`ESTTA763694
`08/10/2016
`
`ESTTA Tracking number:
`
`Filing date:
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`Notice of Opposition
`
`Notice is hereby given that the following party opposes registration of the indicated application.
`
`Opposer Information
`
`Name
`
`University of Kentucky
`
`Granted to Date
`of previous ex-
`tension
`
`Address
`
`Attorney informa-
`tion
`
`08/10/2016
`
`Joe Craft Center, 338 Lexington Avenue
`Lexington, KY 40506
`UNITED STATES
`
`Michael S. Hargis
`King & Schickli, PLLC
`800 Corporate Drive
`Lexington, KY 40503
`UNITED STATES
`michael@iplaw1.net Phone:8592520889
`
`Applicant Information
`
`Application No
`
`86830732
`
`Publication date
`
`04/12/2016
`
`Opposition Filing
`Date
`
`Applicant
`
`08/10/2016
`
`Vrana, John
`603 Fellowship Rd
`Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
`UNITED STATES
`
`Opposition Peri-
`od Ends
`
`08/10/2016
`
`Goods/Services Affected by Opposition
`
`Class 025. First Use: 0 First Use In Commerce: 0
`All goods and services in the class are opposed, namely: Polo shirts; Shorts; Sweatpants; Sweat-
`shirts; T-shirts
`
`Grounds for Opposition
`
`Priority and likelihood of confusion
`
`Trademark Act Section 2(d)
`
`Marks Cited by Opposer as Basis for Opposition
`
`U.S. Registration
`No.
`
`2122847
`
`Registration Date
`
`12/23/1997
`
`Word Mark
`
`Design Mark
`
`KENTUCKY WILDCATS
`
`Description of
`
`NONE
`
`Application Date
`
`04/05/1996
`
`Foreign Priority
`Date
`
`NONE
`
`
`
`Mark
`
`Goods/Services
`
`Class 016. First use: First Use: 1950/12/31 First Use In Commerce: 1950/12/31
`art prints, athletic exhibition schedules, writing tablets, writing paper, stickers for
`windows, decals, note cards, bumper stickers, binders, self-adhesive note pads,
`paper bibs, and posters
`Class 025. First use: First Use: 1940/12/31 First Use In Commerce: 1940/12/31
`T-shirts, sport shirts, shorts, sweatshirts, mufflers, hats, jackets, athletic jerseys,
`sweatpants, and cloth bibs
`Class 028. First use: First Use: 1965/12/31 First Use In Commerce: 1965/12/31
`basketballs, basketball backboards, decorative wind socks, and board games
`
`U.S. Application/ Registra-
`tion No.
`
`Registration Date
`
`Word Mark
`
`Goods/Services
`
`U.S. Application/ Registra-
`tion No.
`
`Registration Date
`
`Word Mark
`
`Goods/Services
`
`NONE
`
`NONE
`
`WILDCATS
`
`Clothing
`
`NONE
`
`NONE
`
`WILDCAT NATION
`
`Clothing
`
`Application Date
`
`NONE
`
`Application Date
`
`NONE
`
`Attachments
`
`Notice of Opposition.pdf(3369494 bytes )
`
`Certificate of Service
`
`The undersigned hereby certifies that a copy of this paper has been served upon all parties, at their address
`record by First Class Mail on this date.
`
`Signature
`
`/Michael S. Hargis/
`
`Name
`
`Date
`
`Michael S. Hargis
`
`08/10/2016
`
`
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`In the Matter of Registration Application Serial No. 86/830,732
`
`Filed November 24, 2015
`For the mark WILDCAT NATION
`
`Published in the Official Gazette on April 12, 2016
`
`UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY,
`
`Opposer,
`
`v.
`
`.
`:
`
`OPPOSITION NO.
`
`JOHN VRANA,
`
`Applicant.
`
`NOTICE OF OPPOSITION
`
`The University of Kentucky (“University”), a Kentucky state university, having a place
`
`of business at 338 Lexington Avenue, Joe Craft Center, Lexington, Kentucky, 40506-0604,
`
`believes that it will be damaged by registration of the mark WILDCAT NATION shown in
`
`Registration Application Serial No. 86/ 830,732 and hereby opposes the same. The fee under 37
`
`CFR §2.6(a)(17) ($300/elass x l) is being paid by Deposit Account at the time of filing with
`
`ESTTA.
`
`As grounds for opposition, it is alleged that:
`
`1.
`
`Applicant John Vrana (“Applicant”) is an individual with an address at 603 Fellowship
`
`Rd, Mount Laurel, New Jersey 0805413.
`
`2.
`
`Applicant is the identified owner of the Registration Application Serial No. 86/830,732
`
`(the “‘732 application”), filed on November 24, 2015, for the mark WILDCAT NATION
`
`to identify: “polo shirts; shorts; sweatpants; sweatshirts; and T-shirts” in international
`
`
`
`class 25.
`
`Applicant is the record owner of numerous other applications to register marks
`
`incorporating collegiate and professional team mascots, including but not limited to
`
`applications to register the WILDCAT COUNTRY mark (App. Ser. No. 86/581,392),
`
`ONCE A BUCKEYE, ALWAYS A BUCKEYE mark (App. Ser. No. 86/535,935), the
`
`ONCE A GATOR, ALWAYS A GATOR mark (App. Ser. No. 86/545,767), the ONCE
`
`A PHILLIE, ALWAYS A PHILLIE mark (App. Ser. No. 86/536,026), the ONCE A
`
`SPARTAN, ALWAYS A SPARTAN mark (App. Ser. No. 86/545,559), the ONCE AN
`
`EAGLE, ALWAYS AN EAGLE mark (App. Ser. No. 86/543,163), the ONCE A
`
`PANTHER, ALWAYS A PANTHER mark (App. Ser. No. 86/543,143), the ONCE A
`
`BULLDOG, ALWAYS A BULLDOG mark (App. Ser. No. 86/543,060), and the ONCE
`
`A BEAR, ALWAYS A BEAR mark (App. Ser. No. 86/535,973). Applicant is attempting
`
`to register marks that trade on the goodwill and fame of various colleges and universities
`
`as well as professional sports teams across the United States.
`
`The University of Kentucky was founded in 1865 and is a flagship university in the
`
`Commonwealth of Kentucky. The University of Kentucky offers undergraduate and
`
`graduate educational programs, and athletic programs. In 2014, the University enrolled
`
`over 30,000 students.
`
`The University of Kentucky, through its athletic programs and otherwise, has used the
`
`word WILDCATS as the University’s nickname, its mascot, its athletic identify, and as a
`
`trademark to identify itself as the source of a wide variety of goods and services,
`
`including apparel. The WILDCATS mark has become a strong source-identifier for the
`
`University’s educational and entertainment products and services.
`
`
`
`Since at least prior in time to the date Applicant filed its intent-to-use application for its
`
`WILDCAT NATION mark, the University has used and licensed its WILDCATS mark
`
`in connection with a variety of products, including apparel. The University’s licensed
`
`products bearing the WILDCATS mark are sold across the United States.
`
`Growing out of its rights in the WILDCATS Mark, the University uses the mark
`
`“WILDCAT NATION” to promote its goods and services, including licensing the mark
`
`in connection with apparel as shown in Exhibit A.
`
`The WILDCATS and WILDCAT NATION mark are of great value to the University and
`
`embody the valuable reputation and goodwill of the University, its athletic teams, and the
`
`University’s licensed merchandise associated therewith.
`
`The University has also used the KENTUCKY WILDCATS mark to identify its athletic
`
`teams, and numerous related goods and services since at least as early as 1996.
`
`On December 23, 1997, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued U.S. Registration
`
`No. 2,122,847 (“the ‘847 registration”) (Exhibit B) for the mark KENTUCKY
`
`WILDCATS to identify “T-shirts, sport shirts, shorts, sweatshirts, mufflers, hats, jackets,
`
`athletic jerseys, sweatpants, and cloth bibs” in international class 25.
`
`The “847 registration issued well prior to Applicant’s November 24, 2015, filing date.
`
`University is the owner of the ‘847 registration.
`
`'
`
`University has continuously used the mark KENTUCKY WILDCATS in interstate
`
`commerce to identify clothing since at least as early as 1996 and the mark remains in
`
`such use to identify clothing.
`
`The ‘847 registration is now incontestable pursuant to 15 U.S.C. §1065, providing
`
`conclusive evidence of University’s ownership of the mark and of its exclusive right to
`
`10.
`
`ll.
`
`12.
`
`13.
`
`14.
`
`
`
`use the registered KENTUCKY WILDCATS mark in commerce.
`
`Count One
`
`Likelihood of Confusion: 15 U.S.C. §10521d1
`
`15.
`
`16.
`
`17.
`
`18.
`
`19.
`
`University repeats and realleges each and every allegation set forth in Paragraphs 1
`
`through 14.
`
`University’s rights in its WILDCATS marks, including its registered KENTUCKY
`
`WILDCATS mark, predate Applicant’s filing date for the “732 application.
`
`Applicant’s applied-for WILDCAT NATION mark subsumes the entirety of University’s
`
`WILDCATS mark and closely resembles University’s KENTUCKY WILDCATS mark
`
`in sight, sound, connotation and commercial impression.
`
`The applied-for Class 25 goods, are identical or highly related to the goods on which
`
`University uses its WILDCATS mark and those identified in University’s “847'
`
`registration.
`
`The applied-for Class 25 goods, as identified in the “732 application, are presumed to be
`
`sold and distributed through the same, similar, and/or overlapping channels of commerce
`
`with the goods in the ‘847 registration.
`
`20.
`
`Based on the similarity of the Applicant’s and University’s marks and the relatedness of
`
`Applicant’s applied-for goods and University’s WILDCATS and/or KENTUCKY
`
`WILDCATS-branded goods, the public is likely to incorrectly believe that Applicant’s
`
`WILDCAT NATION-branded Class 25 goods are connected to the University of
`
`Kentucky.
`
`21.
`
`22.
`
`This confusion will cause irreparable damage to the University of Kentucky.
`
`The Application should not be allowed under 15 U.S.C. § 1052(d) because the applied—
`
`for mark resembles marks previously used in the United States by the University of
`
`
`
`Kentucky and is likely to cause confusion, mistake, or to deceive.
`
`WHEREFORE, University requests that this opposition be sustained, that registration of
`
`the mark in the ‘732 application be denied, and that University have such other and further relief
`
`as deemed appropriate.
`
`Dated: August 10, 2016
`
`By:
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`Mich e1 S. Hargis
`Trevor T. Graves
`
`KING & SCHICKLI, PLLC
`
`247 North Broadway
`Lexington, KY 40507-1058
`Telephone: (859) 252-0889
`Facsimile: (859) 252-0779
`
`Attorneys for Opposcr
`University of Kentucky
`
`
`
`CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
`
`I hereby certify that on this the 10th day of August 2016, a true and correct copy of the
`foregoing Notice of Opposition was served on attorney for Applicant via electronic mail and
`first—class mail, U.S. Mail, postage prepaid, to:
`
`Matthew H. Swyers, Esq.
`The Trademark Company
`344 Maple Avenue, West, PMB 151
`Vienna, VA 22180
`
`mswyers@thetrademarkcompany.com
`
` Mich e] S. Hargis
`Attorney for Opposer
`University of Kentucky
`
`
`
`EXHIBIT A
`
`
`
`
`
`EXHIBIT B
`
`
`
`Int. Cls.: 16, 25 and 28
`
`Prior U.S. 01s.: 2, 5, 22, 23, 29, 37, 38, 39 and 50
`
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`
`Reg. No. 2,122,847
`Registered Dec. 23, 199‘?
`
`TRADEMARK
`PRINCIPAL REGISTER
`
`KENTUCKY WILDCATS
`
`UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY (KENTUCKY
`STATE UNIVERSITY)
`LEXINGTON, KY 405060019
`
`FOR: ART PRINTS, ATHLETIC EXHIBITION
`SCHEDULES. WRITING TABLETS, WRITING
`PAPER, STICKERS FOR WINDOWS, DECALS.
`NOTE CARDS, BUMPER STICKERS, BINDERS.
`SELF-ADHESIVE NOTE PADS. PAPER BIBS,
`AND POSTERS. IN CLASS :6 (us. CLS. 2. 5. 22,
`23. 29. 31, 38 AND 50).
`IN COMMERCE
`FIRST USE
`12—31—1950;
`12—31—1950.
`FOR: T-SHIRTS, SPORT SHIRTS, SHORTS.
`SWEATSHIRTS. MUFFLERS. HATS. JACKETS.
`ATHLETIC JERSEYS, SWEAT?ANTS, AND
`CLOTH BIBS, IN CLASS 25 (US. CLS. 22 AND
`39).
`
`12—31—1940:
`
`[N COMMERCE
`
`FIRST USE
`12—31—l940.
`FOR: BASKETBALLS. BASKETBALL BACK-
`BOARDS, DECORATIVE. WIND SOCKS, AND
`BOARD GAMES. IN CLASS 28 (US. (31.5 22. 23.
`38 AND 50).
`‘
`FIRST USE 12—31-1965;
`IN COMMERCE
`I2—31-I965.
`OWNER OF US. REG. NOS. 1,607,719 AND
`l.613.023.
`SEC. 2(F) AS TO "KENTUCKY".
`
`SER. NO. 75—084,19?, FILED 44—1996.
`
`NORA BUCHANAN WILL. EXAMINING AT;
`TORNEY
`
`
`
`{mo/2016
`
`Trademark Status & Document Retrieval
`
`t. The Post Registration "Maintenance Tab" has been temporarily disabled. it will return seen. 2. TSDR now displays information regarding M5
`
`STATUS
`
`DOCUMENTS
`
`m E Print
`
`Generated on: This page was generated by TSDR on 2016-08-10 14:57:35 EDT
`
`Mark: KENTUCKY WiLDCATS
`
`No image exists for this
`case.
`
`US Serial Number: 7508419?
`
`Application Filing Date: Apr. 05, 1996
`
`US Registration Number: 2122847
`
`Registration Date: Dec. 23, 1997
`
`Register: Principe:
`
`Mark Type: Trademark
`
`TMS Common Status
`
`Descriptor:
`
`Status: The registration has been renewed.
`
`Status Bate:
`
`Apr. @8100?
`
`Publication Date:
`
`Mar. 18, 1997
`
`LIVE/REGISTRATlONiissued and Active
`
`The trademark application has been registered with the Otfi
`
`v Mark information
`
`A Coltrane-e mt
`
`Mark Literal Elements:
`
`KENTUCKY WILDCATS
`
`Standard Character Claim:
`
`No
`
`Mark Drawing Type:
`
`1 - TYPESET WORD(S) ILETTER(S) [NUMBER(S)
`
`Acquired Distinctiveness
`Claim:
`
`in part
`
`Distinctiveness Limitation
`
`as to "KENTUCKY"
`
`Statement:
`
`v Related Properties Information
`
`Claimed Ownership of US 1607719.1618023
`
`Registrations:
`
`v Goods and Services
`
`Note:
`
`The following symbols indicate that the registrantlowner has amended the goodsiservices:
`
`. Brackets [.1 indicate deleted goodslservices;
`
`http://tsdr.uspto.govl#caseN um ber=75084197&caseType=SER|AL_NO&searchType=statusSearch
`
`1/4
`
`
`
`8l10i'2016
`
`Trademark Status & Document Retrieval
`
`. Double parenthesis ((..}) identify any goods/services not claimed in a Section 15 affidavit ofinoontestahility; and
`. Asterisks *..* identify additional (new) wording in the goods/services.
`For:
`
`art prints, athletic exhibition schedules, writing tablets. writing paper, stickers for windows, decals. note ea
`binders. self-adhesive note pads, paper bibs, and posters
`
`lnternationat Class{es):
`
`016 — Primary Class
`
`Class Status:
`
`ACTEVE
`
`Basis:
`
`no
`
`First Use:
`
`Dec.31,1950
`
`US Class(es): 002, {305, 022, 023, 0.
`
`Use in Commerce: Dec. 31. 1850
`
`For:
`
`T—shirts, sport shirts, shorts, sweatshirts, mufflers, hats, jaokets, athletiojerseys, sweatpants, and cloth mm
`
`international Class(es):
`
`025 — Primary Class
`
`Ciass Status:
`
`ACTIVE
`
`Basis:
`
`1(8)
`
`First Use:
`
`Dec. 31, 1940
`
`U.S Classtes): 022, 039
`
`Use in Commerce: Dec. 31. 1940
`
`For:
`
`basketbails, basketball backboards, decorative wind socks, and board games
`
`international Classtes):
`
`028 - Primary Class
`
`Class status:
`
`ACTSVE
`
`Basis:
`
`1(a)
`
`First Use:
`
`Deo.31,1965
`
`v Basis Information (Case Level)
`
`[1.5 Ctass(es): O22, 023, 038, 050
`
`Use in Commerce: Deo.31,1965
`
`Filed Use:
`
`Yes
`
`Filed ITU:
`
`Filed 448:
`
`Fited 44E:
`
`Filed 66A:
`
`Filed No Basis:
`
`No
`
`No
`
`No
`
`No
`
`No
`
`Currently Use: Yes
`
`Currentty ITU: No
`
`Currently 440: No
`
`Currentty 44E: No
`
`Currently 66A: No
`
`Currently No Basis: No
`
`Ame
`
`Ame
`
`Ame
`
`Ame
`
`v Current Owner(s) Information
`
`Owner Name:
`
`UNlVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
`
`Owner Address:
`
`Joe Craft Center, 338 Lexington Avenue
`Lexington, KENTUCKY UNITED STATES 405060604
`
`Legal Enttty Type:
`
`STATE UNlVERSEW
`
`v Attorney/CorreSpondence Information
`
`Attorney of Record
`
`State or Country Where KENTUCKY
`Organized:
`
`Attorney Name:
`
`MICHAEL S. HARGIS
`
`Docket Number: 850—015 AT
`
`httpu'i‘tsdr.uspto.govf#caseNumber=75084197&caseType=SERlAL__NO&searchType=statusSearch
`
`24
`
`
`
`8i10!2016
`
`Correspondent
`
`Trademark Status & Document Retrieval
`
`Correspondent Michael S. Hargis
`NamelAddress: King & Schickii. PLLC
`
`247 North Broadway
`Lexington, KENTUCKY UNITED STATES 405074 058
`
`Phone: 859 252 0889
`
`Fax: 859 252 0779
`
`Correspondent o-mail: michael@iglaw1.net
`
`Correspondent e-mait Yes
`Authorized:
`
`Domestic Representative - Not Found
`
`v Prosecution History
`
`Date
`
`{Set}. 23, 2008
`
`Sep. 23, 2008
`
`Apr. 25, 2007’
`
`Apr. 18, 2007
`
`.Apr. 18, 2007
`
`Apr. 10, 2007
`
`:Mar.12.2007
`
`Mar. 12. 2007
`
`Aug. 19, 2005
`
`Aug. 19. 2005
`
`Dec. 15, 2003
`
`Oct. 21 . 2003
`
`Oct. 21, 2003
`
`Dec. 23, 1997
`
`Mar. 18, 1997
`
`Feb. 14. 1997
`
`Nov. 26, 1996
`
`Nov. 14. 1996
`
`Oct. 21. 1996
`
`Aug.19, 1995
`
`a:I3\.t.i§.].1-¢1,1996
`
`Description
`
`APPLECANTICORRESPONDENCE CHANGES (NON wRES PONSIVE}
`ENTERED
`
`TEAS CHANGE OF OWNER ADDRESS RECEIVED
`
`CASE FILE IN TICRS
`
`Proceeding Number
`
`88888
`
`REGISTERED AND RENEWED (FIRST RENEWAL - 10 YRS)
`
`REGISTERED — SEC. 8 {10-YR) ACCEPTED/SEC. 9 GRANTED
`
`ASSIGNED TO PARALEGAL
`
`70132
`
`70132
`
`REGISTERED - COMBINED SECTEON 8 {10~YR) & SEC. 9 FILED
`
`TEAS SECTION 3 & 9 RECEIVED
`
`TEAS CHANGE OF OWNER ADDRESS RECEIVED
`
`TEAS CHANGE OF CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
`
`REGISTERED - SEC. 8 (6»YR) ACCEPTED 8< SEC. 15 ACK.
`
`REGISTERED — SEC. 8 (En-YR) & SEC. 15 FILED
`
`TEAS SECTION 8 8. 15 RECEFVED
`
`REGISTERED-PRINCIPAL REGISTER
`
`PUBLISHED FOR OPPOSITION
`
`NOTICE OF PUBLICATION
`
`APPROVED FOR PUB - PRINCIPAL REGISTER
`
`EXAMINER‘S AMENDMENT MAILED
`
`CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED EN LAW OFFICE
`
`NON-FINAL ACTION MAILED
`
`ASSIGNED TO EXAMENER
`
`69222
`
`v Maintenance Filings or Post Registration Information
`
`Affidavit of Continued Use: Section 8 - Accepted
`
`Affidavit of inoontestabitity: Section 15 - Accepted
`
`Renown-t Date: Dec. 23. 2007
`
`http://tsdr.usptogoviflcaseN um ber=75084197&caseType=SERlAL_NO&searchType=statusSearch
`
`3/4
`
`
`
`8/10/2016
`
`Trademark Status & Document Retrieval
`
`- TM Staff and Location Information
`
`TM Staff Information - None
`
`. Pike Looation
`
`Current Location: SCANNING ON DEMAND
`
`Date in Location: Apr. 25, 200?
`
`v Assignment Abstract Of Title Information - Click to Load
`
`v Proceedings - Click to Load
`
`
`
`http:/ftsdrusptogovficaseNumber=75084197&ca5eType= SERIALHN O&searchType=statusSearch
`
`4J4
`
`

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.
After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.
Accept $ ChargeStill Working On It
This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.
Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.
A few More Minutes ... Still Working
It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.
Thank you for your continued patience.

This document could not be displayed.
We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.

Your account does not support viewing this document.
You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.

Your account does not support viewing this document.
Set your membership
status to view this document.
With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll
get a whole lot more, including:
- Up-to-date information for this case.
- Email alerts whenever there is an update.
- Full text search for other cases.
- Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.

One Moment Please
The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.
Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.

Your document is on its way!
If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.

Sealed Document
We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.
If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.
Access Government Site