ESTTA Tracking number:
`
`ESTTA1406907
`
`Filing date:
`
`01/08/2025
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`Proceeding no.
`
`91295170
`
`Party
`
`Correspondence
`address
`
`Defendant
`I-1 Group, LLC
`
`REXFORD BRABSON
`T-REX LAW, P.C.
`7040 AVENIDA ENCINAS #104-333
`CARLSBAD, CA 92011
`UNITED STATES
`Primary email: rex@t-rexlaw.com
`Secondary email(s): jfranco@t-rexlaw.com, shae@t-rexlaw.com
`858-220-0518
`
`Submission
`
`Filer's name
`
`Filer's email
`
`Signature
`
`Date
`
`Answer
`
`Jorge M. Franco
`
`jfranco@t-rexlaw.com
`
`/Jorge M. Franco/
`
`01/08/2025
`
`Attachments
`
`2024.1.08 - Answer.pdf(344315 bytes )
`
`
`
`ESTTA1406907
`
`Filing date:
`
`01/08/2025
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`Proceeding no.
`
`91295170
`
`Party
`
`Correspondence
`address
`
`Defendant
`I-1 Group, LLC
`
`REXFORD BRABSON
`T-REX LAW, P.C.
`7040 AVENIDA ENCINAS #104-333
`CARLSBAD, CA 92011
`UNITED STATES
`Primary email: rex@t-rexlaw.com
`Secondary email(s): jfranco@t-rexlaw.com, shae@t-rexlaw.com
`858-220-0518
`
`Submission
`
`Filer's name
`
`Filer's email
`
`Signature
`
`Date
`
`Answer
`
`Jorge M. Franco
`
`jfranco@t-rexlaw.com
`
`/Jorge M. Franco/
`
`01/08/2025
`
`Attachments
`
`2024.1.08 - Answer.pdf(344315 bytes )
`
`
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE BEFORE THE
`TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`
`In the matter of Trademark Ser. No. 98334496
`Applicant:
`I-1 Group, LLC
`Mark:
`NO. 221B
`
`221B PARTNERS PLLC,
`
`
`
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`) Opposition No. 91295170
`)
` )
` )
`)
`)
` )
`
`Opposer,
`
`vs.
`
`
`
`
`I-1 Group, LLC,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Applicant.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`Trademark Trial and Appeal Board
`P.O. Box 1451
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1451
`
`APPLICANTS’ ANSWER
`
`
`In response to 221B PARTNERS PLLC (“Opposer”) Notice of Opposition, Applicant I-1
`
`Group, LLC (“Applicant”) respond as follows:
`
`Applicant denies each and every allegation of the Notice of Opposition unless it is
`
`expressly admitted herein:
`
`1)
`
`Applicant is without sufficient knowledge or information to form a belief as to the
`
`allegations of paragraph 1, and therefore, deny the same.
`
`2)
`
`Applicant is without sufficient knowledge or information to form a belief as to the
`
`allegations of paragraph 2, and therefore, deny the same.
`
`
`
`1
`
`
`
`3)
`
`Applicant is without sufficient knowledge or information to form a belief as to the
`
`allegations of paragraph 3, and therefore, deny the same.
`
`4)
`
`Admitted to the extent that this information appears to be the same as in Applicant’s
`
`Application.
`
`5)
`
`Admitted to the extent that this information appears to be the same as in Applicant’s
`
`Application.
`
`6)
`
`7)
`
`No response is necessary for paragraph 6.
`
`Applicant is without sufficient knowledge or information to form a belief as to the
`
`allegations of paragraph 7, and therefore, deny the same.
`
`8)
`
`Paragraph 8 calls for a legal conclusion to which no response is necessary. To the extent
`
`a response is necessary, Applicants deny the allegations.
`
`9)
`
`Paragraph 9 calls for a legal conclusion to which no response is necessary. To the extent
`
`a response is necessary, Applicants deny the allegations.
`
`10)
`
` Paragraph 10 calls for a legal conclusion to which no response is necessary. To the
`
`extent a response is necessary, Applicants deny the allegations.
`
`AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES
`
`First Affirmative Defense: There is no likelihood of confusion, mistake, or deception
`
`1)
`
`between Opposer’s Marks and Applicant’s Mark.
`
`a. Specifically, Applicant’s Mark and Opposer’s Marks differ in appearance, sound,
`
`connotation, and commercial impression.
`
`i. The Board has routinely found that likelihood of confusion cannot be
`
`presumed between marks, even where a mark comprises the whole of
`
`another mark, and even where the goods at issue are related. Coca-Cola
`
`Bottling Co. v. Joseph E. Seagram & Sons, Inc., 526 F.2d 556, 188 USPQ
`
`2
`
`
`
`
`
`105 (CCPA 1975). See, e.g., S.C. Johnson & Sons, Inc. v. Johnson, 266
`
`F.2d 129, 121 U.S.P.Q. 590 (1959) (JOHNSON and JOHNSON
`
`PRODUCTS CO. are not confusingly similar); Clayton Mark & Co. v.
`
`Westinghouse Elec. Corp., 356 F.2d 943, 53 C.C.P.A. 951, 148 U.S.P.Q.
`
`672 (C.C.P.A. 1964) (not confusingly similar: MARK 75 for electrical
`
`circuit breakers and MARK for electrical conduits); Colgate-Palmolive
`
`Co. v. Carter-Wallace, Inc. 432 F.2d 1400, 58 C.C.P.A. 735, 167 U.S.P.Q.
`
`529 (C.C.PA. 1970) (not confusingly similar: PEAK and PEAK
`
`PERIOD); Lever Bros. Co. v. Barcolene Co., 463 F.2d 1107, 59 C.C.P.A.
`
`1162, 174 U.S.P.Q. 392 (C.C.P.A. 1972) (not confusingly similar: ALL
`
`and ALL DISWASHER ALL, FLUFFY ALL, COLD WATER ALL);
`
`Application of Ferrero F.2d 1395, 178 U.S.P.Q. 167 (C.C.P.A. 1973) (not
`
`confusingly similar: TIC TAC and TIC TAC TOE; Conde Nast
`
`Publications, Inc. v. Miss Quality, Inc., 507 F.2d 1404, 184 U.S.P.Q. 422
`
`(C.C.P.A. 1975) (not confusingly similar: VOGUE and COUNTRY
`
`VOGUE); Plus Prod. v. General Mills, Inc., 188 U.S.P.Q. 520 (T.T.A.B.
`
`1975) (not confusingly similar: PROTEIN PLUS and PROTEIN); Lever
`
`Bros. Co. v. American Bakeries Co., 693 F.2d 251, 216 U.S.P.Q. 177 (2nd
`
`Cir. 1982) (not confusingly similar: AUTUMN GRAIN and AUTUMN).
`
`ii. In AH Sportswear v. Victoria's Secret Stores, 237 F.3d 198 (3d Cir. 2000),
`
`the Third Circuit upheld the District Court’s determination that
`
`MIRACLESUIT and THE MIRACLE BRA were distinct from one
`
`another on an aesthetic level. Despite sharing the term MIRACLE, the
`
`
`
`3
`
`
`
`marks contained a different number of syllables, and the last syllable of
`
`each differed. Moreover, MIRACLESUIT was a single word, whereas
`
`THE MIRACLE BRA was three discrete words. Id. Together, these facts
`
`led to a holding that the marks sounded different from one another.
`
`iii. Here, in terms of visual appearance, Applicant’s “NO. 221B” includes the
`
`abbreviation “NO.”, which alters the visual perception of the mark. “221B
`
`Partners” includes the term “Partners”, giving it a multi-word, business-
`
`oriented appearance that contracts with the standalone or similar structure
`
`of “NO. 221B”.
`
`iv. In terms of sound, Opposer’s Marks and Applicant’s Marks are also very
`
`distinct. Applicant’s Mark has the pronunciation of “NO. 221B” is district
`
`due to the inclusion of “number” or “no dot”, which introduces an
`
`additional phonetic element. Whereas “221B Partners” has a corporate
`
`tone, emphasizing the word “Partners,” which changes how the mark is
`
`spoken and perceived.
`
`v. Even in cases addressing identical marks (not at issue here), different
`
`connotations can preclude a likelihood of confusion. See, e.g., In re Sydel
`
`Lingerie Co., 197 U.S.P.Q. 629, 630 (T.T.A.B. 1977) (holding
`
`BOTTOMS UP for ladies’ and children’s underwear and BOTTOMS UP
`
`for men’s clothing not likely to cause confusion, concluding that the words
`
`connote drinking when applied to men’s clothing, but have a different
`
`connotation when applied to underwear); In re Sears, Roebuck & Co., 2
`
`U.S.P.Q.2d 1312, 1314-15 (T.T.A.B. 1987) (CROSS-OVER for bras was
`
`
`
`4
`
`
`
`not confusingly similar to CROSSOVER for ladies’ sportswear given the
`
`different connotations). Here, Applicant’s mark “NO. 221B” may evoke a
`
`concept tied to an address, item number, or unique identifier, which could
`
`align with specific branding choices or a connect to Sherlock Holmes’
`
`famous address (221B Baker Street). “221B Partners,” by contrast, suggest
`
`a collaborative business entity or partnership, which creates a different
`
`commercial impression.
`
`vi. Moreover, marks are to be compared in their entireties; therefore, the issue
`
`is whether the marks are “sufficiently similar in terms of their commercial
`
`impression such that persons who encounter the marks would be likely to
`
`assume a connection between the parties.” Coach Servs. Inc. v. Triumph
`
`Learning LLC, 668 F.3d 1356, 101 USPQ2d 1713, 1721 (Fed. Cir. 2012).
`
`vii. Finally, there are a huge number of third-party registrations containing the
`
`term “PANDA” for related goods and services. This indicates Opposer
`
`exists in a crowded market, and Opposer’s scope of protection should be
`
`limited. A representative, non-exhaustive list of these registrations is as
`
`follows:
`
`Mark
`
`Details
`
`Goods/Services
`
`Owner
`
`B1 SURVEILLANCE
`Disclaims: "SURVEILLANCE"
`Jurisdiction: US
`Reg: 7283664
`Serial: 97578329
`
`Registered
`Reg: 01/23/2024
`Pub: 11/07/2023
`Filed: 09/04/2022
`First Use: 04/01/2020
`Current Basis: Use
`Registered
`
`045 rental of security
`camera surveillance
`equipment;
`
`
`B1knight Surveillance LLC
`AKA B1Knight
`
`806 Buchanan Blvd #115-
`293
`Boulder City NV 89005
`US
`
`
`
`5
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`OPENADR 2.0B CERTIFIED
`Disclaims: "2.0B CERTIFIED"
`Jurisdiction: US
`Reg: 6642097
`Serial: 90189558
`2(f) claim: 90189558
`
`Registered
`Reg: 02/15/2022
`Pub: 11/30/2021
`Filed: 09/17/2020
`First Use: 08/01/2013
`Current Basis: Use
`Registered
`
`
`
`
`
`221B BAKER ST. PUB &
`GRILL
`Disclaims: "PUB & GRILL"
`Jurisdiction: US
`Reg: 2558697
`Serial: 76267542
`
`Registered
`Renewal: 04/09/2022
`Affidavits: 8; 15
`Reg: 04/09/2002
`Pub: 01/15/2002
`Filed: 06/06/2001
`First Use: 11/01/2000
`Current Basis: Use
`Registered And Renewed
`
`OpenADR Alliance
`
`Suite 200
`111 Deerwood Rd.
`San Ramon CA 94583
`US
`
`042 testing, analysis and
`evaluation of the goods and
`services of others for the
`purpose of determining
`conformity with
`certification standards;
`testing, analysis, and
`evaluation of the goods of
`others to assure
`compliance with industry
`standards;
`
`
`042 pub, lounge and night
`club services;
`
`
`HOSPITALITY USA
`HOLDINGS, LLC
`
`5423 E. 5th Street, Suite D
`Houston TX 77493
`US
`
`
`
`
`
`B3 SECURITY
`Disclaims: "SECURITY"
`Jurisdiction: US
`Reg: 5599966
`Serial: 87828399
`
`
`
`Registered
`Affidavits: 8; 15
`Reg: 11/06/2018
`Pub: 08/21/2018
`Filed: 03/09/2018
`First Use: 08/18/2015
`
`045 physical security
`services for the protection
`of people and tangible
`property, namely, providing
`security personnel for site
`security, event security,
`
`B3 Security Group LLC
`
`284 W. Meadows Lane
`Maxwelton WV 24957
`US
`
`6
`
`
`
`Current Basis: Use
`Section 8 & 15 - Accepted
`And Acknowledged
`
`corporate security,
`personal protection and
`campus security;
`
`
`1B
`Jurisdiction: US
`Reg: 4075889
`Serial: 79098148
`
`Registered
`Reg: 12/27/2011
`Pub: 10/11/2011
`Filed: 04/08/2011
`Current Basis: Madrid
`Section 71 - Accepted
`
`045 licensing of intellectual
`property; legal services,
`namely, management of
`intellectual property for
`others;
`
`
`One-Blue, LLC
`
`520 White Plains Road,
`Suite 500
`Tarrytown NY 10591
`US
`
`
`
`
`
`221B BAKER STREET
`Jurisdiction: US
`Reg: 5510422
`Serial: 79215236
`
`Registered
`Reg: 07/10/2018
`Pub: 04/24/2018
`Filed: 05/09/2017
`Current Basis: Madrid
`Registered
`
`adp Merkur GmbH
`
`Merkur-Allee 1-15
`32339 Espelkamp
`DE
`
`009 computer software for
`playing video games, word
`processing, database
`management; computer
`and video games software;
`games software for use on
`any computer platform,
`including electronic
`entertainment and games
`consoles; computer game
`programs; video games
`software; downloadable
`computer software for
`playing computer games
`downloadable from the
`internet; downloadable
`software for playing online
`computer games, in
`particular for playing online
`betting games, online prize
`games, online gambling
`games, online games of skill
`and online casino games;
`computer software in the
`form of a downloadable
`application for mobile
`devices and computers for
`playing video games,
`
`
`
`7
`
`
`
`betting and games of
`chance; downloadable
`computer software for
`playing casino and
`amusement arcade games
`for playing casino und
`amusement arcade games
`for gaming machines, slot
`machines and video lottery
`gaming machines and
`playing games of chance via
`the internet; gaming
`software that generates or
`displays wager;
`
`
`018 backpacks;
`
`
`221B Resources
`
`1601 Martin Road
`Wall Township NJ 07753
`US
`
`221B TACTICAL ELIMINATE
`THE IMPOSSIBLE
`Disclaims: "TACTICAL"
`Jurisdiction: US
`Reg: 5674646
`Serial: 88006051
`
`Registered
`Reg: 02/12/2019
`Pub: 11/27/2018
`Filed: 06/19/2018
`First Use: 06/01/2014
`Current Basis: Use
`Registered
`
`
`
`
`
`221 B BAKER STREET
`Jurisdiction: US
`Reg: 1039333
`Serial: 73061944
`
`B
`Jurisdiction: US
`Reg: 6339908
`Serial: 90156319
`
`
`
`Registered
`Renewal: 05/11/2016
`Affidavits: 8; 15
`Reg: 05/11/1976
`Filed: 09/02/1975
`First Use: 05/18/1975
`Current Basis: Use
`Registered And Renewed
`
`Registered
`Reg: 05/04/2021
`Pub: 02/16/2021
`Filed: 09/03/2020
`First Use: 06/25/2020
`Current Basis: Use
`
`028 equipment sold as a
`unit for playing a parlor
`type board game;
`
`
`045 legal services; legal
`advisory services;
`
`
`JAMES FRANCIS MORIARTY,
`JR. LIVING TRUST DATED
`SEPTEMBER ON
`SEPTEMBER 2, 1989
`
`42 8TH STREET
`HERMOSA BEACH CA 90254
`US
`
`Barton Legal S.C.
`
`313 North Plankinton Ave.,
`Suite 207
`Milwaukee WI 53203
`US
`
`8
`
`
`
`Registered
`
`Registered
`Reg: 09/27/2022
`Pub: 07/12/2022
`Filed: 09/01/2021
`First Use: 12/01/2017
`Current Basis: Use
`Registered
`
`
`
`B
`Jurisdiction: US
`Reg: 6858349
`Serial: 97007350
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Brooke Boltz PA
`
`150 SE 2nd Ave, Ste 300
`Miami FL 33131
`US
`
`045 legal services; legal
`advisory services; legal
`advisory services in the
`field of personal injury,
`negligent security, personal
`injury protection, property
`damage and premises
`liability; legal consultation
`services; legal consulting
`services in the field of
`personal injury, negligent
`security, personal injury
`protection, property
`damage and premises
`liability; legal information
`services; legal information
`services in the field of
`personal injury, negligent
`security, personal injury
`protection, property
`damage and premises
`liability; attorney services,
`namely, representation of
`clients in personal injury,
`negligent security, personal
`injury protection, property
`damage and premises
`liability matters; providing
`legal services in the field of
`personal injury, negligent
`security, personal injury
`protection, property
`damage and premises
`liability; providing
`customized legal
`information, counseling,
`and advice, and litigation
`
`
`
`9
`
`
`
`services in the field of
`personal injury, negligent
`security, personal injury
`protection, property
`damage and premises
`liability; providing
`information about legal
`services for accident
`victims, homeowners and
`injured people via a
`website;
`
`
`042 domain registry
`operator services;
`
`045 domain name
`registration services;
`
`
`045 legal services;
`
`
`XYZ.COM LLC
`DBA XYZ
`
`FL 1
`2800 Olympic Blvd
`Santa Monica CA 90404
`US
`
`Barakat + Bossa, PLLC
`
`Ste 202
`2701 Ponce de Leon Blvd
`Coral Gables FL 33134
`US
`
`1.111B
`Jurisdiction: US
`Reg: 5308673
`Serial: 87441281
`Supplemental Reg.:
`87441281
`
`B2B
`Jurisdiction: US
`Reg: 6829500
`Serial: 90624530
`Supplemental Reg.:
`90624530
`
`Registered
`Affidavits: 8
`Reg: 10/10/2017
`Filed: 05/08/2017
`First Use: 04/15/2017
`Current Basis: Use
`Section 8 - Accepted
`
`Registered
`Reg: 08/23/2022
`Filed: 04/05/2021
`First Use: 11/30/2020
`Current Basis: Use
`Registered
`
`
`
`
`
`B M 1876
`Disclaims: "1876"
`Jurisdiction: US
`Reg: 5228578
`Serial: 86551743
`
`045 legal services;
`
`
`Barret & McNagny LLP
`
`215 East Berry Street
`Fort Wayne IN 46802
`US
`
`Registered
`Affidavits: 8; 15
`Reg: 06/20/2017
`Pub: 09/15/2015
`Filed: 03/03/2015
`First Use: 05/04/2015
`Current Basis: Use
`Section 8 & 15 - Accepted
`And Acknowledged
`
`
`
`10
`
`
`
`Registered
`Reg: 02/21/2023
`Filed: 08/03/2021
`First Use: 08/30/2021
`Current Basis: Use
`Registered
`
`Registered
`Affidavits: 8
`Reg: 12/02/2014
`Pub: 09/16/2014
`Filed: 06/07/2012
`First Use: 01/13/2003
`Current Basis: Use
`Section 8 - Accepted
`
`
`
`
`
`B2BNOFEE
`Jurisdiction: US
`Reg: 6987740
`Serial: 90863076
`Supplemental Reg.:
`90863076
`
`2B ADVICE
`Disclaims: "ADVICE" AND
`"PRIVACY"
`Jurisdiction: US
`Reg: 4647335
`Serial: 85646214
`
`
`
`
`
`August Law PLLC
`
`Suite 510
`29201 South Telegraph
`Road
`Southfield MI 48034
`US
`
`2B Advice GmbH
`
`Wilhelmstrasse 40-42
`Bonn 53111
`DE
`
`045 legal services;
`
`
`045 consulting and legal
`services in the field of
`privacy and security laws,
`regulations, and
`requirements; consulting
`services in the field of
`maintaining the security
`and integrity of databases;
`monitoring of computer
`systems for security
`purposes; providing a web
`site featuring information
`on the development of
`privacy, security and data
`governance law; regulatory
`compliance consulting in
`the field of privacy;
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1) Second Affirmative Defense: Applicant has priority of rights in the trademark, NO. 221B,
`
`through its earlier and continuous use of the Mark in interstate commerce. Applicant began
`
`using the Mark in connection with its goods and/or services prior to the earliest date of
`
`alleged use by Plaintiff, establishing priority under the Lanham Act (§ 7(c), 15 U.S.C. §
`
`11
`
`
`
`1057(c)).
`
`2) Third Affirmative Defense: Any and all acts alleged to have been committed by
`
`Applicants were performed with lack of knowledge and lack of willful intent.
`
`
`January 8, 2024
`
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`
`
`/s/ Jorge Franco
`
`Jorge Franco
`Rexford Brabson
`T-Rex Law, P.C.
`Attorneys for Applicant
`7040 Avenida Encinas #104-333
`Carlsbad, CA 92011
`
`
`
`
`
`12
`
`
`
`
`
`13
`
`CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
`
` I
`
` hereby certify that a true copy of the foregoing APPLICANT’S ANSWER is being
`electronically mailed to the following address:
`
`
`ZEYNEL KARCIOGLU
`KAR IP LAW P.C.
`10 S. RIVERSIDE PLAZA, SUITE 875
`CHICAGO, NY 60606
`UNITED STATES
`zmk@kariplaw.com, trademarks@kariplaw.com, svp_lc@kariplaw.com
`Phone: 3125699299
`
`/s/ Jorge Franco
`
`Jorge Franco
`
`
`January 8, 2024
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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