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Proceeding
`Party
`
`Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Electronic Filing System. http://estta.uspto.gov
`ESTTA59209
`ESTTA Tracking number:
`12/24/2005
`
`Filing date:
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`92044073
`Defendant
`Celgene Corporation
`Celgene Corporation
`7 Powder Horn Drive
`Warren, NJ 07059
`
`Correspondence
`Address
`
`Submission
`Filer's Name
`Filer's e-mail
`Signature
`Date
`Attachments
`
`CAMILLE M. MILLER
`COZEN O'CONNOR, P.C.
`1900 MARKET STREET
`PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103
`
`Reply in Support of Motion
`Camille M. Miller
`cmiller@cozen.com
`/Camille M. Miller/
`12/24/2005
`replymsj.pdf ( 11 pages )
`
`

`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE BEFORE THE
`
`TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`CENTOCOR, INC.,
`
`Petitioner,
`
`V.
`
`CELGENE CORPORATION
`
`Registrant.
`
`Cancellation No. 92/044,073
`
`REPLY BRIEF IN SUPPORT OF REGISTRANT CELGENE’S CROSS-MOTION FOR
`
`SUMMARY JUDGMENT
`
`The burden of proof in a cancellation action is that the plaintiff must prove his case by a
`
`preponderance of the evidence. See Massey Junior Coll., Inc. v. Fashion Inst. of Tech, 492 F.2d
`
`1399, 1402- 04 (CCPA 1974). Petitioner “Centocor” did not conduct E discovery in this
`
`cancellation action whatsoever. Centocor simply argues that contrary to the Examining
`
`Attorney’s determination, the specimens found to be sufficient by the Examining Attorney did
`
`not support use in commerce. Centocor ignores the evidentiary record presented by Registrant
`
`“Celgene” in the prosecution of the IMIDS mark which is supported by a preponderance of the
`
`evidence. Put another way, Centocor has failed to discover and/or present any evidence to tip the
`
`balance in its favor, and has not provided reasoning to justify that this Board should overturn the
`
`well—contemplated determination of the Examining Attorney. Thus, the Board should grant
`
`Celgene’s cross motion for summary judgment because “there is an absence of evidence to
`
`support the nonmoving party’s case.” See Kellogg Co. v. Pack’Em Enterprises Inc., 14 USPQ2d
`
`1545 (TTAB 1990), aff’d, 951 F.2d 330 (Fed Cir. 1991).
`
`

`
`1.
`
`Centocor Has Not Filed A Response to Celgene’s Cross- Motion For
`Summary Judgment As Centocor Solely Filed a “Reply To Respondent
`Celgene Corporation’s Opposition To Centocor, Inc.’s Motion For
`Summary Judgmert.”
`
`Centocor’s title of its December 12, 2005 submission to the TTAB (the “Filing”) is a
`
`“REPLY TO RESPONDENT CELGENE CORPORATION’S OPPOSITION TO CENTOCOR,
`
`INC.’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT.” However, the first sentence of Centocor’s
`
`Filing states that Centocor “responds to [Celgene’s] cross motion for summary judgment.” Since
`
`the title of the Filing identifies to the Board that it constitutes a reply in support of Centocor’s
`
`Motion for Summary Judgment, the entire Filing should be stricken. Centocor is attempting to
`
`have an extra bite at the apple in their papers. This tactic is explicitly rejected by both the
`
`Trademark Appeal Board Manual of Procedure (“TBMP”) and case law since it unfair and
`
`improper. While the TBMP permits a party to respond to a motion for summary judgment, and
`
`also permits a reply brief filed in support of a motion, Centocor must properly identify that
`
`which it is submitting. See TBMP § 502.02(b). Since Centocor’s Filing is identified as a reply
`
`to Celgene’s response to Centocor’s motion for summary judgment, Celgene requests that the
`
`Board strike, or in the alternative give no consideration to, the entire Filing. A reply brief may
`
`not exceed 10 pages, and Centocor’s Filing is 15 pages in length. See 37 CFR § 2.l27(a). More
`
`than a mere technicality, Centocor’s filing is a full 50 percent longer than permitted. If a brief
`
`violates the length limit, it may be given no consideration by the Board. See TBMP § 539; see
`
`American Optical Corp. v. Atwood Oceanics, Inc., 177 USPQ 585 (Comm’r l973)(brief which
`
`was too long and not in proper form was not considered). Consequently, the striking of
`
`Centocor’s filing is requested.
`
`

`
`2.
`
`The December 9, 2005 Declaration of Denise McGinn Attached to
`Centocor’s Filing Should Be Given No Consideration Because It
`Includes New Matter In Violation of Rule 56(c) of the F.R.C.P.
`
`No consideration should be given to Denise McGinn’s December 9, 2005 declaration
`
`(“McGinn’s Declaration”), and the corresponding portions of Centocor’s Filing should be
`
`disregarded as well. Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56(c), if the moving party
`
`introduces new evidence in a reply brief or memoranda, the Board should not accept and
`
`consider the new evidence without first affording the non— moving party an opportunity to
`
`respond. See Seay v. Tennessee Valley Auth., 339 F.3d 454, 481-82 (6th Cir. 2003). The Board
`
`does not allow for sur—reply briefs so Celgene does not have an opportunity to respond to the
`
`reply brief. See TBMP § 502.02(b); see No Fear Inc. v. Rule, 54 USPQ2d 1551, 1553 (TTAB
`
`2000).
`
`Thus, the Board should strike the entirety of McGinn’s Declaration as it constitutes new
`
`evidence, and is first discussed in Centocor’s reply memorandum. Further, the Board should
`
`strike the portions of Centocor’s Filing which is premised upon McGinn’s Declaration, which
`
`relates to (1) the commercial nature of Celgene’s sales presentations involving IMIDS, in
`
`general; (2) the commercial nature of sales presentation Celgene gave to Centocor in 2000; and
`
`(3) the prominence of use of the IMIDS mark in specimens demonstrating use of IMIDS at sales
`
`presentations, which were submitted by Celgene in its prosecution of the IMIDS trademark as
`
`specimens of use. Accordingly, the Board should strike the corresponding portions of
`
`Centocor’s Filing, including: (1) the first sentence, paragraph two, of the introduction; (2) the
`
`first sentence, paragraph three, of the introduction; (3) pages eight (8) through the first full
`
`paragraph on page ten (10). In the alternative, the Board should at least provide Celgene with an
`
`opportunity to fully respond with its own rebuttal declarations.
`
`

`
`3.
`
`Centocor Relies Upon Erroneous Standards As To What Constitutes
`Sufficient Trademark Use
`
`Centocor repeatedly asserts that Celgene has not used the IMIDS mark in commerce
`
`because no actual sales of the IMIDS compounds were consummated via sales presentations or at
`
`tradeshow displays. See e. g. Filing p. 3 (stating “[IMIDS] has never actually been used in
`
`connection with the sale or shipment of a product.”) However, Centocor applies an erroneous
`
`standard to its analysis, as it has long been held that actual sales and/or shipments are not
`
`required to establish sufficient trademark use, but use of a mark in public is:
`
`Evidence showing first, adoption, and second, use in a way sufficiently public to
`identify or distinguish the marked goods in an appropriate segment of the public
`
`mind as those of the adopter of the mark, is competent to establish ownership,
`even without evidence of actual sales.
`
`New England Duplicating Co. v. Mendes, 190 F.2d 415, 418 (1st Cir. 1951).
`
`Celgene’s IMIDS compounds are not a “product” as Centocor would have this Board
`
`believe, but are pharmaceutical preparations. Throughout its prosecution of the IMIDS mark,
`
`Celgene clearly identified that its IMIDS compounds were pharmaceutical preparations still in
`
`development through research and clinical trials. For example, Celgene identified to the
`
`Examining Attorney that it engaged in Cooperative Research and Development Agreements to
`
`perform preclinical and clinical evaluations on IMIDS drug candidates. See Maria Pasquale’s
`
`Dec. 15, 2003 Declaration (‘Pasquale Declaration”) ‘][ 3. Celgene also provided a press release
`
`stating that “Celgene currently has two IMiDs, Revirnid (TM) and Actirnid (TM), in clinical
`
`trials for cancer and inflammatory disease.” See Exhibit 4 attached to Celgene’s Motion To
`
`Amend Mark To Conform to Specimens. Further, Celgene provided an excerpt from a slide
`
`presentation and a trade show booth panel that clearly identifies the clinical phases of testing for
`
`Celgene’s IMIDS compounds. See Exhibit 2 attached to Celgene’s Motion for Reconsiderations
`
`entitled “Multiple Results— The Celgene Pipeline.”
`
`

`
`In this clinical development and trial context, Celgene marketed its IMIDS compounds to
`
`pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, research institutions, and key opinion leaders. See
`
`Pasquale Declaration ‘][ 4; Motion for Reconsideration p. 4; and Response to Office Action pp. 1-
`
`2. Accordingly, Celgene produced specimens demonstrating that it marketed its IMIDS
`
`compounds to research institutions, such as the National Cancer Institute, through a Cooperative
`
`Research and Development Agreement, and to pharmaceutical companies, such as Centocor,
`
`through both medical trade shows and slide presentations to potential purchasers or users.
`
`Celgene is not precluded from establishing trademark rights in the IMIDS mark merely because
`
`its IMIDS compounds are not—FDA approved and not available for purchase by the general
`
`public at local drug stores. The Lanham Act states that:
`
`a mark shall be deemed to be in use in commerce (1) on goods when (A) it is placed in
`any manner on the goods. . .or the displays associated therewith. .
`. or if the nature of the
`
`goods makes such placement impracticable, then on documents associated with the goods
`or their sale. See 15 USC ll27.
`
`At both trade shows and at sales presentations, potential purchasers and licensing partners
`
`are sophisticated parties requiring detailed information to assess the risk associated with whether
`
`a specific class of compounds warrants the investment of time, human capital, and commitment
`
`of substantial financial resources for development and clinical testing purposes. Thus,
`
`purchasing and licensing decisions are based upon considerations such as whether the drug can
`
`be taken orally, the chemical composition of the drug, the possible mechanisms of action, the
`
`results of various clinical trials, whether it is safe, effective, what diseases the drug could
`
`potentially treat, or the expected marketplace of treatment options. Bringing the compound to
`
`the trade shows or slide presentations does not relay any of this information that a potential
`
`purchaser would be interested in knowing prior to purchase or use. Thus, research institutions,
`
`pharmaceutical companies, and doctors interested in participating in clinical trials cannot
`
`

`
`determine the relevant information they need to make a purchasing decision by merely looking at
`
`the compound itself.
`
`A pharmaceutical company’s decision to purchase or license the IMIDS compounds
`
`hinges upon a contemplated decision about the data associated with the IMIDS compounds. A
`
`research institution’s decision to partner with Celgene for implementing clinical trials of
`
`Celgene’s IMIDS compounds also hinges upon understanding the IMIDS compounds and what
`
`they can potentially treat. Physicians too need to understand certain properties of the IMIDS
`
`compounds before signing up their patients for clinical trials. Celgene submitted sufficient
`
`specimens demonstrating the use of IMIDS on documents displayed at slide shows and trade
`
`show booths for potential purchasers and users that clearly identify the mark IMIDS as
`
`associated with the compounds, as well as with the sale and/or licensing of such compounds,
`
`such that they satisfy the Lanham Act § 15 USC ll27. Thus, potential purchasers, and users,
`
`and doctors interested in participating in clinical trials could identify the IMIDS mark based
`
`upon these displays and associate these compounds to the IMIDS term.
`
`A preponderance of the evidence demonstrates that Celgene engaged in commercial
`
`“use,” and submitted at least one specimen of record demonstrating such commercial use of the
`
`IMIDS mark at (1) sales presentations to individual pharmaceutical companies; and/or (2) trade
`
`show booths at medical conventions. No genuine issues exist, and the evidentiary record
`
`establishes that no factual issues exist as to Celgene’s use of the IMIDS mark. Thus, as a matter
`
`of law, Celgene is entitled to judgment regarding its commercial use of the IMIDS mark.
`
`4.
`
`Celgene’s Specimens Evidencing Use of the IMIDS Mark at Sales
`Presentations or Medical Trade Shows Constitutes Sufficient Use in
`
`Commerce To Support Celgene’s Federal Registration
`The evidence of record demonstrates that Celgene engaged in a concerted effort to
`
`present sales and licensing opportunities to research institutions and to pharmaceutical
`
`

`
`companies for its IMIDS compounds. See Pasquale Declaration ‘][ 4. The specimen identified as
`
`Exhibit 1, attached to Celgene’s Motion for Reconsideration, entitled “IMIDS” was used at
`
`licensing and/or sales presentations to promote the IMIDS compounds and their unique
`
`mechanism of action. See Exhibit 1 attached to Celgene’s Motion for Reconsideration; see
`
`Office Action Response p. 1. Exhibit 1 explicitly identifies the unique properties of IMIDS
`
`compounds which “inhibit the inflammatory cytokines TNF— alpha and interleukin (IL)—1 beta
`
`while stimulating the anti— inflammatory cytokine IL-10.” Exhibit 1 acts as an inducement for
`
`interested parties to purchase and/or license for development the IMIDS compounds. From
`
`Viewing this specimen, potential purchasers could directly associate the mark with the goods.
`
`Thus, this specimen exemplifies a display associated with the goods, and a sufficient specimen
`
`for registration purposes. See In re Grfin Pollution Control Corp., 517 F.2d 1356 (CCPA
`
`1975).
`
`Celgene also displayed Exhibit 1 at its trade show booth presentations as a showcase or
`
`display associated with the IMIDS compounds. See Pasquale Declaration ‘J1 6. In the trade show
`
`context, this specimen sufficiently demonstrates trademark use. See Exhibit 1 attached to
`
`Celgene’s Motion for Reconsideration, entitled ‘TMlDS.” Celgene used the IMIDS mark in
`
`commerce by communicating the mark to the public at numerous trade shows Via displays
`
`showcasing the IMIDS compounds at Celgene’s booths. See Pasquale Declaration ‘][ 6. Exhibit
`
`1, attached to Celgene’s Motion for Reconsideration prominently displays the IMIDS mark
`
`because (1) the IMIDS mark is more than twice the size of other terms appearing on the page;
`
`and (2) the IMIDS mark is further distinguished with a “tm” at the end of the term, further
`
`conveying that Celgene uses IMIDS as a trademark, and Celgene claims proprietary trademark
`
`

`
`rights in the term as well; and (3) sufficiently identifies what Celgene’s IMIDS compounds are
`
`and what they do.
`
`Likewise, the specimen identified as Exhibit 2, attached to Celgene’s Motion for
`
`Reconsideration, entitled “Multiple Results—The Celgene Pipeline,” constitutes a copy of an
`
`excerpt from a slide presentation used to sell and/or license IMIDS compounds to prospective
`
`customers. See Pasquale Declaration ‘][ 7; see Motion for Reconsideration p. 8; Office Action
`
`Response pp. 1-2. Exhibit 2, includes Celgene's IMIDS trademark, distinguished with a “tm”
`
`symbol at the end of the term, together with a listing of other Celgene products on the market
`
`and in development by Celgene. Exhibit 2 distinguishes Celgene’s IMIDS compounds as
`
`separate and apart from its other proprietary compounds. Exhibit 2 clearly depicts the IMIDS
`
`mark as compounds inclusive of REVIMID and ACTIMID. Finally, Exhibit 2 demonstrates how
`
`Celgene identified IMIDS compounds as in early stages of FDA testing, and communicated the
`
`indications that IMIDS compounds treat. Exhibit 2 is not precluded from establishing sufficient
`
`trademark use solely because more than one trademark is presented. See In re Dell, Inc. at 9, 12
`
`(Serial No. 75/85l,765)(August 12, 2004).
`
`Exhibit 2 also was displayed at Celgene’s trade show booth panels at medical
`
`conventions that showcased the IMIDS compounds.1 The information contained therein also
`
`constitutes another sufficient specimen for demonstrating trademark use at the tradeshow booth.
`
`At the tradeshow booths, Celgene also provided viewings of and distributed CDs entitled
`
`“IMiDsTM Multiple Mechanisms Acting in Concert,” which were also submitted as specimens
`
`along with the IMIDS trademark application, and are attached to Maria Pasquale’s Dec. 15, 2003
`
`declaration. Celgene distributed these CDs at trade show booths and at conferences, and
`
`1 The same information of which also was used at presentations to license or sell IMIDS
`compounds to pharmaceutical companies.
`
`

`
`provided these CDs to interested trade show booth visitors, which supports Celgene’s assertion
`
`that it prominently displayed the IMIDS mark at trade shows, conferences, and during sales
`
`presentations. Thus, this specimen exemplifies a display associated with the goods, and a
`
`sufficient specimen for registration purposes. See In re Grififin Pollution Control Corp., 517
`
`F.2d 1356 (CCPA 1975).
`
`Celgene’s display of the IMIDS mark at slide presentations and medical trade shows is
`
`uncontroverted. Nor is it controverted that Celgene utilized its trade show booth for purposes of
`
`licensing and/or sales of its IMIDS compounds. Thus, this issue of commercial use at slide
`
`presentations and medical trade shows can be decided on summary judgment. Exhibits 1 & 2
`
`evidence actual trademark use and support Celgene’s federal registration. Thus, summary
`
`judgment should be granted in Celgene’s favor.
`
`5.
`
`Summary Judgment Should Be Granted in Celgene’s Favor
`Regardless of the Admissibility of Denise McGinn’s December 9, 2005
`Declaration Because McGinn’s Declaration Has No Bearing On
`Either Exhibit 1 or Exhibit 2 Submitted As Specimens
`
`Exhibits 1 and 2, which were used in connection with slide presentations to solicit
`
`customers to purchase IMIDS compounds, were not displayed at Celgene’s sales presentation to
`
`Centocor in 2000. Only the Exhibit entitled “2 Classes of Analogues” attached to Celgene’s
`
`Motion for Reconsideration was displayed at the 2000 meeting involving Centocor. Thus,
`
`McGinn’s Declaration has no bearing on whether or not Exhibits 1 and 2 constitute sufficient
`
`specimens demonstrating trademark use at either trade shows and/or sales presentations. As
`
`such, this Board should give no evidentiary consideration to McGinn’s Declaration in connection
`
`with the acceptability of either Exhibit 1 or Exhibit 2.
`
`Further, the file history directly contradicts the contentions contained in McGinn’s
`
`Declaration that Celgene’s sales presentations are merely informational. Celgene’s slide show
`
`

`
`specimens illustrate that which is being directly communicated to potential purchasers and
`
`explains the science and research behind the IMIDS compounds. Thus, with the information
`
`provided at the sales presentation, a customer could identify IMIDS compounds and make an
`
`informed decision as to whether or not to purchase and/or license these IMIDS compounds.
`
`At a minimum, it is a question of fact as to whether the conclusions drawn by McGinn’s
`
`Declaration are in fact true because they directly contradict assertions Celgene makes throughout
`
`the file history. McGinn’s Declaration fails to identify which specimens she is referencing, and
`
`at most could only apply to the specimen entitled “2 Classes of Analogues,” and not to Exhibits 1
`
`or 2 as argued herein. It is uncontroverted that McGinn’s Declaration has no bearing on the
`
`sufficiency of Exhibits 1 or 2. Thus, the Board should not consider McGinn’s Declaration in its
`
`analysis of the acceptability of either Exhibit 1, entitled “IMIDS,” or Exhibit 2, entitled
`
`“Multiple Results—The Celgene Pipeline.”
`
`6.
`
`Conclusion
`
`The file history does not indicate which specimen the Examining Attorney believed
`
`evidenced commercial use, though for federal registration purposes only one specimen must
`
`evidence commercial use. See 15 U.S.C. § l05l(a)(l)(C). Centocor has not conducted any
`
`discovery as to this cancellation matter, nor has it introduced any evidence that tip the
`
`evidentiary scales in its favor. Centocor merely challenges the legal conclusions determined by
`
`the Examining Attorney, and not the underlying factual basis behind the specimens submitted.
`
`The uncontroverted facts clearly support that either Exhibit 1 or Exhibit 2 supports the
`
`Examining Attomey’s well—contemplated decision to permit registration of the IMIDS mark, and
`
`thus the Board should grant Celgene’s motion for summary judgment.
`
`Dated: December 24, 2005
`
`/Camille M. Miller/
`
`10
`
`

`
`Certificate of Service
`
`I, the undersigned, hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing was sent to
`
`counsel by first class mail, postage prepaid, on the date below to:
`
`Counsel for Centocor, Inc;
`Wilson M. Browne, Esq.
`Drinker Biddle & Reath
`
`One Logan Square
`18th & Cherry Streets
`Philadelphia, PA 19103
`Telephone: 215.988 .270
`Facsimile: 215.988.2757
`
`Norm D. St. Landau
`
`Christen M. English
`Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
`
`1500 K Street, N.W., Suite 1100
`
`Washington, D.C. 20005-1209
`Telephone: 202.842.8800
`Facsimile: 202.842.8465
`
`Dated: December 24, 2005
`
`/Camille M. Miller/
`
`11

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