throbber
TTAB
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE BEFORE
`THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`Dante Peter Spano,
`
`an individual’
`Petitioner,
`
`V
`
`/
`.
`/73/A 547a, 0 Us
`Registration No.: 3,146,505
`
`For the mark: NITRO ENERGY DRINK
`
`Date Registered: September 19, 2006
`
`Blue Beverages Envasadora Ltd.,
`
`Cancellation No.: 92/050127
`
`a Brazilian Limited Corporation
`
`Respondent.
`
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND
`TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`PO BOX 1451
`
`ALEXANDRIA VA 22313-1451
`
`RESPONDENT’S OPPOSITION TO MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
`
`A Movent can only be successful in a Motion for Summary Judgment in a
`
`proceeding before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board if there is “no genuine issue as
`
`to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law”
`
`which is not the case in this Opposition. There are still numerous issues of law and
`
`material facts, and the known facts favor a summary judgment for the Respondent not the
`
`Petitioner.
`
`In a motion for summary judgment, the moving party has the burden of
`
`establishing the absence of any genuine issues of material fact and that it is entitled to
`
`1
`
`IllllllllllllllllllllllllllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHIII
`07-U6- 009
`
`_ s Patant
`
`:« t~:r:,—.,
`
`_;.
`
`“A
`
`

`

`judgment as a matter of law. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(0). A genuine issue with respect to
`
`material fact exists if sufficient evidence is presented that a reasonable fact finder could
`
`decide the question in favor of the non-moving party. See Opryland USA Inc. v. Great
`
`American Music Show, Inc., 970 F.2d 847, 23 USPQ2d 1471 (Fed. Cir. 1992, ). Thus, all
`
`doubts as to whether any factual issues are genuinely in dispute must be resolved against
`
`the moving party and all inferences must be viewed in the light most favorable to the
`
`non-moving party. See Olde Tyme Foods Inc. v. Roundy's, Inc., 961 F.2d 200, 22
`
`USPQ2d 1542 (Fed. Cir. 1992).
`
`Respondent filed for the mark “NITRO ENERGY DRINK” on August 23, 2004
`
`and it was published for Opposition on September 13, 2005. No one, including the
`
`Petitioner, filed an Opposition to the mark. The Mark issued on September 19, 2006
`
`with a Registration Number of 3 146505, Exhibit 1. The current status of the mark is
`
`valid and is in use, Exhibits 1, 2 and 3. Nitro Energy Drink was launched in Brazil in
`
`March, 2001 and is still in use. The company has been exporting to South American
`
`countries such as Uruguay and Paraguay from August, 2001 until the present time. From
`
`2003 to 2005 Respondent started exporting to Mexico, which borders the United States.
`
`In November, 2003 Respondent decided to adopt its mark NITRO ENERGY DRINK in
`
`Texas, Exhibit 4, pages 5 -6. In March, 2004 Respondent started exporting to USA to
`
`Miami, Florida and in April, 2004 Respondent started exporting to San Antonio, Texas.
`
`Also in 2004, Respondent started exporting to the country of Chile. In 2005 Respondent
`
`started to export to the USA through New York Importer World Wide Foods, and
`
`continues exporting for the same importer to the current date. Also in 2006 Respondent
`
`

`

`started exporting to Argentina and the Dominican Republic and continues to the current
`
`date.
`
`The Respondent’s product has had only one 8.4 oz can design since its launch in
`
`2002, Exhibit www.
`
`There are numerous advantages to a federally registered trademark. First, such
`
`registration gives everyone in the nation notice of your ownership, which protects you if
`
`another firm later attempts to infringe on your mark. Another related benefit of federal
`
`registration is the presumption of validity and ownership by virtue of holding an
`
`approved federally registered mark. This presumption means that you have national
`
`priority for the mark in the face of any challengers. The Respondent filed for and
`
`received a valid registration for the mark “NITRO ENERGY DRINK.” The
`
`Respondent’s mark “NITRO ENERGY DRINK” is currently valid and in use. Exhibit A
`
`Reply to "Statement of Uncontroverted Facts"
`
`There seems to be a dispute of Material Facts by the Petitioner itself. In its
`
`Motion for Summary Judgment, the Petitioner claims a first use date of December 2003
`
`but in Petitioner’s Response to Respondent’s Interrogatories, Exhibit 5, Page 3, a date of
`
`April 24, 2004 was claimed and a date of April 19, 2004 was claimed for Class 32 on the
`
`Petitioner’s Trademark Application Number 77155508 (now abandoned), its Trademark
`
`Application Number 77508066 for “LIQUID HERBAL NITRO”, as well as for its filed
`
`Pleadings in this matter. This in itself is a red flag on the question of the evidence and
`
`facts that the Petitioner is presenting. Respondent objects to Petitioner’s claim of a first
`
`use date of December 2003.
`
`

`

`Petitioner’s Production of Documents and Answers to Interrogatories were signed
`
`by Petitioner’s Counsel and not by the Petitioner under Oath. Respondent objects to this
`
`evidence as it applies to this Motion for Summary Judgment given the severity of what
`
`the Petitioner is requesting, Exhibits 5 and 6.
`
`The Nitro Energy Drink first website version was created in beginning of 2002
`
`and anyone in the world could inquire regarding prices as well as buy per pallets and
`
`containers to any place including the United States, Exhibit 3. The languages of the
`
`website were English, Portuguese and Spanish. Many importers, such as Saesa Group,
`
`first contacted Blue Beverages from this website. The first contact to sell Nitro Energy
`
`Drink was with Saesa Group from San Antonio, Texas. The contact person was Mr. Juan
`
`Miguel Mendez located at 40 NE Loop 410, suite 105 San Antonio, Texas 78216. In
`
`Mexico the product started being sold in March, 2003 with Grupo Saesa de CV from
`
`Guadalajra City. The company exported the product from Brasil direct to Mexico for
`
`Mexican Customers and shipped the product directly to Texas and Miami for the
`
`American market. Blue Beverages knew that some times Grupo Saesa from Mexico
`
`shipped the product from Mexico to USA, Exhibit 3.
`
`In November, 2003 Respondent
`
`decided to adopt its mark NITRO ENERGY DRINK in Texas, Exhibit 4, pages 5-6, the
`
`use of the websites and the sales by Grupo Saesa makes the priority date of Respondent a
`
`disputed fact as well and all doubts as to whether any factual issues are genuinely in
`
`dispute must be resolved against the moving party and all inferences must be viewed in
`
`the light most favorable to the non-moving party. See Olde Tyme Foods Inc. V. Roundy's,
`
`Inc., 961 F.2d 200, 22 USPQ2d 1542 (Fed. Cir. 1992).
`
`

`

`The Respondent contends that any reference by the Petitioner to the use of its
`
`“LIQUID HERBAL NITRO” mark for International Class 005 for Dietary Supplements
`
`for priority date is improper. The Petitioner’s goods, Dietary Products, claimed in Class
`
`005 do not relate to Respondent’s product, Non-alcoholic beverage, namely, energy
`
`drinks in Class 032. These are two very distinct and different goods in connection to
`
`Respondent’s mark with dissimilar established, likely-to—continue trade channels. The
`
`goods are so different as to preclude any likelihood of confusion, Canada Dry Corp. V
`
`Am. Home Prods. Corp. 468 F.2d 207, 208, 175 USPQ 557 (CCPA 1972), Schenley
`
`Distillers, Inc. v Gen. Cigar Co. 427 F.2d 783. 785, 166 USPQ 142, 144 (CCPA 1970).
`
`Likelihood of Confusion
`
`The likelihood of confusion is determined by the DuPont factors that are pertinent
`
`to the case at hand. In re E.I. Dupont DeNemours & Co., 476 F.2d 1357, 1361, 177
`
`USPQ 563, 567 9CCPA 1973).
`
`Petitioner must prove that Respondent’s mark is likely to cause confusion,
`
`mistake or deception using the factors in In re E.I. Dupont. There is no evidence cited to
`
`support the likelihood to cause confusion, mistake or deception.
`
`Similarity or dissimilarity of Marks in their entireties as to
`
`appearance, sound, connotation and commercial impression.
`
`The marks are not similar. Each mark consists of three words, “LIQUID
`
`HERBAL NITRO” and “NITRO ENERGY DRINK” but only one of those words is the
`
`same - the word Nitro. This word appears at the end of the Petitioner’s mark and at the
`
`beginning of the Respondent’s mark. The Petitioner’s mark has the word HERBAL in it
`
`which suggests that it is herbal in nature while the Respondent’ mark does not. The two
`
`

`

`marks are not phonetically similar. They do not sound alike or give the same impression.
`
`They do not have the same appearance. The marks as they are used on the cans are used
`
`differently with different colors, styles, fonts and formatting. Sure-Fit Prods. Co. v
`
`Saltzson Draperty Co., 254 F.2d 158, 160, 117 USPQ 295, 296 (CCPA 1958) (finding no
`
`likelihood of confusion between the applied for mark RITE-FIT and the prior mark
`
`SURE-FIT, both used for slip covers for various articles of furniture, differences in sound
`
`and appearance found to outweigh similarity in meaning.)
`
`Counter to the Petitioner’s argument that only the word Nitro should be
`
`considered, the Board has correctly held that the filing of a disclaimer with the Patent and
`
`Trademark Office does not remove the disclaimed matter from the purview of
`
`determination of likelihood of confusion.
`
`The marks must be considered in the way in which they are perceived by the
`
`relevant public. In re Shell Oil Co., 992 F.2d 1204, 26 USPQ 2d 1687-88 (Fed. Cir. 1993)
`
`Similarity of the marks in one respect — sight, sound or meaning --- will n_ot
`
`automatically result in a finding of likelihood of confusion even if the goods are closely
`
`related. TMEP section 1207.01 (b)(i). When considered in its entirety, LIQUID
`
`HERBAL NITRO has a different connotation from Respondent’s mark because the
`
`highly distinctive word HERBAL denotes specifically the ingredients of the product as
`
`well as an image of health product marketed to heath minded consumers. The
`
`Respondent’s mark contains the highly descriptive work ENERGY which distinguishes
`
`what the consumer will get out of the Respondent’s product. The marks are different in
`
`sound, appearance, connotation and commercial impression.
`
`

`

`The packaging and trade dress of the product are different in appearance,
`
`connotation and commercial impression, Exhibits 7 and 8.
`
`This factor strongly favors the Respondent.
`
`Similar marks in use on similar goods
`
`The registered mark NITRO, registration number 2946361 is for brewed alcoholic
`
`beverages, namely, beer, ale, lager, malt liquor, stout, porter and lambic; beer-based
`
`coolers with a first use of April 2, 2004 and a first use in commerce of November 30,
`
`2004 with a registration Date May 3, 2005, Exhibit 9.
`
`This factor strongly favors the Respondent.
`
`Fame of Marks
`
`Petitioner’s mark is not famous or widely used. This factor strongly favors the
`
`Respondent.
`
`The nature and extent of any actual confusion.
`
`In the years that they have both been in the marketplace there is no recordecl
`
`confusion between the two products by the Petitioner, Response to Respondent’s
`
`Interrogatories, Exhibit 5, Page 7 or the Respondent, Response to Petitioner’s
`
`Interrogatories, Exhibit 4, Page 11. This is a fact that is agreed to by the Petitioner in
`
`their Response to Respondent’s Interrogatories, Exhibit 5, Page 7.
`
`This factor strongly favors the Respondent.
`
`

`

`The length of time during, and conditions under which, there has been concurrent
`
`use without evidence of actual confusion.
`
`Respondent has sold its product for least five years prior to the current date and
`
`Petitioner has claimed a similar timeframe. During this time there has been no evidence
`
`of any actual confusion provided by the Petitioner. Exhibit 5, Page 7. During this time
`
`the Respondent has marketed its product through a large number of trade shows
`
`throughout the country including The Porto Rico Food & Beverage Show in January, 18-
`
`20, 2004 and the Chicago Show in May, 02-04, 2004, Exhibit 4, page 9.
`
`This factor strongly favors the Respondent.
`
`LIKELIHOOD OF CONFUSION BETWEEN THE PARTIES’ MARKS
`
`Respondent denies the claim of "There is a Likelihood of Confusion between the
`
`Parties‘ Marks".
`
`Petitioner has not provided any evidence of any confusion or any likelihood of
`
`confusion between the two marks. The burden of proof is on the Petitioner as the
`
`movent. Petitioner must prove that Respondent’s mark is likely to cause confusion,
`
`mistake or deception. There is no admission cited to support the likelihood to cause
`
`confusion, mistake or deception. There is no deposition testimony cited to support the
`
`likelihood to cause confusion, mistake or deception. There is no answer to interrogatory
`
`cited to support the likelihood to cause confusion, mistake or deception. There is no
`
`document produced by Petitioner cited to support the likelihood to cause confusion,
`
`mistake or deception.
`
`

`

`Thus, all these notable factors powerfully favor the Respondent's request.
`
`AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE — LACHES
`
`If the Board for some reason does not agree with Respondent’s arguments and findings
`
`above, then in the alternative the Respondent claims the Affirmative Defense of Laches.
`
`Respondent has filed a Motion to Amend its Answer to include the Affirmative Defense
`
`of Laches. (Attached, Exhibit A). This request is based on the Petitioner’s new first use
`
`date of December, 2003, which the Respondent disputes, which is different from
`
`Petitioner’s pleaded first use date, the first use date claimed in the Petitioner’s
`
`Application Number 77155508 (now abandoned) and the date claimed in Petitioner’s
`
`Application Number 77508066 as well as the first use date provided to Respondent by
`
`Petitioner in response to Respondent’s First Request for Interrogatories and information
`
`discovered by Respondent from the Petitioner during discovery with supports this
`
`defense.
`
`By statute, the defense of laches is available in inter parties proceedings. Lanham
`
`Act § 19 provides, ‘‘In all inter parties proceedings equitable principle of laches, estoppel
`
`and acquiescence, where applicable may be considered and applied.
`
`The elements of laches are (1) unreasonable delay in assertion of one’s rights
`
`against another; and (2) material prejudice to another attributable to the delay. Lincoln
`
`Logs Ltd. V Lincoln Pre-Cut Log Homes, Inc., 971 F.2d 732, 734 23 USPQ2d 1701,
`
`

`

`1703 (Fed. Cir. 1992). (“The defense of laches in a trademark proceeding recognized
`
`under 15 U.S.C. § 1069 requires a showing of undue delay in asserting rights against a
`
`claimant to a conflicting mark and prejudice resulting therefrom”)
`
`Respondent filed for the mark “NlTRO ENERGY DRINK” on August 23, 2004
`
`and it was published for Opposition on September 13, 2005. The Petitioner brought the
`
`Cancellation proceeding on October 30, 2008, which is over three full years from when
`
`the Respondent’s mark was published for Opposition. During this time the Respondent
`
`spent significant funds marketing its mark including $75,000 spent on marketing in the
`
`State of New York alone during 2006 as well as expanding the use of the mark into new
`
`marketplaces and presenting it in tradeshows throughout the United States. Exhibit 4,
`
`page 6 and 9 respectively. The investments in Marketing from July 26, 2007 to October
`
`30, 2008 in all marketing and promotions was greater than 1 million US Dollars. From
`
`July 26, 2007 to October 30, 2008 the company grew about 20% in sales and from
`
`October 30, 2008 to June 30, 2009 the Respondent grew another 22% in sales. Exhibit 3,
`
`Declaration of Eduardo s. M. Olivier.
`
`Respondent contends that the Petitioner “slept on it rights.” Respondent was
`
`surprised and shocked to discover that although the Petitioner discovered the potential
`
`conflict on July 26, 2007 from an Office Action for Petitioner’s Application Number
`
`77155508 (now abandoned) Exhibit B and Exhibit C, the Petitioner did not file the
`
`Petition for Cancellation until October 30, 2008, a full 16 months later, during which
`
`time Respondent spent considerable money, and time promoting its product under the
`
`10
`
`

`

`“NITRO ENERGY DRINK” mark and building up business and goodwill in association
`
`with the mark. The Petitioner also waited almost six months from the abandonment of
`
`Petitioner’s Application Number 77155508, Exhibit D, before filing Petitioner’s
`
`Application Number 77508066; an additional six months during which the Respondent
`
`spent money and time promoting its product under the “NITRO ENERGY DRINK” mark
`
`building up business and goodwill in association with the mark. The Petitioner has
`
`provided no explanation for this delay and has not provided any proof of marketing or
`
`any invoices between the dates of June, 2006 and September 9, 2008, Exhibit E, even
`
`though this proof was requested in Respondent’s Request for Production of Documents,
`
`Exhibit 6. Much of the marketing material provided by Petitioner, include the Deion
`
`Sanders promotional material was from 2005. The later invoices display the product as
`
`“Liquid Nitro” not “Liquid Herbal Nitro”. Did the Petitioner intend to abandon its
`
`“LIQUID HERBAL NITRO” mark? It is hard to know due to the lack of evidence. But
`
`if the Petitioner did this would bring about a defense of Unclean Hands.
`
`As argued above, there is no likelihood of confusion between the “NITRO
`
`ENERGY DRINK” and “LIQUID HERBAL NITRO.” In the years that they have been
`
`in the marketplace there is no recorded confusion between the two products by the
`
`Petitioner, Exhibit 5, Page 7 or the Respondent, Exhibit 4, Page 11. The marks are not
`
`identical and the question of likelihood of confusion is reasonably in doubt. Copperweld
`
`Corp. v. Astrally~Vulcan Corp., 196 USPQ 585, 592 (TTAB 1977)
`
`ll
`
`

`

`Conclusion
`
`The Petitioner has not successfully shown in its Motion for Summary Judgment before
`
`the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board that there is “no genuine issue as to any material
`
`fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” There are still
`
`numerous issues of law and material facts and those fact and laws present favor the
`
`Respondent.
`
`WHEREFORE, Applicant prays that the Motion for Summary Judgment not be granted
`
`and if the Board sees fit grant Summary Judgment for the Respondent.
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
` Jeffrey
`
`Furr
`Attorney for Respondent
`2622 Debolt Road
`
`Utica, Ohio 43080
`JeffMFurr@aol.com
`740—892—2l 18 (telephone)
`740-892-3860 (fax)
`
`CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
`
`C/7
`
`I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing document has been duly
`served by depositing such copy with the US Postal Service, in an envelope addressed
`Loza & Loza,éLI’, Christina S. Loza, 3200 Guasti Rd., Ste. 100, Ontario, California
`91761 on the E »’,7 day ofJuly, 2009.
`
`'\
`
`\‘/I
`V‘
`\."
`
`\.
`.
`
`\
`
`
`
`Jeffrey M. Furr
`
`l2
`
`

`

`Table of Exhibits:
`
`Dante Peter Spano V. Blue Beverages Envasadora Ltd., Cancellation No.: 92/050127
`
`1. Exhibit 1: Nitro Energy Drink Principal Register
`
`2. Exhibit 2: Some examples of Nitro Energy Drink mark being used in commerce
`
`3. Exhibit 3: Declaration of Eduardo S. M. Oliveira, Corporate Director of Blue
`
`Beverages Envasadora, Ltd..
`
`4. Exhibit 4: Respondent’s Response to Petitioner’s First Set of Interrogatories
`
`5. Exhibit 5: Petitioner’s Response to Respondent’s First Set of Interrogatories
`
`6. Exhibit 6: Petitioner’s Response to Respondent’s First set of Document Requests.
`
`'7. Exhibit 7: Image of the Nitro Energy Drink on can
`
`8. Exhibit 7: Image of the LIQUID HERBAL NITRO packaging
`
`9. Exhibit 9: Nitro Energy Drink Principal Register
`
`10. Exhibit A: Motion to Amend Pleadings
`
`11. Exhibit B: Office Action dated July 26, 2007 for Liquid Herbal Nitro Serial Number
`
`77155508
`
`12. Exhibit C: Notice of Abandoment dated July 26, 2007 for Liquid Herbal Nitro Serial
`
`Number 771555087.
`
`13. Exhibit D: Office Action dated October 6, 2008 for Liquid Herbal Nitro Serial
`
`Number 77508066
`
`14. Exhibit E: Petitioner Invoices and Marketing Material (CONFIDENTIAL —
`
`SUBMITTED UNDER)
`
`13
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`EXHIBIT 1EXHIBIT 1EXHIBIT 1
`
`

`

`Int. Cl.: 32
`
`Prior U.S. C1s.: 45, 46, and 48
`
`Reg. No. 3,146,505
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Registered Sep. 19, 2006
`_________j______._______.__._.___
`
`TRADEMARK
`
`PRINCIPAL REGISTER
`
`Nitro Energy Drink
`
`BLUE BEVERAGES ENVASADORA LTD. (BRA-
`ZIL LIMITED CORPORATION)
`RUA ANGELO POLIS NO 940-CEO
`18279-353-JARDIM
`
`TATULSP’ BRAZIL
`FOR: NON—ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NAMELY,
`EI\ER4gr)X./ DRINKS, II\ CLASS 32 (US. CLS. 45, 46
`
`THE MARK CONSISTS OF STANDARD CHAR-
`ACTERS WITHOUT CLAIM TO ANY PARTICULAR
`FONT, STYLE, SIZE, OR COLOR.
`
`NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE EXCLUSIVE
`RIGHT To USE "ENERGY DRINK", APART FROM
`THE MARK AS SHOWN.
`
`SN ,/8_4_/2,068’ FILED 8_23_20O4.
`
`FIRST USE 6-2-2006; IN COMMERCE 6-2-2006.
`
`HOWARD SMIGA: EXAMINTNG ATTORNEY
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`EXHIBIT 2EXHIBIT 2EXHIBIT 2
`
`

`

`Packaging Spcclflcotions
`Nivu Energy Dtink 24 x 8.4 OZ
`Nxlrn Energy Drink 4 pack
`nmro Energy Drink can
`UPC CODE
`SHELF Lu-L (MONIHS;
`CASE WI, LBS
`CASE CUBE
`PALLET COUNT
`TIE I H!
`
`6 54887 00024 2
`6 54087 00021 1
`6 54387 000204
`:2
`IP.
`22 1 21,5 x M
`5 ‘37
`mo
`)0 < 10
`
`PRICE
`RS
`
`
`
`

`

`
`
`'_‘
`
`,
`
`
`
`‘
`‘
`.'.'
`
`'
`
`Him) is attitutte
`
`Nilro has hum moved to be the "Reamnltuna Drink“
`')t:r
`The tovet ol ancvgy uaeiveruc tr; nnro .5 way mow-2
`r:nn=puh|tus Ul\.'l|l)ilIgIhill cxtmlucv. niunllartnjht 1-.aIa.-mo
`a trash t-anotntance am) attttuoo
`Gtont Tutu. Nuuo M the onty kt-atov
`nucnntu mun uh‘) Elzrnvruttuz.
`Dunn. that at.-t~v-.u< an
`tr-V ‘M.-dtctn.-t=' -mm tn:3I«
`MOEIGII fllmllélllbl V|fWP.. NW0
`l3l1"\.‘I'K‘.-vi 0M.|l(]'.‘ ttuvot tral
`-3 rovoltttvontzttto lhrx
`wltyamsu-u:I.x II-ml: ol nm:1I_tyt1n(.-rs
`lngunllznt Mir
`.'t»-
`rlnvlxrwl
`I)-.«m-,
`-uuxv.!t-1-II: n.\
`Guntuna M0113 nrrv-en
`:n M-r -Iv-v.tdr-.1: mm .~t;ttun(t-sum,
`
`...n .
`nl‘n~‘.l\t Malu Hvth t"a|lr-tw: n
`mug; nu.-a»..1.
`
`
`Nu"-dun‘, hn7vsIt-r.- :n
`r A ha)».-
`-U», It-I/E’ tu ’
`lillflfi-tIllllIL\
`
`
`
`
`
`the annual cl coat
`un um ant mum v
`
`-K: ntmttt-,
`
`'.l$1ll\|_')'IY.t:
`-«Y1 r:m\t.‘ncl.r:r.Iz
`:.. tII;.*ur.unrn:I
`pg“-'tfIl
`2.-t-.1:
`rrtI.’i's.ut
`
`Bokvva
`.’ unnlnhltl
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Marketing Support
`Hwy:
`t’Icd.n:ts t~.-In c't.-ate nroqumt
`Ih“J‘:lUIlI4 H; st-ovtln:
`-.
`:-nun».
`
`..—.;-.91.: . an .n.
`._.— o..
`
`:3
`.
`,J|
`
`..
`
`n 1... 7-n-7:-..>.ur-2
`-' --ml up .».«.':».\. -.(ll
`
`.|.‘I1I1I
`
`
`
`H/I-‘OS
`
`Dennis Sugimoto
`Buyer
`Costco Wholesale
`3980 Venture Drtvc NW-Suite I00
`Duluth. GA 300%
`
`Dennis.
`
`A few wecks ago my National Sales Manager, Dnvtd Rcistcr mct wnh Claude GICCI1, Russ
`and prcscntcd two new energy drinks that wc an:
`ttnportlng and brtttgtng to market. During
`on: was very posttivc that the cans are Bt-lingual
`and will attract the Htspnnic market Ano
`1607. can by our competitors. which is snmcthtng
`that we are not concerned with due to the
`appruxtmately 10% more caffeinc than th
`Nttro an: high powered energy drinks containing
`contact you ditcctly to discuss the pussihilitxcs
`
`centre and Joanne Chen at Costco HQ
`he dtscusston a few points wcre noted,
`cr was directed to the tntroductmn ofa
`"auteur products. both Blue Xtrcmc and
`competition. They suggested that wc
`
`H4}
`
`

`

`BLUE XTREME ENERGY DRINK 24/8 402
`NITRO ENERGY DRINK 24/8 402
`
`World Wide Food Products is pleased to offer the fnllowing New Energy Drunks to Cost1o.
`Attached you wall find lh: product descnplmn and spcc sheet Bnlh ofthc products are p ccd 1:} $26.00 pzt came FOB the port.
`Please cnjoy the samples and advise any commcnls. You can Contact David Rclsler
`94 1-23-9909 (TDT2365@aol com).
`Thank you.
`Rtchard Aw
`VI‘
`
`World Wu]: F nod Products
`7l8-658-4000 X3008
`Fax 718-262-3006
`Cell 917-418-2963
`
`
`
`350.5
`
`Cratg McAteet
`Footl-n-rnmu Supermnrketc
`
`Craig,
`
`As per yuut E-mail I have revised the prngrnm I httltcu: thu mll work for Food-manna.
`
`BLUE XTREME ENERGY DRINK 24/8.402 (6/4p:tck 31.601)
`NITRO ENERGY DRINK 24/8.401 (5/4plCI( 3J.6u7.)
`
`Both orthe products will be priced EDLP @ $26.00 per case. unit cost of $4.33.
`Suggested tetuil @5199 4pk 28%
`
`Ad allowance 6fit)$750.00 $4500.00
`New Ycars
`Supev bowl
`St. Patrick's Day
`Memorial Day
`Fourth ol'July
`Labor Day
`
`With an intro order of Wes nfeach ilcm tzocs total) per store we WI" provide Scs ofcach l'rLc ( Iocs at tt value of$260.00)
`Total Chatn
`
`26 stores - 260cs Blue. Z6()t:s Nitro (260t:s at a value ufS6760.0())
`
`EIKE.
`
`aw
`
`
`
`

`

`March 10, 2005
`
`Vince Colatriano
`
`Director Category Management
`
`Pathmark Stores Inc
`
`200 Milik St M-520
`
`Carreret, NJ 07000
`
`Worldwidewill provide Pathmark StoresInc. with$20,000.00slottingfeesfor twonewrjoccryitems, BLUE EXTREME& NITRO
`
`onth period.
`
`1
`2.
`
`3.
`VI
`4.
`6.
`
`Reset all stores with POS material and shelf talkers
`Provide demo's for all stores using the Blue/Nitro street team
`(6 month program @ $4800.00 per month — Total $28,800.00)
`bottles, lunch bags and
`Provide promotlonal accessorues that are brand specific at all events such as he 5, sport
`-2:ll3 51:S’.ru 5 ..3'II :1E’. :-3U‘IW -I.0cl.4) III:7oS (D NJ U‘?oo oo
`Participate in the Pathmark Radio advert-song program once a quarter @ 55,0
`.00 for a total ol $20,000.00
`In the event of the safe of Pathmarlc Stores Inc. to an out side entity who would not operate as such, Pathmark Stores
`Inc. would be responsible to reimburse the $20,0000.00 slotting lees
`
`World Wide Food Products
`
`Richard Aro V.P.
`
`
`
`Pathmark Stores Inc
`
`Vince Colatriano Dlrector
`
`

`

`
`
`April 18,2007
`
`BLUE ENERGY DRINK
`UPC 6-54887 00010-5 Can
`NITRO ENERGY DRINK
`
`UPC 6-S4887 00020-4 Can
`
`6—S4887 00011-2 4 Padk
`CL
`
`6-54887 0002!-I 4 Pa
`
`PALLET CT. 144 CS
`TIE x HI
`16 x 9
`CASE CUBE 5.57
`CS. DIMENSIONS 3?.“ x 2 I .5“ x 14"
`
`CASE PACK 24/8.407. (6/4-8402 units)
`
`CASE COST $17.28
`
`$.72
`
`UNIT COST‘
`
`WORLD WIDE FOOD PRODUCTS INC.
`New York 11435
`716-658-4000
`
`147-07 94! Avenue Jamaica.
`FAX 718-262-800
`
`SALES INVOICE
`
`Buyer:
`
`BLUE BEVERAGES ENVASADORA LTDA
`AV ANGELO POLES. 940 JARDIM TOKIO
`CEP 18279-586
`TATUI SP
`
`0 TE 5/14/06
`
`IN # WWF/BLUE-005
`
`BLUE XTREME
`
`TOTAL
`AMOUNT
`USD
`
`$5000.00
`
`If/5’
`
`
`
`

`

`
`
`. _ .I.l!.5fi3_C_3i-_LABl__-..__
`
`
`
`PLEASE WRE TRANSFER THE FUNDS TO THE FOLLOW NG ACCOUNT
`PAY TO: STATE BANK OF LONG ISLAND
`2 JERICHO PLAZA
`JERICHO. NEW YORK 11753
`ACCOUNT # 0021781130
`ABA#O21401617
`
`WORLD WIDE FOOD PRODU TS INC.
`147-07 94th Avenue Jamaica, New Yo k 11435
`718-658—4000
`FAX 718-262- 006
`
`SALES INVOICE
`
`Buyer:
`
`BLUE BEVERAGES ENVASADORA LTDA
`AV. ANGELO POLE S. 940 JARDIM TOKIO
`CEP 18279-586
`TATUI SP
`
`DATE 12/23/05
`
`INVII WWFIBLUE-003
`
`NITRO
`
`PATHMARK NEW YEARS AD
`12/30/O5
`BLUE XTREME I
`
`TOTAL AMOUNT USD
`
`$5000.00
`
`PLEASE WRE TRANSFER THE FUNDS TO THE FOLILOWING
`ACCOUNT
`PAY TO: STATE BANK OF LONG ISLAND
`2 JERICHO PLAZA
`JERICHO, NEW YORK 11753
`ACCOUNT # 0021781130
`ABA?‘ 021401617
`
`WORLD WIDE FOOD PRODUCTIS INC.
`
`W/‘
`
`
`

`

`147-07 94 th Avenue Jamaica, New Yo
`718-658-4000
`FAX 718-262-
`
`k 1 1435
`006
`
`SALES INVOICE
`
`Buyer:
`
`BLUE BEVERAGES ENVASADORA LTDA
`AV. ANGELO POLES, 940 JARDIM TOKIO
`CEP 18279-588
`TATUI SP
`
`07/03/2006
`
`NV# WVVF/BLUE-005
`
`TOTAL AMOUNT USD
`
`DESCRIPTION
`
`PATHMARK ST PATRICKS DAY AD
`BLUE XTREME
`NITRO
`AD BREAKS 3/17/06
`
`$5.000,00
`
`$5,000.00
`
`ACCOUNT
`
`PLEASE WRE TRANSFER THE FUNDS TO THE FOTOWING
`
`PAY TO: STATE BANK OF LONG ISLAND
`2 JERICHO PLAZA
`JERICHO_ NEW YORK 11753
`ACCOUNT 3 0021781130
`ABA # 021401617
`
`WORLD WIDE FOOD PRODUCTS INC.
`New York 11435
`718-658-4000
`
`147-07 94 IL
`
`Avenue Jamaica.
`
`FAX 718-252-aobs
`
`SALES INVOICE
`
`Buyer:
`
`BLUE BEVERAGES ENVASADORA LTDA
`AV. ANGELO POLES. 940 JARDIM TOKIO
`
`ATE I/30/06
`
`CEP 18279-585
`
`TATUI SP
`
`I V# VVINF/BLUE—004
`
`
`
`

`

`PATHMARK SUPER
`BOWL AD
`BLUE XTREME
`NITRO
`
`$5000.00
`
`
`
`PLEASE WRE TRANSFER THE FUNDS TO THE FOLLOWINL ACCOUNT
`PAY TO: STATE BANK OF LONG ISLAND
`2 JERICHO PLAZA
`JERICHO, NEW YORK 11753
`ACCOUNT it 0021781130
`ABA # 021401617
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`EXHIBIT 3EXHIBIT 3EXHIBIT 3
`
`

`

`Bi}*A. Ifiéfl?
`
`f§*Lr%§}E*l?*»%fi3E?;E*; 2;}§’§?'%’<'§?E BE F€,'3.R,E
`2:2»! W5‘.-.r%
`
`§’;E7i.a:g:;s::i_a:.§Zc;r;‘i‘x‘0
`4}‘
`.
`+
`it,
`3; 1f*07"§Ti‘1€ mz‘r:‘~;: N31!
`
`«)a —%€é,5§3”:3
`
`.
`F
`., _ ., ,. ,
`ENE? (29% "§?;a3\i§&
`
`§}3’;e
`
`3§:3§:w1e:°r1b;°;§’* HE’, f3(3é'}i’:
`
`Na: 9:2/"{‘a5{}32",7
`
`3‘
`§.
`35
`
`i 1
`
`:
`
`I
`
`x’
`
`‘V
`
`:\ :w;‘v.§ wvi.
`
`""2 ‘
`
`:."3:K.":‘
`
`I
`
`
`
`,
`*%;,w:.:z::» M
`
`
`
`£153..
`
`:2
`
`
`
`J;
`
`.
`
`.
`.
`I
`.
`*;»2:<,«:a;'€. £Jmp0ra1'.am
`
`
`
`spendsanl.
`
`:r:_A, 1mm 0;»? ;;:;>‘L::>0
`
`{>2
`
` ‘
`
`‘g
`
`§”z"€Z?§'Z/':_.,
`
`£2s:<;é:m.’1'Zm: ~;°€:§§0'wi5*2g:
`
`cw:
`
`{
`«::>*f:=r:m‘:2.tr: Di:‘e:s.:5;::~:*.
`
`
`34:26 ‘Be:-5:74:55; E»-;‘:~w:-‘::~;.:.a.<.’s»s?:L2‘=.?-. Lid. {“B.$zw
`M
`\‘..,.:1~ 3-‘.
` "~'
`,?£er:i Lorgvoz2zz.:e::., am.
`3:32:/:3 §3$;3fI‘:L'?a5aa ;£.1;{3’:’“v‘EL‘L?.g€ 0? ‘me
`
`2:33 '{z3£:f§fj,‘ c0n2;:ue:en?:§3:' zhererio .95‘ C?/}§%‘.3sj in :3, item’: of iaw £2?
`
` ‘
`
`
`
`
`
`.’?31e::*§ fm" ‘£29: “a1a?’:<m“‘7*2$“;";I-eff}
`
`€13‘! DR 031 /‘a uasiwt
`1
`
`\’0 (me Her? an
`
`,
`
`-,
`
`.. I\
`
`
`
`
`
`:;:
`
`2
`
`
`>2 :;:::;m:z:i s':'.a1u~.~;
`
`{gm 3”: =.\z;:s rm.'i;Ei.air:c:c%. Phi“ {7%pp0sz'“rinr: on ;’*§c"p’ccm’m;r 333. 21205.
`r
`7*‘
`».
`I —
`2
`37:;
`.‘=/Easrfnx §s.s~;u<;:<i Mn t’z:.‘pi€;f2'E".i7€i'
`,:
`::a:":.r_».:
`
`F‘;
`
`
`
`is Va
`
`
`" W F.ns;:rg}.' Drain}; fiyst websites x'ers;i{vn was meatzsci in Eb: beg§zm%n:;;
`
` =,2.»:;'2'3ai cozziai %m;;z:;33"::- mga:z'§§§r.g__: §33*?1:vs¢_1
`
`w2;:%;% rm %uy paihzis azrd,
`
` Uniizid Statas. TI
`
`Emzguagzes (>§‘¥‘r1::'svebs§r3 Wm:
`
` -;,;2.:i
`
`’*%§~a;::iz<»isEa. Yvfiany im;*o:i“L~z:r§Q sud?» as
`
`(‘are:..1=;s atuntezciaaci Blue
`
`

`

`
`
`«<:‘:M; up 25;:
`
`‘:12: 2,9,:
`
`~ 7::‘a~;;s:
`
`f:’:‘»:'n, Mn /~‘%,:r"='i¢.‘.:2.i<».., Taixas. "§‘E~’w :.tm£m:$ »':3£'s:>r_ was ‘\
`
`
`
`
`
`?.am%:3, Taxes. ‘73? .3
`
`in
`
`d2: (“*5 from
`viii‘: i3's':,m:'; ‘sir
`
`‘3§r'a::'£!*..* ":0 5353233 and Evfiimaé f€;:'f12meréa:ar marlaes. Ram
`
`' ex‘,(m+.~:’E frag: g3rox:iw;?:
`
`:"'«:>m
`
`»;'7iz':e<:§’§y Margico 502"
`
`It
`
`
`
`[Ema-3:3 {Erma §§ag:{:.z: fmm i“w”2za:a§;‘:> :'~:f'2.i:7;r'3';m 333$ produci i’s‘:‘»'m
`
`“)ux<0:?S L”% ‘
`
`J:
`
`
`
`“zwfw Rzizto Fizzy}: Zia Z:,~z:"~—';.*1‘;.:g:i‘
`
`1'.'_.—2€3. 2am. Th:-2
`
`~. :' z‘2.§:.> m an» ~
`
`:1~ : i_>f3~%> 1. 2HO'£.
`
`"
`
`"
`
`"
`
`
`
`,»»~§:2v.:‘é>;:.a?.iz3 ffom 3u,é'~; 255, 302}? vs *5553133332‘ 30,, Z-’.i‘».f‘/12?»
`
`..
`Firiwn .iu£w
`
`Z311):
`
`
`
`’
`
`5.
`;m.2~4‘~x«,1.;>~ s;ra::1:s,:r1§'zan 3 miii§»;.m
`
`K‘/Ls':v“;.”<
`
`lf‘, W4';,I‘yL} sy >\\\J
`
`Kr:
`
`
`
`
`y
`
`g‘:r;:nat'i§.a of mzrszmr a.m::é.::r aha :: of ii"; Efnitzszi Skates 0ff‘am;3rfcVa5
`
`m§_'::g;»::::;,:
`
`:2/us am: CO!’i’t3s,?1;t{! Mt? E‘-2-7.
`
`rafrzvty }<z2a>vs!a;:&gc.
`
`:‘;:u2=.
`
`i:,r%a= if .12.. l3.{709 in 3913.0 %32L;7zca-S;P~
`
`N11,,
`
`
`;
`%E‘;'u}»;RL:«;> is, 31:. QLIVFIRA
`
`1
`'5
`"’
`,£$bflz»hl14
`A
`1
`wt
`,3;
`A as
`
`'
`
`"
`
`V
`
`-
`
`u
`
`-
`‘.'_“
`.
`.
`\
`
`1
`v’,
`\‘
`
`.
`
`K
`4'
`x
`
`.
`“Wm
`31533
`\:‘,§’-:
`3 V,
`xi‘, V
`
`_.'\]Uk.
`In. M
`
`‘
`
`-‘
`
`‘.
`
`.
`

`
`'
`
`:'."‘ ‘).~,1:§a.
`_.‘,,
`,‘ 4
`g’,.g
`
`3 L«?.Cé.'fé§8. M3
`’ 2’ vi’: ’? Q
`
`‘
`
`i~.3
`
`..,~.\\,.;»,.\,
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`EXHIBIT 4EXHIBIT 4EXHIBIT 4
`
`

`

`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`Dante Peter Spano
`An individual
`
`Petitioner
`
`VS.
`
`Registration No.: 3146505
`'
`,
`.
`’
`‘
`For the mafk: NITRO ENERGY DRINK
`
`Blue Beverages Envasadora Ltd.
`A Brazilian Limited Corporation
`
`Date Registered: September 19, 2006
`
`Cancellation No.: 92050127
`
`Respondent
`
`RESPONDENT’S RESPONSE TO PETITIONER’S FIRST SET OF
`INTERROGATORIES
`
`Pursuant to Rule 33 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Rule
`2.120 ofthe Trademark Rules of Practice (37 C.F.R. 2.120), Petitioner Dante
`Peter Spano, (“Petitioner”), serves its First Set of Interrogatories upon Respondent
`Blue Beverages Envasadora Ltd.. (“Respondent”), to be answered fully in writing
`under oath. A copy of the answer shall be served upon Petitioner’s counsel: Loza
`& Loza, LLP, Chrstina S. Loza, 3200 Guasti Rd., Ste. 100, Ontario, California
`91761, within thirty (30) days after the service hereof. To the extent permitted by
`Rule 26(e) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. these interrogatories are to be
`deemed continuing and the answers hereto are to be supplemented promptly upon
`Respondent’s acquisition of further or additional information.
`
`General Definitions and Instructions
`________________________
`
`All interrogatories are to be answered on the basis of Respondent’s
`knowledge or information and belief, including that of its officers, employees,
`directors, or agents having such knowledge. If any answer is given on
`information and belief, such fact should be stated in the answer.
`
`If any information called for in any interrogatory is being withheld on the
`grounds that it is subject to the attomey-client privilege or any other privilege,
`
`

`

`Respondent is hereby directed to state with respect to such interrogatory that the
`information is being withheld and state the alleged ground of privilege.
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`5.
`
`6.
`
`7.
`
`The following definitions are applicable herein:
`
`The terms “Respondent" and “you" or “yours“ mean and refer to the
`Respondent, Blue Beverages Envasadora Ltd. all assignees of the NITRO
`ENERGY DRINK trademark, Registration No. 3146505, its predecessors,
`or controlled, controlling, or affiliated companies, and Respondent’s past
`a

This document is available on Docket Alarm but you must sign up to view it.


Or .

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.

After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.

Accept $ Charge
throbber

Still 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.

throbber

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.

Become a Member

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

We are redirecting you
to a mobile optimized page.





Document Unreadable or Corrupt

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket

We are unable to display this document.

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket