Court Opinion

ID: 1036982
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-08-09 15:48:02.189528+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:46:15.965527
License: Public Domain

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR FULL-TEXT PUBLICATION
                          File Name: 13a0741n.06

                                          No. 12-1760
                                                                                     FILED
                         UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS                          Aug 09, 2013
                              FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT                        DEBORAH S. HUNT, Clerk

LUCKY’S DETROIT, LLC,                           )
                                                )
       Plaintiff-Appellant,                     )
                                                )   ON APPEAL FROM THE UNITED
v.                                              )   STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE
                                                )   EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
DOUBLE L, INC.,                                 )
                                                )
       Defendant-Appellee.                      )

BEFORE: COOK, WHITE, and DONALD, Circuit Judges.

       HELENE N. WHITE, Circuit Judge. Lucky’s Detroit, LLC (LD) appeals the district

court’s grant of a permanent injunction in favor of Double L, Inc. (Double L), enjoining LD from

using the names “Lucky’s” or “Lucky’s Pub and Grille” in connection with its restaurants. We

AFFIRM.

                                      I. BACKGROUND

       Plaintiff-Appellant LD and Defendant-Appellee Double L both operate restaurants in

Michigan. Double L operates eight restaurants, including five under the name “Lucky’s Steak

House,” located in Imlay City, Davison, Fenton, Clio, and Bay City. Double L began using the

marks “Lucky’s” and “Lucky’s Steak House” in October 1998. It registered the marks with the state

of Michigan on November 16, 1999, and with the United States Patent and Trademark Office

(USPTO) in connection with “restaurant services” on June 12, 2001. Lucky Vasilakis owns the

stock and is an officer of Double L, which owns 100% of three of the Lucky’s Steak Houses, and
No. 12-1760
Lucky’s Detroit v. Double L

33% and 50% of the other two Lucky’s Steak Houses. Vasilakis oversees the daily operations of the

restaurants, including signage, the appearance and content of menus, maintenance of the website,

and advertising, and testified that Double L had a “verbal agreement” with each of the Lucky’s Steak

House restaurants permitting them to use the marks. Vasilakis also testified that with his permission,

the staff at the restaurants refer to them as “Lucky’s.”

       LD operates three pub-style establishments under the name “Lucky’s Pub & Grille,” two in

downtown Detroit, which have been in business since sometime in 2008 and October 2009, and a

third in Southfield, which opened in May 2010 during the pendency of this action. All three

restaurants are owned and managed by Waleed Mona.

       In October 2009, after customers allegedly expressed confusion regarding whether Vasilakis

owned Lucky’s Pub and Grille, Vasilakis sent a letter to Mona requesting that LD cease and desist

its use of the names “Lucky’s Pub and Grille” and “Lucky’s.” LD refused and filed this action

seeking a declaratory judgment of non-infringement. The complaint also alleges lack of confusing

similarity, fraud on the USPTO, fraud on the Michigan Corporation and Securities Department, and

abandonment. Double L filed an answer and counterclaim, alleging federal trademark infringement,

a violation of Lanham Act § 43(a), trademark infringement under Michigan Compiled Laws § 429.42

and Michigan common law, and unfair competition under Michigan common law. LD’s answer to

the counterclaim asserts affirmative defenses of unclean hands, estoppel, and abandonment.

       After the court ruled on the parties’ partial motions to dismiss, only LD’s claims for

declaration of non-infringement and abandonment and Double L’s counterclaims for federal

trademark infringement and violation of Lanham Act § 43(a) remained. Following discovery, both

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parties moved for summary judgment. The district court granted Double L’s motion as to liability

and enjoined LD from using the marks “Lucky’s” or “Lucky’s Pub and Grille.” LD timely appealed.

                                 II. STANDARD OF REVIEW

        In our review of a district court’s grant of a permanent injunction, “[f]actual findings are

reviewed under the clearly erroneous standard, legal conclusions are reviewed de novo, and the scope

of injunctive relief is reviewed for an abuse of discretion.” Sec’y of Labor, U.S. Dep’t of Labor v.

3Re.com, Inc., 317 F.3d 534, 537 (6th Cir. 2003) (internal quotation marks omitted). A court may

issue a permanent injunction when the party requesting the injunction demonstrates that: (1) it will

suffer an irreparable injury absent an injunction; (2) legal remedies, such as money damages, provide

inadequate compensation; (3) the balance of hardships warrants an injunction; and (4) the public

interest would not be disserved by an injunction. eBay Inc. v. MercExchange, LLC, 547 U.S. 388,

391 (2006). In trademark infringement cases, a likelihood of confusion or possible risk to the

requesting party’s reputation satisfies the irreparable injury requirement. Wynn Oil Co. v. Am. Way

Serv. Corp., 943 F.2d 595, 608 (6th Cir. 1991).

                                         III. ANALYSIS

       The central question is whether Double L’s use of “Lucky’s” or “Lucky’s Pub & Grille” is

likely to cause confusion among patrons regarding the ownership of the restaurants. See AutoZone,

Inc. v. Tandy Corp., 373 F.3d 786, 791–92 (6th Cir. 2004) (citing Daddy’s Junky Music Stores, Inc.

v. Big Daddy’s Family Music Ctr., 109 F.3d 275, 280 (6th Cir. 1997)); see also 15 U.S.C.

§ 1114(1)(a). LD challenges the district court’s determination that there is a likelihood of confusion

and reasserts the affirmative defenses of estoppel and unclean hands.

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       A. Likelihood of Confusion

        In this circuit, we weigh eight factors, known as the Frisch factors, to determine whether

there is a likelihood of confusion: (1) the strength of Double L’s marks, (2) the relatedness of the

restaurants, (3) the similarity of the marks, (4) the evidence of actual confusion, (5) the marketing

channels used, (6) the likely degree of purchaser care and sophistication, (7) LD’s intent in selecting

its mark; and (8) the likelihood of expansion of the restaurants using the marks. Frisch’s Rests., Inc.

v. Elby’s Big Boy of Steubenville, Inc., 670 F.2d 642, 648 (6th Cir. 1982). Under this test, the

“ultimate question” is “whether relevant consumers are likely to believe that the products or services

offered by the parties are affiliated in some way.” Homeowners Grp., Inc. v. Home Mktg.

Specialists, Inc., 931 F.2d 1100, 1107 (6th Cir. 1991). The district court concluded that all of the

Frisch factors weighed in favor of Double L, except LD’s intent in selecting its mark, which the

court considered neutral.

               1. Strength of the Marks

       To evaluate the strength of a mark, we consider two separate components: (1) the conceptual

strength, or placement of the mark on the spectrum of marks, which encapsulates the question of

inherent distinctiveness; and (2) the commercial strength, or marketplace recognition value of the

mark. Maker’s Mark Distillery, Inc. v. Diageo N. Am., Inc., 679 F.3d 410, 419 (6th Cir. 2012)

(internal quotation marks omitted).

       A mark’s distinctiveness and resulting conceptual strength “depends partly upon which of

four categories it occupies: generic, descriptive, suggestive, and fanciful or arbitrary.” Therma-

Scan, Inc. v. Thermoscan, Inc., 295 F.3d 623, 631 (6th Cir. 2002) (internal quotation marks omitted).

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A descriptive mark “specifically describes a characteristic or ingredient of an article,” while an

arbitrary mark “has a significance recognized in everyday life, but the thing it normally signifies is

unrelated to the product or service to which the mark is attached, such as CAMEL cigarettes or

APPLE computers.” Id. (internal quotation marks and brackets omitted). “A descriptive mark, by

itself, is not protectable.” Innovation Ventures, LLC v. N.V.E., Inc., 694 F.3d 723, 730 (6th Cir.

2012). However, a “merely descriptive term can, by acquiring a secondary meaning, i.e., becoming

distinctive of the applicant’s goods, become a valid trademark.” Id. (internal quotation marks and

ellipses omitted); see Induct-O-Matic Corp. v. Inductotherm Corp., 747 F.2d 358, 364 (6th Cir.

1984) (descriptive mark becomes distinctive through advertising and reputation).

        LD first challenges the district court’s finding that Double L’s marks are arbitrary—the

strongest type of mark—based on its determination that although “Lucky’s” is not normally related

to restaurants, it has become associated with Double L’s restaurants through use and advertisement.

LD stresses that Double L’s restaurants are named after (Lucky) Vasilakis. Typically, marks

utilizing personal names are considered descriptive, “and as such [are] generally weak unless there

is evidence of secondary meaning.” Patsy’s Brand, Inc. v. I.O.B. Realty, Inc., 317 F.3d 209, 217 (2d

Cir. 2003). As the district court recognized, however, secondary meaning is required only if the

public perceives the mark to be a personal name. See Circuit City Stores, Inc. v. CarMax, Inc., 165
F.3d 1047, 1054 (6th Cir. 1999) (although the mark “CARMAX” was purportedly a combination of

the first names Carson and Max, the public would not perceive it to be a combination of personal

names when used as a mark to sell used cars); see also 2 J. Thomas McCarthy, McCarthy on

Trademarks and Unfair Competition § 13:2 (4th ed. 1998). Although Lucky is, in this case, a

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personal name, it is also an adjective that means “having or marked by good luck,” Random House

Webster’s College Dictionary (2d ed. 1997). The district court did not err in determining that this

is the definition that consumers likely associate with the marks.

        Additionally, Double L’s marks have acquired “incontestable” status. If a mark “has been

in continuous use for five consecutive years subsequent to the date of . . . registration and is still used

in commerce,” the mark is considered “incontestable.” See 15 U.S.C. § 1065. An incontestable

mark is accorded one of two presumptions under the Lanham Act: “(1) that [the] registered

trademark is not merely descriptive or generic; or (2) that if descriptive, the mark is accorded

secondary meaning.” Packman v. Chicago Tribune Co., 267 F.3d 628, 638 (7th Cir. 2001), cited

with approval in Leelanau Wine Cellars, Ltd. v. Black & Red, Inc., 502 F.3d 504, 513–14 (6th Cir.

2007); see also 15 U.S.C. § 1115(a) (providing that registration on the principal register “shall be

prima facie evidence of the validity of the registered mark”). Because of these presumptions, LD

cannot defend against this infringement action by claiming that the marks are “merely descriptive”

and therefore undeserving of protection. See Park ‘N Fly, Inc. v. Dollar Park and Fly, Inc., 469 U.S.
189, 196 (1985) (“The language of the Lanham Act [] refutes any conclusion that an incontestable

mark may be challenged as merely descriptive.”); Daddy’s, 109 F.3d at 282; Wynn Oil Co. v.

Thomas, 839 F.2d 1183, 1187 (6th Cir. 1988).

        LD argues that, notwithstanding the marks’ incontestable status, the district court erred in

assessing the strength of the marks by ignoring evidence of a “crowded market.” LD correctly relies

on our decision in Therma-Scan for the proposition that a court must weigh the conceptual and

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commercial strength of a mark, even where it determines that a mark is valid and incontestable. See
295 F.3d at 632 (“Even where a trademark is incontestable and ‘worthy of full protection,’ the

significance of its presumed strength will depend upon its recognition among members of the

public.”); Maker’s, 679 F.3d at 420. Here, the district court in fact considered, but rejected, LD’s

evidence regarding a “crowded market.” LD submitted a search of online listings for restaurants

using the term “Lucky’s,” “Lucky,” and “Luckies,” a USPTO record listing other marks that use the

term “Lucky’s” in connection with restaurant services, and an affidavit from Michael Gebus, the

owner of “Lucky’s Pub” in Fowlerville, Michigan, in which he attests that his restaurant has been

open since 1994, four years before Lucky’s Steak House opened. We have recognized, however, that

“merely showing the existence of marks in the records of the [USPTO] will not materially affect the

distinctiveness of another’s mark which is actively used in commerce.” Homeowners, 931 F.2d at

1108. In order for market conditions to carry weight, a defendant must show “what actually happens

in the marketplace.” Id. Although some of the businesses listed in LD’s internet results are located

in Michigan, many appear to be in other markets. “A mark might be weak in the national market,

but might still be strong in the senior user’s geographical and product area and thus deserving of

protection.” Ameritech, Inc. v. Am. Info. Techs. Corp., 811 F.2d 960, 967 (6th Cir. 1987). Further,

LD presented no evidence that the businesses listed online are actively using the marks in operating

restaurants. Evidence of numerous third-party registrations is especially relevant if the registrations

are “current and in current use . . . [in] the very industry at issue.” Daddy’s, 109 F.3d at 281. The

only business shown to be using the name “Lucky’s” on a current basis in connection with a

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restaurant is Lucky’s Pub. This is insufficient to meet the required evidentiary showing of

widespread third-party use.

        Further, the district court credited Vasilakis’s deposition testimony that Lucky’s Steak House

has strong public recognition in southeast Michigan, considering the distance that customers travel

to patronize it; its selection as best steakhouse, best seafood, and best restaurant in Bay City for at

least the past two years; that customers contacted Vasilakis to open new Lucky’s Steak House

restaurants in their areas; and Double L’s advertising. The court also noted that LD provided no

evidence to refute Double L’s assertion of customer recognition, focusing only on third-party use.

Thus, the presumed strength of the arbitrary, incontestable marks is bolstered by the public’s

recognition of the marks as specific to Double L’s restaurants, and the district court’s conclusion that

the marks are both conceptually and commercially strong is not in error.

                2. Relatedness of the Goods and Services

        This court considers three categories when determining the relatedness of the goods or

services:

        First, if the parties compete directly by offering their goods or services, confusion is
        likely if the marks are sufficiently similar; second, if the goods or services are
        somewhat related but not competitive, the likelihood of confusion will turn on other
        factors; third, if the goods or services are totally unrelated, confusion is unlikely.

Daddy’s, 109 F.3d at 282. LD argues that the restaurants differ in location and ambiance, and

therefore are not competitive.      However, the restaurants’ food, beverages, and pricing are

similar—Lucky’s Pub and Grille’s menu even includes a section titled “Lucky’s Famous Steaks”—

and both restaurants have bar areas and televisions playing sports events. In addition, Lucky’s Pub

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and Grille’s expansion into the Detroit suburb of Southfield in 2010 undermines LD’s claim that it

caters to “urban areas,” while Lucky’s Steak House caters to suburban and rural areas. Thus, the

district court’s determination on relatedness is not in error.

                3. Similarity of the Marks

        In assessing the similarity of the marks, “[a] court must determine, in the light of what occurs

in the marketplace, whether the mark ‘will be confusing to the public when singly presented.’”

Homeowners, 931 F.2d at 1109 (quoting Wynn Oil, 839 F.2d at 1187). LD asserts that because the

word “Lucky’s” is commonly used by restaurants, we must look at the remaining differences in the

names (i.e., “Pub and Grille” versus “Steak House”) to assess similarity. However, this court has

held that “the marks must be viewed in their entirety and in context.” Id. When reviewed in this

context, the parties’ marks have many similarities, including the use of all capital letters, bold font,

and an apostrophe. In addition, both parties use the word “Lucky’s” alone in various contexts, which

is one of the marks at issue. See Daddy’s, 109 F.3d at 283–84 (finding “Daddy’s Junky Music Store”

and “Big Daddy’s Family Music Center” similar because both parties often advertised using only the

word “Daddy’s” and because “Daddy’s” was not simply a component of the mark, but the mark

itself). Accordingly, the district court did not err in determining that the marks were similar.

                4. Evidence of Actual Confusion

        “Evidence of actual confusion is undoubtedly the best evidence of likelihood of confusion.”

Daddy’s, 109 F.3d at 284 (quoting Wynn Oil, 839 F.2d at 1188). Here, the district court credited

Vasilakis’s deposition testimony that customers expressed confusion regarding whether he owns the

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“Lucky’s in Detroit” and were concerned when a newspaper covered a shooting that had occurred

at a Lucky’s Pub and Grille as “Man killed outside Lucky’s in Detroit.”1

       The record reveals limited details about actual customer confusion. We do not require a

sworn statement or affidavit from a customer who claims to be confused, Innovation Ventures, 694
F.3d at 738; however, a party must provide details about the confusion. See Leelanau, 502 F.3d at

519 (finding no actual confusion where the stories of confusion “lack [] details” and were “few in

number”). Vasilakis’s testimony explains why he believes there was confusion, but does not provide

a clear picture of how many instances of confusion occurred or evidence regarding the confused

customers’ identities.

       Although Double L’s evidence of actual confusion is not particularly strong, “a lack of such

evidence is rarely significant.” Daddy’s, 109 F.3d at 284 (citation and internal quotation marks

omitted).   Moreover, as the district court noted, even limited evidence of confusion gains

significance where the establishments have only competed for a short time, as is the case here. Thus,

the district court did not err in determining that actual confusion occurred, although we accord this

factor only limited weight.

       1
         LD asserts that the customers’ statements are hearsay and thus are “not entitled to any
weight.” The customer comments, however, “were not relied on to show the content of the
conversations, but rather were introduced merely to show that the conversations occurred and the
state of mind of the declarants.” Innovation Ventures, 694 F.3d at 738 (citing Fed. R. Evid. 803(3)).
In such a case, the statements are admissible as a hearsay exception. See id.; see also 4 J. Thomas
McCarthy, 4 McCarthy on Trademark and Unfair Competition § 23:15 (4th ed. 1998).

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               5. Marketing Channels Used

       Assessing whether the marketing channels used are different “consists of considerations of

how and to whom the respective goods or services of the parties are sold.” Homeowners, 931 F.2d

at 1110. The district court found that an assessment of the advertising channels used “weigh[ed]

slightly in favor of [Double L]” largely because of a commonality between the customers. LD argues

that the marketing channels used by the parties are different because LD uses the radio, flyers, and

word-of-mouth, while Double L uses road-side billboards and word-of-mouth. Because the

marketing channels are similar in some respects and dissimilar in others, the district court did not

err in determining that this factor marginally favors Double L. However, “[t]he weight of this factor

will not add much to a finding of infringement because of the equivocal nature of the district court’s

factual findings.” Maker’s, 679 F.3d at 423.

               6. Likely Degree of Purchaser Care

       The district court determined that “[p]urchasing food at the parties’ restaurant[s] is not

generally an expensive or unusual experience,” and thus concluded that, under the standard of a

buyer exercising ordinary caution, the “level of customer care was low.” LD concedes on appeal

that the ordinary care standard is the default for this factor, but asserts that “consumers are

conditioned to look to other non-common portions of a mark to differentiate goods and services, e.g.,

‘Pub and Grille’ versus ‘Steakhouse’ coupled with a beer stein logo.” Appellant’s Br. at 33. We

have explained that the purchaser care factor is often dependent on its relationship with the other

seven factors, particularly the similarity of the marks. See Leelanau, 502 F.3d at 520; Daddy’s, 109

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F.3d at 285. Here, where the marks are relatively similar and an ordinary care standard applies, the

district court did not err in determining that this factor weighs in favor of Double L.

               7. Intent in Selecting the Mark

       The district court found that there was no evidence, circumstantial or otherwise, that LD

purposefully copied Double L’s mark. Double L argues that LD’s continued expansion under the

name “Lucky’s Pub and Grille” after the inception of this suit indicates an intent to cause confusion

in the marketplace. However, expansion of an already-existing business is distinct from selecting

a mark with intent to infringe, and Double L provides no case law to support its position. Moreover,

Double L offers no evidence, direct or circumstantial, that LD initially selected the mark to attract

Double L’s customers. See AutoZone, 373 F.3d at 800 (no intent where there is no evidence that the

junior user selected the mark to steal customers from the senior user). Because “[i]ntent is an issue

whose resolution may benefit only the cause of the senior user, not of an alleged infringer,” the

district court correctly determined that this factor was neutral. Leelanau, 502 F.3d at 520 (internal

quotation marks omitted).

               8. Likelihood of Expansion of the Product Lines Using the Mark

       “[A] strong possibility that either party will expand [its] business to compete with the other

or be marketed to the same consumers will weigh in favor of finding that the present use is

infringing.” Homeowners, 931 F.2d at 1112 (internal quotation marks omitted). Here, there is more

than a likelihood of expansion; there is LD’s actual expansion into the Detroit suburb of Southfield

during the course of this litigation. Moreover, both Vasilakis and Mona testified that they planned

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to open more restaurants in new locations. Accordingly, we find that the district court did not err

in weighing the likelihood of expansion factor in favor of Double L.

                 9. Balancing

       This court reviews de novo the legal question whether the district court’s factual findings

under Frisch support a likelihood of confusion. Tumblebus Inc. v. Cranmer, 399 F.3d 754, 764 (6th

Cir. 2005). Because the district court’s factual findings were not clearly erroneous, we adopt them

and balance them de novo. Maker’s, 679 F.3d at 423.

       The balance of the factors supports the district court’s determination that there is a likelihood

of confusion. All the non-neutral factors weigh, in greater or lesser degrees, in favor of Double L,

including the most important Frisch factors, similarity and strength of the marks. See Maker’s, 679
F.3d at 424. In considering the touchstone question “whether relevant consumers are likely to

believe that the products or services offered by the parties are affiliated in some way,” Homeowners,
931 F.2d at 1107, we conclude that there is sufficient evidence that customers will be confused by

both parties’ use of the marks, and thus Double L made a sufficient showing that it would suffer

irreparable harm if LD continues to use the mark.

       B. Affirmative Defenses

       LD argues that Double L is barred from claiming infringement because of the doctrines of

estoppel and unclean hands.2 See 15 U.S.C.A. § 1115(b)(9).

       2
           LD has abandoned its third affirmative defense, abandonment, on appeal.

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                1. Estoppel

        In its opposition to the initial denial of its registration by the USPTO, Double L argued that:

        [A]ll other marks incorporating the words “LUCKY” or “LUCK” for similar services
        should be afforded a weak degree of protection because the Trademark Office has
        registered the following marks incorporating the words “LUCKY” or “LUCK.” . . .
        When there are several registrations incorporating the words “LUCKY” or “LUCK,”
        each mark and registrant should be granted a narrow scope of exclusivity confined
        to the use of the identified mark on similar services.

Double L USPTO Filing, PageID 761–62. LD asserts that Double L acknowledged the limitations

of the marks when applying to the USPTO, and that such acknowledgments bar Double L from

arguing for a broader application of the marks now. The district court concluded that LD failed to

show how counsel’s representations to the USPTO are relevant and that, in any event, equitable

estoppel requires detrimental reliance, and LD is unable to demonstrate how any reliance resulted

in injury. On appeal, LD argues that there are doctrines of estoppel that do not require reliance on

the part of the claimant and asserts that one such doctrine, “prosecution history estoppel,” also called

“file wrapper estoppel,” is applicable to the current case.

        As an initial matter, “prosecution history estoppel” has traditionally been applied in the

patent, not trademark, context. See 6 J. Thomas McCarthy, McCarthy on Trademarks and Unfair

Competition, § 32:111 (4th ed. 1998). Nonetheless, courts have, without specifically referring to

“prosecution history estoppel,” expressed varying degrees of unwillingness to accept an argument

that is in direct conflict with a trademark registrant’s prior position before the USPTO. See, e.g.,

Freedom Card, Inc. v. JPMorgan Chase & Co., 432 F.3d 463, 476 (3d Cir. 2005) (considering a

registrant’s prior representations to the USPTO in its likelihood of confusion analysis without

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determining whether the remarks constituted “judicial estoppel, an admission, waiver, or simply

hoisting [the plaintiff] by its own petard”); Petro Stopping Ctrs., L.P. v. James River Petroleum, Inc.,

130 F.3d 88, 94 (4th Cir. 1997) (considering a characterization of a registrant’s protection that was

inconsistent with its prior representations to the USPTO as a factor in the likelihood of confusion

analysis, but not as a complete defense to infringement); see also 6 J. Thomas McCarthy, McCarthy

on Trademarks and Unfair Competition, § 32.111 (4th ed. 1998).

        Even assuming prosecution history estoppel (or some lesser standard such as waiver) applies,

LD’s estoppel argument fails. Double L’s representation before the USPTO is not in conflict with

its current position. Double L asserted in its USPTO filing that “[w]hen there are several

registrations incorporating the words “LUCKY” or “LUCK,” each mark and registrant should be

granted a narrow scope of exclusivity confined to the use of the identified mark on similar services.”

Double L USPTO Filing, PageID 761–62, (emphasis added). Here, Lucky’s Pub and Grille provides

substantially similar services as Lucky’s Steak House. Double L also introduced evidence that LD

uses the identical mark “Lucky’s”—without modifying the mark to include “Pub and Grille”—on

its receipts, menu, and website. Because Double L’s position does not contradict its assertion before

the USPTO, LD’s estoppel argument fails.

                2. Unclean Hands

        LD further argues that Double L should be barred from arguing infringement because of the

doctrine of “unclean hands,” based on its representations to the USPTO and the relief sought at the

district court. “The concept of unclean hands may be employed by a court to deny injunctive relief

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where the party applying for such relief is guilty of conduct involving fraud, deceit,

unconscionability, or bad faith related to the matter at issue to the detriment of the other party.”

Performance Unlimited, Inc. v. Questar Publishers, Inc., 52 F.3d 1373, 1383 (6th Cir. 1995)

(citation omitted). LD has provided no evidence that Double L is guilty of conduct involving fraud,

deceit, unconscionability, or bad faith or that Double L made erroneous representations to the

USPTO. Thus, the district court correctly rejected LD’s unclean hands defense.

                                       IV. CONCLUSION

       Based on the foregoing reasoning, we affirm the district court’s grant of a permanent

injunction.

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