|
In re Bose
| Case name: | In re Bose Corporation |
| Parties: | Bose Corporation (appellant), USPTO (appellee by leave of court (Hexawave, Inc. did not appear)) |
| Court: | Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit |
| Decision Date: | August 31, 2009 |
| Ruling: | Reversed/Remanded |
| Opinion by: | Michel (Dyk, Moore) |
| Facts: | Bose filed opposition against HEXAWAVE on grounds of likelihood of confusion under Lanham Act; Hexawave counterclaimed for cancellation based on fraud (15 U.S.C.
§ 1064(3)). Counterclaim based on lack of manufacture of some of the goods at time of renewal of trademarkregistration. But Bose was repairing goods at time of renewal and returning same to customers. Counsel renewing application believed such to meet trademark rules. |
| Lower Court Decision(s): | Bose Corp. v. Hexawave, Inc., TTAB, Opp. No. 91/197,315, Nov. 6, 2007. cancelling Reg. No. 1,633,789 (WAVE) on basis that Bose Corp. committed fraud on the USPTO when renewing, as "should have known" statements were false. TTAB found repair an insufficient basis and held fraud, cancelling entire registration. Bose appealed. |
| Analysis of Appellate Decision: | Intent to deceive requires making statement knowing it to be false. .Here, even if a material misrepresentation was made, the lack of intent to deceive the USPTO removed acts from being fraudulent. To hold otherwise would have lowered the standard for fraud to simple negligence. |
| Appeal Taken: | N |
Legend
USPTO = United States Patent & Trademark Office
BPAI = Board of Patent Appeals & Interferences
TTAB = Trademark Trial and Appeal Board
|
|
For more information on intellectual property, please visit Patent, Trademark, Copyright Information.
The content of this article is not intended to be, and does not
constitute, legal advice and does not create attorney-client privilege.
Consult the attorney of your choice before embarking on any legal
matter or any document preparation/filing.
Free consultation. Call 770-777-0977 or 800-701-5782 for an appointment with a patent, trademark, copyright attorney.
Dr. Thomas R. (Terry) Williamson III is a Patent Attorney practicing in Atlanta, Georgia. By using this website, you agree to the
terms of use
C2006-2009, Williamson Intellectual Property Law, LLC, Atlanta; all rights reserved, world-wide. | Williamson Intellectual Property Law, LLC |
| 1870 The Exchange, Suite 100 |
| Atlanta, GA 30339 |
| 770-777-0977 |
| http://www.trwiplaw.com |
|