`ESTTA1207540
`05/06/2022
`
`ESTTA Tracking number:
`
`Filing date:
`
`Proceeding no.
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`Party
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`Correspondence
`address
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`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`92078240
`
`Defendant
`Dreams to Reality Foundation
`
`MOLLY BUCK RICHARD
`RICHARD LAW GROUP
`13355 NOEL RD STE 1350
`DALLAS, TX 75240
`UNITED STATES
`Primary email: molly@richardlawgroup.com
`Secondary email(s): docket@richardlawgroup.com
`214-206-4300
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`Submission
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`Motion for Summary Judgment
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`Filer's name
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`Filer's email
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`Signature
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`Date
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`Attachments
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`Yes, the Filer previously made its initial disclosures pursuant to Trademark Rule
`2.120(a); OR the motion for summary judgment is based on claim or issue pre-
`clusion, or lack of jurisdiction.
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`The deadline for pretrial disclosures for the first testimony period as originally set
`or reset: 08/06/2022
`Molly Buck Richard
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`molly@richardlawgroup.com, docket@richardlawgroup.com
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`/Molly Buck Richard/
`
`05/06/2022
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`Motion for Summary Judgment.pdf(192509 bytes )
`Memorandum In Support of Motion for Summary Judgment.pdf(198407 bytes )
`Declaration of Carmelita Burns.pdf(371943 bytes )
`Declaration of Christopher Matthew Spencer.pdf(2459977 bytes )
`Declaration of Molly Buck Richard.pdf(1304004 bytes )
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`
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Dreams to Reality
`
`
`
`
`Petitioner
`
`
`
`v.
`Dreams to Reality Foundation
`
`
` Registrant
`
`
`
`
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`)
`)
`)
`)
`) Cancellation No. 92078240
` )
` )
` )
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`REGISTRANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
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`Registrant, Dreams to Reality Foundation (“Registrant”), hereby moves the Trademark
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`Trial and Appeal Board (the “Board”) pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56(a) for
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`summary judgment in this proceeding. A Memorandum in Support of Petitioner’s Motion for
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`Summary Judgment, the Declaration of Christopher Matthew Spencer (“Spencer Decl.”), the
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`Declaration of Carmelita Burns (“Burns Decl.”), and the Declaration of Molly Buck Richard
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`(“Richard Decl.”) are being filed concurrently herewith, along with any respective exhibits. In
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`addition, pursuant to T.B.M.P. § 528.03 and 37 C.F.R. § 2.127(d), Registrant requests that the
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`Board suspend all deadlines pending a decision on this motion.
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`This motion is based on the lack of any genuine issues of material fact regarding
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`Registrant’s prior use of the DREAMS TO REALITY FOUNDATION mark (“Registrant’s
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`Mark”) and likelihood of confusion between Registrant’s Mark and Dreams to Reality
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`(“Petitioner”) DREAMS TO REALITY (“Petitioner’s Mark”). With regard to priority of use,
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`Registrant has continuously used Registrant’s Mark since at least as early as May of 1993. On the
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`other hand, Petitioner only started to use Petitioner’s Mark in 2000. As such, Registrant is the
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`senior and prior user of the DREAMS TO REALITY FOUNDATION mark. Petitioner also
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`REGISTRANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT – Page 1
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`asserts a likelihood of confusion with Registrant’s Mark, however, Petitioner has acknowledged
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`that there is no likelihood of confusion.
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`Accordingly, Registrant respectfully submits that a grant of summary judgment on the basis
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`of its clear priority of use and lack of likelihood of confusion in this proceeding is appropriate, and
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`requests that the Board enter such judgment in favor of Registrant and deny the Petition for
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`Cancellation of Registrant’s Mark. Petitioner also requests that the Board suspend all deadlines
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`pending the Board’s decision on this motion.
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`RICHARD LAW GROUP, INC.
`
`
`
`
`
`/Molly Buck Richard/
`Molly Buck Richard
`13355 Noel Road, Suite 1350
`Dallas, Texas 75240
`214-206-4300 (Phone)
`214-206-4330 (Fax)
`molly@richardlawgroup.com
`
`Attorneys for Registrant Dreams to
`Reality Foundation
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`CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
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`
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`I hereby certify that on May 6, 2022, the foregoing document was served upon Petitioner
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` through its counsel of record, Annette Heller, via email to tmattorneyheller@aol.com.
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`___/Molly Buck Richard/________
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`
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`REGISTRANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT – Page 2
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`
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`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Dreams to Reality
`
`
`
`
`Petitioner
`
`
`
`v.
`Dreams to Reality Foundation
`
`
` Registrant
`
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`)
`)
`)
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`) Cancellation No. 92078240
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` )
` )
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`MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF REGISTRANT’S MOTION
`FOR SUMMARY JUDGEMENT
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`I.
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`INTRODUCTION
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`Petitioner Dreams to Reality (“Petitioner”), brought this proceeding to cancel Registrant
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`Dreams to Reality Foundation (“Registrant”) DREAMS TO REALITY FOUNDATION
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`(“Registrant’s Mark”) based on Petitioner’s alleged prior common law rights in the DREAMS TO
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`REALITY mark (“Petitioner’s Mark”). In the Petition for Cancellation, Petitioner asserted that it
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`used Petitioner’s Mark since at least as early as 2000, “long before the filing date of Registrant’s
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`Application” (TTABVUE 1, para. 4) and that “Registrant’s Mark, when used in connection with
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`its services, so resembles Petitioner’s Mark as to be likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake, or
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`to deceive as to the affiliation, connection, or association of Registrant with Petitioner, or as to the
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`origin, sponsorship, or approval of Registrant’s services by Petitioner.” (TTABVUE 1, para. 10).
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`There are no genuine issues of material fact as to priority or likelihood of confusion. As
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`discussed in detail below, Registrant began using Registrant’s Mark in May of 1993, some seven
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`(7) years prior to any date relied upon by Petitioner for the use of Petitioner’s Mark. Thus, there
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`is no issue as to priority.
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`MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF REGISTRANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT - Page 1
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`It is also undisputed that Petitioner cannot establish a likelihood of confusion and in fact,
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`has admitted that there is not likelihood of confusion. Accordingly, a grant of summary judgment
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`for Registrant is appropriate in this instance and Registrant respectfully requests that the Board
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`dismiss the Petition to Cancel. In addition, pursuant to T.B.M.P. § 528.03 and 37 C.F.R. §
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`2.127(d), Registrant requests that the Board suspend all deadlines pending a decision on this
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`motion. Registrant’s motion is also supported by the Declaration of Christopher Matthew Spencer
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`(“Spencer Decl.”) and the Declaration of Carmelita Burns (“Burns Decl.”). The Spencer Decl. and
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`Burns Decl. are filed concurrently with this memorandum.
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`II.
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`UNDISPUTED FACTS
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`1.
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`Registrant is the owner of Reg. No. 5067798 for the mark DREAMS TO REALITY
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`FOUNDATION which was filed on March 16, 2016 and issued on October 25, 2016 (“Registrant’s
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`Registration”) for the following services: “Charitable foundation services, namely, providing
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`financial support to people in need, who may include, but are not limited to, the homeless, families,
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`the vulnerable, victims of circumstance, victims of crimes, veterans, youth, and others, for general
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`relief, food, shelter, scholarships, education, and other financial, and volunteer assistance” in
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`International Class 36. (“Registrant’s Services”). Petitioner claims to be the owner of the mark
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`DREAMS TO REALITY (“Petitioner’s Mark”) in connection with the following services:
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`“Charitable services for providing clothing to woman in transition and operating a resale shop to
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`support its charitable work” for which it claims use since 2000. TTABVUE 1, para. 4.
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`2.
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`Petitioner bases its Petition to Cancel on its alleged prior use of Petitioner’s Mark
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`since 2000 which predates the filing date of Registrant’s Registration on March 16, 2016.
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`TTABVUE 1, para. 9. Additionally, Petitioner claims that there is a likelihood of confusion
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`between Registrant’s Mark and Petitioner’s Mark. TTABVUE 1, para. 10.
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`MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF REGISTRANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT - Page 2
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`3.
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`Petitioner acknowledges that its date of first use for DREAMS TO REALITY is
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`not prior to the year 2000. Richard Decl. ¶ 4.
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`4.
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`Registrant was formed as DREAMS TO REALITY FOUNDATION in 1993, filing
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`the articles of incorporation with the California Secretary of State’s office in August of 1993.
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`Spencer Decl. ¶ 3 and Exhibit A thereto.
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`5.
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`Registrant has continuously used the DREAMS TO REALITY FOUNDATION
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`trademark from 1993 to the present. Spencer Decl. ¶ 15.
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`6.
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`On June 4, 1999, DREAMS TO REALITY FOUNDATION began actively selling
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`on eBay, a global ecommerce marketplace that reaches 195 countries. Dreams to Reality
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`Foundation’s eBay stores receive hundreds of millions of global impressions each year. Dreams
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`to Reality Foundation continues to operate ten eBay Stores to this day. Spencer Decl. ¶ 8.
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`7.
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`In 1995, Kaiser Permanente selected Dreams to Reality Foundation as a preferred
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`nonprofit partner and developed an internationally publicized educational theater program for
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`schools entitled Secrets and Letters. The program consisted of actors who portrayed lifestyle
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`situations and scenes with life lessons; with a focus on HIV/AIDS awareness. The project involved
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`asking children all over the world to submit letters talking about their personal experiences
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`surrounding the HIV/AIDS epidemic at that time. These letters were then read by famous actors
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`including Academy Award-winner Shirley Jones, Tatyana Ali, Michelle Stafford, Kathy Najimy
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`and other notable stars. According to Kaiser Permanente, the educational theater program served
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`at least 8.6 million individuals. Spencer Decl. ¶ 7.
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`8.
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`Since 1993, Carmelita Burns has consigned merchandise to Dreams to Reality
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`Foundation for resale and restored and repaired goods sent to her from Dreams to Reality
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`Foundation for resale. Additionally, beginning in 1999 and continuing to the present, Ms. Burns
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`MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF REGISTRANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT - Page 3
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`has consigned merchandise to Dreams to Reality Foundation for resale on eBay and restored and
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`repaired goods sent to her from Dreams to Reality Foundation for resale on eBay. See Burns Decl.
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`9.
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`Dreams to Reality Foundation’s activities have been mentioned on national news
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`media, including on the television show Geraldo. See Burns Decl. and Spencer Decl. ¶ 6.
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`10.
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`Registrant filed this motion for summary judgment before the August 6, 2022
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`deadline for pretrial disclosures for the first testimony period. TTABVUE 2.
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`11.
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`Petitioner has admitted that if Registrant used the mark DREAMS TO REALITY
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`FOUNDATION prior to the first use of any DREAMS TO REALITY mark of Petitioner,
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`Petitioner will not be able to establish priority of use. Richard Decl. ¶ 5.
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`12.
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`Petitioner has admitted that there is no likelihood of confusion between Registrant’s
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`mark DREAMS TO REALITY FOUNDATION for Registrant’s services and Petitioner’s
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`DREAMS TO REALITY mark for Petitioner’s services. Richard Decl. ¶ 6.
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`13.
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`Petitioner has admitted that Petitioner does not claim that there is a likelihood of
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`confusion between Registrant’s mark DREAMS TO REALITY FOUNDATION and Petitioner’s
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`mark DREAMS TO REALITY. Richard Decl. ¶ 6.
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`14.
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`Petitioner has admitted that there is no likelihood of confusion between the marks
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`DREAMS TO REALITY FOUNDATION and DREAMS TO REALITY. Richard Decl. ¶ 6.
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`III. THE STANDARD FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
`AND BURDEN OF PROOF
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`Summary judgment should be granted, where, as here, it is shown that there is no genuine
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`issue of material fact, and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Federal Rule
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`of Civil Procedure (“FRCP”) 56(c). These general principles of summary judgment apply under
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`FRCP 56 to proceedings before the Board. See, e.g., Sweats Fashions, Inc. v. Pannill Knitting Co.,
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`833 F.2d 1560, 4 U.S.P.Q.2d 1793, 1797 (Fed. Cir. 1987). Thus, summary judgment is an
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`MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF REGISTRANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT - Page 4
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`appropriate method of disposing of an opposition or cancellation proceeding in which there is no
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`genuine issue of material fact on the question of likelihood of confusion. Kellogg Co. v. Pack’Em
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`Enters, Inc., 14 U.S.P.Q.2d 1545 (T.T.A.B. 1990). As the Federal Circuit stated in Pure Gold, Inc.
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`v. Syntex (U.S.A.), Inc., 739 F.2d 624, 222 U.S.P.Q. 741, 743 (Fed. Cir. 1984): The basic purpose
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`of summary judgment procedure is one of judicial economy – to save the time and expense of a
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`full trial when it is unnecessary because the essential facts necessary to decision of the issue can
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`be adequately developed by less costly procedures, as contemplated by the FRCP rules here
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`involved, with a net benefit to society. (Citation omitted). Likewise, summary judgment in an
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`opposition or cancellation proceeding is designed to save the time and expense of a full opposition
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`or cancellation proceeding where there is no genuine issue as to any material fact. Bet Lock Corp.
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`v. Schlage Lock Co., 413 F.2d 1195, 162 U.S.P.Q. 552 (C.C.P.A. 1969). Registrant, as the moving
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`party, has the burden of demonstrating that they are entitled to summary judgment. Celotex Corp.
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`v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 324-25 (1986). By meeting their burden of identifying undisputed facts,
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`Registrant is entitled to relief. Petitioner cannot respond merely by pointing to allegations or
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`denials in the pleadings. Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 586
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`(1986). Instead, Petitioner must submit specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial.
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`Id. at 587. In doing so, Petitioner must present evidence from which a reasonable trier of fact might
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`return a verdict in its favor. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 249-50 (1986). As there
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`are no genuine issues of material fact, summary judgment in favor of Registrant is appropriate.
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`ARGUMENT
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`THERE IS NO GENUINE ISSUE OF MATERIAL
`FACT THAT REGISTRANT HAS PRIORITY OF USE
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`
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`Petitioner claims that because it first used its mark in 2000, six years prior to the registration
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`date of the mark DREAMS FOR REALITY FOUNDATION, that it has priority of use. However,
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`MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF REGISTRANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT - Page 5
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`
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`the undisputed summary judgment evidence establishes conclusively that Registrant has
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`continuously used its mark since 1993, well before Petitioner’s claimed date of first use within
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`each of the states in the United States and indeed globally. See Spencer Decl. and Burns Decl.
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`As noted in the Richard Decl., Registrant served its Second Set of Requests for Admission
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`on March 28, 2022 and Petitioner failed to respond to the discovery requests. As a result, the
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`Requests for Admission are deemed admitted. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 36 (a)(3). Fed. R. Civ. P.
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`36(a)(3) provides that requests for admissions are deemed admitted unless written answers or
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`objections thereto are received by the requesting party within thirty days of service of the requests.
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`In this case, Petitioner did not make any attempt to submit either its answers or objections to
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`Registrant.
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`The effect of these admissions is that Petitioner has admitted (1) “if Registrant used the
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`mark DREAMS TO REALITY FOUNDATION prior to the first use of any DREAMS TO
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`REALITY mark of Petitioner, Petitioner will not be able to establish priority of use.” Richard Decl.
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`¶ 6; (2) “there is no likelihood of confusion between Registrant’s mark DREAMS TO REALITY
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`FOUNDATION for Registrant’s services and Petitioner’s DREAMS TO REALITY mark for
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`Petitioner’s services.” Richard Decl. ¶ 6; (3); “Petitioner does not claim that there is a likelihood
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`of confusion between Registrant’s mark DREAMS TO REALITY FOUNDATION and
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`Petitioner’s mark DREAMS TO REALITY.” Richard Decl. ¶ 6; and (4) “there is no likelihood of
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`confusion between the marks DREAMS TO REALITY FOUNDATION and DREAMS TO
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`REALITY.” Richard Decl. ¶ 6.
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`Thus, Petitioner has admitted that if Registrant used its mark prior to Petitioner’s first use
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`of its mark, Petitioner will not be able to establish priority, there is no likelihood of confusion
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`between Registrant’s mark for its services and Petitioner’s mark for its services, Petitioner does
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`MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF REGISTRANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT - Page 6
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`not claim that there is a likelihood of confusion between the parties’ marks, and there is no
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`likelihood of confusion between the marks DREAMS TO REALITY FOUNDATION and
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`DREAMS TO REALITY.
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`In serving requests for admission, a party asks its adversary to stipulate to certain matters
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`as a means of reducing issues for trial. See TBMP § 407.02. Fed. R. Civ. P. 36(a) requires that the
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`answering party admit or deny the matter set forth in the requests for admission or detail the
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`reasons why the party can do neither. An admission in response to a request for admission
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`conclusively establishes the matter that is the subject of that request. Fed. R. Civ. P. 36(b). “This
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`conclusive effect applies to those admissions made affirmatively and those established by default,
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`even if the matters admitted relate to material facts that defeat a party’s claim.” American
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`Automobile Ass’n v. AAA Legal Clinic of Jefferson Crooke, P.C., 930 F.2d 1117, 19 USPQ2d 1142,
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`1144 (5th Cir. 1991)(citing United States v. Kasuboski, 834 F.2d 1345, 1350 (7th Cir. 1987);
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`Rainbolt v. Johnson, 669 F.2d 767, 769 (D.C.Cir. 1981); Brook Village North Assocs. v. General
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`Electric Co., 686 F.2d 66, 70 (1st Cir. 1982)); see Fram Trak Indus. Inc. v. WireTracks LLC, 77
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`USPQ2d 2000, 2005 (TTAB 2006)(“Respondent failed to respond to petitioner’s requests for
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`admission and failed to file a motion to amend or withdraw those admissions. Accordingly, those
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`requests for admission are deemed admitted and conclusively established.”).
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`As a result of Petitioner’s failure to respond to the Second Set of Requests for Admission,
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`they are deemed admitted under Fed. R. Civ. P. 36 (a)(3) and TBMP 407.03(a). In addition to the
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`admissions made by Petitioner, Registrant has conclusively established its continuous use of its
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`mark DREAMS TO REALITY FOUNDATION since 1993, well prior to Petitioner’s claimed first
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`use of 2000. Thus, summary judgment should be granted on the issue of priority.
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`MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF REGISTRANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT - Page 7
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`THERE IS NO LIKELIHOOD OF CONFUSION
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`In order for Petitioner to prevail in this cancellation proceeding, it must first establish
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`priority of use and then likelihood of confusion. TBMP 309.03 (c)(2). Because Petitioner cannot
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`establish priority of use, its likelihood of confusion claim under Section 2(d) fails. RxD Media,
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`LLC v. IP Application Development LLC 125 USPQ2d 1801 (TTAB 2018). As noted above,
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`Petitioner cannot establish prior use as Registrant has conclusively established its use of the mark
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`DREAMS TO REALITY FOUNDATION as of 1993 and continuing to the present. As such,
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`summary judgment should be issued for Registrant on likelihood of confusion.
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`Petitioner has admitted that it does not claim there is a likelihood of confusion. In response
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`to Interrogatory No. 15, when asked if Petitioner claimed there was a likelihood of confusion
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`between the parties’ marks, Petitioner answered “No due to the type of services offered by
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`Petitioner.” Richard Decl. ¶ 6. Additionally, based on the deemed admissions for Registrant’s
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`Second Set of Requests for Admission, Petitioner has admitted the following with respect to
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`likelihood of confusion: (1) “there is no likelihood of confusion between Registrant’s mark
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`DREAMS TO REALITY FOUNDATION for Registrant’s services and Petitioner’s DREAMS
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`TO REALITY mark for Petitioner’s services.” Richard Decl. ¶ 6; (2) “Petitioner does not claim
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`that there is a likelihood of confusion between Registrant’s mark DREAMS TO REALITY
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`FOUNDATION and Petitioner’s mark DREAMS TO REALITY.” Richard Decl. ¶ 6; and (3)
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`“there is no likelihood of confusion between the marks DREAMS TO REALITY FOUNDATION
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`and DREAMS TO REALITY.” Richard Decl. ¶ 6.
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`As the Board held in Moke America LLC v. Moke USA, LLC 2020 USPQ2d 10400 (TTAB
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`2020):
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`“Prior use is a necessary element of any claim of likelihood of confusion under Section
`2(d) of the Trademark Act. We need not reach the merits of the likelihood of confusion
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`MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF REGISTRANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT - Page 8
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`claim because without proof of priority, Opposer cannot prevail. See Life Zone Inc. v.
`Middleman Grp., Inc., 87 USPQ2d 1953, 1960 (TTAB 2008); see also Exec. Coach
`Builders, Inc. v. SPV Coach Co., 123 USPQ2d 1175, 1199 (TTAB 2017).”
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`WHEREFORE, Registrant respectfully requests that the Board grant summary judgment
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`in favor of Registrant and dismiss this cancellation proceeding.
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`
`
`By:
`
`
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`RICHARD LAW GROUP, INC.
`
`/Molly Buck Richard/
`Molly Buck Richard
`13355 Noel Road, Suite 1350
`Dallas, Texas 75240
`Telephone: (214) 206-4300
`Facsimile: (214) 206-4330
`molly@richardlawgroup.com
`
`Counsel for Defendant Dreams to Reality
`Foundation
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`
`
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`CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
`
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`I hereby certify that on May 6, 2022, a true and complete copy of Defendant’s
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`Memorandum In Support of Motion for Summary Judgment and Declarations and Exhibits were
`served upon Annette Heller, counsel for Plaintiff via email to tmattorneyheller@aol.com.
`
`
`/Molly Buck Richard/
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`MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF REGISTRANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT - Page 9
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`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE BEFORE
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`THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
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`DREAMS TO REALITY,
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`Plaintiff,
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`v.
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`DREAMS TO REALITY
`FOUNDATION,
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`
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`Defendant.
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`
`
`§
`§
`§
`§
`§
`§
`§
`§
`§
`§
`§
` §
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`
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`Cancellation No. 92078240
`
`Reg. No. 5067798
`
`
`Mark: DREAMS TO REALITY
`
`
`FOUNDATION
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`DECLARATION OF CARMELITA BURNS UNDER 37 C.F.R. §2.20
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`I, Carmelita Burns make this declaration on behalf of the Defendant,
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`Dreams to Reality Foundation, in the above referenced matter. I have personal
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`knowledge of the facts stated in this Declaration.
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`I am a resident of Niangua which is a city located in Webster County,
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`Missouri. I am in the business of manufacturing jewelry; and repairing and
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`restoring jewelry, antiques and collectibles. I have been in this occupation for
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`the past four decades.
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`I was
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`introduced to Dreams to Reality Foundation’s co-founder
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`Christopher Matthew Spencer in 1985 through a mutual business associate
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`and Beverly Hills antique dealer, Mike Richards.
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`Mr. Spencer co-founded Dreams to Reality Foundation in 1993 and at
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`that time, invited me to become a vendor of the Dreams to Reality Foundation’s
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`fundraising program in which donated items are evaluated, restored, repaired
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`
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`and resold on ecommerce sites including eBay. Later on those sites included
`Etsy, Facebook, Craigslist and Shopify.
`From at least 1993 to the present, I consigned merchandise to Dreams to
`Reality Foundation for resale and restored and repaired goods sent to me by
`Dreams to Reality Foundation for resale.
`As early as 1999 and continuing until
`the present,
`I consigned
`merchandise to Dreams to Reality Foundation for resale on eBay and restored
`and repaired goods sent to me by Dreams to Reality Foundation for resale on
`eBay.
`
`I became aware of Dreams to Reality Foundation’s
`As early as 1994,
`activities being mentioned on national news media including Dreams to Reality
`Foundation being featured on Geraldo, an internationally syndicated-talk show
`hosted by Geraldo Rivera
`The undersigned being hereby warned that willful false statements and
`the like so made are punishable by fine or imprisonment, or both, under 18
`U.S.C. 1001, and that such willful false statements and the like may jeopardize
`the validity of the application or document or any registration resulting
`therefrom, declares that all statements made of her own knowledge are true;
`and all statements made on information and belief are believed to be true.
`_, 2022.
`M01142; fiat/(M
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`Dated thisii day of
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`i
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`CKRMELITA BURNS
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`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE BEFORE
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`THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
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`DREAMS TO REALITY,
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`Plaintiff,
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`v.
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`DREAMS TO REALITY
`FOUNDATION,
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`Defendant.
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`Cancellation No. 92078240
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`Reg. No. 5067798
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`Mark: DREAMS TO REALITY
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`FOUNDATION
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`DECLARATION OF CHRISTOPHER MATTHEW SPENCER
`UNDER 37 C.F.R. §2.20
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`I, Christopher Matthew Spencer make this declaration on behalf of the
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`Defendant, Dreams to Reality Foundation, in the above referenced matter. I
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`have personal knowledge of the facts stated in this Declaration.
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`1. I am a resident of Burbank which is a city located in Los Angeles
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`County, California.
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`2. In 1993, I worked in the entertainment industry as a management
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`executive for celebrity actors and musicians. I represented Dean
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`Butler as his management executive at that time. Dean Butler is an
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`actor best known to audiences for his portrayal of Almanzo Wilder
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`from 1979 to 1983 on the pioneer television drama, Little House on
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`the Prairie. He portrayed Moondoggie in the syndicated television
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`comedy series The New Gidget from 1986 to 1988, and Buffy's dad,
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`Hank Summers, on Buffy the Vampire Slayer from 1997 to 2003. On
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`Broadway Dean played Rapunzal's Prince in the original company of
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`Into the Woods, toured internationally as Tony in West Side Story, and
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`appeared with Carol Burnett in a production of Company.
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`3. Mr. Butler and I share a strong interest in philanthropy, and we met
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`for a brainstorming session in May of 1993 at which time we came up
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`with the idea to start a nonprofit foundation to help individuals in
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`need globally. Mr. Butler and I agreed to utilize his television and
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`Broadway fame to attract sponsors, support, and other celebrities to
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`help as many people as possible.
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`4. Mr. Butler and I decided on the name for this organization and
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`founded Dreams to Reality Foundation on May 25, 1993, filed
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`Dreams to Reality Foundation’s articles of incorporation with the
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`State of California on August 13, 1993 (Exhibit A), and applied for tax
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`exemption with the Internal Revenue Service under 501(c)(3) of the
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`Revenue Code on September 1, 1993 (Exhibit B) which the Internal
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`Revenue Service granted in November 1993 (Exhibit C). The California
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`Franchise Tax Board granted tax exempt status to Dreams to Reality
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`Foundation on August 13, 1993 (Exhibit D).
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`5. English composer Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, winner of Tony Awards,
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`Grammy Awards, an Academy Award and a Golden Globe award;
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`partnered with Dreams to Reality Foundation, Dean Butler and me to
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`produce the Los Angeles performances of the worldwide hit musical
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`production of Evita held at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre on October 22-
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`24, 1993. Michelle Pfeiffer and her husband producer David E. Kelley
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`attended the opening night performance in an official arrangement by
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`Hollywood Pictures so that Ms. Pfeiffer could conduct research for the
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`role of Eva Peron in anticipation of her consideration to star in the
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`film adaptation of Evita.
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`6. Dreams to Reality Foundation responded to the 1994 Northridge
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`earthquake by holding an internationally publicized fundraiser in
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`partnership with Paramount Studios that was authorized and
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`attended by Paramount Studios then-president Sherry Lansing. Sam
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`Haskell of William Morris Agency served as the celebrity talent broker
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`for the fundraiser. Mr. Haskell arranged for the personal appearances
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`of many world-renown celebrities to participate in the internationally
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`publicized Achey Quakey benefit with 100% of the proceeds
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`benefitting Dreams to Reality Foundation. Mr. Haskell’s clients who
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`participated included Helen Hunt, Tyne Daly, Meshach Taylor,
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`Gregory Harrison, Carol Channing, Bruce Davison, Debby Boone,
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`Stephanie Zimbalist and Stephanie Powers (Exhibit F). The Achey
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`Quakey benefit was
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`featured on Geraldo, an
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`internationally
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`syndicated talk show hosted by Geraldo Rivera which brought
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`awareness of Dreams to Reality Foundation to all 50 states within the
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`US as well as many countries within which Geraldo was syndicated.
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`7. Kaiser Permanente is an integrated managed care consortium
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`operating since July 21, 1945 across the United States employs more
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`than 300,000 workers including more than 63,000 nurses and more
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`than 23,000 physicians. In 1995, Kaiser Permanente selected Dreams
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`to Reality Foundation as a preferred nonprofit partner and developed
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`an internationally publicized educational theater program for schools
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`entitled Secrets and Letters. The program consisted of actors who
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`portrayed lifestyle situations and scenes with life lessons; with a
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`focus on HIV/AIDS awareness. The project involved asking children
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`all over the world to submit letters talking about their personal
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`experiences surrounding the HIV/AIDS epidemic at that time. These
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`letters were then read by famous actors including Academy Award-
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`winner Shirley Jones, Tatyana Ali, Michelle Stafford, Kathy Najimy
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`and other notable stars. According to Kaiser Permanente, the
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`educational theater program served at least 8.6 million individuals.
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`8. On June 4, 1999, Dreams to Reality Foundation began actively selling
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`on eBay, a global ecommerce marketplace that reaches 195 countries.
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`Dreams to Reality Foundation’s eBay stores receive hundreds of
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`millions of global
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`impressions each year. Dreams to Reality
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`Foundation continues to operate ten eBay Stores to this day.
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`9. Dreams to Reality Foundation also actively sells donated goods under
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`its Mark on Craigslist, Etsy, Facebook and Shopify; each of which has
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`exposure to every country with audiences in the millions (for
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`Facebook, in the billions).
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`10. Between 2000 and 2007, representatives of Dreams to Reality
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`Foundation spoke at internationally promoted events for nonprofit
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`leaders organized by The Points of Light Institute.
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`11. As Dreams to Reality Foundation’s co-founder, I have spoken at over
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`200 tradeshows, roadshows and keynotes in which I discussed
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`Dreams to Reality Foundation in all 50 states.
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`12. In 2007, Dreams to Reality Foundation was selected by eBay to be the
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`recipient nonprofit organization in connection with their national
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`Winnervators road show starring Andy Richter and Paul F. Tomkins.
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`13. In 2009, seven-time Grammy nominated The Killers rock band
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`partnered with Dreams to Reality Foundation for a globally promoted
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`auction campaign.
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`14. In 2010, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals partnered with Dreams
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`to Reality Foundation on national fundraising activities. At the time,
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`Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals operated the largest telethon in
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`the world.
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`15. In 2016, five-time Grammy Award-winner Janet Jackson partnered
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`with Dreams to Reality Foundation for a globally promoted online
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`auction campaign.
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`16. In 2016, Kathy Ireland partnered with Dreams to Reality Foundation
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`for a globally promoted online auction campaign in an official co-
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`partnership with The Walt Disney Company.
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`17. At any one time, Dreams to Reality Foundation has, on aggregate,
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`more than 18,000 product ads running in 195 countries online in all
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`of the ecommerce stores it operates.
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`18. Dreams to Reality Foundation has been continuously using its Mark
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`from 1993 to the present day.
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`The undersigned being hereby warned that willful false statements and
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`the like so made are punishable by fine or imprisonment, or both, under 18
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`U.S.C. 1001, and that such willful false statements and the like may jeopardize
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`the validity of the application or document or any registration resulting
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`therefrom, declares that all statements made of her own knowledge are true;
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`and all statements made on information and belief are believed to be true.
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`Dated this 5th day of May, 2022.
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`_____________________________________
`CHRISTOPHER MATTHEW SPENCER
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`EXHIBIT A
`EXHIBIT A
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`QF
`DREAMS TO REALITY FOUNDATION
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`ONE: The name ofthis corporation is Dreams to Reality Foundation.
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`TWO: This corporation is a nonprofit public benefit carporation and is not
`organized for the private gain of any person. It is orga