`
`ESTTA Tracking number:
`
`ESTTA959315
`
`Filing date:
`
`03/11/2019
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`Proceeding
`
`91246089
`
`Party
`
`Correspondence
`Address
`
`Submission
`
`Filer's Name
`
`Filer's email
`
`Signature
`
`Date
`
`Defendant
`Ogle, Elrod & Baril PLLC
`
`JACOB G. HORTON
`PITTS & LAKE, P.C.
`P.O. BOX 51295
`KNOXVILLE, TN 37950-1295
`docketing@pittslake.com, jhorton@pittslake.com, swebb@pittslake.com
`no phone number provided
`
`Answer
`
`Jacob G. Horton
`
`docketing@pittslake.com, jhorton@pittslake.com, kself@pittslake.com
`
`/Jacob G. Horton/
`
`03/11/2019
`
`Attachments
`
`00520499.PDF(137600 bytes )
`
`
`
`
`
`
`GLENN J. LERNER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Opposer,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`v.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` OGLE, ELROD & BARIL PLLC.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Applicant.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`
`Opposition No. 91246089
`
`Mark: TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A
`CHECK
`Application No.: 87699851
`Published: October 30, 2018
`
`ANSWER TO NOTICE OF OPPOSITION
`
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`
`
`
`
`In Response to the Notice of Opposition filed by Glenn J. Lerner (“Opposer”), Applicant
`
`Ogle, Elrod & Baril, PLLC. (“Applicant”), having an address of Suite 700, 706 Walnut Street,
`
`Knoxville, Tennessee 37902, responds as follows.
`
`
`
`Applicant denies each and every allegation of the Notice of Opposition unless it is
`
`expressly admitted herein.
`
`
`
`In response to the preamble of the Notice of Opposition, Applicant denies that Opposer
`
`will be damaged by the registration of Applicant’s trademark, “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A
`
`CHECK” shown in Application No. 87/699851.
`
`
`
`1.
`
`Applicant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the
`
`truth of the allegations in paragraph 1, and, therefore, denies the same and demands strict proof
`
`thereof.
`
`
`
`2.
`
`Applicant submits that the content of the United States Trademark Registration
`
`No. 4,824,793 (“the ‘793 Registration”), United States Trademark Registration No. 4,446,411
`
`
`
`1
`
`
`
`(“the ‘411 Registration”), and United States Trademark Application Serial No. 86/671,095 (“the
`
`‘095 Application) speak for themselves. As to the remaining allegations of paragraph 2,
`
`Applicant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of these
`
`allegations, and, therefore, denies the same and demands strict proof thereof.
`
`
`
`3.
`
`Applicant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the
`
`truth of the allegations in paragraph 3, and, therefore, denies the same and demands strict proof
`
`thereof.
`
`
`
`4.
`
`Applicant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the
`
`truth of the allegations in paragraph 4, and, therefore, denies the same and demands strict proof
`
`thereof.
`
`
`
`5.
`
`Applicant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the
`
`truth of the allegations in paragraph 5, and, therefore, denies the same and demands strict proof
`
`thereof.
`
`
`
`6.
`
`Applicant denies that the services listed in Applicant’s U.S. Trademark
`
`Application Serial No. 87/699,851 (“the ‘851 Application”) are identical to the services listed in
`
`the ‘793 Registration. The identification of services listed in the ‘793 Registration is “Legal
`
`services; Legal services in the field of personal injury and tort claims; Legal counseling and
`
`advice to others; Providing information to others on legal services; Providing information to
`
`others on legal services via the internet,” in Class 45. The identification of services listed in the
`
`‘851 Application are “Legal services” in Class 45. Applicant denies that the services of
`
`Applicant and Opposer are identical. Applicant admits the remaining allegations of paragraph 6.
`
`
`
`
`
`7.
`
`The allegations of paragraph 7 are denied.
`
`2
`
`
`
`
`
`8.
`
`Applicant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the
`
`truth of the allegations in paragraph 8, and, therefore, denies the same and demands strict proof
`
`thereof.
`
`
`
`9.
`
`Applicant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the
`
`truth of the allegations in paragraph 9, and, therefore, denies the same and demands strict proof
`
`thereof.
`
`PRAYER FOR RELIEF
`
`Applicant denies that Opposer is entitled to any of the relief sought in its prayer for relief.
`
`
`AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES
`
`Further answering the Notice of Opposition, and as additional defenses thereto, Applicant
`
`asserts the following affirmative defenses, without assuming the burden of proof when the
`
`burden of proof on any issue would otherwise rest with Opposer. Applicant expressly reserves
`
`the right to amend its answer and defenses, and add additional defenses, as additional
`
`information becomes available and/or is otherwise discovered.
`
`
`
`
`
`FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
`
`(Prior Good Faith Use – 15 U.S.C. 1115(b)(5))
`
`1.
`
`Applicant asserts the Affirmative Defense of prior good faith use of Applicant’s
`
`“TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1115(b)(5).
`
`2.
`
`The Applicant, Ogle, Elrod & Baril, PLLC., is a law firm specializing in personal
`
`injury, motor vehicle accidents, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, social security disability, and
`
`faulty drugs and medical products. The Applicant has maintained a well-known and highly
`
`
`
`3
`
`
`
`successful practice throughout many portions of United States for many years, and at least as
`
`early as 2006.
`
`3.
`
`Applicant has spent considerable time, effort, and expense promoting, advertising,
`
`and popularizing its “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” trademark throughout the
`
`United States, with the result that the purchasing public has come to know, rely upon, and
`
`recognize Applicant’s “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” trademark as an indicator of
`
`the source of the services offered and sold thereunder. Applicant has established valuable
`
`goodwill in its “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” trademark.
`
`4.
`
`On November 28, 2017, the Applicant filed the ‘851 Application seeking
`
`registration in the United States Patent and Trademark Office of its “TURN YOUR WRECK
`
`INTO A CHECK” mark for use in connection with “legal services” in International Class 45.
`
`5.
`
`As reflected in the ‘851 Application, Applicant first used its “TURN YOUR
`
`WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark anywhere at least as early as 2006, and first used its “TURN
`
`YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark in interstate commerce at least as early as 2006.
`
`Applicant has used its “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” continuously and exclusively
`
`in connection with its services since at least as early as 2006. Thus, upon information and belief,
`
`by virtue of its continuous and exclusive use of its “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK”
`
`mark in connection with its services, the Applicant has acquired and maintained common law
`
`trademark rights in its “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark throughout at least a
`
`portion of the United States since at least as early as 2006.
`
`6.
`
`At the time of Applicant’s first use of its “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A
`
`CHECK” mark, Applicant was unaware of, and had no knowledge of, any of the alleged marks
`
`“IN A WRECK NEED A CHECK,” “IN A WRECK? NEED A CHECK?,” and “FROM
`
`
`
`4
`
`
`
`WRECK TO CHECK” (hereinafter, collectively, “Opposer’s alleged marks”) allegedly used by
`
`Opposer.
`
`7.
`
`The application leading to issuance of the ‘411 Registration was filed on
`
`November 2, 2012. The ‘411 Registration was issued on December 10, 2013.
`
`8.
`
`The application leading to issuance of the ‘793 Registration was filed on February
`
`12, 2014. The ‘793 Registration was issued on October 6, 2015.
`
`9.
`
`The ‘095 Application was filed on June 23, 2015. The alleged basis for
`
`registration of the alleged mark reflected in the ‘095 Application is that of “intent to use”
`
`pursuant to Section 1(b) of the United States Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. 1051(b). The ‘095
`
`Application does not include an alleged date of first use of the alleged mark reflected therein.
`
`10.
`
`Applicant used its “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark prior to the
`
`filing date of the application leading to issuance of the ‘411 Registration.
`
`11.
`
`Applicant used its “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark prior to the
`
`filing date of the application leading to issuance of the ‘793 Registration.
`
`12.
`
`Applicant used its “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark prior to the
`
`filing date of the ‘095 Application.
`
`13.
`
`As a result of Applicant’s continuous use of its “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A
`
`CHECK” mark, Applicant has acquired and maintained common law trademark rights in its
`
`“TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark prior to the constructive date of first use of
`
`any of Opposer’s alleged marks pursuant to Section 7(c) of the United States Trademark Act, 15
`
`U.S.C. 1057(c).
`
`14.
`
`As a result of Applicant’s continuous use of its “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A
`
`CHECK” mark, Applicant has acquired and maintained common law trademark rights in its
`
`
`
`5
`
`
`
`“TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark prior to the first date of registration of any of
`
`Opposer’s alleged marks.
`
`15.
`
`As a result of Applicant’s continuous use of its “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A
`
`CHECK” mark, Applicant has acquired and maintained common law trademark rights in its
`
`“TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark prior to the publication of the applications
`
`leading to issuance of the ‘411 Registration and the ‘793 Registration.
`
`16.
`
`As a result of Applicant’s use of its “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK”
`
`mark, Applicant acquired common law trademark rights in its “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A
`
`CHECK” mark prior to any common law rights acquired by Opposer in any of Opposer’s alleged
`
`marks in a common geographic area as that of Applicant’s common law rights in its “TURN
`
`YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark.
`
`17.
`
`Given that the Applicant acquired common law trademark rights in at least a
`
`portion of the United States in the “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark well before
`
`the Opposer applied for registration of any of Opposer’s alleged marks, the Applicant has the
`
`right to continued use of its “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark in its own
`
`geographical region.
`
`18.
`
`To the extent Opposer has acquired any rights in Opposer’s alleged marks prior to
`
`Applicant’s common law trademark rights in the “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK”
`
`mark, such rights were acquired in territories geographically remote from Applicant’s common
`
`law trademark rights in the “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark. Therefore,
`
`Applicant has the right to continued use of its “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark
`
`in its own geographical region.
`
`
`
`6
`
`
`
`19.
`
`Additionally, to extent Opposer did acquire any rights in Opposer’s alleged marks
`
`prior to Applicant’s common law trademark rights in the “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A
`
`CHECK” mark, Applicant was without knowledge of the Opposer’s alleged prior use of any of
`
`Opposer’s alleged marks.
`
`
`
`SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
`
`(Prior Use - 15 U.S.C. 1057(c))
`
`Applicant is in the process of researching whether it is in possession of evidence
`
`20.
`
`establishing a more precise and earlier first-use date of its “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A
`
`CHECK” mark than the 2006 date claimed in its United States Trademark Application No.
`
`87/699,851.
`
`21.
`
`To the extent evidence is uncovered in the course of discovery in this case
`
`establishing that Applicant’s first-use date of its “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK”
`
`mark pre-dates the claimed first-use by Opposer of Opposer’s alleged marks, Applicant reserves
`
`the right to assert as an Affirmative Defense that Applicant has superior trademark rights in its
`
`“TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark over Opposer through prior use of Applicant’s
`
`mark.
`
`THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
`
`(No Likelihood of Confusion)
`
`22.
`
`During prosecution of the Applicant’s ‘851 Application, the U.S. Patent and
`
`Trademark Office issued an Office Action on March 12, 2018 stating that the trademark
`
`examining attorney had searched the USPTO’s database of registered and pending marks and had
`
`
`
`7
`
`
`
`found no similar registered marks that would bar registration under Trademark Act Section
`
`2(d). TMEP §704.02; see 15 U.S.C. §1052(d).
`
`23.
`
`In an Office Action dated March 12, 2018, the trademark examining attorney for
`
`the ‘851 Application found that United States Trademark Application Serial No. 87/663,272 for
`
`the alleged mark “LET ME TURN THAT WRECK INTO A CHECK,” was a prior-filed pending
`
`application that could, if allowed to register, form the basis for a refusal of registration of
`
`Applicant's mark under Trademark Act Section 2(d). The Examiner indicated that, upon receipt
`
`of the Response to the Office Action of March 12, 2018, action on the application was to be
`
`suspended pending final disposition of the earlier-filed U.S. Trademark Application Serial No.
`
`87/663,272.
`
`24.
`
`In a Response to Office Action dated September 12, 2018, the Applicant noted
`
`that the USPTO’s online records for U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 87/663,272 revealed
`
`that an Office Action dated February 15, 2018 was issued in that application, and that no response
`
`to that Office Action had been filed. Since the six-month deadline for responding to the February
`
`15, 2018 Office Action had passed, United States Trademark Application Serial No. 87/663,272
`
`was abandoned. Thus, United States Trademark Application Serial No. 87/663,272 was no longer
`
`capable of forming a basis for a refusal of registration of Applicant's mark under Trademark Act
`
`Section 2(d). Thereafter, the ‘851 Application was permitted to proceed toward allowance by the
`
`examiner.
`
`25.
`
`The Applicant’s “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark was approved
`
`for publication on the Principal Register on September 26, 2018.
`
`26.
`
`During the current prosecution of the “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK”
`
`before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the trademark examining attorney did not find any
`
`
`
`8
`
`
`
`instances of likelihood of confusion between the Applicant’s mark and any other registered
`
`trademarks or marks reflected in then-pending trademark applications.
`
`27.
`
`Applicant is unaware of any instances of actual confusion between Applicant’s
`
`“TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark and any of Opposer’s alleged marks. Opposer
`
`has not alleged, or presented any evidence of, any actual confusion between Applicant’s “TURN
`
`YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark and any of Opposer’s alleged marks.
`
`28.
`
`Applicant is in the process of determining whether a likelihood of confusion
`
`exists between Applicant’s “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark and any of
`
`Opposer’s alleged marks.
`
`29.
`
`To the extent the evidence uncovered in the course of discovery in this case
`
`establishes that no likelihood of confusion exists between Applicant’s “TURN YOUR WRECK
`
`INTO A CHECK” mark and Opposer’s alleged marks, Applicant reserves the right to assert the
`
`Affirmative Defense of lack of likelihood of confusion between the Applicant’s “TURN YOUR
`
`WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark and Opposer’s alleged marks.
`
`FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
`
`(Lack of Standing)
`
`30.
`
`On information and belief, Opposer is not the original applicant of the ‘095
`
`Application or the application leading to issuance of the ‘411 Registration.
`
`31.
`
`Applicant is in the process of determining whether ownership of Opposer’s
`
`alleged marks was allegedly assigned to Opposer by a prior owner of the marks, and if so,
`
`whether such assignment was valid and/or effective.
`
`32.
`
`To the extent evidence is uncovered in the course of discovery in this case
`
`establishing that Opposer does not own one or more of Opposer’s alleged marks, or otherwise
`
`
`
`9
`
`
`
`lacks standing to oppose registration of Applicant’s “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK”
`
`mark, Applicant reserves the right to assert the Affirmative Defense of lack of standing.
`
`FIFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
`
`(Invalidity/Unenforceability)
`
`33.
`
`On information and belief, Opposer is not the original applicant of the ‘095
`
`Application or the application leading to issuance of the ‘411 Registration.
`
`34.
`
`Applicant is in the process of determining whether ownership of Opposer’s
`
`alleged marks was allegedly assigned to Opposer by a prior owner of the marks, and if so,
`
`whether such assignment was valid and/or effective.
`
`35.
`
`To the extent evidence is uncovered in the course of discovery in this case
`
`establishing that any of the ‘411 Registration, the ‘793 Registration, or the ‘095 Application is
`
`invalid and/or unenforceable, Applicant reserves the right to assert the Affirmative Defense of
`
`invalidity and/or unenforceability.
`
`SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
`
`(Laches)
`
`36.
`
`As and for a separate Affirmative Defense, the Applicant asserts that this
`
`Opposition proceeding is barred by the doctrine of laches.
`
`37.
`
`On information and belief, Opposer knew of Applicant’s use of its “TURN
`
`YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark long before the filing of the Notice of Opposition in
`
`this case and failed to take any action to address any alleged harm that would result from
`
`Applicant’s continued use of its “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark.
`
`38.
`
`On information and belief, Opposer unreasonably delayed in contacting Applicant
`
`concerning Applicant’s use of its “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark and any
`
`
`
`10
`
`
`
`alleged harm Applicant’s use of its “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark would
`
`cause Opposer.
`
`SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
`
`(Estoppel)
`
`39.
`
`As and for a separate Affirmative Defense, the Applicant asserts that this
`
`Opposition proceeding is barred by the doctrine of estoppel.
`
`40.
`
`On information and belief, Opposer knew of Applicant’s use of its “TURN
`
`YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark long before the filing of the Notice of Opposition in
`
`this case and failed to take any action to address any alleged harm that would result from
`
`Applicant’s continued use of its “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark.
`
`41.
`
`On information and belief, Opposer allowed Applicant to continue to use of its
`
`“TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark without objection.
`
`42.
`
`It is unequitable for Opposer to now object to Applicant’s continued use of its
`
`“TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark.
`
`EIGHTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
`
`(Unclean Hands)
`
`43. As and for a separate Affirmative Defense, the Applicant asserts that this
`
`Opposition proceeding is barred by the doctrine of unclean hands.
`
`44.
`
`On information and belief, Opposer knew of Applicant’s use of its “TURN
`
`YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark long before the filing of the Notice of Opposition in
`
`this case and failed to take any action to address any alleged harm that would result from
`
`Applicant’s continued use of its “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark.
`
`
`
`11
`
`
`
`45.
`
`On information and belief, Opposer allowed Applicant to continue to use of its
`
`“TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark without objection.
`
`46.
`
`It is unequitable for Opposer to now object to Applicant’s continued use of its
`
`“TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark.
`
`NINTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
`
`(Acquiescence)
`
`47.
`
`As and for a separate Affirmative Defense, the Applicant asserts that this
`
`Opposition proceeding is barred by the doctrine of acquiescence.
`
`48.
`
`On information and belief, Opposer knew of Applicant’s use of its “TURN
`
`YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark long before the filing of the Notice of Opposition in
`
`this case and failed to take any action to address any alleged harm that would result from
`
`Applicant’s continued use of its “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark.
`
`49.
`
`On information and belief, Opposer allowed Applicant to continue to use of its
`
`“TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark without objection, thereby acquiescing to
`
`Applicant’s continued use of its “TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark.
`
`50.
`
`It is unequitable for Opposer to now object to Applicant’s continued use of its
`
`“TURN YOUR WRECK INTO A CHECK” mark.
`
`
`
`PRAYER FOR RELIEF
`
`Applicant respectfully requests that Opposition No. 91246089 be dismissed with
`
`prejudice, and that Applicant’s Application No. 87/699,851 for its trademark “TURN YOUR
`
`WRECK INTO A CHECK” be allowed to proceed to registration.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PITTS & LAKE, P.C.
`
`/Jacob G. Horton/_______________________
`
`12
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Robert E. Pitts (Tenn. BOPR# 01610)
`rpitts@pittslake.com
`Andrew C. Lake (Tenn. BOPR# 29952)
`alake@pittslake.com
`Jacob G. Horton (Tenn. BOPR# 25467)
`jhorton@pittslake.com
`Paul A. Forsyth (Tenn. BOPR# 26307)
`pforsyth@pittslake.com
`Raymond E. Stephens (Tenn. BOPR# 15037)
`rstephens@pittslake.com
`P.O. Box 51295
`Knoxville, Tennessee 37950-1295
`Phone: (865) 584-0105
`Fax: (865) 584-0104
`
`
`
`
`
`Attorneys for Applicant
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`13
`
`
`
`
`CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
`
`The undersigned hereby certifies that a true and exact copy of the foregoing is being
`
`served on Opposer’s attorney of record by e-mail to:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Jennifer Whitelaw
`Whitelaw Legal Group
`3838 Tamiami Trail N., Suite 310
`Naples, Florida 34103
`ttabmail@whitelawfirm.com
`
`This the 11th day of March, 2019.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`/Jacob G. Horton/_______________
`Attorney for Applicant
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`14
`
`