Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Electronic Filing System. http://estta.uspto.gov
`ESTTA271262
`ESTTA Tracking number:
`03/10/2009
`
`Filing date:
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`91188693
`Plaintiff
`KINGDOM AUTO PARTS
`Robert C.J. Tuttle and Hope V. Shovein
`Brooks Kushman P.C.
`1000 Town Center, 22nd Floor
`Southfield, MI 48075-1238
`UNITED STATES
`hshovein@brookskushman.com,ejbrooks@brookskushman.com,rtuttle@brooks
`kushman.com
`Motion to Suspend for Civil Action
`Hope V. Shovein
`hshovein@brookskushman.com,ejbrooks@brookskushman.com,rtuttle@brooks
`kushman.com
`/hope v shovein/
`03/10/2009
`Request to Suspend KIAP.pdf ( 3 pages )(78011 bytes )
`Kingdom Auto Parts Answer to Second Amended Complaint.pdf ( 19 pages
`)(500670 bytes )
`
`Proceeding
`Party
`
`Correspondence
`Address
`
`Submission
`Filer's Name
`Filer's e-mail
`
`Signature
`Date
`Attachments
`
`
`ESTTA271262
`ESTTA Tracking number:
`03/10/2009
`
`Filing date:
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`91188693
`Plaintiff
`KINGDOM AUTO PARTS
`Robert C.J. Tuttle and Hope V. Shovein
`Brooks Kushman P.C.
`1000 Town Center, 22nd Floor
`Southfield, MI 48075-1238
`UNITED STATES
`hshovein@brookskushman.com,ejbrooks@brookskushman.com,rtuttle@brooks
`kushman.com
`Motion to Suspend for Civil Action
`Hope V. Shovein
`hshovein@brookskushman.com,ejbrooks@brookskushman.com,rtuttle@brooks
`kushman.com
`/hope v shovein/
`03/10/2009
`Request to Suspend KIAP.pdf ( 3 pages )(78011 bytes )
`Kingdom Auto Parts Answer to Second Amended Complaint.pdf ( 19 pages
`)(500670 bytes )
`
`Proceeding
`Party
`
`Correspondence
`Address
`
`Submission
`Filer's Name
`Filer's e-mail
`
`Signature
`Date
`Attachments
`
`
`
`Serial Nos. 77/468.285: 77/468,293: 77/468,275:
`77/468,279; 77/468,290; and 77/468.288
`
`Atty. Docket No: KIAP0l04OC
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`Opposition No. 91188693
`
`Serial Nos. 77/468,285; 77/468,293;
`
`77/468,275; 77/468,279; 77/468,290;
`
`and 77/468,288
`
`Trademarks:
`
`71572
`
`71661
`
`71662
`
`71672
`
`71678
`
`71679
`
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`)
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`
`KINGDOM AUTO PARTS, INC.,
`
`Opposer,
`
`V.
`
`TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE
`
`OPERATING COMPANY INC.,
`
`Applicant.
`
`NOTICE OF CIVIL ACTION AND
`
`REQUEST FOR SUSPENSION OF OPPOSITION
`
`Pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 2.117(a), Opposer, Kingdom Auto Parts, Inc. (“Kingdom
`
`Auto Parts” or “Opposer”), hereby provides notice to the Board of the filing of a civil action, which
`
`may have a bearing on this proceeding. The civil action case number is 2:08—CV-10467.
`
`Applicant Tenneco alleges that Kingdom Auto Parts has infringed its “unique product
`
`numbers.” Kingdom Auto Parts counterclaimed, seeking a declaratory judgment that Tenneco’s 5
`
`and 6—digit numerics are not registrable as trademarks on the Principal Register. A time—stamped
`
`copy of Kingdom Auto Parts Answer and Affirmative Defenses to Tenneco’s Second Amended
`
`Complaint and Counterclaim is attached hereto.
`
`Kingdom Auto Parts subsequently filed a Motion for Summary Judgment on its
`
`Declaratory Judgment Counterclaim, on the grounds that Tenneco’s part numbers are admittedly
`
`
`
`Serial Nos. 77/468,285; 77/468,293; 77/468,275;
`77/468,279: 77/468,290; and 77/468.288
`
`Atty. Docket No: KlAP0l04OC
`
`-
`
`descriptive and have not acquired secondary meaning. The Motion for Summary Judgment is
`
`currently pending.
`
`Tenneco was not required to provide evidence of secondary meaning prior to
`
`publication of the opposed applications, and Tenneco states in its Answer to the Notice of
`
`Opposition that “since both the Office and the Board have taken the administrative position that
`
`numeric applications such as Applicant’s that are otherwise inherently distinctive and capable of
`
`registration, no Section 2(f) amendment need be filed.” To the contrary, as Tenneco states in its
`
`response to Kingdom Auto Parts’ Motion for Summary Judgment: “Alphanumeric designators, M
`
`as Tenneco’s product numbers, are entitled to protection upon a showing of secondary meaning,”
`
`citing Westward Co. v. Gem Pr0ds., Inc., 570 F. Supp. 943, 947—48 (E.D. Mich. 1983) (emphasis
`
`added).
`
`In keeping with TTAB policy, Opposer hereby requests suspension of the Opposition
`
`until termination of the civil action.
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`BROOKS KUSHMAN P.C.
`
`By SQKJKQ
`
`ROBERT C.J. TUTTLE
`
`HOPE V. SHOVEIN
`
`1000 Town Center
`
`Twenty—Second Floor
`Southfield, Michigan 48075
`
`Attorneys for Opposer
`
`Date: March 10 2009
`
`
`
`Serial Nos. 77/468,285: 77/468,293: 77/468,275;
`77/468,279: 77/468,290; and 77/468.288
`
`Atty. Docket No: KlAP0l04OC
`
`CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
`
`I certify that I served:
`
`NOTICE OF CIVIL ACTION AND
`
`REQUEST FOR SUSPENSION OF OPPOSITION
`
`on March 10, 2009 by:
`
`__ facsimile
`
`X mailing (a copy via First—C1ass mail)
`
`a copy to:
`
`Lisabeth H. Coakley
`
`Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C.
`5445 Corporate Drive, #200
`Troy, MI 48098
`
`Applicanfs Attorney of Record
`
`Hope V. Shovein
`
`
`
`Case 2:08-cv-10467-GCS-MKM Document 84 Filed 10/14/2008 Page 1 of 17
`
`UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
`SOUTHERN DIVISION
`__________________
`
`TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE
`OPERATING COMPANY INC.,
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`vs.
`
`KINGDOM AUTO PARTS and
`PRIME CHOICE AUTO PARTS,
`
`HONORABLE GEO RGE CARAM STEEH
`
`M AG. JUDGE M ONA K. M AJZOUB
`
`Civil Action No. 2:08-cv-10467
`
`Defendants.
`__________________________________________________________________________/
`
`(P16554)
`ROBERT J. LENIHAN, II
`(P34108)
`LISABET H H. COAKLEY
`(P63079)
`BRENT G. SEITZ
`HARNESS DICKEY & PIERCE PLC
`5445 Corporate Drive, Suite 200
`Troy, M ichigan 48098
`Tel:
`(248) 641-1600 ext. 256
`Fax:
`(248) 641-0270
`
`Attorney for Plaintiff
`
`(P25222)
`(P40765)
`(P61964)
`
`ROBERT C.J. TUTTLE
`PHYLLIS G. M OREY
`JOHN S. LE ROY
`BROO KS KUSHM AN P.C.
`1000 Town Center
`Twenty-Second Floor
`Southfield, M ichigan 48075
`Tel:
`(248) 358-4400
`Fax:
`(248) 358-3351
`
`Attorneys for Defendants
`
`__________________________________________________________________________/
`
`DEFENDANTS' ANSWER AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES
`TO PLAINTIFF TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY'S
`SECOND AMENDED COMPLAINT AND
`COUNTERCLAIM FOR DECLARATORY RELIEF
`
`B rooks K ushm an P .C .
`n d
`1000 Town Center, 22 Fl.
`Southfield, MI 48075-1238
`USA
`
`Tel
`Fax
`
`(248) 358-4400
`(248) 358-3351
`
`www.brookskushman.com
`
`EFILED 10/14/08
`
`
`
`Case 2:08-cv-10467-GCS-MKM Document 84 Filed 10/14/2008 Page 2 of 17
`
`ANSWER
`
`Defendants Kingdom Auto Parts and Prime Choice Auto Parts hereby answer the
`
`like-numbered paragraphs of the Second Amended Complaint, as follows:
`
`1.
`
`The allegations of this paragraph are directed to the purported legal bases
`
`for the claims pleaded in the Second Amended Complaint, and no responsive pleading is required.
`
`To the extent a responsive pleading is required, the allegations of this paragraph are considered
`
`denied or voided.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`5.
`
`6.
`
`Subject matter jurisdiction is contested.
`
`Denied.
`
`Denied.
`
`Denied.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`7.
`
`8.
`
`9.
`
`Denied.
`
`Admitted.
`
`Denied.
`
`10.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`11.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`-1-
`
`EFILED 10/14/08
`
`B rooks K ushm an P .C .
`n d
`1000 Town Center, 22 Fl.
`Southfield, MI 48075-1238
`USA
`
`Tel
`Fax
`
`(248) 358-4400
`(248) 358-3351
`
`www.brookskushman.com
`
`
`
`Case 2:08-cv-10467-GCS-MKM Document 84 Filed 10/14/2008 Page 3 of 17
`
`12.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`13.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`14.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`15.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`16.
`
`Admitted that Exhibit 1 to the Second Amended Complaint purports to be
`
`copies of Registrations No. 3,046,796 and 3,153,807, but denied that such registrations are valid
`
`or were duly issued in compliance with the law.
`
`17.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`18.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`19.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`20.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`21.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`-2-
`
`EFILED 10/14/08
`
`B rooks K ushm an P .C .
`n d
`1000 Town Center, 22 Fl.
`Southfield, MI 48075-1238
`USA
`
`Tel
`Fax
`
`(248) 358-4400
`(248) 358-3351
`
`www.brookskushman.com
`
`
`
`Case 2:08-cv-10467-GCS-MKM Document 84 Filed 10/14/2008 Page 4 of 17
`
`22.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`23.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`24.
`
`Denied.
`
`25.
`
`Denied.
`
`26.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`27.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`28.
`
`Denied.
`
`29.
`
`Denied.
`
`30.
`
`Denied.
`
`31.
`
`Denied.
`
`32.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`33.
`
`Denied.
`
`34.
`
`Denied.
`
`35.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`-3-
`
`EFILED 10/14/08
`
`B rooks K ushm an P .C .
`n d
`1000 Town Center, 22 Fl.
`Southfield, MI 48075-1238
`USA
`
`Tel
`Fax
`
`(248) 358-4400
`(248) 358-3351
`
`www.brookskushman.com
`
`
`
`Case 2:08-cv-10467-GCS-MKM Document 84 Filed 10/14/2008 Page 5 of 17
`
`36.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`37.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`38.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`39.
`
`Admitted that Exhibit 3 to the Second Amended Complaint purports to be
`
`a photocopy of Copyright Registration No. TX6-828-850, but denied that such copyright
`
`registration is valid or was duly issued in compliance with the law.
`
`40.
`
`Admitted that defendant Kingdom Auto Parts includes instruction inside the
`
`packaging for its StrutTEK complete strut assemblies. Denied as to defendant Prime Choice Auto
`
`Parts. Denied that Exhibit 4 to the Second Amended Complaint is a true and correct copy of the
`
`installation instructions in use by defendant Kingdom Auto Parts.
`
`41.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`42.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`43.
`
`Denied.
`
`44.
`
`Denied.
`
`45.
`
`Denied.
`
`B rooks K ushm an P .C .
`n d
`1000 Town Center, 22 Fl.
`Southfield, MI 48075-1238
`USA
`
`Tel
`Fax
`
`(248) 358-4400
`(248) 358-3351
`
`www.brookskushman.com
`
`-4-
`
`EFILED 10/14/08
`
`
`
`Case 2:08-cv-10467-GCS-MKM Document 84 Filed 10/14/2008 Page 6 of 17
`
`46.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`47.
`
`Defendants adopt and incorporate by reference their responses to the
`
`allegations of paragraphs 1 - 46, as if set forth fully herein.
`
`48.
`
`Denied.
`
`49.
`
`Denied.
`
`50.
`
`Denied.
`
`51.
`
`Denied.
`
`52.
`
`Denied.
`
`53.
`
`Defendants adopt and incorporate by reference their responses to the
`
`allegations of paragraphs 1 - 52, as if set forth fully herein.
`
`54.
`
`Denied.
`
`55.
`
`Denied.
`
`56.
`
`Denied.
`
`57.
`
`Denied.
`
`58.
`
`Denied.
`
`59.
`
`Denied.
`
`60.
`
`Defendants adopt and incorporate by reference their responses to the
`
`allegations of paragraphs 1 - 59, as if set forth fully herein.
`
`61.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`-5-
`
`EFILED 10/14/08
`
`B rooks K ushm an P .C .
`n d
`1000 Town Center, 22 Fl.
`Southfield, MI 48075-1238
`USA
`
`Tel
`Fax
`
`(248) 358-4400
`(248) 358-3351
`
`www.brookskushman.com
`
`
`
`Case 2:08-cv-10467-GCS-MKM Document 84 Filed 10/14/2008 Page 7 of 17
`
`62.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`63.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`64.
`
`Admitted that Exhibit 3 to the Second Amended Complaint purports to be
`
`a photocopy of Copyright Registration No. TX6-828-850, but denied that such copyright
`
`registration is valid or was duly issued in compliance with the law.
`
`65.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`66.
`
`Admitted that defendant Kingdom Auto Parts includes instruction inside the
`
`packaging for its StrutTEK complete strut assemblies. Denied as to defendant Prime Choice Auto
`
`Parts. Denied that Exhibit 4 to the Second Amended Complaint is a true and correct copy of the
`
`installation instructions in use by defendant Kingdom Auto Parts.
`
`67.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`68.
`
`Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about
`
`the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, and therefore deny the same.
`
`69.
`
`Denied.
`
`70.
`
`Denied.
`
`71.
`
`Denied.
`
`72.
`
`Denied.
`
`B rooks K ushm an P .C .
`n d
`1000 Town Center, 22 Fl.
`Southfield, MI 48075-1238
`USA
`
`Tel
`Fax
`
`(248) 358-4400
`(248) 358-3351
`
`www.brookskushman.com
`
`-6-
`
`EFILED 10/14/08
`
`
`
`Case 2:08-cv-10467-GCS-MKM Document 84 Filed 10/14/2008 Page 8 of 17
`
`73.
`
`Defendants adopt and incorporate by reference their responses to the
`
`allegations of paragraphs 1 - 72, as if set forth fully herein.
`
`74.
`
`Denied.
`
`75.
`
`Denied.
`
`76.
`
`Denied.
`
`77.
`
`Denied.
`
`78.
`
`Denied.
`
`79.
`
`Defendants adopt and incorporate by reference their responses to the
`
`allegations of paragraphs 1 - 78, as if set forth fully herein.
`
`80.
`
`Denied.
`
`81.
`
`Denied.
`
`82.
`
`Denied.
`
`83.
`
`Denied.
`
`84.
`
`Denied.
`
`85.
`
`Denied.
`
`86.
`
`Denied.
`
`87.
`
`Denied.
`
`88.
`
`Denied.
`
`89.
`
`Denied.
`
`B rooks K ushm an P .C .
`n d
`1000 Town Center, 22 Fl.
`Southfield, MI 48075-1238
`USA
`
`Tel
`Fax
`
`(248) 358-4400
`(248) 358-3351
`
`www.brookskushman.com
`
`90.
`
`Defendants adopt and incorporate by reference their responses to the
`
`allegations of paragraphs 1 - 89, as if set forth fully herein.
`
`-7-
`
`EFILED 10/14/08
`
`
`
`Case 2:08-cv-10467-GCS-MKM Document 84 Filed 10/14/2008 Page 9 of 17
`
`91.
`
`Denied.
`
`92.
`
`Denied.
`
`93.
`
`Denied.
`
`94.
`
`Denied.
`
`95.
`
`Defendants adopt and incorporate by reference their responses to the
`
`allegations of paragraphs 1 - 94, as if set forth fully herein.
`
`96.
`
`Denied.
`
`97.
`
`Denied.
`
`98.
`
`Denied.
`
`99.
`
`Denied.
`
`AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES
`
`The Court lacks subject-matter jurisdiction.
`
`The Court lacks personal jurisdiction over defendants.
`
`The Second Amended Complaint, including all "Causes Of Action" thereof,
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.
`
`4.
`
`Plaintiff is guilty of unclean hands in its application to register the claim of
`
`copyright asserted as infringed in the "Third Cause Of Action."
`
`5.
`
`Plaintiff is guilty of copyright misuse.
`
`-8-
`
`EFILED 10/14/08
`
`B rooks K ushm an P .C .
`n d
`1000 Town Center, 22 Fl.
`Southfield, MI 48075-1238
`USA
`
`Tel
`Fax
`
`(248) 358-4400
`(248) 358-3351
`
`www.brookskushman.com
`
`
`
`Case 2:08-cv-10467-GCS-MKM Document 84 Filed 10/14/2008 Page 10 of 17
`
`6.
`
`Any federal registration of the claim of copyright asserted by plaintiff in the
`
`"Third Cause Of Action" is invalid for failure to comply with the requirements for copyright
`
`registration, 17 U.S.C. § 409.
`
`7.
`
`8.
`
`use.
`
`Plaintiff's "product numbers" are functional, and unprotectable.
`
`Any use by defendants of plaintiff's so-called "product numbers," is a fair
`
`9.
`
`Plaintiff is guilty of unclean hands, including the unlawful and anti-
`
`competitive "Monroe Loyalty Program," in which Monroe customers are paid or otherwise
`
`rewarded by Monroe if they refuse to engage in trade or commerce with competitors of Monroe.
`
`In this case, the "Monroe Loyalty Program" would pay or otherwise reward wholesalers and store
`
`jobbers who refuse to deal in the "StrutTEK" complete strut assemblies in favor of dealing only in
`
`plaintiff's "Quick-Strut" complete strut assembly.
`
`B rooks K ushm an P .C .
`n d
`1000 Town Center, 22 Fl.
`Southfield, MI 48075-1238
`USA
`
`Tel
`Fax
`
`(248) 358-4400
`(248) 358-3351
`
`www.brookskushman.com
`
`-9-
`
`EFILED 10/14/08
`
`
`
`Case 2:08-cv-10467-GCS-MKM Document 84 Filed 10/14/2008 Page 11 of 17
`
`COUNTERCLAIM OF KINGDOM AUTO PARTS
`
`1.
`
`Counterclaimant Kingdom Auto Parts, Inc. ("Kingdom Auto Parts") is a
`
`Canadian corporation with a principal place of business at 201 Iber Road, Stittsville K2S 1E7,
`
`Ontario, Canada.
`
`2.
`
`Counterdefendant Tenneco Automotive Operating Company ("Tenneco")
`
`is a Delaware corporation having a principal place of business at 500 Northfield Drive, Lake Forest,
`
`Illinois 60045.
`
`3.
`
`There exists a case of actual controversy within the jurisdiction of this Court,
`
`for which the Court may declare the rights and other legal relations of counterclaimant Kingdom
`
`Auto Parts in respect of the allegations of counterdefendant Tenneco that it possesses trademark
`
`rights in its so-called "product numbers," and whether such "product numbers" are registrable as
`
`trademarks on the Principal Register of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
`
`4.
`
`The Court has the power to rectify the Principal Register of the United States
`
`Patent and Trademark Office, including the power to determine the right to registration, under 15
`
`U.S.C. § 1119.
`
`5.
`
`Subject matter jurisdiction for the declaratory judgment claim pleaded herein
`
`is conferred upon the Court by 28 U.S.C. § 2201 and the Federal Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1501
`
`et seq.
`
`6.
`
`The justiciable controversy begins with the allegations of paragraph 22 of
`
`the Second Amended Complaint, reproduced below for convenience of reference:
`
`-10-
`
`EFILED 10/14/08
`
`B rooks K ushm an P .C .
`n d
`1000 Town Center, 22 Fl.
`Southfield, MI 48075-1238
`USA
`
`Tel
`Fax
`
`(248) 358-4400
`(248) 358-3351
`
`www.brookskushman.com
`
`
`
`Case 2:08-cv-10467-GCS-MKM Document 84 Filed 10/14/2008 Page 12 of 17
`
`Tenneco's struts, including struts that are incorporated into
`22.
`its strut assemblies, are each stamped with a unique Tenneco
`product number, and are manufactured and distributed by Tenneco
`in connection with its Monroe® brand.
`
`7.
`
`The "struts" referred to in paragraph 22 of the Second Amended Complaint
`
`are designated by a 5-digit numeric, e.g., 71992 and 71994, which respectively designate the front
`
`and rear struts for the Ford Escort 2001 model year.
`
`8.
`
`The "strut assemblies" referred to in paragraph 22 of the Second Amended
`
`Complaint are designated by a 6-digit numeric, e.g., 171992 and 171994, which respectively
`
`designate the front and rear strut assemblies for a Ford Escort, 2001 model year.
`
`9.
`
`Tenneco refers to these 5-digit numerics and 6-digit numerics in its public
`
`communications as "part numbers."
`
`10.
`
`Exhibit A is a true and correct copy of a web page from the Monroe E-
`
`Catalog, Passenger Cars and Light Trucks-Ride Control Section, at
`
`the address:
`
`http://catalog.tenneco.com/monroe/eCatalog.do, visited 10/14/2008.
`
`11.
`
`Tenneco refers to the 5-digit numerics 71992 and 71994, as "part numbers,"
`
`in the web page from the Monroe E-Catalog, of Exhibit 1.
`
`12.
`
`Tenneco refers to the 6-digit numerics 171992 and 171994, as "part
`
`numbers," in the web page from the Monroe E-Catalog, of Exhibit 1.
`
`13.
`
`Tenneco regularly refers to the 5-digit numerics and 6-digit numerics, that
`
`it characterizes as "product numbers" in paragraph 22 of the Second Amended Complaint, as "part
`
`B rooks K ushm an P .C .
`n d
`1000 Town Center, 22 Fl.
`Southfield, MI 48075-1238
`USA
`
`Tel
`Fax
`
`(248) 358-4400
`(248) 358-3351
`
`www.brookskushman.com
`
`numbers" in its public communications.
`
`-11-
`
`EFILED 10/14/08
`
`
`
`Case 2:08-cv-10467-GCS-MKM Document 84 Filed 10/14/2008 Page 13 of 17
`
`14.
`
`Tenneco has applied to register numerous of these 5-digit numerics and 6-
`
`digit numerics as trademarks on the Principal Register of the United States Patent and Trademark
`
`Office, according to the following listing:
`
`Serial Number
`
`77468293
`
`77468275
`
`77468290
`
`77468288
`
`77468285
`
`77468279
`
`77481497
`
`77481493
`
`77481490
`
`77481485
`
`77481477
`
`77481471
`
`77481462
`
`77481458
`
`77481453
`
`77456046
`
`77456040
`
`77456036
`
`77456035
`
`77456031
`
`Mark
`
`71661
`
`71662
`
`71678
`
`71679
`
`71572
`
`71672
`
`902973
`
`902941
`
`905911
`
`903900
`
`904919
`
`902999
`
`901940
`
`901944
`
`902949
`
`171504
`
`171661
`
`171994
`
`171615
`
`171672
`
`-12-
`
`EFILED 10/14/08
`
`B rooks K ushm an P .C .
`n d
`1000 Town Center, 22 Fl.
`Southfield, MI 48075-1238
`USA
`
`Tel
`Fax
`
`(248) 358-4400
`(248) 358-3351
`
`www.brookskushman.com
`
`
`
`Case 2:08-cv-10467-GCS-MKM Document 84 Filed 10/14/2008 Page 14 of 17
`
`Serial Number
`
`77456030
`
`77470209
`
`77456051
`
`77456044
`
`Mark
`
`171616
`
`171878
`
`171920
`
`171880
`
`15.
`
`Tenneco has not informed the United States Patent and Trademark Office
`
`that it refers to the marks of the above-identified applications as "part numbers" in its public
`
`communications.
`
`16.
`
`Tenneco has not disclosed to the United States Patent and Trademark Office
`
`that the question of whether these 5-digit numerics and 6-digit numerics qualify for protection as
`
`trademarks, is a litigable issue in this case.
`
`17.
`
`The 5-digit numerics listed above identify a model number of the Sensa-Trac
`
`struts.
`
`assemblies.
`
`18.
`
`The 6-digit numerics listed above identify a model of the Quick-Strut strut
`
`19.
`
`The 5-digit numerics and the 6-digit numerics, identified above, do not
`
`function as trademarks to identify and distinguish Tenneco's goods from those of others and to
`
`indicate the source of Tenneco's goods.
`
`20.
`
`Counterclaimant Kingdom Auto Parts is entitled to a judgment declaring
`
`Tenneco's 5-digit numerics and 6-digit numerics do not qualify as a "trademark," as that term is
`
`B rooks K ushm an P .C .
`n d
`1000 Town Center, 22 Fl.
`Southfield, MI 48075-1238
`USA
`
`Tel
`Fax
`
`(248) 358-4400
`(248) 358-3351
`
`www.brookskushman.com
`
`defined in 15 U.S.C. § 1127.
`
`-13-
`
`EFILED 10/14/08
`
`
`
`Case 2:08-cv-10467-GCS-MKM Document 84 Filed 10/14/2008 Page 15 of 17
`
`21.
`
`Counterclaimant Kingdom Auto Parts is entitled to a judgment declaring
`
`Tenneco's 5-digit numerics and 6-digit numerics are not registrable as trademarks on the Principal
`
`Register of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
`
`DEMAND FOR RELIEF
`
`WHEREFORE, defendant and counterclaimant Kingdom Auto Parts and defendant
`
`Prime Choice Auto Parts ask the Court to enter judgment in their favor against plaintiff Tenneco,
`
`as follows:
`
`A.
`
`B.
`
`Dismissing all claims of the Second Amended Complaint with prejudice;
`
`Deeming this case to be "exceptional," in the sense of 15 U.S.C. § 1117(a),
`
`and awarding defendants their reasonably attorney fees;
`
`C.
`
`D.
`
`Awarding defendants their reasonable attorney fees under 17 U.S.C. § 505;
`
`A judgment declaring Tenneco's 5-digit numerics and 6-digit numerics not
`
`to be "trademarks," as that term is defined in 15 U.S.C. § 1127, and determining such 5-digit
`
`numerics and 6-digit numerics not to be registrable as trademarks on the Principal Register of the
`
`United States Patent and Trademark Office; and
`
`E.
`
`Granting such other, further and different relief to defendants as may be just
`
`and equitable on the proofs.
`
`B rooks K ushm an P .C .
`n d
`1000 Town Center, 22 Fl.
`Southfield, MI 48075-1238
`USA
`
`Tel
`Fax
`
`(248) 358-4400
`(248) 358-3351
`
`www.brookskushman.com
`
`-14-
`
`EFILED 10/14/08
`
`
`
`Case 2:08-cv-10467-GCS-MKM Document 84 Filed 10/14/2008 Page 16 of 17
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`BROOKS KUSHMAN P.C.
`
`By: /s/ Robert C. J. Tuttle
` Robert C.J. Tuttle
`(P25222)
` Phyllis G. Morey
`(P40765)
` John S. Le Roy
`(P61964)
`1000 Town Center, Twenty-Second Floor
`Southfield, Michigan 48075-1238
`Tel:
`(248) 358-4400/Fax:
`(248) 358-3351
`email: rtuttle@brookskushman.com
`pmorey@brookskushman.com
`jleroy@brookskushman.com
`
`Dated: October 14, 2008
`
`Attorneys for Defendants
`
`B rooks K ushm an P .C .
`n d
`1000 Town Center, 22 Fl.
`Southfield, MI 48075-1238
`USA
`
`Tel
`Fax
`
`(248) 358-4400
`(248) 358-3351
`
`www.brookskushman.com
`
`-15-
`
`EFILED 10/14/08
`
`
`
`Case 2:08-cv-10467-GCS-MKM Document 84 Filed 10/14/2008 Page 17 of 17
`
`CERTIFICATE OF ELECTRONIC SERVICE
`
`I hereby certify that on October 14, 2008, I electronically filed the foregoing
`DEFENDANTS' ANSWER AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES TO PLAINTIFF TENNECO
`AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY'S SECOND AMENDED COMPLAINT AND
`COUNTERCLAIMS FOR DECLARATORY RELIEF with the Clerk of the Court for the
`Eastern District of Michigan using the ECF System which will send notification to the following
`registered participants of the ECF System as listed on the Court's Notice of Electronic Filing:
`Robert J. Lenihan, Brent Seitz. I also certify that I have mailed by United States Postal Service the
`paper to the following non-participants in the ECF System:
`
`Lisabeth H. Coakley
`Harness, Dickey
`5445 Corporate Drive, Suite 200
`Troy, Michigan 48098-2612
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`BROOKS KUSHMAN P.C.
`
`By: /s/ Robert C. J. Tuttle
` Robert C.J. Tuttle
`(P25222)
` Phyllis G. Morey
`(P40765)
` John S. Le Roy
`(P61964)
`1000 Town Center, Twenty-Second Floor
`Southfield, Michigan 48075-1238
`Tel:
`(248) 358-4400/Fax:
`(248) 358-3351
`email: rtuttle@brookskushman.com
`pmorey@brookskushman.com
`jleroy@brookskushman.com
`
`B rooks K ushm an P .C .
`n d
`1000 Town Center, 22 Fl.
`Southfield, MI 48075-1238
`USA
`
`Tel
`Fax
`
`(248) 358-4400
`(248) 358-3351
`
`www.brookskushman.com
`
`EFILED 10/14/08
`
`
`
`Case 2:08-cv-10467-GCS-MKM Document 84-2 Filed 10/14/2008 Page 1 of 1
`
`UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
`SOUTHERN DIVISION
`__________________
`
`TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE
`OPERATING COMPANY INC.,
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`vs.
`
`KINGDOM AUTO PARTS and
`PRIME CHOICE AUTO PARTS,
`
`HONORABLE GEO RGE CARAM STEEH
`
`M AG. JUDGE M ONA K. M AJZOUB
`
`Civil Action No. 2:08-cv-10467
`
`Defendants.
`__________________________________________________________________________/
`
`INDEX OF EXHIBITS
`
`TO:
`DEFENDANTS' ANSWER AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES
`TO PLAINTIFF TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY'S SECOND
`AMENDED COMPLAINT AND
`COUNTERCLAIMS FOR DECLARATORY RELIEF
`
`Exhibit
`
`Description
`
`A
`
`Web page from the Monroe E-Catalog, Passenger Cars and Light Trucks-Ride
`Control Section, at the address: http://catalog.tenneco.com/monroe/eCatalog.do
`
`B rooks K ushm an P .C .
`n d
`1000 Town Center, 22 Fl.
`Southfield, MI 48075-1238
`USA
`
`Tel
`Fax
`
`(248) 358-4400
`(248) 358-3351
`
`www.brookskushman.com
`
`EFILED 10/14/08
`
`
`
`Monroe On-Line Catalog, Electronic Rapid Information System
`Case 2:08-cv-10467-GCS-MKM Document 84-3 Filed 10/14/2008 Page 1 of 1
`Page 1 of 1
`
`, Home Catalog Lookup Monroe E-Catalog
`
`Monroe E-Catalog
`Passenger Cars and Light Trucks - Ride Control Section
`
`FORD
`2001 - Escort
`1997. 2003 All. Exc.ZX2 Coupe & ABS Brakes
`
`Highlighted part numbersindicate premium products.
`
`Need help deciding which of
`Monroe’s product lines is right
`for the way you use your vehicle?
`
`.
`
`.
`
`B~c~r
`
`71992 BI
`171992 8
`801992 i~i
`904913 I~1
`
`904922 BI
`
`904936 I~1
`63619 "
`
`71994 II
`171994 I~I
`801994 ID
`901963 iCa
`63619 I~1
`
`SENSA-TRAC®STRUTS
`TM
`QUICK-STRUT
`MONRO-MATIC PLUS® STRUT
`STRUT-MATE BEARING PLATE
`Lower Spring Isolator
`STRUT-MATE BEARING PLATE
`Upper Spring Seat & Isolator
`STRUT-MATE BEARING PLATE
`STRUT-MATE BOOT KITS
`
`Lelt
`
`Right
`
`P I
`
`n
`
`J
`
`Rear
`Lelt
`
`Rear
`~g~I
`
`i
`SENSA-TRAC®STRUTS
`QUICK.STRUTTM
`MONRO-MATIC PLUS®STRUT
`STRUT-MATE BEARING PLATE
`STRUT-MATE BOOT KITS
`
`71992 I~I
`171992 /~1
`801992 lal
`904913 ~
`
`904922 I~1
`
`904936 i~i
`63619
`.
`
`71994 I~I
`171994 I~I
`801994 I~1
`901963 i~i
`63619 I~1
`
`Monroe product information
`
`~’
`
`Need Brakes? See our Monroe Premium Brake Catalog
`
`Home¯ Products ¯ Catalog Lookup ° Dealer Locator ¯ Events ¯ About Monroe ¯ Tech Support ¯ Expert Plus Program ¯ Warranty
`
`©2005 Tenneco ¯ Terms and Conditions ¯ SiteMap ¯ MonroeHeavyDuty.corn ° MonroeBrakes.corn goRancho.corn
`
`http://catalog.tenneco.com/mom, oe/eCatalog.do
`
`EXHIBIT A
`10/13/2008
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