Stoncor Group, Inc. v. Specialty Coatings, Inc. , 759 F.3d 1327 ( 2014 )


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  •   United States Court of Appeals
    for the Federal Circuit
    ______________________
    STONCOR GROUP, INC.,
    Appellant,
    v.
    SPECIALTY COATINGS, INC.,
    Appellee.
    ______________________
    2013-1448
    ______________________
    Appeal from the United States Patent and Trademark
    Office, Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in Opposition
    No. 91187787.
    ______________________
    Decided: July 16, 2014
    ______________________
    CHARLES N. QUINN, Fox Rothschild LLP, of Exton,
    Pennsylvania, argued for appellant.
    MATTHEW SEIFERT, Hoxie & Associates, LLC, of Mill-
    burn, New Jersey, argued for appellee. On the brief was
    THOMAS HOXIE.
    ______________________
    2             STONCOR GROUP, INC.   v. SPECIALTY COATINGS, INC.
    Before TARANTO and HUGHES, Circuit Judges. *
    HUGHES, Circuit Judge.
    This is a trademark case. The appellant, StonCor
    Group,     Inc.,    owns     the     registered    trademark
    “STONSHIELD.” When a different company, Specialty
    Coatings, Inc., sought registration of a competing mark,
    “ARMORSTONE,” StonCor opposed the registration,
    asserting     a    likelihood     of    confusion     between
    ARMORSTONE            and     STONSHIELD          and     that
    ARMORSTONE is merely descriptive of Specialty Coat-
    ings’ products. The Board dismissed StonCor’s opposition,
    finding    no    likelihood    of    confusion    and     that
    ARMORSTONE was not merely descriptive. StonCor
    appeals. Although the Board erred in part of its analysis,
    namely its conclusion that STONSHIELD would not be
    pronounced as “STONE SHIELD,” the error is harmless
    because the Board’s dismissal is supported by substantial
    evidence and in accordance with the law. Thus, we af-
    firm.
    I
    StonCor and Specialty Coatings are competitors in the
    market for epoxy coatings used on concrete floors. In
    1992, StonCor registered the mark STONSHIELD with
    the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
    in connection with “floors and flooring systems comprised
    of epoxy resins . . . for use in industrial and institutional
    applications,” among other products. STONSHIELD,
    
    Registration No. 1,689,713
    . In 2008, Specialty Coatings
    applied to the USPTO for registration of the mark
    ARMORSTONE in connection with “[e]poxy coating for
    *   Randall R. Rader, who retired from the position of
    Circuit Judge on June 30, 2014, did not participate in this
    decision.
    STONCOR GROUP, INC.   v. SPECIALTY COATINGS, INC.        3
    use on concrete industrial floors,” among other products.
    U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 77,428,195 (filed
    Mar. 21, 2008). StonCor filed a notice of opposition to
    Specialty Coatings’ application.
    StonCor opposed registration of ARMORSTONE on
    six grounds, two of which it raises on appeal. First,
    StonCor argued that the USPTO should not allow regis-
    tration of ARMORSTONE because consumers would
    likely confuse the mark with STONSHIELD when
    ARMORSTONE is used in connection with epoxy floor
    products. Second, StonCor argued that ARMORSTONE is
    not eligible for registration because the mark is merely
    descriptive and Specialty Coatings has not provided
    evidence of secondary meaning.
    The Board analyzed the likelihood of confusion by
    considering the thirteen factors set forth in In re E.I.
    DuPont de Nemours & Co., 
    476 F.2d 1357
    , 1361 (CCPA
    1973). The parties presented evidence regarding factors
    one through eight, ten, and eleven. The Board addressed
    each of these factors, finding no likelihood of confusion
    because the marks are too distinct in sound, appearance,
    and commercial impression. StonCor Grp., Inc. v. Spe-
    cialty Coatings, Inc., Opposition No. 91187787, 
    2012 WL 2588576
    , at *5–*9 (T.T.A.B. June 22, 2012). StonCor
    challenges the Board’s findings as to DuPont factors one
    and six:
    (1) The similarity or dissimilarity of the marks in
    their entireties as to appearance, sound, connota-
    tion and commercial impression.
    ...
    (6) The number and nature of similar marks in
    use on similar goods.
    DuPont, 476 F.2d at 1361.
    4           STONCOR GROUP, INC.   v. SPECIALTY COATINGS, INC.
    Starting with factor one, the Board considered how
    prospective consumers would pronounce STONSHIELD.
    StonCor presented evidence that the “o” would be pro-
    nounced by consumers with a long vowel sound, as in the
    word “stone.” The Board reasoned, however, that the
    spelling of “STON” and ordinary rules of English dictate
    that the “o” would be pronounced with a short vowel
    sound, as in the word “on.” Id. at *6. Thus, the Board
    found that there was a dissimilarity in pronunciation.
    The Board went on to describe additional differences
    between the marks. It found that “STON” is spelled
    differently from “STONE”; that “STON–” appears at the
    beginning of STONSHIELD while “–STONE” appears at
    the end of ARMORSTONE; that STONSHIELD is two
    syllables while ARMORSTONE is three syllables; and
    that STONSHIELD would create a different commercial
    impression from ARMORSTONE. Taking all of these
    differences into account, the Board found that factor one
    weighed against finding a likelihood of confusion.
    The Board next found factor six neutral because nei-
    ther party provided evidence regarding the number of
    marks similar to STONSHIELD. Id. at *8. In the Board’s
    view, StonCor’s evidence describing other oppositions filed
    by StonCor was insufficient to turn this factor in
    StonCor’s favor.
    Turning to StonCor’s claim that ARMORSTONE is
    merely descriptive, the Board analyzed whether the mark
    ARMORSTONE, in its entirety, “immediately conveys
    information concerning a significant quality, characteris-
    tic, function, ingredient, attribute or feature of the prod-
    uct or service in connection with which it is used.” Id. at
    *10 (citing to In re Eng’g Sys. Corp., 
    2 U.S.P.Q.2d 1075
    (T.T.A.B. 1986) and In re Bright-Crest, Ltd., 
    204 U.S.P.Q. 591
     (T.T.A.B. 1979)). Finding that StonCor did not pro-
    vide sufficient evidence that ARMORSTONE meets this
    STONCOR GROUP, INC.   v. SPECIALTY COATINGS, INC.         5
    standard, the Board concluded that StonCor failed to
    meet its burden of proof.
    StonCor appeals. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 
    15 U.S.C. § 1071
    (a)(1) and 
    28 U.S.C. § 1295
    (a)(4)(B).
    II
    Section 2(d) of the Lanham Act provides that a
    trademark may be refused registration if it “so resembles”
    a prior mark “as to be likely, when used on or in connec-
    tion with the goods of the applicant, to cause confusion, or
    to cause mistake, or to deceive.” 
    15 U.S.C. § 1052
    (d)
    (2012). Likelihood of confusion is a question of law with
    underlying factual findings made pursuant to the DuPont
    factors. M2 Software, Inc. v. M2 Commc’ns, Inc., 
    450 F.3d 1378
    , 1381 (Fed. Cir. 2006). We review the Board’s factu-
    al findings on each DuPont factor for substantial evidence
    and its legal conclusion of likelihood of confusion de novo.
    On-Line Careline, Inc. v. Am. Online, Inc., 
    229 F.3d 1080
    ,
    1084–85 (Fed. Cir. 2000). Substantial evidence is “such
    relevant evidence as a reasonable mind would accept as
    adequate to support a conclusion.” Consol. Edison Co. of
    N.Y. v. N.L.R.B., 
    305 U.S. 197
    , 229 (1938).
    A
    On appeal, StonCor challenges the Board’s findings
    with respect to DuPont factors one and six. Factor one—
    the similarity or dissimilarity of the marks—is deter-
    mined by focusing on “‘the marks in their entireties as to
    appearance, sound, connotation, and commercial impres-
    sion.’” Palm Bay Imps. Inc. v. Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin
    Maison Fondee En 1772, 
    396 F.3d 1369
    , 1371 (Fed. Cir.
    2005) (quoting DuPont, 476 F.2d at 1361).
    StonCor argues that the Board erred by creating its
    own pronunciation rule and holding, contrary to StonCor’s
    evidence, that the “o” in STONSHIELD would be pro-
    nounced with a short vowel sound. On this point, we
    agree with StonCor. The evidence in the record persua-
    6           STONCOR GROUP, INC.   v. SPECIALTY COATINGS, INC.
    sively suggests that the “o” would be pronounced with a
    long vowel sound, like the word “stone.” For instance,
    StonCor’s Vice President of Marketing, Michael Jewell,
    testified at deposition that StonCor pronounces the “o”
    with a long vowel sound, that he has only “very, very
    rarely” heard the “o” pronounced with a short vowel
    sound, and that StonCor promotes its products at trade
    shows, pronouncing “STON” as “stone.” J.A. 357-58, 364–
    65. Mr. Jewell further testified that StonCor employs a
    direct sales force of approximately 150 people, each of
    whom calls potential customers directly. J.A. 285–86,
    358. While the record does not reflect how these direct
    sales employees pronounce “STON,” it is a reasonable
    inference from Mr. Jewell’s testimony that StonCor’s
    employees follow the company’s pronunciation and pro-
    nounce STON with a long “o” sound. In contrast, Special-
    ty Coatings provided no evidence suggesting that “STON”
    was or would be pronounced with a short “o” sound.
    The Board gave minimal weight to Mr. Jewell’s testi-
    mony. It held that STONSHIELD is not “spelled in a
    manner consistent with” pronouncing “STON” as “stone”
    and that the prefix would instead be pronounced by
    prospective consumers “according to the spelling” of
    “STON,” with a short “o” sound. StonCor, 
    2012 WL 2588576
    , at *6. According to the Board, StonCor “did not
    introduce evidence at trial that ‘STON–’ would be pro-
    nounced and perceived by prospective consumers as the
    equivalent of the word ‘stone.’” 
    Id.
    The Board’s pronunciation analysis is not supported
    by substantial evidence. The Board erred by failing to
    credit StonCor’s evidence that consumers would pro-
    nounce “STON” as “stone.” There is no correct pronuncia-
    tion of a trademark that is not a recognized word. See In
    re Belgrade Shoe Co., 
    411 F.2d 1352
    , 1353 (CCPA 1969).
    “STON” is not a word in English. Neither party argues
    that “STON” is a word in any other language. Where a
    trademark is not a recognized word and the weight of the
    STONCOR GROUP, INC.   v. SPECIALTY COATINGS, INC.        7
    evidence suggests that potential consumers would pro-
    nounce the mark in a particular way, it is error for the
    Board to ignore this evidence entirely and supply its own
    pronunciation.
    The Board’s error here, however, was harmless. The
    Board found that DuPont factor one weighed against a
    likelihood of confusion because of (1) differing pronuncia-
    tions of the affixes, “STON–” and “–STONE”; (2) differing
    spellings between the two affixes; (3) differing placements
    of the two affixes within the marks; (4) differing numbers
    of syllables in the two complete marks, STONSHIELD
    and ARMORSTONE; and (5) differing commercial im-
    pressions conveyed by the complete marks. The latter
    four findings are each supported by substantial evidence
    and, together, provide substantial evidence in support of
    the Board’s conclusion that DuPont factor one weighs in
    favor of Specialty Coatings.
    B
    Factor six of the DuPont test addresses the “number
    and nature of similar marks in use on similar goods.” 476
    F.2d at 1361. StonCor argues that the Board erred by
    failing to credit StonCor’s evidence that numerous third
    parties use the term “armor stone” in connection with
    construction, stone, concrete, and epoxy products. As
    StonCor acknowledges, this factor usually addresses
    marks similar to an opposer’s registered mark, to demon-
    strate the strength or weakness of that mark. See, e.g.,
    Palm Bay Imps., 
    396 F.3d at 1373
     (addressing evidence of
    third-party marks similar to a registered mark to assess
    the strength of that mark); M2 Software, 
    450 F.3d at 1384
    (same); Olde Tyme Foods, Inc. v. Roundy’s, Inc., 
    961 F.2d 200
    , 204 (Fed. Cir. 1992) (same).
    But StonCor nonetheless argues that evidence of
    marks similar to ARMORSTONE is somehow probative of
    a likelihood of confusion with STONSHIELD. The evi-
    dence of marks similar to ARMORSTONE may be rele-
    8           STONCOR GROUP, INC.   v. SPECIALTY COATINGS, INC.
    vant to the strength or weakness of that mark, but
    StonCor has offered no credible explanation to support its
    contention that the existence of marks similar to
    ARMORSTONE demonstrates a likelihood of confusion
    with its mark STONSHIELD. The Board’s conclusion
    that DuPont factor six was neutral is supported by sub-
    stantial evidence.
    III
    Section 2(e)(1) of the Lanham Act provides that a
    trademark may be refused registration if it consists of a
    mark that “when used on or in connection with the goods
    of the applicant is merely descriptive” of the goods. 
    15 U.S.C. § 1052
    (e)(1) (2012). Whether a mark is merely
    descriptive is a question of fact that we review for sub-
    stantial evidence. Coach Servs., Inc. v. Triumph Learning
    LLC, 
    668 F.3d 1356
    , 1378 (Fed. Cir. 2012). The party
    opposing a registration bears the burden of proving by a
    preponderance of the evidence that an applicant’s mark is
    merely descriptive. DuoProSS Meditech Corp. v. Inviro
    Med. Devices, Ltd., 
    695 F.3d 1247
    , 1252 (Fed. Cir. 2012).
    A mark that is “suggestive” may be registered, but a
    mark that is “merely descriptive” may not be registered
    without showing that it has acquired secondary meaning.
    
    Id.
     at 1251–52. A “suggestive mark ‘requires imagination,
    thought and perception to reach a conclusion as to the
    nature of the goods,’ while a merely descriptive mark
    ‘forthwith conveys an immediate idea of the ingredients,
    qualities or characteristics of the goods.’” 
    Id. at 1252
    (quoting In re Abcor Dev. Corp., 
    588 F.2d 811
    , 813 (CCPA
    1978)).
    The Board held that, although ARMORSTONE might
    be suggestive of the effectiveness of Specialty Coatings’
    goods, StonCor presented no evidence that the combina-
    tion of “armor” and “stone” was merely descriptive of the
    goods. The Board therefore concluded that StonCor failed
    STONCOR GROUP, INC.   v. SPECIALTY COATINGS, INC.          9
    to meet its burden to prove that ARMORSTONE is merely
    descriptive.
    StonCor presented evidence of Specialty Coatings’ ad-
    vertising, along with dictionary definitions for the words
    “armor” and “stone.” None of StonCor’s evidence demon-
    strates that the mark, as a whole, conveys “an immediate
    idea of the ingredients, qualities or characteristics of” the
    products. DuoProSS, 695 F.3d at 1252 (internal quota-
    tion marks omitted) (citation omitted). The Board’s
    conclusion is supported by substantial evidence.
    IV
    The Board concluded that there was no likelihood of
    confusion between STONSHIELD and ARMORSTONE
    and that StonCor did not prove that ARMORSTONE was
    merely descriptive. Because these conclusions are in
    accordance with the law and supported by substantial
    evidence, we affirm.
    AFFIRMED
    

Document Info

Docket Number: 2013-1448

Citation Numbers: 759 F.3d 1327, 111 U.S.P.Q. 2d (BNA) 1649, 2014 U.S. App. LEXIS 13492, 2014 WL 3449103

Judges: Taranto, Hughes

Filed Date: 7/16/2014

Precedential Status: Precedential

Modified Date: 10/19/2024