Greg R. Vetter
This course covers trademark law through statutes and cases.
Please read carefully the Generally Applicable Syllabus Information. This document sets forth course policy for attendance, preparation and participation, use of computers, examination and grading, and other items. A complete understanding of this document is necessary to take full meaning from the Class Schedule and Other Information set forth immediately below.
| Name: | Trademark & Unfair Competition |
| Course # / Section #: | 5317 / 25143 |
| Place: | 3 BLB |
| Time: | Tuesday and Thursday, 1:00 p.m. to 2:20 p.m. (2 class sessions per week; 1.5 credits per class session, which is 75 minutes; class runs 80 minutes so that after the first fifteen classes a full class will have been gained, after which class will stop at 2:15 p.m.) |
| UHLC Listing: | http://www.law.uh.edu/schedule/class_information.asp?cid=13547 |
| Required Text: | Barton Beebe, Trademark Law: An Open Source Casebook, ver. 2.0 (http://tmcasebook.org). |
| Supplement?: | There is no requirement to purchase a statutory supplement. |
| Prerequisites | None. |
| Grading: | The course grade will be based on an open-materials final exam during the regularly scheduled exam time. |
| Brief Description of Coverage: | This class will meet in two 1.5 credit-hour blocks each week. The coverage goal is approximately twenty to thirty pages per block. Assignments will be detailed in the table below as the semester progresses. |
| Absences Limit: | Assuming one class meeting a week, six or less absences
constitutes attendance meeting the eighty percent requirement. More
than six absences means that the eighty percent requirement is not
met. Attendance will be taken via a roll sheet passed throughout the class each session. |
| "Pick your seat" seating chart date: | The second class session during the first week of class: - Thursday, January 21, 2016 |
| Final Exam Date/Time: | May 5, 2016; 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. |
| Final Exam Information: | click here for the Final Exam page. |
| First day/week's assignment: | Read this course web page, the linked Generally Applicable Syllabus Information, and the assignments detailed in the table below for the first day/week of class. |
| Class Evaluation Day | { forthcoming } |
| Audio Recording of Class Sessions | I will audio tape the class sessions using a portable recorder attached to my person and post links to the audio tracks on the class web site for the sole and limited educational purpose of allowing students to stream the recorded sessions to review or to enable students who missed a class to hear the class presentation. Any audio tracks created will be deleted and destroyed after the final exam for the class. Since I call on students, there is a slight chance that your contributions to class discussion, whether voluntary or while on call, may be included in the audio recording. The chance is slight because the recording technology I use does a poor job of picking up any voices other than my own. Your continued registration in this class indicates your acquiescence to any such incidental recording for the purposes described above unless, if you have concerns about this, please come speak with me as soon as possible but in no event later than the first day of the second week of class. |
| Cancellation Day(s) | Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016; Thursday, Mar. 10, 2016 |
| Speaker Day(s): | Tuesday, March 22, 2016: Elizabeth W. King, Sutton McAughan Deaver, http://www.smd-iplaw.com/elizabeth-king Tuesday, March 29, 2016: Yoo-Sun Park, Coca Cola; and Jennifer Sickler, Thompson and Knight, http://www.tklaw.com/jennifer-sickler |
| Makeup for Cancelled Day(s): | One cancelled class day is made up by running class an extra five minutes for the first 15 classes. |
| UHLC MediaSite link for catalog of class recordings (cougarnet credentials required for access): | http://uh.mediasite.com/mediasite/Catalog/catalogs/trademark-vetter |
These are posted on my home page at:
The links below are for general reference and may be used for some class assignments.
The tables immediately below provide the detailed assignments for this course. It also may provide links to materials for each class and other items related to the course. In order to allow flexibility in the class, assignments beyond those posted for the next week are subject to change; therefore, students who may wish to read ahead are urged to contact the professor before doing so. The rate of progress through the modules depends on the class dynamics.
Class presentation slides are provided as links below in association with each module title. I will generally have the slides available a day or two before a class session. If students want hardcopy of the slides for use during class, please download and print the linked slides file.
After each class session, the class date will become a hyperlink to the audio for that class.
Case names are listed in the table below as assignments.
The call group assignment list is posted here for downloading as a .pdf file, with a password required to open the file. That password was given out in class.
| Assignment | Page(s) | Comment/Notes | {resv} |
Date |
Call Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Introduction |
1-3 |
All |
|||
| McKenna article excerpt |
3-11 |
||||
Trade-Mark Cases 100 U.S. 82 (1879) |
11-16 |
||||
Statutory Developments |
17-21 |
||||
Policy |
22-28 |
||||
| Trademark Law as a part of Intellectual Property |
28-31 |
||||
| Assignment | Page(s) | Comment/Notes | {resv} |
Date |
Call Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Naming exercise |
n/a
|
All |
|||
Introduction to Distinctiveness |
5-11 |
L |
|||
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. v. Hunting World, Inc., 537 F.2d 4 (2d Cir. 1976) |
11-17 |
||||
Suggestive versus Descriptive Marks |
17-18 |
||||
Zatarains, Inc. v. Oak Grove Smokehouse, Inc. 698 F.2d 786 (5th Cir. 1983) |
19-21 |
||||
Innovation Ventures, LLC v. N.V.E., Inc. 694 F.3d 723 (6th Cir. 2012) |
21-23 |
||||
Classification of Other Kinds of Marks |
33-40 |
skip Zobmondo |
|||
Acquired Distinctiveness of Source |
40-42 |
L |
|||
Frosty Treats Inc. v. Sony Computer Entertainment America, 426 F.3d 1001 (8th Cir. 2005) |
42-46 |
||||
Cartier, Inc. v. Four Star Jewelry Creations, Inc., 348 F.Supp.2d 217 (S.D.N.Y. 2004) |
46-50 |
R |
|||
Comments and Discussion |
55-56 |
skip Board of Supervisors |
|||
Genericness |
56-58 |
||||
Frito-Lay North America, Inc. v. Princeton Vanguard, LLC, 109 U.S.P.Q.2d 1949 (TTAB 2014) |
59-74 |
||||
Frito-Lay North America, Inc. v. Princeton Vanguard, LLC, No. 14 Civ. 1517, __ F.3d __ (Fed. Cir. May 15, 2015) |
74-83 |
||||
Further Examples of Abercrombie Classifications |
83-87 |
R |
|||
The Distinctiveness Analysis of Nonverbal Marks |
87-89 |
||||
Two Pesos, Inc. v. Taco Cabana, Inc. 505 U.S. 763 (1992) |
90-106 |
||||
Qualitex Co. v. Jacobson Products Co., Inc. 514 U.S. 159 (1995) |
107-117 |
L |
|||
Product Packaging Trade Dress and Product Configuration Trade Dress |
117-118 |
||||
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Samara Bros., Inc. 529 U.S. 205 (2000) |
119-126 |
||||
In re Slokevage 441 F.3d 957 (Fed. Cir. 2006) |
126-131 |
||||
McKernan v. Burek 118 F.Supp.2d 119 (D.Mass. 2000) |
131-132 |
L |
|||
Best Cellars, Inc. v. Wine Made Simple, Inc. 320 F.Supp.2d 60 (S.D.N.Y. 2003) |
132-134 |
||||
Fedders Corp. v. Elite Classics 268 F. Supp. 2d 1051 (S.D. Ill. 2003) |
134-135 |
||||
In re Brouwerij Bosteels 96 U.S.P.Q.2d 1414 (TTAB 2010) |
135-136 |
||||
Art Attacks Ink, LLC v. MGA Entertainment Inc. 581 F.3d 1138 (9th Cir. 2009) |
136 |
||||
Analyzing the Inherent Distinctiveness of Product Packaging Trade Dress |
137-140 |
||||
Fun-Damental Too, Ltd. v. Gemmy Industries Corp. 111 F.3d 993 (2d Cir. 1997) |
140-144 |
R |
|||
Amazing Spaces, Inc. v. Metro Mini Storage 608 F.3d 225 (5th Cir. 2010) |
144-155 |
||||
Trade Dress Protection for Retail Store Designs |
8 page handout given in class on 2/16/2016 |
||||
Analyzing the Acquired Distinctiveness of Nonverbal Marks |
160 |
skip Fuji Water and Star Industries |
|||
Bars to Protection |
161-164 |
||||
Functionality |
164 |
||||
Inwood Labs., Inc. v. Ives Labs., Inc. 456 U.S. 844 (1982) |
177-179 |
skip Morton-Norwich |
|||
TrafFix Devices, Inc. v. Marketing Displays, Inc. 532 U.S. 23 (2001) |
179-186 |
L |
|||
Valu Engineering, Inc. v. Rexnord Corp. 278 F.3d 1268 (Fed. Cir. 2002) |
187-189 |
||||
Eppendorf-Netheler-Hinz GMBH v. Ritter GMBH 289 F.3d 351 (5th Cir. 2002) |
190-193 |
||||
Apple, Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. __ F.3d __ (Fed. Cir. May 18, 2015) |
194-203 |
||||
Specialized Seating, Inc. v. Greenwich Industries, L.P. 616 F.3d 722 (7th Cir. 2010) |
203-206 |
||||
Aesthetic Functionality |
207-209 |
L |
|||
Pagliero v. Wallace China Co. 198 F.2d 339 (9th Cir. 1952) |
209-211 |
||||
Wallace Int'l Silversmiths, Inc. v. Godinger Silver Art Co. 916 F.2d 76 (2d Cir. 1990) |
211-216 |
||||
Aesthetic Functionality and the Apparel Fashion Industry |
216 |
||||
Christian Louboutin S.A. v. Yves Saint Laurent America Holding, Inc. 696 F.3d 206 (2d Cir. 2012) |
217-227 |
R |
|||
Deceptive and Deceptively Misdescriptive Marks |
231-234 |
skip "The Ninth Circuit and Aesthetic Functionality Doctrine" |
|||
In re California Innovations Inc., 329 F.3d 1334 (Fed. Cir. 2003) |
234-242 |
||||
Scandalous and Disparaging Marks |
242 |
||||
In re Marsha Fox 702 F.2d 633 (Fed. Cir. 2012) |
242-250 |
||||
In re Heeb Media, LLC 89 U.S.P.Q.2d 1071 (TTAB 2008) |
251-261 |
||||
Marks that May Falsely Suggest a Connection |
262 |
R |
|||
In re Nieves & Nieves LLC 113 U.S.P.Q.2d 1629 (TTAB 2015) |
262-271 |
||||
Use as a Prerequisite for Rights |
272-274 |
L |
|||
Planetary Motion, Inc. v. Techsplosion, Inc. 261 F.3d 1188 (11th Cir. 2001) |
282-297 |
skip Aycock Engineering |
|||
Trademark Registration |
298-305 |
skip M.Z. Berger |
|||
Process of Registration |
315-327 |
skip Park 'N Fly PTO registration timelines |
|||
In re Tam (Fed. Cir. 2015) |
n/a |
The band's commentary about the case. Interview on YouTube of Simon Tam about the case. An article about the First Amendment issues in the case. A simple discussion about what free speech means. A discussion of freedom of speech. A discussion of strict and mid-level scrutiny for speech and press cases. The full opinion (110 pages). Class speaker: Elizabeth W. King |
assigned |
||
The Territorial Extent of Trademark Rights |
343-344 |
R |
|||
United Drug Co. v. Theodore Rectanus 248 U.S. 90 (1918) |
344-351 |
||||
Territorial Extent for Registered Marks |
351-354 |
||||
Concurrent Use and Registration |
355-359 |
||||
The Dawn Donut Rule |
359-361 |
||||
National Borders |
361-362 |
||||
Person's Co., Ltd. v. Christman 900 F.2d 1565 (Fed. Cir. 1990) |
362-369 |
||||
Well-Known Marks |
369-370 |
||||
Grupo Gigante SA De CV v. Dallo & Co., Inc. 391 F.3d 1088 (9th Cir. 2004) |
370-383 |
skip ITC Ltd. v. Punchgini |
|||
Visit by Yoo-Sun Park and Jennifer Sickler |
Mar. 29 |
All |
|||
| Assignment | Page(s) | Comment/Notes | {resv} |
Date |
Call Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trademark Infringement |
3-6 |
L |
|||
Bosley Medical Institute, Inc. v. Kremer 403 F.3d 672 (9th Cir. 2005) |
19-28 |
skip Rescuecom |
|||
Contemporary Applications of the Multifactor Test for the Likelihood of Confusion |
40-42 |
skip Borden Ice Cream, Polaroid |
R |
||
Virgin Enterprises Ltd. v. Nawab 335 F.3d 141 (2d Cir. 2003) |
43-58 |
||||
“Sponsorship or Affiliation” Confusion |
84-85 |
||||
Excerpt from Mark A. Lemley & Mark McKenna, Irrelevant Confusion, 62 Stan. L. Rev. 413, 417-422 (2010) |
85-92 |
||||
Board of Supervisors for Louisiana State University Agricultural & Mechanical College v. Smack Apparel Co. 550 F.3d 465, 484-485 (5th Cir. 2008) |
92-94 |
||||
Initial Interest Confusion |
94-95 |
||||
Multi Time Machine v. Amazon.com __ F.3d __, 2015 WL 4068877 (9th Cir. July 6, 2015) |
96-113 |
||||
Reverse Passing Off |
145 |
||||
Dastar Corp. v. Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. 539 U.S. 23 (2003) |
146-162 |
||||
Lanham Act § 2(d) Confusion |
162-164 |
||||
Dilution |
165-171 |
R |
|||
Coach Servs., Inc. v. Triumph Learning LLC 668 F.3d 1356 (Fed. Cir. 2012) |
172-177 |
||||
Nike, Inc. v. Nikepal Intern., Inc. 84 U.S.P.Q.2d 1820 (N.D. Cal. 2007) |
177-187 |
||||
Starbucks Corp. v. Wolfe's Borough Coffee, Inc. 736 F.3d 198 (2d Cir. 2013) |
188-210 |
makeup class, same time, 1 p.m., same room, BLB-3, but on Friday, Apr. 8 |
R |
||
V Secret Catalogue, Inc. v. Moseley 605 F.3d 382 (6th Cir. 2010) |
210-225 |
L |
|||
Secondary Liability |
279 |
||||
Tiffany (NJ) Inc. v. eBay Inc. 600 F.3d 93 (2d Cir. 2010) |
279-297 |
||||
Cybersquatting |
226 |
L |
|||
Lamparello v. Falwell 420 F.3d 309 (4th Cir. 2005) |
239-253 |
||||
UDRP |
253-260 |
||||
Eastman Sporto Group LLC v. Jim and Kenny Case No. D2009-1688 (WIPO Mar. 1, 2010) |
261-273 |
||||
Uniform Rapid Suspension System |
273-275 |
||||
Facebook Inc. v. Radoslav Claim No. FA1308001515825 (Nat’l Arb. Forum, Sept. 27, 2013) |
275-278 |
||||
{ class on Tuesday, 4/19/2016 is omitted due to the flooding and inability to schedule makeups near the end of the semester } |
|||||
| Assignment | Page(s) | Comment/Notes | {resv} |
Date |
Call Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Descriptive Fair Use |
3 |
R |
|||
KP Permanent Make-Up, Inc. v. Lasting Impression I, Inc. 543 U.S. 111 (2004) |
4-9 |
||||
Dessert Beauty, Inc. v. Fox 568 F.Supp.2d 416 (S.D.N.Y. 2008) |
10-20 |
||||
Sorensen v. WD-40 Company __ F.3d __, 2015 WL 3634612 (7th Cir. Feb. 25, 2015) |
21-27 |
||||
International Stamp Art v. U.S. Postal Service 456 F.3d 1270 (11th Cir. 2006) |
27-29 |
short example case |
|||
Bell v. Harley Davidson Motor Co. 539 F.Supp.2d 1249 (S.D.C.A. 2008) |
29-30 |
short example case |
|||
Fortune Dynamic, Inc. v. Victoria’s Secret 618 F.3d 1025 (9th Cir. 2010) |
30-32 |
short example case |
|||
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. v. Tabari 610 F.3d 1171 (9th 2010) |
32-46 |
L |
|||
Tiffany (NJ) Inc. v. eBay Inc. 600 F.3d 93 (2d Cir. 2010) |
46-49 |
||||
{ end of assignments } |
Access UH for course evaluation online: https://accessuh.uh.edu |
||||
| Assignment | Page(s) | Comment/Notes | {resv} |
Date |
Call Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Read all 20 pages of the Remedies part |
1-20 |
PODS v. U-Haul case - order denying motion for JMOL (M.D. Fla. 2015) |
Apr. 21 |
All |
|
Visit by Walt Bratic and associates. |
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Last modified on April 23, 2016, by Greg R. Vetter