`
`ESTTA1341698
`
`Filing date:
`
`02/21/2024
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`Proceeding no.
`
`91288625
`
`Party
`
`Correspondence
`address
`
`Submission
`
`Filer's name
`
`Filer's email
`
`Signature
`
`Date
`
`Attachments
`
`Plaintiff
`Monster Energy Company
`
`ARI FEINSTEIN
`KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
`1717 PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW STE 900
`WASHINGTON, DC 20006
`UNITED STATES
`Primary email: efiling@knobbe.com
`Secondary email(s): MEC.TTAB@knobbe.com
`202-640-6400
`
`Answer to Counterclaim
`
`Jason A. Champion
`
`efiling@knobbe.com, MEC.TTAB@knobbe.com
`
`/Jason A. Champion/
`
`02/21/2024
`
`2024-02-21 Opposer_s Answer and Counter-Counterclaims in Response to Ap-
`plicant_s Counterclaims - HANB.17045M.pdf(1187848 bytes )
`
`
`
`
`
`HANB.17045M
`
`
`TRADEMARK
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Consolidated Opposition No.: 91288625
`
`Serial Nos.: 98/010271, 98/010280, 98/010286,
`98/010288, 98/010300, 98/010301
`
`Mark: SHOCK MONSTER
`
`Serial Nos.: 97/551273, 97/551271, 97/550802,
`97/551282, 97/688001, 97/551285, 97/551287
`
`Mark: FAMOUS MONSTERS
`
`Serial Nos.: 97/559333, 97/559343, 97/559345,
`97/559348, 97/688006
`
`Mark: FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND
`
`Serial Nos.: 97/561377, 97/561388, 97/561390,
`97/561391, 97/688016
`
`Mark:
`
`
`
`) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )
`
`
`
`Opposer,
`
`
`
`v.
`
`
`MONSTER ENERGY COMPANY,
`
`
`
`
`
`LOCOCHO, LLC,
`
`
`
`
`
`Applicant.
`
`OPPOSER’S ANSWER AND COUNTER-COUNTERCLAIMS IN RESPONSE TO
`APPLICANT’S COUNTERCLAIMS
`
`Commissioner for Trademarks
`P.O. Box 1451
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1451
`
`
`Opposer Monster Energy Company (“Monster”) hereby answers the counterclaims filed
`
`by Applicant Lococho, LLC (“Applicant” or “Lococho”) against U.S. Trademark Registration
`
`Nos. 6,451,182, 6,760,278, 5,820,689, 5,661,940, 5,114,854, 5,826,919, 5,689,189, 6,724,528,
`
`- 1 -
`
`
`
`
`
`5,676,514, 5,664,586, 5,114,853, and 5,570,782 (collectively, the “Counterclaim Registrations”).
`
`The numbered paragraphs of this Answer correspond to the numbered paragraphs of Applicant’s
`
`Counterclaims.
`
`COUNTERCLAIMS
`
`1.
`
`Answering Paragraph 1 of Applicant’s Counterclaims, Monster is without
`
`knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth or falsity of the allegations set
`
`forth in Paragraph 1 and therefore denies the same.
`
`2.
`
`Answering Paragraph 2 of Applicant’s Counterclaims, Monster is without
`
`knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth or falsity of the allegations set
`
`forth in Paragraph 2 and therefore denies the same.
`
`3.
`
`Answering Paragraph 3 of Applicant’s Counterclaims, Monster admits that the
`
`United States Patent & Trademark Office (“USPTO”) website lists Applicant as the owner of U.S.
`
`Registration No. 2,519,146 for the mark
`
`, U.S. Registration No. 4,899,752 for the
`
`mark FAMOUS MONSTERS, and U.S. Registration No. 4,943,918 for the mark FAMOUS
`
`MONSTERS, and that Exhibit B purports to be printouts of the status of these registrations from
`
`the USPTO’s Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (“TSDR”) database. Monster is without
`
`knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth or falsity of the remaining
`
`allegations set forth in Paragraph 3, and therefore denies the same.
`
`4.
`
`5.
`
`6.
`
`Denied.
`
`Denied.
`
`Answering Paragraph 6 of Applicant’s Counterclaims, Monster admits the
`
`allegations stated therein.
`
`- 2 -
`
`
`
`
`
`7.
`
`Answering Paragraph 7 of Applicant’s Counterclaims, Monster admits that it is the
`
`owner of the MONSTER ENERGY® trademark which has been used in commerce since at least
`
`as early as 2002. Monster further admits that it has used the MONSTER ENERGY® trademark in
`
`connection with beverages since at least as early as 2002. Except as expressly admitted, Monster
`
`denies each and every remaining allegation in Paragraph 7 of Applicant’s Counterclaim, including
`
`any implication that use of the MONSTER ENERGY® trademark is limited to beverages.
`
`8.
`
`Answering Paragraph 8 of Applicant’s Counterclaims, Monster admits that it is the
`
`owner of the Counterclaim Registrations and that Exhibit C purports to be printouts of the status
`
`of the Counterclaim Registrations from the USPTO’s TSDR database. Except as expressly
`
`admitted, Monster denies each and every remaining allegation in Paragraph 8 of Applicant’s
`
`Counterclaims.
`
`9.
`
`Answering Paragraph 9 of Applicant’s Counterclaims, Monster admits that some of
`
`the Counterclaim Registrations claim a date of first use in commerce in 2002. Monster is without
`
`knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth or falsity of the remaining
`
`allegations set forth in Paragraph 9 and therefore denies each and every remaining allegation in
`
`Paragraph 9 of Applicant’s Counterclaims.
`
`10.
`
`Answering Paragraph 10 of Applicant’s Counterclaims, Monster admits the
`
`USPTO started to issue registrations for the Counterclaim Registrations beginning in 2017.
`
`Monster is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth or falsity of
`
`the remaining allegations set forth in Paragraph 10 and therefore denies each and every remaining
`
`allegation in Paragraph 10 of Applicant’s Counterclaims.
`
`11.
`
`Denied.
`
`12.
`
`Answering Paragraph 12 of Applicant’s Counterclaims, Monster admits the
`
`allegations stated therein.
`
`- 3 -
`
`
`
`
`
`13.
`
`Answering Paragraph 13 of Applicant’s Counterclaims, Monster is without
`
`knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth or falsity of the allegations set
`
`forth in Paragraph 13 and therefore denies the same.
`
`COUNT I
`
`PRIORITY & LIKELIHOOD OF CONFUSION AS TO OPPOSER’S ‘182
`REGISTRATION, OPPOSER’S ‘278 REGISTRATION, OPPOSER’S ‘689
`REGISTRATION, OPPOSER’S ‘940 REGISTRATION, OPPOSER’S ‘919
`REGISTRATION, OPPOSER’S ‘189 REGISTRATION, OPPOSER’S ‘586
`REGISTRATION, OPPOSER’S ‘528 REGISTRATION, AND OPPOSER’S ‘514
`REGISTRATION
`To the extent a response to Paragraph 14 of Applicant’s Counterclaims is required,
`
`14.
`
`Monster incorporates by reference its responses to Paragraphs 1-13 of Applicant’s Counterclaims
`
`as if set forth fully herein.
`
`15.
`
`Answering Paragraph 15 of Applicant’s Counterclaims, Monster admits that it is
`
`the owner of U.S. Trademark Registration Nos. 6,451,182, 6,760,278, 5,820,689, 5,661,940,
`
`5,826,919, 5,689,189, 6,724,528, 5,664,586, and 5,676,514 and that Monster asserted those
`
`registrations, among others, in its Consolidated Notice of Opposition filed in this proceeding.
`
`Except as expressly admitted, Monster denies each and every remaining allegation contained in
`
`Paragraph 15 of Applicant’s Counterclaims.
`
`16.
`
`Denied.
`
`17.
`
`Answering Paragraph 17 of Applicant’s Counterclaims, Monster admits that it
`
`asserted U.S. Trademark Registration Nos. 6,451,182, 6,760,278, 5,820,689, 5,661,940,
`
`5,826,919, 5,689,189, 6,724,528, 5,664,586, and 5,676,514 in its Consolidated Notice of
`
`Opposition filed this proceeding. Except as expressly admitted, Monster denies each and every
`
`remaining allegation contained in Paragraph 17 of Applicant’s Counterclaims.
`
`18.
`
` Answering Paragraph 18 of Applicant’s Counterclaims, Monster admits that its
`
`Consolidated Notice of Opposition filed in this proceeding alleges that “Applicant’s Goods” (as
`
`- 4 -
`
`
`
`
`
`defined in the Notice) and the goods and services offered in connection with Monster’s marks
`
`asserted in that Notice, “travel through the same channels of trade or are capable of traveling
`
`through the same channels of trade” and that “Applicant’s Applications” (as defined in the Notice)
`
`“…cover goods that are identical and/or highly related to the goods and services offered for sale
`
`and registered in connection with…the MONSTER Marks” (as defined in the Notice). Except as
`
`expressly admitted, Monster denies each and every remaining allegation contained in Paragraph
`
`18 of Applicant’s Counterclaims.
`
`19.
`
`Answering Paragraph 19 of Applicant’s Counterclaims, Monster is without
`
`knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth or falsity of the allegations set
`
`forth in Paragraph 19 and therefore denies the same.
`
`20.
`
`Answering Paragraph 20 of Applicant’s Counterclaims, Monster admits that its
`
`Consolidated Notice of Opposition filed in this proceeding alleges that Monster will be damaged
`
`by the registration of “Applicant’s Applications” (as defined in the Notice) in that “Applicant’s
`
`Marks” (as defined in the Notice) so resemble Monster’s “MONSTER Marks” (as defined in the
`
`Notice), “as to be likely, when used on or in connection with ‘Applicant’s Goods’ (as defined in
`
`the Notice) to cause confusion, or to cause mistake or to deceive within the meaning of Section
`
`2(d) of the Trademark Act.” Except as expressly admitted, Monster denies each and every
`
`remaining allegation contained in Paragraph 20 of Applicant’s Counterclaims.
`
`21.
`
`Paragraph 21 of Applicant’s Counterclaims contains legal conclusions to which no
`
`answer is required. To the extent an answer is required, Monster admits that its Consolidated Notice
`
`of Opposition filed in this proceeding includes a claim for likelihood of confusion under Section
`
`2(d) of the Trademark Act and that it has asserted U.S. Trademark Registration Nos. 6,451,182,
`
`6,760,278, 5,820,689, 5,661,940, 5,826,919, 5,689,189, 6,724,528, 5,664,586, and 5,676,514,
`
`among others in support of that claim. Monster denies that Applicant has priority of use in
`
`- 5 -
`
`
`
`
`
`connection with the goods and services identified in the Opposed Applications. Except as expressly
`
`admitted, Monster denies each and every remaining allegation contained in Paragraph 21 of
`
`Applicant’s Counterclaims.
`
`22.
`
` Paragraph 22 of Applicant’s Counterclaims contains legal conclusions to which no
`
`answer is required. To the extent an answer is required, Monster admits that its Consolidated Notice
`
`of Opposition filed in this proceeding includes a claim for likelihood of confusion under Section
`
`2(d) of the Trademark Act and that it has asserted U.S. Trademark Registration Nos. 6,451,182,
`
`6,760,278, 5,820,689, 5,661,940, 5,826,919, 5,689,189, 6,724,528, 5,664,586, and 5,676,514,
`
`among others in support of that claim. Monster further admits that if this proceeding is decided in
`
`Monster’s favor, Applicant may be prevented from registering one or more of the applications that
`
`are the subject of Monster’s Consolidated Notice of Opposition. Except as expressly admitted,
`
`Monster denies each and every remaining allegation contained in Paragraph 22 of Applicant’s
`
`Counterclaims.
`
`23.
`
`Paragraph 23 of Applicant’s Counterclaims contains legal conclusions to which no
`
`answer is required. To the extent an answer is required, Monster admits that its Consolidated Notice
`
`of Opposition filed in this proceeding includes a claim for likelihood of confusion under Section
`
`2(d) of the Trademark Act and that it has asserted U.S. Trademark Registration Nos. 6,451,182,
`
`6,760,278, 5,820,689, 5,661,940, 5,826,919, 5,689,189, 6,724,528, 5,664,586, and 5,676,514,
`
`among others in support of that claim. Monster denies that Applicant has prior rights in connection
`
`with the goods and services identified in the Opposed Applications. Except as expressly admitted,
`
`Monster denies each and every remaining allegation contained in Paragraph 23 of Applicant’s
`
`Counterclaims.
`
`24.
`
`Paragraph 24 of Applicant’s Counterclaims contains legal conclusions to which no
`
`answer is required. To the extent an answer is required, Monster admits that its Consolidated Notice
`
`- 6 -
`
`
`
`
`
`of Opposition filed in this proceeding includes a claim for likelihood of confusion under Section
`
`2(d) of the Trademark Act and that it has asserted U.S. Trademark Registration Nos. 6,451,182,
`
`6,760,278, 5,820,689, 5,661,940, 5,826,919, 5,689,189, 6,724,528, 5,664,586, and 5,676,514,
`
`among others in support of that claim. Except as expressly admitted, Monster denies each and
`
`every remaining allegation contained in Paragraph 24 of Applicant’s Counterclaims.
`
`COUNT II
`
`LACK OF BONA FIDE USE IN COMMERCE IN CONNECTION WITH OPPOSER’S
`‘689 REGISTRATION, OPPOSER’S ‘940 REGISTRATION, OPPOSER’S ‘854
`REGISTRATION, OPPOSER’S ‘919 REGISTRATION, OPPOSER’S ‘189
`REGISTRATION, OPPOSER’S ‘853 REGISTRATION, AND OPPOSER’S ‘782
`REGISTRATION
`
`To the extent a response to Paragraph 25 of Applicant’s Counterclaims is required,
`
`25.
`
`Monster incorporates by reference its responses to Paragraphs 1-24 of Applicant’s Counterclaims
`
`as if set forth fully herein.
`
`26.
`
`Answering Paragraph 26 of Applicant’s Counterclaims, Monster admits that it is
`
`the owner of U.S. Trademark Registration Nos. 5,820,689, 5,661,940, 5,114,854, 5,826,919,
`
`5,689,189, 5,114,853, 5,570,782. Except as expressly admitted, Monster denies each and every
`
`remaining allegation contained in Paragraph 26 of Applicant’s Counterclaims.
`
`27.
`
`Denied.
`
`28.
`
`Denied.
`
`29.
`
`Paragraph 29 of Applicant’s Counterclaims contains legal conclusions to which no
`
`answer is required. To the extent an answer is required, Monster denies each and every allegation
`
`contained in Paragraph 29 of Applicant’s Counterclaims.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`- 7 -
`
`
`
`
`
`AFFRIMATIVE DEFENSES
`
`Without admitting any of Applicant’s counterclaim allegations or conceding the burden of
`
`proof found to be an element of any of Applicant’s Counterclaims rather than an element of an
`
`affirmative defense as a matter of law, Opposer asserts the following affirmative defenses:
`
`FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
`
`(Failure to State a Claim Upon Which Relief May Be Granted)
`
`Applicant’s Counterclaims are barred, in whole or in part, because they fail to state a claim
`
`upon which relief may be granted.
`
`SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
`
`(Laches)
`
`
`
`Applicant’s Counterclaims are barred, in whole or in part, by the equitable doctrine of
`
`laches.
`
`THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
`
`(Equitable Estoppel)
`
`
`
`Applicant’s Counterclaims are barred, in whole or in part, by the equitable doctrine of
`
`estoppel.
`
`FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
`
`(Waiver)
`
`
`
`Applicant has waived any rights it may have had to bring and/or maintain its counterclaims,
`
`in whole or in part.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`- 8 -
`
`
`
`
`
`FIFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
`
`(Abandonment)
`
`Applicant has abandoned its
`
` mark, U.S. Registration No. 2,519,146, by
`
`ceasing use of the mark in conjunction with class 9 and class 16 goods and services for a period of
`
`at least three years without the intent to resume. In view of Applicant’s abandonment of the
`
` mark, Applicant cannot use the mark to establish priority over U.S. Trademark
`
`Registration Nos. 6,451,182, 6,760,278, 5,820,689, 5,661,940, 5,826,919, 5,689,189, 6,724,528,
`
`5,676,514, or 5,664,586.
`
`Applicant has abandoned its FAMOUS MONSTERS mark, U.S. Registration No.
`
`4,899,752, by ceasing use of the mark in conjunction with class 25 goods and services for a period
`
`of at least three years without the intent to resume. Applicant did not resume use of the FAMOUS
`
`MONSTERS mark in conjunction with class 25 goods until at least August 2023. In view of
`
`Applicant’s abandonment of the FAMOUS MONSTERS mark in conjunction with class 25 goods,
`
`Applicant cannot use the FAMOUS MONSTERS mark to establish priority over U.S. Trademark
`
`Registration Nos. 6,451,182, 6,760,278, 5,820,689, 5,661,940, 5,826,919, 5,689,189, 6,724,528,
`
`5,676,514, or 5,664,586 as alleged in Applicant’s first counterclaim.
`
`Applicant has abandoned its FAMOUS MONSTERS mark, U.S. Registration No.
`
`4,943,918, by ceasing use of the mark in conjunction with class 16 goods and services for a period
`
`of at least three years without the intent to resume. Applicant did not resume use of the FAMOUS
`
`MONSTERS mark in conjunction with class 16 goods until at least December 2023. In view of
`
`Applicant’s abandonment of the FAMOUS MONSTERS mark in conjunction with class 16 goods,
`
`Applicant cannot use the FAMOUS MONSTERS mark to establish priority over Monster’s U.S.
`
`- 9 -
`
`
`
`
`
`Trademark Registration Nos. 6,451,182, 6,760,278, 5,820,689, 5,661,940, 5,826,919, 5,689,189,
`
`6,724,528, 5,676,514, or 5,664,586.
`
`Accordingly, Applicant’s abandonment of
`
`the
`
` and FAMOUS
`
`MONSTERS marks in connection with the goods identified in U.S. Registration Nos. 2,519,146,
`
`4,899,752, and 4,943,918 prevents Applicant from establishing priority over Monster’s
`
`registrations that are the subject of Applicant’s counterclaim of priority and likelihood of
`
`confusion, and therefore, Applicant’s counterclaim on those grounds cannot succeed.
`
`Opposer reserves its right to assert additional defenses, whether available now or in the
`
`future, as discovery proceeds.
`
`MONSTER’S COUNTER-COUNTERCLAIMS
`
`
`
`Opposer Monster Energy Company (“Monster”), through their undersigned counsel, bring
`
`the following Counter-Counterclaims against Lococho, LLC (“Lococho”), seeking cancellation of
`
`U.S. Registration Nos. 2,519,146, 4,899,752, and 4,943,918.
`
`1.
`
`Monster is a Delaware corporation located and doing business at 1 Monster Way,
`
`Corona, California 92879.
`
`2.
`
`Upon information and belief, Lococho is a Delaware limited liability company
`
`located and doing business at 15281 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 370, Encino, California 91436.
`
`3.
`
`On December 6, 2023, Monster filed its Consolidated Notice of Opposition,
`
`opposing the registration of Lococho’s U.S. Trademark Application Serial Nos. 98/010271,
`
`98/010280, 98/010286, 98/010288, 98/010300, and 98/010301 for the mark SHOCK MONSTER,
`
`U.S. Trademark Application Serial Nos. 97/551273, 97/551271, 97/550802, 97/551282,
`
`97/688001, 97/551285, and 97/551287 for the mark FAMOUS MONSTERS, U.S. Trademark
`
`Application Serial Nos. 97/559333, 97/559343, 97/559345, 97/559348, and 97/688006 for the
`
`- 10 -
`
`
`
`
`
`mark FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND, and U.S. Trademark Application Serial Nos.
`
`97/561377, 97/561388, 97/561390, 97/561391, and 97/688016 for the mark
`
`
`
`(“Lococho’s Applications”).
`
`4.
`
`On January 16, 2024, Lococho filed its Answer and Counterclaims to Monster’s
`
`Consolidated Notice of Opposition. In its first Counterclaim, Lococho seeks to cancel Monster’s
`
`U.S. Registration Nos. 6,451,182, 6,760,278, 5,820,689, 5,661,940, 5,826,919, 5,689,189,
`
`6,724,528, 5,676,514, and 5,664,586, based on priority and likelihood of confusion with Lococho’s
`
`U.S. Registration Nos. 2,519,146, 4,899,752, and 4,943,918 (“Lococho’s Registrations”). In its
`
`second Counterclaim, Lococho seeks to cancel Monster’s U.S. Registration Nos. 5,820,689,
`
`5,661,940, 5,114,854, 5,826,919, 5,689,189, 5,114,853, and 5,570,782 based on a lack of bona
`
`fide use in commerce.
`
`5.
`
`For its counterclaim of priority and likelihood of confusion, Lococho alleges that
`
`Lococho’s Registrations predate Monster’s use of the marks that are the subject of U.S.
`
`Registration Nos. 6,451,182, 6,760,278, 5,820,689, 5,661,940, 5,826,919, 5,689,189, 6,724,528,
`
`5,676,514, and 5,664,586 and that Lococho has common law rights in the marks FAMOUS
`
`MONSTERS, FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND, and
`
`, “by virtue of
`
`consistent use in commerce dating back many years prior to [Monster]’s first use of any of its
`
`Asserted Marks.” See Lococho’s Counterclaims at ¶¶ 4, 9.
`
`6.
`
`Lococho asserts that, if a likelihood of confusion exists between Monster’s marks
`
`that are the subject of U.S. Registration Nos. 6,451,182, 6,760,278, 5,820,689, 5,661,940,
`
`5,826,919, 5,689,189, 6,724,528, 5,676,514, and 5,664,586, and the marks that are the subject of
`
`Lococho’s Registrations, then each of Monster’s U.S. Registration Nos. 6,451,182, 6,760,278,
`
`- 11 -
`
`
`
`
`
`5,820,689, 5,661,940, 5,826,919, 5,689,189, 6,724,528, 5,676,514, and 5,664,586 must be
`
`cancelled because Lococho has priority of use. See Lococho’s Counterclaims at ¶ 21.
`
`LOCOCHO’S REGISTRATIONS
`
`7.
`
`Upon information and belief, Lococho is the owner of U.S. Registration No.
`
`2,519,146 (the “‘146 Registration”) for the mark
`
` which issued on December 18,
`
`2001, in connection with: (1) “Prerecorded video tape programs featuring the motion picture works
`
`of the horror, science fiction and fantasy genre” in class 9 based on an claimed first use in
`
`commerce date of November 1991; and (2) “Magazines, trading cards, calendars, posters,
`
`posterbooks featuring motion picture works of the horror, science fiction and fantasy genre” in
`
`class 16 and claims a first use in commerce date of November 1993.
`
`8.
`
`Upon information and belief, Lococho is the owner of U.S. Registration No.
`
`4,899,752 (the “‘752 Registration”) for the mark FAMOUS MONSTERS which issued on
`
`February 9, 2016, in connection with “Hooded sweatshirts; shirts; sweatshirts; t-shirts; tank tops;
`
`tops” in class 25 and claims a first use in commerce date of August 2011.
`
`9.
`
`Upon information and belief, Lococho is the owner of U.S. Registration No.
`
`4,943,918 (the “‘918 Registration”) for the mark FAMOUS MONSTERS which issued on April
`
`26, 2016, in connection with “Magazines featuring stories, pictures, information and articles of
`
`interest for fans of the horror and science fiction genre; Newsletters in the field of horror and sci-
`
`fi entertainment related events and merchandise; Posters; Printed materials, namely, written
`
`articles in the field of horror and science fiction related matters; Publications, namely, magazines,
`
`books, collector memorabilia in the fields of films, characters, television series, celebrities, and
`
`authors of the horror and sci-fi genre” in class 16 and claims a first use in commerce date of August
`
`10, 2011.
`
`- 12 -
`
`
`
`
`
`COUNTER-COUNTERCLAIM I
`
`Cancellation of the ‘146 Registration based on Abandonment
`
`10. Monster repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation set forth in paragraphs 1-
`
`9 above.
`
`11.
`
`Upon information and belief, Lococho is not currently using the
`
`
`
`mark on or in connection with any of the goods identified in the ‘146 Registration.
`
`12.
`
`Upon information and belief, Lococho has not used the
`
` mark on or
`
`in connection with any of the goods identified in the ‘146 Registration for many years.
`
`13.
`
`Upon information and belief, Lococho has no intention to resume using the
`
` mark on or in connection with any of the goods identified in the ‘146 Registration.
`
`14.
`
`Upon information and belief, Lococho did not use the
`
` mark on or
`
`in connection with any of the goods identified in the ‘146 Registration for at least three consecutive
`
`years and Lococho is therefore presumed to have abandoned the mark.
`
`15.
`
`The continued registration of the ‘146 Registration injures Monster, at least because
`
`Lococho relies on it in support of its priority and likelihood of confusion Counterclaim against
`
`Monster in this proceeding and the ‘146 Registration thus purports to conflict with and impair
`
`Monster’s lawful and exclusive right to use its marks that are the subject of U.S. Registration Nos.
`
`6,451,182, 6,760,278, 5,820,689, 5,661,940, 5,826,919, 5,689,189, 6,724,528, 5,664,586, and
`
`5,676,514.
`
`- 13 -
`
`
`
`
`
`16.
`
`The ‘146 Registration should therefore be cancelled under Section 14 of the
`
`Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1064(3), because Lococho has abandoned the
`
`mark
`
`within the meaning of 15 U.S.C. § 1127.
`
`COUNTER-COUNTERCLAIM II
`
`Cancellation in part, or Loss of Priority of the ‘752 Registration based on Abandonment
`
`17. Monster repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation set forth in paragraphs 1-
`
`16 above.
`
`18.
`
`Upon information and belief, Lococho ceased use of the FAMOUS MONSTERS
`
`mark in connection with all of the goods identified in the ‘752 Registration more than four years
`
`ago.
`
`19.
`
`Upon information and belief, this cessation of use was continuous for a period of
`
`at least three consecutive years with no intent to resume use and Lococho is therefore presumed to
`
`have abandoned the mark.
`
`20.
`
`Upon information and belief, Lococho did not resume use of the FAMOUS
`
`MONSTERS mark in connection with any of the goods identified in the ‘752 Registration until
`
`August 2023.
`
`21.
`
`Upon information and belief, Lococho did not have any intention to resume use of
`
`the FAMOUS MONSTERS mark in connection with any of the goods identified in the ‘752
`
`Registration until August 2023.
`
`22.
`
`The continued registration of the ‘752 Registration injures Monster, at least because
`
`Lococho relies on in support of its priority and likelihood of confusion Counterclaim against
`
`Monster in this proceeding and the ‘752 Registration thus purports to conflict with and impair
`
`Monster’s lawful and exclusive right to use its marks that are the subject of U.S Registration Nos.
`
`- 14 -
`
`
`
`
`
`6,451,182, 6,760,278, 5,820,689, 5,661,940, 5,826,919, 5,689,189, 6,724,528, 5,664,586, and
`
`5,676,514.
`
`23.
`
`The ‘752 Registration should therefore be cancelled under Section 14 of the
`
`Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1064, because Lococho abandoned the FAMOUS MONSTERS mark
`
`within the meaning of 15 U.S.C. § 1127 and can no longer rely on the date of first use claimed in
`
`the ’752 Registration to establish priority in support of its Counterclaim.
`
`24.
`
`In the alternative, the ‘752 Registration should be afforded a first use in commerce
`
`date of no earlier than August 2023.
`
`25.
`
`In the alternative, upon information and belief, Lococho is not currently using the
`
`FAMOUS MONSTERS mark on or in connection with “sweatshirts” and “Hooded sweatshirts.”
`
`26.
`
`Upon information and belief, Lococho ceased use of the FAMOUS MONSTERS
`
`mark on or in connection with “sweatshirts” and “Hooded sweatshirts” more than five years ago.
`
`27.
`
`Upon information and belief, this cessation of use has been continuous for a period
`
`of at least three consecutive years with no intent to resume use and Lococho is therefore presumed
`
`to have abandoned the mark with respect to these goods.
`
`28.
`
`Upon information and belief, Lococho has no intention to resume use of the
`
`FAMOUS MONSTERS mark on or in connection with “sweatshirts” and “Hooded sweatshirts.”
`
`29.
`
`The continued registration of the ‘752 Registration for “sweatshirts” and “Hooded
`
`sweatshirts” injures Monster, at least because Lococho relies on that registration in support of its
`
`priority and likelihood of confusion Counterclaim against Monster in this proceeding and the ‘752
`
`Registration thus purports to conflict with and impair Monster’s lawful and exclusive right to use
`
`its marks that are the subject of U.S. Registration Nos. 6,451,182, 6,760,278, 5,820,689, 5,661,940,
`
`5,826,919, 5,689,189, 6,724,528, 5,664,586, and 5,676,514.
`
`- 15 -
`
`
`
`
`
`30.
`
`The ‘752 registration should therefore be cancelled in part under Section 14 of the
`
`Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1064, because Lococho has abandoned the FAMOUS MONSTERS
`
`mark in connection with “sweatshirts” and “Hooded sweatshirts” within the meaning of 15 U.S.C.
`
`§ 1127.
`
`COUNTER-COUNTERCLAIM III
`
`Cancellation in part, or Loss of Priority of the ‘918 Registration based on Abandonment
`
`31. Monster repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation set forth in paragraphs 1-
`
`30 above.
`
`32.
`
`Upon information and belief, Lococho ceased use of the FAMOUS MONSTERS
`
`mark in connection with all of the goods identified in the ‘918 Registration more than seven years
`
`ago.
`
`33.
`
`Upon information and belief, this cessation of use was continuous for a period of
`
`at least three consecutive years with no intent to resume use and Lococho is therefore presumed to
`
`have abandoned the mark.
`
`34.
`
`Upon information and belief, Lococho did not resume use of the FAMOUS
`
`MONSTERS mark in connection with any of the goods identified in the ‘918 Registration until
`
`December 2023.
`
`35.
`
`Upon information and belief, Lococho did not have any intention to resume use of
`
`the FAMOUS MONSTERS mark in connection with any of the goods identified in the ‘918
`
`Registration until December 2023.
`
`36.
`
`The continued registration of the ‘918 Registration injures Monster, at least because
`
`Lococho relies on in support of its priority and likelihood of confusion Counterclaim against
`
`Monster in this proceeding and the ‘918 Registration thus purports to conflict with and impair
`
`Monster’s lawful and exclusive right to use its marks that are the subject of U.S Registration Nos.
`
`- 16 -
`
`
`
`
`
`6,451,182, 6,760,278, 5,820,689, 5,661,940, 5,826,919, 5,689,189, 6,724,528, 5,664,586, and
`
`5,676,514.
`
`37.
`
`The ‘918 Registration should therefore be cancelled under Section 14 Trademark
`
`Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1064, because Lococho abandoned the FAMOUS MONSTERS mark within the
`
`meaning of 15 U.S.C. § 1127 and can no longer rely on the date of first use claimed in the ’752
`
`Registration to establish priority in support of its Counterclaim.
`
`38.
`
`In the alternative, the ‘918 Registration should be afforded a first use in commerce
`
`date of no earlier than December 2023.
`
`39.
`
`In the alternative, upon information and belief, Lococho is not currently using the
`
`FAMOUS MONSTERS mark on or in connection with “Posters.”
`
`40.
`
`Upon information and belief, Lococho ceased use of the FAMOUS MONSTERS
`
`mark on or in connection with “Posters” more than seven years ago.
`
`41.
`
`Upon information and belief, this cessation of use has been continuous for a period
`
`of at least three consecutive years with no intent to resume use and Lococho is therefore presumed
`
`to have abandoned the mark with respect to these goods.
`
`42.
`
`Upon information and belief, Lococho has no intention to resume use of the
`
`FAMOUS MONSTERS mark on or in connection with “Posters.”
`
`43.
`
`The continued registration of the ‘918 Registration for “Posters” injures Monster,
`
`at least because Lococho relies on that registration in support of its priority and likelihood of
`
`confusion Counterclaim against Monster in this proceeding and the ‘918 Registration thus purports
`
`to conflict with and impair Monster’s lawful and exclusive right to use its marks that are the subject
`
`of U.S. Registration Nos. 6,451,182, 6,760,278, 5,820,689, 5,661,940, 5,826,919, 5,689,189,
`
`6,724,528, 5,664,586, and 5,676,514.
`
`- 17 -
`
`
`
`
`
`44.
`
`The ‘918 Registration should therefore be cancelled in part under Section 14
`
`Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1064, because Lococho has abandoned the FAMOUS MONSTERS
`
`mark in connection with “Posters” within the meaning of 15 U.S.C. § 1127.
`
`PRAYER FOR RELIEF
`
`WHEREFORE, Monster prays that these counter counterclaims be sustained in Monster’s
`
`favor and that:
`
`a.
`
`b.
`
`U.S. Registration No. 2,519,146 be cancelled pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1064;
`
`U.S. Registration No. 4,899,752 be cancelled, in whole or part, pursuant to 15
`
`U.S.C. § 1064, or, in the alternative, afforded a priority date of no earlier than
`
`August 2023; and
`
`c.
`
`U.S. Registration No. 4,943,918 be cancelled, in whole or part, pursuant to 15
`
`U.S.C. § 1064, or, in the alternative, afforded a priority date of no earlier than
`
`December 2023.
`
`Opposer reserves the right to amend its allegations according to information and/or
`
`materials obtained through discovery.
`
`Dated: February 21, 2024
`
`
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`KNOBBE, MARTENS, OLSON & BEAR, LLP
`
`By: /Jason A. Champion/
`Steven J. Nataupsky
`Jason A. Champion
`2040 Main Street, Fourteenth Floor
`Irvine, CA 92614
`(949) 760-0404
`
`
`
`Ari Feinstein
`1717 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., Suite 900
`Washington, DC 20006
`(202) 640-6400
`
`
`
`- 18 -
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Sara Witty
`1155 Avenue of the Americas, 24th Floor
`New York, NY 10036
`(212) 849-3000
`
`efiling@knobbe.com
`Attorneys for Opposer,
`MONSTER ENERGY COMPANY
`
`
`
`- 19 -
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
`
`I hereby certify that a true and complete copy of the foregoing OPPOSER’S ANSWER
`
`AND COUNTER-COUNTERCLAIMS
`
`IN RESPONSE
`
`TO APPLICANT’S
`
`COUNTERCLAIMS has been served on Applicant’s counsel of record on February 21, 2024 via
`
`electronic mail to:
`
`
`
`Signature:
`
`Peter Nussbaum
`CHIESA SHAHINIAN & GIANTOMASI PC
`pnussbaum@csglaw.com, trademarks@csglaw.com,
`tmdocketing@csglaw.com
`
`
`
`
`Name: Doreen P. Buluran
`
`Date: February 21, 2024
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`590069662024-
`
`- 20 -
`
`

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