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Non-Traditional Marks

Non-Traditional Marks. Sharon Marsh Deputy Commissioner for Trademark Policy Cynthia C. Lynch Administrator for Trademark Policy & Procedure January 22, 2013. Product Design . RN 3646331 for costume helmets and collectible toy helmets. Product Packaging. RN 1858741 for

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Non-Traditional Marks

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  1. Non-Traditional Marks Sharon Marsh Deputy Commissioner for Trademark Policy Cynthia C. Lynch Administrator for Trademark Policy & Procedure January 22, 2013

  2. Product Design • RN 3646331 for costume helmets and collectible toy helmets

  3. Product Packaging RN 1858741 for edible oil in liquid form

  4. Three-Dimensional Marks: Product Design or Packaging Functionality: • Patents • Advertising • Alternative designs • Relative cost to manufacture

  5. Product Design Functionality In re Becton, Dickinson & Co., 675 F.3d 1368, 102 USPQ2d 1372 (Fed. Cir. 2012) • Design of closure cap for blood-collection tubes • Functionality refusal affirmed • Assessed overall design • Utility patent & ads touting utilitarian advantages • Dissent – majority addressed individual elements rather than mark as a whole; design patents & alternative designs weigh against functionality

  6. Three-Dimensional Marks: Product Design Distinctiveness: Product Design – never inherently distinctive, per Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Samara Bros., 529 U.S. 205, 213-216 (2000) • Heavy burden to establish distinctiveness

  7. Product Design Quiz: Non-Functional & Distinctive? • In re Hershey Chocolate and Confectionary Corp., Serial No. 77809223 (June 28, 2012) [not precedential] • Configuration of a candy bar with 12 equally-sized recessed rectangular panels arranged in a four panel by three panel format with each panel having its own raised border within a large rectangle

  8. Packaging: Inherently Distinctive? Seabrook Test (1) a “common” basic shape or design; (2) unique or unusual in a particular field; (3) a mere refinement of a commonly adopted and well-known form of ornamentation for a particular class of goods viewed by the public as a dress or ornamentation for the goods; or (4) capable of creating a commercial impression distinct from the accompanying words.

  9. Three-Dimensional Marks: Product Packaging In re The Procter & Gamble Co., 105 USPQ2d 1119 (TTAB 2012) • Refusal for lack of distinctiveness reversed • Design of mouthwash Bottle cap deemed inherently distinctive

  10. Three Dimensional Marks:Product Packaging

  11. Color Marks • Marks that consist solely of one or more colors used on particular objects or substances can serve as trademarks, per Qualitex Co. v. Jacobson Prods. Co., 514 U.S. 159, 161 (1995) • Usually perceived as an ornamental feature of the goods or services • Never inherently distinctive, per Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Samara Bros., 529 U.S. 205, 211-12 (2000) • Can also be functional

  12. Color Marks • RN 2359351 for a variety of goods/services, including jewelry and retail store services

  13. Color Marks Christian Louboutin S.A. v. Yves Saint Laurent America Inc ., 696 F.3d 206 (2nd Cir. 2012) • Reversed district court holding that a single color can never serve as a trademark in the fashion industry

  14. Color Marks – Louboutin cont’d • Louboutin’s mark has acquired “limited” secondary meaning – registration to be amended • Affirmed denial of preliminary injunction against YSL’s use of red sole on red monochrome shoe

  15. Sound Marks • Identify and distinguish a product or service through audio rather than visual means • For broadcasting of television programs • For films and entertainment services

  16. Sound Marks In re Powermat Inc. (TTAB Jan. 18, 2013) • Sound mark for battery chargers • “The mark consists of five short electronic chirps, lasting less than half a second, with each chirp increasing slightly in pitch from the previous chirp.” • The chirps occur when a product is placed in or removed from the battery charger

  17. Trade Dress Service Marks • RN 4021593 for Retail store services featuring computers, computer software, computer peripherals and consumer electronics, and demonstration of products relating thereto

  18. Trade Dress Service Marks In re Chevron Intellectual Property Group LLC, 96 USPQ2d 2026 (TTAB 2010) • Mark for “vehicle service station services and automobile maintenance and repair services”

  19. Tactile Marks • RN 3348363 for perfumes; colognes; and eau de toilette • Mark description includes"pebble-grain" texture and rubberized "soft-touch" feel.

  20. Tactile Marks • RNs 3495230 and 3495229 for entertainment services and clothing • The mark consists of the wording "STEVIE WONDER" in Braille code and the corresponding raised dots

  21. Motion Marks SN 3972865 for Telephony communication services

  22. Scent Marks • Strawberry and grape scents registered on the Supplemental Register for lubricants for land vehicles and watercraft (RN 2596196 & 2568512) • Peppermint scent registered on the Supplemental Register for office supplies (RN 3140700)

  23. Suggestions on non-traditional mark policy or procedure? Email tmtmep@uspto.gov

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