97914960•Legend IP Holdings Production, LLC
Texte intégral
THIS OPINION IS NOT A PRECEDENT OF THE TTAB Mailed: August 13, 2026 UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE _____ Trademark Trial and Appeal Board _____ In re Legend IP Holdings Production, LLC _____ Serial No. 979149921 Serial No. 97914939 Serial No. 97914960 Serial No. 97914922 Serial No. 97914949 Serial No. 97914929 Serial No. 97914933 Serial No. 97914946 Serial No. 97914918 Serial No. 97914940 Serial No. 97914978 Serial No. 97914984 _____ Anthony M. Keats and Matthew E. Graham of Keats Gatien, LLP, for Legend IP Holdings Production, LLC. Cameron McBride, Trademark Examining Attorney, Law Office 106, Mary Sparrow, Managing Attorney. _____ Before Goodman, Lebow and Allard, Administrative Trademark Judges. Opinion by Allard, Administrative Trademark Judge: 1 These appeals have been consolidated. See discussion infra Section I.
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 2 - Legend IP Holdings Production, LLC (“Applicant”) seeks registration on the Principal Register of the mark GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE (in standard characters) for a variety of goods and services (discussed in more detail herein) identified in twelve applications. In each of the twelve applications, registration is refused under Section 2(d) of the Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1052(d), on the ground that Applicant’s mark, when used on or in connection with the goods or services identified in the involved applications, so resembles one or more GODZILLA or GODZILLA-formative marks, all registered on the Principal Register for a variety of goods and services to the same entity, Toho Co., Ltd. (“Toho Co.”), that Applicant’s GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE mark is likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake, or to deceive. In each matter, Applicant, in an attempt to overcome the refusal under Section 2(d), submitted a “License and Consent Agreement” (referred to herein simply as “the Agreement”).2 After each refusal was made final, Applicant appealed,3 and, in some instances, requested reconsideration.4 In those matters where Applicant requested 2 See June 14, 2024 Response to Office Action at TSDR 8 in Ser. No. 97914992. Citations to the prosecution file refer to the USPTO’s Trademark Status & Document Retrieval (“TSDR”) system and identify documents by title and date. 3 See, e.g., 1 TTABVUE in Ser. No. 97914918. Citations to the record throughout the decision include references to TTABVUE, the Board’s online docketing system. The number preceding “TTABVUE” corresponds to the docket entry number; the number(s) following “TTABVUE” refer to the page number(s) of that particular docket entry. 4 See, e.g., 1 TTABVUE in Ser. No. 97914992.
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 3 - reconsideration, the Board suspended each appeal and remanded them to the Examining Attorney to consider the request.5 After the requests were denied, each appeal resumed. Applicant then requested and was granted two extensions of time to file its brief on the basis that it was negotiating a new consent agreement.6 Applicant, however, did not file a new consent agreement. Both Applicant and the Examining Attorney filed briefs in support of each appeal.7 In each of its briefs, Applicant identifies what it characterizes as the sole issue on appeal: “Whether the consent agreement between Applicant and Toho Co., Ltd., the owner of the Cited Marks (‘Toho’), forms a valid consent agreement pursuant to [TRADEMARK MANUAL OF EXAMINING PROCEDURE] TMEP § 1207.01(d)(viii) [(2026) (“TMEP”)], such that confusion between Applicant’s Mark and the Cited Marks is unlikely.”8 There is no dispute as to the other DuPont factors; in fact, when the Examining Attorney argued that the first, second and third factors weighed in favor of a likelihood of confusion, Applicant did not dispute these arguments or even address them. It simply sought to overcome the refusal with the Agreement. 5 See e.g., 2 TTABVUE in Ser. No. 97914992. 6 See e.g., 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 TTABVUE in Ser. No. 97914992. 7 See e.g., Applicant’s brief appears at 10 TTABVUE and the Examining Attorney’s brief appears at 12 TTABVUE in Ser. No. 97914992. Applicant attached to each of its briefs a copy of the Agreement, which was previously properly made of record during examination. See e.g., 10 TTABVUE 9 in Ser. No. 97914992. Attaching record evidence to the brief is unnecessary and is discouraged. In re Lorillard Licensing Co., LLC, No. 76680117, 2011 TTAB LEXIS 206, at *4 (TTAB 2011) (discouraging attaching evidence to briefs that has been previously made of record); In re Thor Tech, Inc., No. 78487208, 2007 TTAB LEXIS 88, at *3 n.3 (TTAB 2007) (attaching evidence from record to briefs is duplicative and is unnecessary). 8 See e.g., 10 TTABVUE 5 in Ser. No. 97914992; 4 TTABVUE 5 in Ser. No. 97914918.
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 4 - For the reasons discussed below, we affirm each of the refusals. I. Appeals Consolidated The issue in each appeal is the same, i.e., how much evidentiary weight should be afforded the Agreement given by the owner of the registrations that have been cited as a bar to registration under Section 2(d). As with any Section 2(d) refusal, our determination is based on an analysis of all of the probative evidence of record bearing on the likelihood of confusion factors set out in In re E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d 1357, 1361 (CCPA 1973) (“DuPont”). Consent agreements are analyzed under the tenth DuPont factor, which examines the nature and extent of any interaction or relationship between the parties in the market. DuPont, 476 F.2d at 1361. Because the weight to be accorded the Agreement will be the same in each matter and because the records of each application are largely the same, we consolidate the twelve appeals and decide them in a single opinion. See, e.g., In re S. Malhotra & Co. AG, No. 79194076, 2018 TTAB LEXIS 344, at *3 (TTAB 2018) (Board sua sponte consolidated two appeals); see also TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD MANUAL OF PROCEDURE (TBMP) § 1214 (2026) (“When an applicant has filed an ex parte appeal to the Board in two or more co-pending applications, and the cases involve common issues of law or fact, the Board, … upon its own initiative, may order the consolidation of the appeals for purposes of … final decision.”) and authorities cited therein. We cite to the record in application Serial No. 97914992 unless otherwise indicated.
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 5 - II. Likelihood of Confusion Section 2(d) of the Trademark Act prohibits the registration of a mark that “[c]onsists of or comprises a mark which so resembles a mark registered in the Patent and Trademark Office … as to be likely, when used on or in connection with the goods of the applicant, to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive ….”15 U.S.C. § 1052(d). As mentioned, our determination under Section 2(d) is based on an analysis of all of the probative evidence of record bearing on the likelihood of confusion factors. DuPont, 476 F.2d at 1361. We consider each DuPont factor for which there is evidence and argument. See, e.g., In re Guild Mortg. Co., 912 F.3d 1376, 1379 (Fed. Cir. 2019). Varying weights may be assigned to each DuPont factor depending on the evidence presented. See Citigroup Inc. v. Cap. City Bank Grp., Inc., 637 F.3d 1344, 1356 (Fed. Cir. 2011); In re Shell Oil Co., 992 F.2d 1204, 1206 (Fed. Cir. 1993) (“[T]he various evidentiary factors may play more or less weighty roles in any particular determination.”). In every Section 2(d) case, two key factors are the similarity or dissimilarity of the marks and the relatedness of the goods or services. Herbko Int’l, Inc. v. Kappa Books, Inc., 308 F.3d 1156, 1164-65 (Fed. Cir. 2002). Moreover, “each case must be decided on its own facts and the differences are often subtle ones.” Industrial Nucleonics Corp. v. Hinde, 475 F.2d 1197, 1199 (CCPA 1973). The Examining Attorney and Applicant both focus their briefs on the probative value of the Agreement, which, as mentioned, is reviewed under the tenth DuPont factor, i.e., the one concerning the market interface between Applicant and Registrant. Before evaluating the weight to accord the Agreement, we must first
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 6 - address all the other relevant DuPont factors. In re Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, No. 90522364, 2025 TTAB LEXIS 412, at *6 (TTAB 2025). Because Applicant does not dispute the first, second or third DuPont factors and did not address them in its briefs on appeal and did not address them during examination, we offer only a brief explanation of our conclusion as to each of them. In re Morinaga Nyugyo K. K., No. 86338392, 2016 TTAB LEXIS 448, at *3 (TTAB 2016). When issuing the final office action in each application, the Examining Attorney relied on multiple different GODZILLA and GODZILLA-formative marks, all registered to Toho Co. We therefore focus our analysis on the most similar mark cited by the Examining Attorney against each application. Because we ultimately find that confusion is likely as to the mark of each involved application and the select cited registration, we need not consider the other cited registered marks and whether confusion is likely as to them. See In re Max Cap. Grp. Ltd., No. 77186166, 2010 TTAB LEXIS 1, at *5 (TTAB 2010) (confining 2(d) analysis to one of two cited marks). A. Similarity or Dissimilarity and Nature of the Goods or Services We turn first to the second DuPont factor, which considers the similarity or dissimilarity of the goods or services as they are identified in the involved applications and cited registrations. See In re Detroit Athletic Co., 903 F.3d 1297, 1306 (Fed. Cir. 2018); Octocom Sys., Inc. v. Hous. Comput. Servs., Inc., 918 F.2d 937, 942- 43 (Fed. Cir. 1990). Because Applicant does not dispute the second DuPont factor as to any of the refusals, we offer the following streamlined analysis of our findings using a chart format, showing the pertinent goods or services in bold for convenience.
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 7 - It is sufficient for a finding of likelihood of confusion if relatedness is established for any item encompassed by the identification of goods or services within a particular class in an application. Tuxedo Monopoly, Inc. v. General Mills Fun Grp, Inc., 648 F.2d 1335, 1366 (CCPA 1981). Thus, the Examining Attorney need not prove that each of the goods or services in each class of the involved application is the same as or related to each of the goods or services in the cited registration. In re Gebhard, No. 78950320, 2009 TTAB LEXIS 155, at *4 (TTAB 2009). Eleven out of the twelve applications identify goods or services that are identical or legally identical to those of the cited registration. We begin with these. 1. Serial No. 97914992 Involved Application “Entertainment services in the nature of development, creation, production, distribution, and post-production of motion pictures; Film production; Multimedia entertainment services in the nature of development, production, and post-production services in the fields of video and films; providing temporary use of Non- downloadable videogames; providing temporary use of Non-downloadable videogame software; Entertainment services, namely, providing escape rooms,” in International Class 41 Cited Registration GODZILLA Reg. No. 72453249 Including, inter alia, “production of advertising films,” in International Class 35 Here, Applicant’s “film production” services is broad enough to encompass all types of films, including “production of advertising films” of the cited registration, rendering these services legally identical. New Era Cap Co. v. Pro Era, LLC, No. 9 January 27, 2025 Final Office Action at TSDR 2 in Ser. No. 97914992. Reg. No. 7245324 issued on December 19, 2023.
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 8 - 91216455, 2020 TTAB LEXIS 199, at *39-40 (TTAB 2020) (“Caps” as identified in the application is broad enough to encompass all types of caps, including “athletic caps” identified in Opposer’s registration, rendering the parties’ goods in-part legally identical.); In re Hughes Furniture Indus., Inc., No. 85627379, 2015 TTAB LEXIS 65, at *10 (TTAB 2015) (“Applicant’s broadly worded identification of ‘furniture’ necessarily encompasses Registrant’s narrowly identified ‘residential and commercial furniture.’”). 2. Serial No. 97914939 Involved Application “Backpacks; Bags, namely, hand bags, canvas shopping bags; Tote bags; Purses; Messenger bags; Fanny packs; Luggage; Duffle bags; Wallets,” in International Class 18. Cited Registration GODZILLA Reg. No. 724532410 Including, inter alia, “Handbags; … small purses; …,” in International Class 18. Applicant’s “hand bags” and Registrant’s “handbags” are identical. And Applicant’s identified “purses” is broad enough to include Registrant’s identified “small purses,” rendering these goods legally identical. New Era Cap, 2020 TTAB LEXIS 199, at *39-40; Hughes Furniture, 2015 TTAB LEXIS 65, at *10. 3. Serial No. 97914960 Involved Application Including, inter alia, “Action figures[,]” in International Class 28 10 January 27, 2025 Final Office Action at TSDR 2 in Ser. No. 97914939. For the details of the cited registration, see n.9.
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 9 - Cited Registration GODZILLA Reg. No. 185840311 Including, inter alia, “plastic action figures,” in International 28 Applicant’s “Action figures” is broad enough to encompass Registrant’s “plastic action figures,” and, as a result, Applicant’s and Registrant’s goods are legally identical. New Era Cap, 2020 TTAB LEXIS 199, at *39-40; Hughes Furniture, 2015 TTAB LEXIS 65, at *10. 4. Serial No. 97914922 Involved Application Including, inter alia, “Motion pictures being films about action, adventure, comedy, drama, science fiction, and fantasy[,]” in International Class 9 Cited Registration GODZILLA Reg. No. 185840312 Including, inter alia, “cinematographic and motion picture films featuring entertainment[,]” in International Class 9 The cited registration identifies “cinematographic and motion picture films featuring entertainment.” Because “entertainment” is defined as “something diverting or engaging[,]”13 we find that the cited registration’s identified 11 January 27, 2025 Final Office Action at TSDR 2 in Ser. No. 97914960. Reg. No. 1858403, issued on October 18, 1994; renewed. The mark is registered in “typeset” form, which is the legal equivalent of standard character format. Prior to November 2, 2003, “standard character” drawings were known as “typed” or “typeset” drawings. See In re Viterra Inc., 671 F.3d 1358, 1363 n.2 (Fed. Cir. 2012). A typeset mark is the legal equivalent of a standard character mark. TMEP § 807.03(i). 12 January 27, 2025 Final Office Action at TSDR 2 in Ser. No. 97914922. For the details about the cited registration, see n.11. 13 MERRIAM-WEBSTER DICTIONARY, https://www.merriam- webster.com/dictionary/entertainment?src=search-dict-hed, accessed on July 29, 2026. In re Jimenez, No. 97551823, 2025 TTAB LEXIS 441, at *17 n.14 (TTAB 2025) (Board took judicial notice of the dictionary definition of, for example, the word “jasper”).
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 10 - “cinematographic and motion picture films featuring entertainment” broad enough to encompass Applicant’s more narrowly described “Motion pictures being films about action, adventure, comedy, drama, science fiction, and fantasy[.]” Accordingly, these goods are legally identical. New Era Cap, 2020 TTAB LEXIS 199, at *39-40; Hughes Furniture, 2015 TTAB LEXIS 65, at *10. 5. Serial No. 97914949 Involved Application “Tops and bottoms as clothing; T-shirts; Shirts; Tank tops; Sweatshirts; Hooded sweatshirts; Hoodies; Pants; Shorts; Dresses; Skirts; Underwear; Sleepwear; Hats; Headwear; Shoes; Socks; Footwear; Costumes as clothing, namely, Halloween costumes, cosplay costumes,” in International Class 25 Cited Registration GODZILLA Reg. No. 236048914 Including, inter alia, “clothing and footwear, namely, short sleeve T-shirts[,]” in International Class 25 Applicant’s “T-shirts” is broad enough to encompass Registrant’s “short sleeve T- shirts”; accordingly, these goods are legally identical. New Era Cap, 2020 TTAB LEXIS 199, at *39-40; Hughes Furniture, 2015 TTAB LEXIS 65, at *10. 6. Serial No. 97914929 Involved Application “Enamel jewelry pins; Key chains; Jewelry,” in International Class 14 Cited Registration GODZILLA Reg. No. 724532415 Including, inter alia, “Key chains; … jewellery (sic)[,]” in International Class 14 14 January 27, 2025 Final Office Action at TSDR 2 in Ser. No. 97914949. Reg. No. 2360489 issued on June 20, 2000; renewed. The mark is registered in typeset form, which is the legal equivalent of standard character format. See discussion, supra, n.11. 15 January 27, 2025 Final Office Action at TSDR 2 in Ser. No. 97914929. For the details about the cited registration, see n.9.
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 11 - Applicant’s “key chains” and “jewelry” are identical to Registrant’s “Key chains” and “jewellery”. 7. Serial No. 97914933 Involved Application Including, inter alia, “Printed comic books[,]” in International Class 16 Cited Registration GODZILLA Reg. No. 116185816 “Comic Books,” in International Class 16. Registrant’s “comic books” is broad enough to encompass Applicant’s more narrowly identified “printed comic books,” and, as a result, the goods are legally identical. New Era Cap, 2020 TTAB LEXIS 199, at *39-40; Hughes Furniture, 2015 TTAB LEXIS 65, at *10. 8. Serial No. 97914946 Involved Application Including, inter alia, “Bed sheets; … Lap blankets; … Wall hangings of textile[,]” in International Class 24 Cited Registration GODZILLA Reg. No. 724532417 Including, inter alia, “bed sheets; … lap blankets; … wall hangings of textile[,]” in International Class 24 Applicant’s identified “bed sheets,” “lap blankets,” and “wall hangings of textile” are identical to Registrant’s identified “bed sheets,” “lap blankets,” and “wall hangings of textiles.” 16 January 27, 2025 Final Office Action at TSDR 2 in Ser. No. 97914933. Reg. No. 1161858, issued July 21, 1981; renewed. The mark is registered in typeset form, which is the legal equivalent of standard character format. See discussion, supra, n.11. 17 January 27, 2025 Final Office Action at TSDR 2 in Ser. No. 97914946. For details about the cited registration, see n.9.
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 12 - 9. Serial No. 97914940 Involved Application “Drinkware; Cups; Mugs; Lunch boxes,” in International Class 21 Cited Registration GODZILLA Reg. No. 724532418 Including, inter alia, “tableware, except forks, knives and spoon, namely, tea services, dishes, plates, cups, drinking glasses, soup bowls, drinking straws, napkin holders, chopsticks, cruets[,]” in International Class 21 Applicant’s “cups” are identical to Registrant’s “cups”. And Applicant’s “drinkware” is broad enough to encompass Registrant’s more narrowly identified “drinking glasses.” Accordingly, these goods are legally identical. New Era Cap, 2020 TTAB LEXIS 199, at *39-40; Hughes Furniture, 2015 TTAB LEXIS 65, at *10. 10. Serial No. 97914978 Involved Application “Fruit-based snack food; Nut and dried fruit- based snack bars; Dehydrated fruit snacks; Snack mix consisting of dehydrated fruit and processed nuts; Food package combinations consisting primarily of cheese, meat, processed vegetables, and/or processed fruit,” in International Class 29 Cited Registration GODZILLA Reg. No. 724532419 Identifying, inter alia, “processed meat products; processed vegetables and fruits[,]” in International Class 29. Applicant’s identified “[f]ood package combinations consisting primarily of cheese, meat, processed vegetables, and/or processed fruit” encompasses and is legally identical in-part to Registrant’s “processed meat products,” and “processed vegetables and fruits.” And Registrant’s “processed …. fruits” is broad enough to encompass 18 December 1, 2025 Final Office Action at TSDR 2 in Ser. No. 97914940. For details about the cited registration, see n.9. 19 December 1, 2025 Final Office Action at TSDR 2 in Ser. No. 97914978. For details about the cited registration, see n.9.
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 13 - Applicant’s more narrowly defined “[f]ruit-based snack food,” and, as a result, they are legally identical. New Era Cap, 2020 TTAB LEXIS 199, at *39-40; Hughes Furniture, 2015 TTAB LEXIS 65, at *10. 11. Serial No. 97914984 Involved Application “Breakfast cereal; Cereal-based snack food; Cookies; Crackers; Candy; Candy bars; Food package combinations consisting primarily of bread, crackers and/or cookies,” in International Class 30 Cited Registration GODZILLA Reg. No. 724532420 Including, inter alia, “cereal preparations, namely, breakfast cereals; … confectionery, namely, frozen confectionery, yogurt covered pretzels, candy, cakes, pies, chewing gum, cookies, cinnamon sugar covered corn chips[,]” in International Class 30 Applicant’s “[b]reakfast cereal,” “candy,” and “[c]ookies” are identical to Registrant’s “cereal preparations, namely breakfast cereals,” “candy,” and “cookies,” respectively. 12. Serial No. 97914918 This application does not have identical goods. Nevertheless, it is well settled that Applicant’s and Registrant’s goods and services need not be identical or even competitive in order to find that they are related for purposes of a likelihood of confusion analysis. On-line Careline, Inc. v. Am. Online, Inc., 229 F.3d 1080, 1086 (Fed. Cir. 2000); Recot, Inc. v. Becton, 214 F.3d 1322, 1329 (Fed. Cir. 2000). Rather, the goods or services need only be “related in some manner and/or if the circumstances surrounding their marketing are such that they could give rise to the 20 December 1, 2025 Final Office Action at TSDR 2 in Ser. No. 97914984. For details about the cited registration, see n.9.
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 14 - mistaken belief that they emanate from the same source.” See Coach Serv. v. Triumph Learning LLC, 668 F.3d 1356, 1369 (Fed. Cir. 2012) (quoting 7-Eleven, Inc. v. Wechsler, No. 91117739, 2007 TTAB LEXIS 58, at *28-29 (TTAB 2007)). Evidence of relatedness may include, for example, copies of prior use-based registrations of the same mark for both applicant’s goods and the goods listed in the cited registration. See, e.g., In re Ox Paperboard, LLC, No. 87847482, 2020 TTAB LEXIS 266, at *15-16 (TTAB 2020). The identification of goods in Application Serial No. 97914918 is set out below together with the pertinent identification of the cited registration: Involved Application “Powdered nutritional supplement drink mix containing protein and vitamins; Protein for use as a nutritional supplement in various powdered and ready- to-drink beverages,” in International Class 5 Cited Registration GODZILLA Reg. No. 724532421 Including, inter alia, “cosmetics; cosmetic preparations, namely, hair care preparations; cosmetic sunscreen preparations; … perfumes[,]” in International Class 3 The record shows that Applicant’s identified goods, i.e., “powdered nutritional supplement drink mix containing protein and vitamins,” and Registrant’s identified goods, such as cosmetics, are the type of goods that are commonly registered under the same mark by the same registrant, as shown by the following use-based registrations of record: 21 December 1, 2025 Final Office Action at TSDR 2 in Ser. No. 97914918. For details about the cited registration, see n.9.
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 15 - • DR. LORCY (Reg. No. 677560) identifies both “Powdered nutritional supplement drink mix” (Class 3) and both “cosmetics” and “cosmetics in general, including perfumes” (Class 5);22 • CPTG CERTIFIED PURE TESTED GRADE (Reg. No. 6598484) identifies both “Powdered nutritional supplement drink mix” (Class 5) and “cosmetics” (Class 3);23 • PARTNER.CO (Reg. No. 7573349) identifies both “cosmetics and cosmetic preparations” (Class 3) and “powdered nutritional supplement drink mix” (Class 5);24 • HIR+MU (Reg. No. 6805904) identifies both “cosmetic preparations,” “cosmetic preparations for the hair and scalp,” and “Cosmetics in general, including perfumes” (Class 3) and “Protein supplements” and “Powdered nutritional supplement drink mix” (Class 5);25 • DERMABIOTICS (Reg. No. 7134003) identifies both “Cosmetics” (Class 3) and “Powdered nutritional supplement drink mix” (Class 5);26 and • GUNDRY MD identifies various cosmetics, including “Cosmetic hand creams; Cosmetic creams; Cosmetic creams for skin care; Cosmetic nourishing creams; Cosmetic skin fresheners; Cosmetics and make up” (Class 3) and “Powdered nutritional supplement drink mix” (Class 5).27 Use-based, third-party registrations, although not evidence that the marks shown therein are in use or that the public is familiar with them, nonetheless are probative to the extent that they serve to suggest that the goods listed therein are of a kind that may emanate from a single source under a single mark. See e.g., In re C.H. Hanson Co., 2015 TTAB LEXIS 357, at *17 (TTAB 2015) (Although five third-party 22 May 12, 2025 Office Action at 13-14. 23 May 12, 2025 Office Action at 15-16. 24 May 12, 2025 Office Action at 17-18. 25 May 12, 2025 Office Action at 19-22. 26 May 12, 2025 Office Action at 23-24. 27 May 12, 2025 Office Action at 28-29.
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 16 - registrations were “limited in number,” “they nonetheless have probative value to the extent they serve to suggest that the identified goods are of a kind which are produced or marketed by a single source under a single mark.”); Joel Gott Wines LLC v. Rehoboth Von Gott Inc., No. 91197659, 2013 TTAB LEXIS 314, at *27-28 (TTAB 2013) (finding that third-party registrations covering both wine and water were probative of the relatedness of those beverages). Thus, the above-cited third party registrations are probative of the issue of relatedness. Two third-party website printouts of record also show that those entities offer cosmetics of the type identified by the Registrant, on the one hand, and nutritional supplement beverages or mixes, the goods identified by Applicant, on the other hand, emanate from the same source under the same mark: • Beauty Pie (BeautyPie.com) offers both cosmetics and powdered supplements under the BEAUTY PIE mark;28 and • Goop (Goop.com) offers both cosmetics and supplements under the GOOP mark.29 Based on this evidence of record, we find that these third-party use-based registrations, considered in conjunction with the Internet evidence, support the conclusion that the goods are related. For these reasons, we find that the respective goods of the Application and discussed cited registrations are related. The second DuPont factor therefore weighs 28 May 12, 2025 Office Action at TSDR 30-39. 29 May 12, 2025 Office Action at TSDR 40-48.
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 17 - in favor of a finding of likelihood of confusion between Applicant’s mark (in Serial No. 97914918 or No. 12) and the mark in the cited registration. B. Similarity or Dissimilarity of Established, Likely-to-Continue Trade Channels We next consider the third DuPont factor, “[t]he similarity or dissimilarity of established, likely-to-continue trade channels.” DuPont, 476 F.2d at 1361. As with the comparison of the goods, we must make our determination based on the identifications of the involved applications and cited registrations. See In re Detroit Athletic, 903 F.3d at 1308; Octocom Sys, 918 F.2d at 942-43. 1. Identical and Legally Identical Goods (Application Nos. 1-11) We consider now the first eleven applications discussed above, which contain identifications that include goods or services that are identical or legally identical to those of the cited registration.30 Because the goods in those applications and the discussed cited registrations are identical or legally identical, and because none of them have restrictions as to channels of trade or classes of consumers, Applicant’s and Registrant’s identical and legally identical goods and services are presumed to travel in the same channels of trade to the same class of purchasers. See In re Viterra, 671 F.3d at 1362 (finding Board entitled to rely on legal presumption of channels of trade and classes of consumers in determining likelihood of confusion). 30 See discussion supra Section II(A)(1)-(11).
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 18 - Thus, as to these eleven involved applications, the third DuPont factor weighs heavily in favor of a likelihood of confusion. 2. Related Goods (Application No. 12) Considering the last application, number 12 in our list,31 we note that this application and the discussed cited registration also do not contain any restrictions as to trade channels. Therefore, we presume that both Applicant’s and Registrant’s identified goods move through all channels of trade normal for such goods. See In re FCA US LLC, No. 85650654, 2018 TTAB LEXIS 116, at *25 (TTAB 2018), aff’d mem., 778 F. App’x 962 (Fed. Cir. 2019). With this in mind, we find that the record establishes that the trade channels overlap. The same website evidence demonstrating that the goods identified by both Applicant and Registrant are related under the second DuPont factor, i.e., the BeautyPie and Goop websites, also support a find that such goods move in the same channels of trade, such as cosmetic retailers, and that they are sold to the same classes of consumers, namely, members of the general public. See, e.g., In re Anderson, No. 76511652, 2012 TTAB LEXIS 42, at *30 (TTAB 2012); Based on this evidence, we find that the channels of trade for the “[p]owdered nutritional supplement drink mix containing protein and vitamins” identified in Applicant’s involved application and “cosmetics” identified in the cited registration overlap and that this overlap in trade channels supports a finding, under the third DuPont factor, that a likelihood of confusion exists. Again, Applicant does not dispute 31 See discussion supra Section II(A)(12).
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 19 - this evidence or even address this factor in its brief, nor did it address it during examination. The third DuPont factor weighs in favor of a likelihood of confusion. C. Similarity or Dissimilarity of the Marks Under the first DuPont factor, we consider the similarity or dissimilarity of Applicant’s and Registrant’s marks in their entireties, considering their appearance, sound, meaning and commercial impression. DuPont, 476 F.2d at 1361; see also In re Detroit Athletic, 903 F.3d at 1303. “Similarity in any one of these elements may be sufficient to find the marks confusingly similar.” In re Inn at St. John’s, LLC, No. 87075988, 2018 TTAB LEXIS 170, at *13 (TTAB 2018) (quoting In re Davia, No. 85497617, 2014 TTAB LEXIS 214, at *3-4 (TTAB 2018)), aff’d per curiam, 777 F. App’x 516 (Fed. Cir. 2019). “[S]imilarity is not a binary factor but is a matter of degree.” In re St. Helena Hosp., 774 F.3d 747, 752 (Fed. Cir. 2014) (quoting In re Coors Brewing Co., 343 F.3d 1340, 1344 (Fed. Cir. 2003)). That the goods are identical in-part to those in the discussed cited registrations reduces the degree of similarity between the marks required to support a finding of likelihood of confusion as to those applications. In re Viterra, 671 F.3d at 1363; Century 21 Real Estate Corp. v. Century Life of Am., 970 F.2d 874, 877 (Fed. Cir. 1992). “The proper test is not a side-by-side comparison of the marks, but instead whether the marks are sufficiently similar in terms of their commercial impression such that persons who encounter the marks would be likely to assume a connection
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 20 - between the parties.” Cai v. Diamond Hong, Inc., 901 F.3d 1367, 1373 (Fed. Cir. 2018) (quoting Coach Servs., 668 F.3d at 1368). Because the similarity or dissimilarity of the marks is determined based on the marks in their entireties, our analysis cannot be predicated on dissecting the marks into their various components. In re Nat’l Data Corp., 753 F.2d 1056, 1058 (Fed. Cir. 1985); see also Franklin Mint Corp. v. Master Mfg. Co., 667 F.2d 1005, 1007 (CCPA 1981) (“It is axiomatic that a mark should not be dissected and considered piecemeal; rather, it must be considered as a whole in determining likelihood of confusion.”). Nonetheless, there is nothing improper in stating that, for rational reasons, more or less weight has been given to a particular feature of a mark, provided the ultimate conclusion rests on a consideration of the marks in their entireties. In re Nat’l Data, 753 F.2d at 1059. In some circumstances, “one feature of a mark may be more significant than another, and it is not improper to give more weight to this dominant feature in determining the commercial impression created by the mark.” Leading Jewelers Guild, Inc. v. LJOW Holdings, LLC, No. 91160856, 2007 TTAB LEXIS 35, at *14 (TTAB 2007). That is, more or less weight may be given to a particular feature of a mark provided the ultimate conclusion rests on a consideration of the marks in their entireties. Nat’l Data, 753 F.2d at 1058. Recall that Applicant seeks to register GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE, while the cited mark is GODZILLA. Both are in standard character format. The marks share the same the term GODZILLA. Because Applicant’s and Registrant’s marks are used with identical and legally identical goods and services in
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 21 - eleven out of twelve of the involved applications, and with related goods in the twelfth application, the shared term GODZILLA will have the same meaning and engender similar commercial impressions in each mark. In short, Applicant has merely added extra words to the registered GODZILLA mark. While there is no rule that marks are automatically considered similar where one encompasses the entirety of another, the fact that Registrant’s mark is subsumed in its entirety by Applicant’s mark increases the similarity between them. See, e.g., In re Mighty Leaf Tea, 601 F.3d 1342, 1347-48 (Fed. Cir. 2010) (applicant’s mark ML is similar to registrant’s mark ML MARK LEES); DowntownDC Bus. Improvement Dist. v. Clarke, No. 91275100, 2024 TTAB LEXIS 412, at *67-68 (TTAB 2024) (DOWNTOWNDC DISTRICT OF FASHION similar to DISTRICT OF FASHION); Double Coin Holdings Ltd. v. Tru Dev., No. 92063808, 2019 TTAB LEXIS 347, at *20 (TTAB 2019) (ROAD WARRIOR and WARRIOR similar). Based on the foregoing discussion, we find the marks are highly similar, and, as a result, the first factor weighs heavily in favor of a likelihood of confusion. Naterra Int’l, Inc. v. Bensalem, 92 F.4th 1113, 1119 (Fed. Cir. 2024) (when marks are highly similar, the first factor should weigh “heavily” in the confusion analysis). D. Market Interface and the Agreement Finally, we address the tenth DuPont factor: the market interface between Applicant and Registrant, which in this case requires an evaluation of the Agreement.
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 22 - DuPont, 476 F.2d at 1361. Applicant argues that its Agreement is entitled to “substantial weight.”32 Consent agreements are evidence that “may or may not tip the scales in favor of registrability, depending upon the entirety of the evidence.” In re Mastic Inc., 829 F.2d 1114, 1117 (Fed. Cir. 1987). “[D]epending on the circumstances,” consent agreements “may … carry great weight” since the parties to the agreement are in a “better position to know the real life situation than bureaucrats or judges.” Bongrain Int’l (Am.) Corp. v. Delice de France, Inc., 811 F.2d 1479, 1484-85 (Fed. Cir. 1987). “However, ‘there is no per se rule that a consent, whatever its terms, will always tip the balance to finding no likelihood of confusion, and it therefore follows that the content of each agreement must be examined.’” In re Ye Mystic Krewe, 2025 TTAB LEXIS 412, at *13 (quoting In re Bay State Brewing Co., No. 85826258, 2016 TTAB LEXIS 46, at *16 (TTAB 2016)). When considering the probative value of a consent agreement, the Federal Circuit guidance requires consideration of several non- exclusive and non-exhaustive factors: (1) Whether the consent shows an agreement between both parties; (2) Whether the agreement includes a clear indication that the goods and/or services travel in separate trade channels; (3) Whether the parties agree to restrict their fields of use; (4) Whether the parties will make efforts to prevent confusion, and cooperate and take steps to avoid any confusion that may arise in the future; and 32 10 TTABVUE 6.
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 23 - (5) Whether the marks have been used for a period of time without evidence of actual confusion. In re Ye Mystic Krewe, 2025 TTAB LEXIS 412, at *14-15 (citing In re Four Seasons Hotels Ltd., 987 F.2d 1565, 1567 (Fed. Cir. 1993) and In re Mastic Inc., 829 F.2d at 1117-18). See also In re Dare Foods Inc., No. 88758625, 2022 TTAB LEXIS 92, at *14 (TTAB 2022). At bottom, we “must look at all of the surrounding circumstances, as in DuPont, to determine if the consent reflects the reality of no likelihood of confusion in the marketplace, or if the parties struck a bargain that may be beneficial to their own interests, regardless of confusion to the public.” In re Mastic Inc., 829 F.2d at 1116-17. As mentioned, Applicant, in its brief, argues that the Agreement “should be given great weight[.]”33 The Examining Attorney, on the other hand, argues that the agreement is a “naked consent” and is insufficient to overcome a likelihood of confusion refusal because it “neither (1) sets forth reasons why the parties believe there is no likelihood of confusion, nor (2) describes the arrangements undertaken by the parties to avoid confusing the public.”34 The text of the Agreement, which is relatively short, reads in full: TOHO CO., LTD and its affiliates (collectively, “[Registrant]”), is the owner of certain intellectual property rights in the Gojira character (a/k/a Godzilla) that has appeared in motion pictures produced by Toho, including a number of GODZILLA-formative trademarks which are the subject of trademark registrations in the United States 33 10 TTABVUE 6. 34 12 TTABVUE 13.
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 24 - and numerous countries throughout the world (collectively, the “[Registrant’s IP]). [Registrant] hereby confirms that Legendary Pictures Productions, LLC (“Legendary”) is a licensee of [Registrant] and that [Applicant] enjoys the right to develop, produce and exploit live-action motion pictures based upon the [Registrant’s IP] pursuant to and as set forth in a Motion Picture License Agreement entered into by and between [Registrant] and Legendary (the “Agreement”). In accordance with the rights granted under the Agreement, [Applicant] produced the motion picture entitled “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” (the “Picture”), and Legendary’s affiliate Legend IP Holdings Production, LLC (“[Applicant]”) is seeking to register various trademarks comprising the title of the Picture (collectively, the “Trademarks”). [Registrant] hereby confirms that, pursuant to the Agreement, [Applicant] is authorized to seek registration of the Trademarks incorporating [Registrant’s IP] in connection with the exploitation of the Picture. For the sake of clarity, pursuant to the Agreement, [Registrant] shall retain ownership of the Godzilla character and the [Registrant’s IP], and Legendary and Applicant shall hold the Trademarks in trust for [Registrant].35 All its terms are contained on approximately one-half page, while the signature blocks take up the remainder of the page. While there is no per se rule that a short agreement will fail, its brevity suggests, at best, a general agreement between the parties, not a detailed one. “[T]he more information that is in the consent agreement as to why the parties believe confusion to be unlikely, and the more evidentiary support for such conclusions in the facts of record or in the way of undertakings by the parties, the more we can assume that the consent is based on a reasoned 35 June 14, 2024 Response to Office Action at TSDR 8 in Ser. No. 97914992.
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 25 - assessment of the marketplace, and consequently the more weight the consent will be accorded.” In re Donnay Int’l, SA, No. 74160268, 1994 TTAB LEXIS 21, at *9 (TTAB 1994). Although the Agreement is styled as a License Agreement under which Applicant holds the applied-for marks “in trust for” Toho, it remains subject to the same analytical framework applicable to consent agreements under the tenth DuPont factor. In re Four Seasons Hotels, 987 F.2d at 1567; In re Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, 2025 TTAB LEXIS 412, at *14-15. Even where a consent is accompanied by a licensing relationship, the Board examines whether the agreement contains the type of marketplace details and safeguards that demonstrate a reasoned assessment that confusion is unlikely. Cf. In re Wacker Neuson SE, No. 79060553, 2010 TTAB LEXIS 440, at *26 (TTAB 2010) (thin consent viable where the parties were related and the goods under both marks were manufactured and sold by the applicant). The present agreement lacks those details. We acknowledge that the Agreement states that Applicant “is authorized to seek registration of the Trademarks incorporating [Registrant’s IP] in connection with the exploitation of the Picture.”36 Although “Trademarks” is not defined, we assume for purposes of our analysis that it means the marks of the involved applications inasmuch as there is no dispute about this. Considering the Agreement in light of the five factors listed above, we find the first factor is met. That is, the Agreement shows an agreement between both 36 June 14, 2024 Response to Office Action at TSDR 8 in Ser. No. 97914992.
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 26 - Applicant and Registrant, and, indeed, is signed by both of them. The fact that the Agreement is also signed by Legendary Pictures Productions, LLC, Toho Co.’s licensee, and an affiliate of Applicant’s, does not impact our analysis for this purpose. Considering the remaining factors, however, we find that they are not met by the Agreement and, as a result, we find that the Agreement entered into here by Applicant and Registrant is a “naked” consent. There are simply no undertakings of record between Applicant and Registrant which impact the likelihood of confusion analysis. This Agreement is too bare and conclusory for us to conclude that the marks can coexist without a likelihood of confusion. Specifically, Applicant and Registrant do not explain or even address how their respective goods and/or services travel, or will travel, in separate trade channels. Applicant did not submit any evidence showing the established trade channels or any evidence that that the trade channels will not overlap. “In the absence of evidence with respect to [Applicant’s and Registrant’s] specific channels of trade …, it is reasonable to conclude that they are the same as those generally used in the trade.” In re Mastic Inc., 829 F.2d at 1118. Here, the only evidence or argument of record with respect to trade channels is that submitted by the Examining Attorney, showing that, with regard to Applicant’s and Registrant’s goods that are identical or legally identical (as is the case with eleven of the twelve involved applications), the trade channels are presumed to be the same.37 With regard to the one involved application 37 See discussion supra Section II(A)(1)-(11).
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 27 - where Applicant’s goods were found to be related to those of the Registrant, we found that the channels of trade overlap.38 Nor do Applicant and Registrant agree to restrict their fields of use, a restriction that is considered under the third factor. Moreover, neither party identifies in the Agreement any efforts that they must take to prevent confusion or to avoid any confusion that may arise in the future, which is considered under the fourth factor. Finally, there is no evidence regarding how long Applicant and Registrant have simultaneously used their marks in the United States, if at all, and if so, how long the marks have been concurrently used without evidence of actual confusion, points relevant to the fifth factor. There may be a logical explanation of this, however, because there is no evidence Applicant is using its mark in commerce. Here, Applicant filed each of its applications on an intent to use basis and no amendments to allege use have been filed, nor does Applicant argue that the marks have coexisted in the marketplace for any length of time. Along these lines, we note that the Agreement consents solely to registration of the marks of the involved applications but does not separately consent to their use. We are not persuaded by Applicant’s argument that there can be no consumer confusion between Applicant’s mark and the Cited Marks because Applicant is merely holding the Applied-for mark “in trust for Toho” (the owner of the Cited Marks). As such, Toho is the source of both Applicant’s Mark and the Cited Marks, while the agreement authorizes Applicant to hold Applicant’s Mark in trust for Toho while Applicant exploits the live-action “GODZILLA” motion pictures per the terms of the parties’ 38 See discussion supra Section II(A)(12).
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 28 - separate and confidential “Motion Picture License Agreement.”39 Because Applicant seeks to register the marks, it would be considered the source of its identified goods and services. To eliminate any confusion as to source, one simple solution would have been for Registrant to have filed the applications in its own name, which would have resulted in its being identified as the registrant, rather than relying on Applicant to hold them “in trust for Toho.” In short, the Agreement appears to simply to be an arrangement between the parties solely as to registration with no regard to whether it reflects the realities of no likelihood of confusion if and when both marks are concurrently used in the marketplace. While we give some weight to the existence of the Agreement and its express authorization by Applicant “to seek registration of the Trademarks incorporating [Registrant’s IP] in connection with the exploitation of the Picture,” we find that the Agreement as a whole suffers multiple failings such that this factor “weighs only slightly against a conclusion of likely confusion.” In re Ye Mystic Krewe, 2025 TTAB LEXIS 412, at *26-27. E. Balancing the DuPont Factors Having carefully considered all of the evidence made of record, as well as all of the arguments related thereto, we now turn to the task of weighing the DuPont factors for which there has been evidence and argument. In re Charger Ventures LLC, 64 F.4th 1375, 1384 (Fed. Cir. 2023). 39 10 TTABVUE 7.
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 29 - We turn first to those eleven involved applications that identify goods and services that are identical or legally identical to those of the cited registrations (Ser. Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914940, 97914978, and 97914984). Here, the second and third DuPont factors weigh heavily in favor of a likelihood of confusion. With regard to the twelfth involved application (Ser. No. 97914918), the involved application was found to identify goods related to those identified in the cited registration, and their channels of trade and classes of consumers were found to overlap. In this case, the second and third DuPont factors weigh in favor of a likelihood of confusion. Turning to the first DuPont factor, the marks are highly similar due to the shared term GODZILLA, which constitutes the entirety of the cited mark and the first term of the mark of each of the involved applications. As a result, the first DuPont factor weighs heavily in favor of a likelihood of confusion. For the reasons discussed above, the Agreement, which we consider under the tenth DuPont factor, is of limited probative value. Because the first, second and third DuPont factors outweigh the tenth factor in all instances, we conclude that confusion is likely as to each of the involved applications.
Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, 97914984 - 30 - Decision The refusal to register each mark of each of the twelve involved applications (Serial Nos. 97914992, 97914939, 97914960, 97914922, 97914949, 97914929, 97914933, 97914946, 97914918, 97914940, 97914978, and 97914984) is affirmed.
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