual association between the mark or trade name
and the famous mark.” 15 U.S.C. § 1125(c)(2)(B).

         As discussed above, there is little similarly between Sween’s mark and A&M’s usage.
Further, Sween did not allege that the Deli Express brand was “widely recognized” beyond the fact
that it won industry awards and had “significant” sales. It did not claim that there was any association
made between its brand and A&M’s store or that A&M was intending to deliberately associate itself
with Sween’s brand. Because there was little similarity between the Deli Express brand and the A&M
store, the District Court properly dismissed the trademark dilution claim.

         For the same reasons, Sween’s state law dilution claim fails. Under New York state law, a
plaintiff may obtain injunctive relief if it can show a “‘[l]ikelihood of injury to business reputation or
of dilution of the distinctive quality of a mark or trade name[.]’” Starbucks Corp., 588 F.3d at 113–14
(quoting N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 360-l) (alternation in original). In contrast to a dilution claim under
the Lanham Act, a state law dilution claim does not require that a mark be famous to be protected,
but does require that the marks be “substantially similar.” Id. A state law dilution claim can also be
advanced under a blurring or tarnishment theory. Id.

         “To determine the likelihood of blurring, we have looked to six factors, including: (i) the
similarity of the marks; (ii) the similarity of the products covered; (iii) the sophistication of the
consumers; (iv) the existence of predatory intent; (v) the renown of the senior mark; and (vi) the
renown of the junior mark.” N.Y. Stock Exchange, Inc. v. N.Y., N.Y. Hotel, LLC, 293 F.3d 550, 558 (2d

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Cir. 2002). As discussed above, there is little similarity between Sween’s and A&M’s logo art. And to
the extent that Sween asserts its claim based solely on the words “Deli Express,” the different context
of the parties’ usage and the differences between their products, and the lack of evidence of
“predatory intent,” shows that it is unlikely that A&M’s use diluted Sween’s mark.

                                          CONCLUSION

        We have reviewed the remainder of Sween’s arguments and find them to be without merit.
For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the District Court is AFFIRMED.

                                               FOR THE COURT:
                                               Catherine O’Hagan Wolfe, Clerk of Court

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